The Cotswolds is a scenic area containing some of England's best countryside and it is one of the few such areas within easy driving distance of London for a day tour.
A tour coach will take about 2 hours to get into the Cotswolds from London.
The lure of the Cotswolds is the English countryside and villages that you see in all the tourist promotional literature.
Sleepy villages made of the local limestone with thatched or slate roofs. A pub, maybe a murmuring stream running through and a backdrop of greenery.
What is more, this picture is not an out of context place put on especially for tourists, but real, living villages, covering a very wide area.
A typical Cotswold day tour from London will stop at two or three of such villages, all very different and somewhere during the day find time for a cream tea or lunch.
Most will also stop at somewhere else of interest on the periphery of the Cotswolds region, Oxford, the university city and Stratford On Avon for all things Shakespeare are the most popular such stops.
Many tours pass through the Cotswolds and give a tantalising glimpse of the Cotswolds, this tour gives the Cotswolds centre stage and spends all day in the Cotswold region.
The Cotswolds represents an area that is forever England, remaining seemingly unchanged with the passing of time. Rolling landscapes, dry stone walls, perpendicular churches and sparkling clear streams fuse with tiny villages and hamlets with their charming limestone houses, tea shops and inns.
Burford is a picturesque town on the River Windrush where you can spend your morning visiting the quaint shops and tearooms, taking in old stone houses, a medieval bridge, and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages.
Bibury was described as the most beautiful village in England by William Morris and you can enjoy a short walking tour here as well as a fabulous two course lunch in the Swan hotel, a 17th century former coaching Inn, situated in the centre of Bibury, overlooking the River Coln. This old inn serves a fabulous range of traditional cooking, ales and fine wines.
Stow is a magnificent market town with a famous Roman road, and impressive market square. You will also come across the ancient cross, and the town stocks, shaded between an old elm tree. Stow is an important shopping centre and has many fine antique shops, art galleries, and gifts shops.
Cotswolds and lunch in pretty pub, guided day tour from London
Adult from £117
• 2-course lunch in a 17th Century former coaching Inn in Bibury • Guided visits to Burford & Stow-on-the Wold • Professional guide • Luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
This small group tour is another that focuses on the Cotswold only. On this tour there are a maximum of 16 people sharing the tour which can make it feel much more personal. An additional benefit with small group tours in the Cotswolds is the size of the vehicle you are travelling within. Large coaches are often not allowed close to some of the Cotswold villages, whereas a luxury small group vehicle on occasions will get you much closer.
On this tour you will explore two stunningly beautiful Cotswolds villages and enjoy stunning photo opportunities at Bibury. On your journey you will also pass through other beautiful villages and enjoy the incredible scenery and history of an area of outstanding natural beauty.
At Bibury, you'll stop for photos and look at the River Coln running alongside the traditional 17th century weaver cottages.
From here, you journey to Burford, known as the gateway to the Cotswolds. You'll find many small boutique and antique shops here, perfect for those looking to browse or buy some authentic souvenirs of their visit. The river Windrush runs by Burford and the village is well known as a beautiful example of Cotswolds architecture and design.
The last village you'll visit is one of the most well known, Bourton-on-the-Water ('Venice of the Cotswolds'). Here you'll enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring the shops, walking along the river, taking amazing pictures and enjoying the quaint cafes.
From Bourton-on-the-Water you are taken back to London for the early evening.
Small group guided tour of Cotswolds (max 16 people)
Including voucher for meal at Poppie's Fish & Chips Restaurant in London
• Adult from £127
• Visit Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford • Photo stops at Bibury • Scenic drive through the idyllic Cotswolds • Professional guide • 1-day guided small group coach tour • Voucher for meal at Poppie's Fish & Chips, London • London in Your Pocket App
On this tour you will be travelling with no more than 16 other people - guaranteed! Purpose-built minibuses have large windows, good air circulation and clear PA systems so that your professional guide can escort you comfortably through the wonderful countryside.
There are no minimum numbers required to operate this tour.
Visit two of England’s must-see destinations in one day on this small-group tour to Oxford and the Cotswolds. Take in the pretty countryside scenery of Cotswold villages including Burford, Bibury and Stow-on-the-Wold and stroll among the secluded cloisters, dreaming spires, and historic colleges of Oxford, and admire the Divinity School’s impressive medieval architecture. Travel in a small group with your guide for a more personal experience, and reach parts of the pretty countryside the larger coaches can’t pass.
Oxford, Cotswolds & country pub lunch day tour from London
Flexi adult from £174 • Best rate adult from £156.60 • Flexi child (3-15 years) from £154 • Best rate child from £138.60
• Explore Oxford with expert guide • Admission Divinity School Oxford • Visit the villages of Burford, Bibury and Stow-on-the-Wold • Enjoy lunch in Cotswolds village (included) • Small group max 16 ppl • Professional guide
Just about the only mainstream tour from London that visits Blenheim Palace, this tour only runs all year round but not during the month of December.
