Next up on your three days in the Cotswolds itinerary is Painswick, just a short 11-minute drive north from Stroud. , Day 1 Cheltenham, Hidcote Manor & Broadway, Day 2 Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold & More, Day 3 Hop Between Iconic Cotswolds Villages. Although you can reach most of the main towns and villages using a combination of train and bus, if you want to get out and explore then youre limited by the bus timetables. Dine in one of the prettiest villages in England. From 99.00. (Sorry for the bad english, chilean here). We met local farmers, a bee-keeper, we learnt to stonewall, read unseen letters from Elizabeth I at a private castle and even had tea with the owner and gardener of a private Cotswold manor. Click to book this private day tour of the Cotswolds and Lacock village. Another option would be to get a driver for the day though likely to be more expensive. If you want to visit the Cotswolds without a car but have no idea where to start planning your trip, these five sample itineraries might give you some inspiration. While you can still visit some of the towns former mills, its now better known as a creative haven with a bohemian atmosphere and eclectic medley of independent cafes, cosy pubs, galleries, and antique shops. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If the weather is nice and youre keen on a hike, consider taking the footpath trail from Market Place. It is said the poet John Milton stayed here and was inspired to write Paradise Lost. But although its undeniably easier to get around by car, it doesnt mean you cant visit the Cotswolds without one it just might need a bit more planning. Discover wonderful attractions and many other things to see and do to keep you entertained. A short break or even an extended holiday in the Cotswolds will leave you wanting more and youll be booking your next Cotswolds holiday as soon as you return home! And these landscapes are as tranquil as they are beautiful. If visiting on a Saturday morning, this is the perfect place to stock up on fresh, locally made eats for a picnic lunch before stopping by the Museum in the Park and strolling along the Cotswold Canals. Guests staying in London can take a day trip to the Cotswolds -the largest area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the country. Hi there, if you want to cover all those places you will need a few days and it'll be easier if you stay in different places. Welcoming gastro pubs, cosy old inns and excellent restaurants make the Cotswolds a great foodie destination. The is one of the best blogs I've found on the web. Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands - 1 day tour, Loch Lomond National Park, Kelpies & Stirling Castle - 1 day tour, West Highlands, Lochs & Castles - 1 day tour, St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife - 1 day tour, Rosslyn Chapel & the Scottish Borders - 1 day tour, Alnwick Castle, the Northumberland Coast & the Borders - 1 day tour, Hadrian's Wall, Roman Britain & the Scottish Borders - 1 day tour, Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky - 1 day tour, The Whiskies & Gins of East Lothian - 1 day tour, Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands - 2 day tour, Isle of Skye & West Highlands - 4 day tour, Magical Mull, Isle of Iona & West Highlands - 4 day tour, York, the Dales, Lake District & Hadrian's Wall - 5 day tour, Highland Explorer: Skye & Far North - 5 day tour, Orkney & Scotland's Northern Coast - 5 day tour, Iona, Mull & the Isle of Skye - 5 day tour, Outer Hebrides & the Scottish Highlands - 5 day tour, Outer Hebrides & Skye Adventure - 6 day tour, Orkney & the Outer Hebrides - 10 day tour, Island Hopping Extravaganza - 17 day tour, Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky - 1 day tour, Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles - 1 day tour, Culzean Castle, Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast - 1 day tour, Loch Lomond, Cruise & Whisky - 1 day tour, Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Cruise - 1 day tour, The Scenic South West of Scotland - 2 day tour, Cairngorms National Park & Whisky - 1 day tour, Torridon, Applecross & Eilean Donan Castle - 1 day tour, Speyside Whisky & Moray Firth - 1 day tour, The Complete Loch Ness Experience - 1 day tour, Glen Affric, Culloden & Clava Cairns - 1 day tour, Lewis, Harris & the Outer Hebrides - 3 day tour, Dunnottar Castle & Royal Deeside - 1 day tour, London to Edinburgh Adventure - 8 day tour, Oxford & Traditional Cotswold Villages - 1 day tour, Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village - 1 day tour, Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford - 2 day tour, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath & the South West Coast - 3 day tour, Isle of Wight & the Southern Coast - 3 day tour, The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District - 3 day tour, Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester - 3 day tour, Heart of England, Wales & Yorkshire - 5 day tour, The Isle of Wight, Stonehenge, Cornwall & the Southern Coast - 7 day tour, Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester - 1 day tour, Windermere & the Lake District - 1 day tour, Derbyshire, the Peak District & Pooles Cavern - 1 day tour, Stonehenge & Cotswold Villages - 1 day tour, Flavours of Somerset & Glastonbury - 1 day tour, StratforduponAvon, Oxford & the Cotswolds - 2 day tour, The Mountains & Coasts of South Wales - 3 day tour, Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge - 4 day tour, South Wales, Cotswolds & Oxford - 4 day tour, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey - 3 day tour, Dingle, Killarney & the Wild Atlantic Way - 3 day