Bourton-on-the-Water
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water

From London: Full-Day Cotswolds Small-Group Tour

From London: Full-Day Cotswolds Small-Group Tour

Spend a day exploring the quintessentially British countryside of the Cotswolds, an area known for its green landscapes, charming villages, and honey-colored stone cottages. Enjoy the highlights of the Cotswolds, as well as some of the quieter, less-seen areas of the countryside. First, stop in the small town of Burford, one of England’s most unchanged medieval towns with many buildings over 500 years old. Visit the historic church, stroll along the attractive high street, and explore the town. Next head to Bibury, known as the prettiest village in all of England. Wander along the river and see Arlington Row, a set of weaver's cottages that are now one of the symbols of the Cotswolds. Enjoy free time to explore the enchanting village. Continue on to the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-water. Take ample time to stroll by the river and its small bridges, admire the stone cottages and have some lunch.  Cap your tour with a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold, a jumble of inns and antique shops situated around the ancient market square. Stow has been a center of trade in the Cotswolds for centuries and was the location of the last battle of the English Civil War in 1646. It's also the location of ‘England’s oldest pub’.  Afterward, the tour returns to the meeting point.

From London: Cotswolds and Oxford Guided Day-Trip

From London: Cotswolds and Oxford Guided Day-Trip

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the English countryside from London. Admire the fairytale houses of the Cotswolds, the historic Oxford University, and the beauty of the English Countryside. Depart London on a full-day tour that takes you west to experience the beauty of the Cotswolds countryside, and the university city of Oxford. Drive through the Cotswolds, as you enjoy views of the lovely landscape and stone villages. A designated area of outstanding natural beauty, this is the English countryside at its finest. We will stop at Burford and Bourton-On-The-Water, the two most loved villages of the Cotswolds. Continue to Oxford to explore the most famous university city in the world. Free-time for lunch in the heart of the city. Take a walk among the college buildings and admire their dreamy spires. Your guide will recommend a walking route that covers the most famous sites, including the Bridge of Sighs and Christchurch Cathedral. Learn about Oxford’s connection with Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. Find a great place for a meal (you guide will provide recommendations), or join local scholars and academics over a pint in the city’s most haunted pub. You'll be back in London by 6 in the evening and you can use the London Underground to travel quickly to all areas of London.

From London: Full-day Cotswolds Tour with Optional Lunch

From London: Full-day Cotswolds Tour with Optional Lunch

Enjoy the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, and visit 3 of its loveliest villages – Burford, Bibury and Stow-on-the-Wold. Travel through the Cotswolds, an area seemingly unchanged with the passing of time. See rolling landscapes, dry stone walls, quaint churches, and streams that tumble past tiny villages and charming hamlets. 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. See the town’s small tea houses before heading south to picturesque Bibury for lunch. Dine in one of the prettiest villages in England. A 2-course meal awaits you in the heart of the Cotswolds at the Swan Hotel. The restaurant, overlooking the River Coln, is housed in a 17th-century former coach inn, and serves a popular range of traditional dishes, along with ales and fine wines. Afterwards, you’ll travel to Stow-on-the-Wold, a small market town known for its annual fairs. Enjoy a guided walk through the town center before returning to London.

From London: Small Group Cotswolds Villages Tour

From London: Small Group Cotswolds Villages Tour

Depart from London and leave the busy streets of the city behind as you head towards the Cotswolds, the single largest Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. With its rustic rural charm, rolling hills, vibrant market towns, and picture-perfect villages, the Cotswolds covers nearly 800 square miles of unspoiled countryside. Take a trip through its rolling hills, home to some of the most famous and historic towns and villages of England.  An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this range of hills in west-central England is packed with picturesque villages built of Cotswold stone, beautiful churches, and vast manor houses.  As you make your way through little villages and historic market towns you will have the opportunity to explore the honey-colored cottages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Burford.  Highlights include a stunning row of 17th-century weaver’s cottages and a tranquil river flowing through the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’.