You will start your day visiting the quaint village of Bampton, the traditional English village made famous for being the filming location for the popular period drama television series, “Downton Abbey.” You'll see the home of Isobel Crawley, the Downton Cottage Hospital, the village church, as well as the location for two fictional local pubs, The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.
Following your visit to Bampton, your next stop will be Bourton-on-the-Water, the 'Venice of the Cotswolds,' on the River Windrush. Here you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea experience in a riverside café, or take a stroll down the river banks and peruse the eclectic mix of local stores offering everything from homemade ice cream to charming gifts for friends and family back home.
Finally you'll finish your day at Blenheim Palace, Blenheim is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The stunning State Rooms are brimming with priceless works of art and magnificent tapestries. The Palace is still inhabited today by the Duke of Marlborough. The Gardens are set in over 754 hectares of land with an exquisite water garden.
Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds and Downton Abbey film locations guided day tour from London
• Adult without Blenheim Palace entry from £72 • Adult with Blenheim Palace entry from £100
• Optional entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens • Walking tour of Bampton • Discover two traditional villages • See filming locations of 'Downton Abbey' • Professional guide • Luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
Discover the charming English Countryside of your dreams with this special day tour. As you make your way to the Cotswold in a comfortable coach you will be met with dreamy villages, unspoilt countryside, and stunning views of rolling hills.
To begin your day you'll head to the beautiful Blenheim Palace and uncover the history of Winston Churchill in an exclusive Exhibition as you walk the halls of his extraordinary life.
You'll take a drive through traditional Cotswolds towns and villages such as Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.
On this small group tour, you'll finish your tranquil English day at Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswold and if you’re feeling peckish, stop by a rustic British pub to enjoy a traditional meal (option available to book at time of booking, use banner below).
Cotswolds and lunch with Blenheim Palace, guided day tour from London
• Adult with lunch £124, without lunch £98
• Entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens • Lunch with drink included - or cheaper option without lunch • Drive through Cotswolds villages including Burford & Bourton-on-the-Water • Professional guide • Luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
This private tour leaving from Southampton port/hotel or London offers the ultimate 'English Experience': Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds (book your own accommodation in your choice of Cotswolds village or town) and Oxford on day two. You can listen to stories understand the history of the places you will be visiting from your own private driver/guide.
Private Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Oxford 2-day tour from Southampton or London
Adult from £650pp (based on 2 people sharing)
• Visit each site by private car from Southampton or London • Tickets Stonehenge • Tickets Roman Baths in Bath • Professional guide/driver • Hotel/port pickup & drop off
Stonehenge Morning Half Day Tour - from £65 |
Windsor Castle Windsor Morning & Afternoon Tours - from £70 |
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (inc Lunch, no adm Roman Baths) - from £99 |
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (no Lunch, inc adm Roman Baths) - from £92 |
Windsor, Stonehenge & Salisbury - from £85 |
Windsor & Bath Day Tour - from £85 |
Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge (Small Group - Max 16 people) - from £156.60 |
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge admission only) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £88 |
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Baths adm) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £116 |
Stonehenge & Bath (Stonehenge & Jane Austen Centre) - 3.5 hrs in Bath - from £118 |
Stonehenge & Windsor (featuring extended time at Windsor) - from £85 |
Stonehenge & Avebury - from £114 |
Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford - from £79 |
Stratford, Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge - from £128 |
Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
Bath, Cotswolds, Stonehenge & Avebury (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
Oxford, Stratford & Warwick Castle - from £74 |
Oxford, Cotswolds & County pub lunch (Small Group) - from £156.60 |
Stratford & Cotswolds (inc Anne Hathaway’s) - from £85 |
Full-day Cotswolds only Tour (Small Group) - from £127 |
In-depth Cotswolds Only Tour + Lunch - from £127 |
Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & Cotswolds Tour - from £72 |
Stratford, Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge - from £128 |
Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford - from £79 |
Oxford & Cambridge Tour (May-Sep only) - from £97 |
Downton Abbey & Blenheim Palace (Small Group) - £156.60 |
Small group Leeds Castle, Dover & Canterbury with river cruise - from £149 |
Dover Castle, White Cliffs & Canterbury - from £125 |
Canterbury, Dover & Kent Villages - £139 |
Stonehenge Special Access (Walk Among Stones) Tours |
Downton Abbey + Highclere Castle Tours |
Harry Potter Tours |
London Rock Tour |
Beatles Liverpool Day Tour - £198 |
Day Trip to Paris - from £259 |
Day Trip to Edinburgh - from £225 |
2-day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford - from £349 |
3-day Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & SW - from £275 |
5-day Peak District, Wales & Yorkshire- from £425 |
2-day private Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Oxford - from £650 |
Budget 3 days in Paris - from £289 (not currently available) |
Luxury 2 & 3 days in Paris - from £399 (not currently available) |
2-day Edinburgh - from £312 |
3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Weekend - from £379 (not currently available) |
3-day Edinburgh & Scotland Anytime - from £999 |
6-12-day tours of Great Britain and Ireland - from £1425 |