The Cotswolds, Oxford & Shakespeare's Stratford
Private Day Tours From London For Small Groups
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| Anne Hathaway's Cottage Stratford |
Private Cotswolds, Oxford, Warwick & Stratford Tour
The Cotswolds is a range of hills in west-central England, an area 25 miles (40 km) across and 90 miles (145 km) long. The area is characterised by attractive small towns and villages built of the underlying Cotswold stone (a type of limestone).
On the borders of the Cotswolds are the university city of Oxford, Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon and Warwick Castle. Combining any of these four makes a fascinating day of contrasts.
Vehicles, Driver/Guides + Scope Of Tours
A range of touring vehicles with capacities ranging from 8 to 16 seats.
We charge a flat fee per vehicle, (not person) for the day, This includes the bus and services of the driver guide. Admissions to attractions are not included.
All tours are customised around your individual needs.
We have outlined some of our most popular tours on the menu on the left to make it easy for you.
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| Day Tours Including .... |
| Tour Overview |
| Stonehenge |
| Bath |
| Stratford Upon Avon |
| Cotswolds |
| Oxford |
| Windsor |
| Canterbury & Leeds Castle |
| Paris |
| Multi Day Tours |
| Cotswolds & Bath |
| Edinburgh / Highlands |
| Paris |
| Most Popular Tours |
| Bath & Stonehenge |
| Windsor, Bath, Stonehenge |
| Stonehenge Afternoon |
| Lunch in Cotswolds |
| Independent Trips |
| Stonehenge |
| Bath |
| Windsor |
| Salisbury |
| Avebury |
| Lacock |
| Glastonbury |
| Oxford |
| The Cotswolds |
| Stratford & Warwick |
| Canterbury & Leeds Castle |
| Paris |
| Tour Operators |
| Premium Tours |
| Evan Evans Tours |
| International Friends |
| Anderson Tours |
| Car Private Tours |
| Mini Bus Private Tours |
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The day is yours, the only rules are imposed by UK law - no smoking on buses and driving hours and breaks governed by UK law. Otherwise you're free to go where you want to go, when you want to go.
Time is always the enemy, even though a typical tour will be 10-11 hours in duration.
Example Cotswolds & Towns Tour Template
The Cotswolds covers quite an area, north to south not far off 100 miles.
Our most popular itinerary is to combine a visit to the Cotswolds with a visit to either Oxford, Stratford or Warwick Castle.
We meander down country lanes, through villages of honey coloured stone, stopping in Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water and also visiting the charming twins of Upper and Lower Slaughter is recommended.
A stop for a leisurely lunch or cream tea can be made or you can even stretch your legs and ramble between Upper and Lower Slaughter and reward yourself with a cream tea or pint at the end.
Central Cotswold Villages
Burford
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| Bourton On The Water |
Burford, an old wool town, is our gateway town into the Cotswolds. One of the larger conurbation's, the main High Street descending down to the river with some of its best 17th and 18th century frontages is the main focus for visitors. Burford is a renowned centre for antiques, teashops and gift shopping.
Bourton On The Water
Probably the most popular village in the Cotswolds, and often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" because the River Windrush runs right through the centre. The sparkling water and the attractive low bridges crossing it create a charming scene.
The Slaughters
Only a couple of miles from Bourton On Water, Lower Slaughter is just off the Roman Fosse Way and a wonderfully conserved typical Cotswold village, with a Water Mill and ducks on the stream - a wander alongside the stream seems like a privilege.
Upper Slaughter is equally attractive with old cottages and farmhouses, and a Manor House now a hotel.
Bibury
Overlooking the River Coln that was once described as the prettiest village in Britain by William Morris.
Stratford Upon Avon
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| Shakespeare's Birthplace |
On arriving in Stratford we do a short orientation tour of Stratford on the bus before alighting at Shakespeare's Birthplace. The 'must see' in in the middle of town.
On the far side of the town centre is Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried.
The town itself is also a nice place to loiter with some olde worlde charm and a very nice riverside with extensive parkland and always something going on.
A mile or two from the town centre is Anne Hathaway's Cottage and further out is Shakespeare's mother's house, Mary Arden.
The bus is needed to see these.
Stratford Upon Avon What To Expect
Warwick Castle
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| Entertainment At Warwick Castle |
Just 20-30 minutes from Stratford is Warwick Castle, one of England's best preserved castles.
Warwick Castle is run by the people who run Madame Tussauds in London and there is an accent on entertainment with plenty of events put on and things to do. You can spend time climbing the castle towers, walking through the gardens, visiting the exhibitions and watching special outdoor events. These events may include jousting, archery or falconry.
Oxford
The colleges in Oxford date back to the 13th century and among its famous students were Bill Clinton, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and Lewis Carroll.
There is only one way of seeing Oxford and thats to walk. Unfortunately our bus cannot park in Oxford city centre so the driver/guide cannot accompany you. THe city is very compact though and we will supply a map or arrange in advance a guide to meet you.
Christ Church is the single most visited college, especially since it was used extensively in the Harry Potter movies.
Typical Tour Schedules
Oxford & Stratford Tour08:00 - Leave London hotel 09:30 - 11:00 Oxford 11:30 - 14:00 Touring Cotswolds 14:30 - 16:00 Stratford 18:00 - 18:30 Arrive at London hotel. Oxford & Warwick Castle Tour08:00 - Leave London hotel 09:30 - 11:00 Oxford 11:30 - 13:15 Touring Cotswolds 14:00 - 16:00 Warwick Castle 18:00 - 18:30 Arrive at London hotel. |
Oxford & Cotswolds Tour08:00 - Leave London hotel 09:30 - 11:30 Oxford 12:00 - 13:00 Burford 13:30 - 14:30 Bourton On The Water 14:45 - 16:00 Walk between the Slaughters 18:00 - 18:30 Arrive at London hotel. Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace Tour08:00 - Leave London hotel 09:45 - 12:00 Bleinheim Palace 12:30 - 15:45 Cotswolds / Oxford 18:00 - 18:30 Arrive at London hotel. |
| Group Private Custom Tours - Prices For Example Private Bus Tours | ||||
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Example Tour |
Hours |
1 - 10 People |
11 - 16 People |
17 - 54 People |
| 10.5 | £499-£699* | £549-£749* | p.o.a | |
| 10.5 | £499-£699* | £549-£749* | p.o.a | |
| Stonehenge, Pubs, Countryside & Bath | 10.5 | £499-£699* | £549-£749* | p.o.a |
| Stonehenge, Avebury, Old Sarum & Salisbury | 10.5 | £499-£699* | £549-£749* | p.o.a |
| Oxford, Cotswolds & Straford Upon Avon | 10.5 | £499-£699* | £549-£749* | p.o.a |
| Stonehenge Plus | 7-11 | £449-£499 | £499-£599 | p.o.a |
| Windsor Plus | 5-11 | £299-£499 | £449-£599 | p.o.a |
| * Lowest price is for a friendly driver who will transport you wherever you want to go. A £100 supplement above the lowest prive is levied for tours with a driver/guide providing commentary and guiding. A £200 supplement above the lowest price is levied for tours with a driver/guide providing specialist commentary and guiding to lecture grade. |
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- Tours are private tours exclusive to single groups, we cannot put groups together under UK legislation. - Price not inclusive of admissions to attractions. - Price inclusive of all taxes, touring bus, experienced driver, fuel. - One way tour/transfers. Standard buses up to 16 people can take about 20 large cases. |
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Private Day Tour Enquiry Form
Enter your ideas on what you want to visit on your custom day tour. We will by return provide you with a written quotation and draft itinerary.