tour, Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast - 5 day tour, Complete Ireland Experience - 11 day tour, Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands 3 day tour, Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way - 4 day tour, The Wild Coasts of the North - 6 day tour, Basque Country, Rioja, the Pyrenees, and Northern Spain - 6 day tour, The South of Spain & the Treasures of Andaluca - 6 day tour, The Charms of Portugal & North West Spain - 6 day tour, The Renaissance Cities of Northern Italy - 6 day tour, Cinque Terre, Florence & the Flavours of Tuscany - 6 day tour, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & Irresistible Italy - 6 day tour, The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer - 6 day tour, CastillaLa Mancha, Valencia, and Scenic Spain - 6 Day Tour, Spain & Portugal Encompassed (Starts Madrid) - 13 day tour, Portugal, Galicia & the Heart of Spain - 13 day tour, Spain & Portugal Encompassed (Starts Lisbon) - 13 day tour, The Mountains & Mediterranean Marvels of Spain (Starts Barcelona) - 13 day tour, The Mountains & Mediterranean Marvels of Spain (Starts Madrid) - 13 day tour, The Best of Northern Italy (Starts Milan) - 13 day tour, Italy's Iconic Coasts & Cities - 13 day tour, Highlights of Italy & Switzerland - 13 day tour, The Best of Northern Italy (Starts Rome) - 13 day tour, The Vistas of Switzerland & Italy - 13 day tour. Lacock is a favourite location among film-makers, and highlights include the historic abbey and a clutch of 15th-century buildings. This Cotswolds day tour from London takes you on a more in-depth discovery of the Cotswolds before heading to Blenheim Palace to see Englands biggest privately-owned home the birthplace of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Our Local Experts work and life in the Cotswolds everyday; they will immerse you life as a local! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Satisfied Next, head about 45 minutes east to Burford, once the site of a fortified ford during the early Middle Ages and later the center of the medieval wool trade. Cotswolds Water Park is more outdoor lakes than chlorinated pools with tons of places to take a refreshing dip (no plastic slides in sight). Our signature small-group tour of famous Cotswolds towns, villages and views. Up to 50% OFF. This blog has been sooo useful- especially the train/bus map. Day tours from London usually include round-trip transport, a tour guide, and entrance fees. Famous for its enchanting villages, idyllic rolling hills, and ancient buildings made of honey-colored limestone, it is one of the Isles most beloved treasures. On this full-day excursion from London, you'll begin your tour in Burford, where the magnificent High Street slopes down to the River Windrush. The canal through Stroud. I, Our day tours of the Cotswolds are perfect for sol, Roses are red, violets are blue The tour also takes in Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. Let an expert guide show you the elegance of Chipping Campden. Let us know in the comments! The original Dr. Doolittle film with Rex Harrison was filmed here. Taking a guided trip takes the stress out of touring the Cotswolds from London, so you can sit back and enjoy the unparalleled scenery and history this gorgeous area has to offer. If you have time, stop by Greystones Nature Reserve, home to wildflower meadows, Iron Age ramparts and a replica Iron Age roundhouse, and an organic farm. Fortunately, in the medieval era, the town came into its own once more finding prosperity as a major wool hub. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Find out more. The 801 runs northeast to Bourton-on-the-Water (45 minutes), Stow-on-the-Wold (60 minutes) and Moreton-in-Marsh (70 minutes), with around nine services a day. The Cotswolds extends a very warm welcome to visitors and their four legged friends. Prices start from 700. The Cotswolds Discoverer One Day Pass costs 10.50 for adults (5.25 for children or 6.90 with a Railcard*) and includes unlimited travel on many buses and trains. Dont be put off by their sinister-sounding names. And when you stroll by its honey-coloured stone cottages, cosy tearooms and colourful flower gardens; youll understand why. Our Oxford tours from London take you to the home of the world's most famous university. 2022 was our 28 th trip to the Cotswolds Terms apply for children under 3. Ideal for first-time visitors to the Cotswolds or if you only have one day to spare. If youre one or both, take a hike from the village to Belas Knap, an ancient Neolithic Burial Ground, and Hailes Abbey, the remnants of a 13-century Cistercian Monastery. Tel: +44 (0)7786 920 166 Many dates available Departures from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh. So you need to plan carefully and keep an eye on the time, especially to make sure you dont miss the last bus. If you are planning 2 to 3 days in the Cotswolds, use this Cotswolds itinerary to experience all the best this incredible region has to offer. If you havent yet been and have some spare time, you can stop at Stonehenge to the south of Oxford to the north along the way. Our private tours let you explore the lovely Market Town of Tetbury. This is a classic Cotswolds road trip. What a wh, Beautiful, frosty, crunchy winter mornings in, We are ON tomorrow! Another option for those seeking a full day Cotswolds day trip from London is this one with a two-course pub lunch included. Alternatively, you could catch the train to Stroud where its a seven-mile walk along the canal to Stonehouse, where you can pick up a return train to Cheltenham. Afterwards, stop by the Old Rectory Tea Room for fresh-baked scones before heading to the next stop on your Cotswolds itinerary. This day trip to Cotswolds from London by car is led by a former city taxi driver in a six-seater Mercedes, and youll be transported by luxury Mercedes to see the Cotswolds finest sights. Another must-visit is Sudeley Castle & Gardens. 9 of the best Cotswolds tours from London London full day tour to the Cotswolds Duration: 9 hours Destinations: Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury & Burford Departure time: 08.30 (08.15 check-in) Departure point: Mercure Kensington Hotel, near Earl's Court underground What's included: Transport, guide, free time to explore Our passion is about getting immersed into local life to provide a real authentic immersion into the culture and experience things that are not contrived. There are three main train routes which run through the Cotswolds one in the north, one in the centre and one in the south, calling at: There are also railway stations in larger towns and cities just outside the Cotswolds which are on different train lines: Stratford-upon-Avon, Chippenham, Bradford on Avon and Banbury. Extending 5.5 miles, it connects the village with serene woodland, providing stunning views along the way. The second-highest point in the Cotswolds, it can be seen from the Welsh border on a clear day and is one of the best spots to catch the sunset. After departing Stratford youll enjoy a scenic drive through the Cotswolds before heading to Oxford. Our 5 days in the Cotswolds was truly like no We realise that COVID-19 is a big worry for many people at the moment, here in the Cotswolds our tours and transfers have begun and we can still see all the normal sites and nothing is missed, and were able to offer a full chauffeur and tour service. See the town's small tea houses before heading south to picturesque Bibury for lunch. Theaccommodation is just as wide ranging and welcoming: enjoy the finest of country house hotels, go chic and boutique, take a spa break, snuggle up in a charming B&B, put up a tent at a beautifully located campsite. As you can see, there are some great Cotswolds tours from London, and you can also take in other areas if youd like to including Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Stratford, Highclere Castle and even Downton Abbey locations. You could either catch a train to one of the bigger towns or cities like Oxford or Cheltenham and do day trips by bus into the Cotswolds. If youre visiting in summer, I strongly recommend arriving early (e.g., before 10 a.m.) or coming later in the day to avoid the crowds. Great experiences make great gifts! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If so, could you recommend what would be the best way to do it? Thank you for writing this Lucy. The order in which these are visited may vary. The town centre is dominated by the pillared Market House built in 1655. Cotswold Tours & Travel are a highly respected leader in luxury travel and tours in the Cotswolds and the U.K. Cotswold Tours & Travel cares for perfection and puts you first, listening to your desires and interests. You can also take the Golden Valley Line that connects Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa. This 15th-century fortress, with its 10 gorgeous gardens, stands on the site of a former 12th-century castle and boasts connections to the late royals Anne Boleyn and Katherine Parr, two of Henry VIIIs wives. The 300 year old Yew hedge screening Lord Bathursts Manor is a sight indeed! Were Michael and Maggie, an Australian and American couple travelling the world. Yes there are some villages and attractions which you cant get to without a car or which would take too long or involve too many connections to be worth it. But local train and bus links are good enough to reach the Cotswolds main towns and villages without a car, so not having access to one or not wanting to drive shouldnt put you off visiting. Next youll call at Stow-on-the-Wold, one of the biggest Cotswolds settlements. From the delightful Market place you can admire the Parish Church of St John the Baptist. These include the real-life Yew Tree Farm and Swinbrooks Swan Inn. By providing my email I agree for Go Cotswolds to contact me via email with news, events and updates. Kemble is the closest, with the 882 bus connecting to trains from London and only taking 12 minutes to reach Cirencester. The Eyford House has replaced a now-ruined Norman castle as the villages focal point. Location: Gloucestershire, Cotswolds Enjoy a touch of class in a riverside Cotswold inn Afterwards, venture a little further from the center to explore country roads and get a taste of local life. we are from Vancouver Canada. Enjoy a 6 hour driver guided tour of the Cotswolds, whether your interest is architecture, churches,history or the countryside you'll have a fun and informative day. 9 of the best Cotswolds tours from London, London to Cotswolds full day trip with lunch, London to Cotswolds villages and Oxford day tour, London day trip to Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswolds, Day tour to Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey and Cotswolds villages, Day trip to Highclere Castle, the Cotswolds and Downton Abbey, London to the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace with lunch, Private day tour of the Cotswolds and Lacock village. In the 6th century, however, the Saxons destroyed and rebuilt it. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If you want to see it all in a day, this Cotswolds day tour also takes in Shakespeares home town and the city of Oxford. They have a number of beautiful rooms to choose from and lots of other amenities to make your stay fantastic. The Cotswolds is an English paradise full of charming little hamlets like Bibury.