From London: Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace & Downtown Abbey

From London: Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace & Downtown Abbey

Tick off some of southern England’s top attractions on a guided day trip by bus from London to Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds villages, including the Bampton filming location of the TV show Downtown Abbey. If you prefer exploring historic towns over attractions, enjoy the flexible tour option. Board your coach in London and head out of the city and towards your first stop at Blenheim Palace. Witness this masterpiece of English Baroque architecture which was also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Visit the stunning State Rooms, brimming with priceless works of art and magnificent tapestries (if option selected), and admire the 754-hectare gardens, including an exquisite water garden. Next, head into the charming Cotswolds region for a stop at the authentic village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Explore this picturesque location, complete with many attractive bridges crossing the gently-flowing river at its center. Complete your experience with a trip to Bampton; the film setting for many of the famous landmarks featured in the popular Downton Abbey TV series. See the buildings that played the part of the home of Isobel Crawley, the Downton Cottage Hospital, the church, and also the location for two fictional local pubs, The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.

From London: Full-Day Guided Tour of the Cotswolds

From London: Full-Day Guided Tour of the Cotswolds

Depart London and journey through the unspoiled villages, river valleys and rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known for its houses built of local honey-colored stone. Encounter charming villages and hamlets untouched by time, and visit some of the most beautiful towns in England. Stop in the town of Burford on the River Windrush, often referred to as the "gateway" to the Cotswolds. Get some time to grab some lunch at a local cafe and see some of the lovely cottages in Stow on the Wold. Then journey on to another charming village to round off the day.

From Oxford: Cotswolds Towns and Villages Small Group Tour

From Oxford: Cotswolds Towns and Villages Small Group Tour

Discover quaint villages, tiny tea rooms, and 15th-century ruins on a day trip to the Cotswolds from Oxford. Explore Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, and more unusually named places. Admire the scenery as you drive through the pretty countryside to picturesque villages. Departing from outside Oxford Railway Station in the morning at 10:00 AM, head to the village of Great Tew. Continue to Stow-on-the-Wold to reach the highest town in the region and browse the honey-colored buildings and tiny tea rooms. Visit the pretty village of Lower Slaughter before going to Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds", where you will have time for lunch. After lunch, discover the gateway to the Cotswolds in the village of Burford. Journey through the valley of the River Windrush and discover amazing villages such as Swinbrook along with the ruins of 15th-century Minster Lovell Hall. Departure will be late afternoon, returning to Oxford Railway Station by 5:00 PM

From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

From Stratford-upon-Avon / Moreton-in-Marsh: Cotswolds Tour

Join a local driver/guide on a relaxing full-day tour of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Experience the very best of this quintessentially English region on this tour that stops at 6 different and unique locations with ample time built into the day for self-exploration, shopping, and lunch. Accept no substitutes - this activity is provided by a local company established for 10 years! The tour stops at: • Dover's Hill: the northern-most Cotswolds viewpoint offering panoramic views out towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham & Coventry • Chipping Campden: a historic wool town where you have 1 hour of free time to explore with our unique maps and local recommendations • A secret off-the-beaten-track Cotswolds village (join to find this one out!) • Stow-on-the-Wold: your designated lunch stop with a wide range of wonderful food options to choose from  • Bibury: often referred to as the prettiest village in England it's also the home of the iconic Arlington Row of cottages • Bourton-on-the-Water: famed for the crystal clear waters of the River Windrush and the pretty bridges that cross it Between the stops, your local driver-guide will tell you the story of the Cotswolds with a fun, fact-filled commentary as you travel the narrow back lanes only the locals know about.

London: Cotswolds & Shakespeare's Stratford Day Tour

London: Cotswolds & Shakespeare's Stratford Day Tour

Top 10 Highlights of the Shakespeare Coaches One Day Cotswolds Tour The Cotswolds, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), boasts rolling hills, historic villages, and quintessentially English landscapes. Known for its honey-colored stone buildings and serene countryside, the Cotswolds is a destination that captures the heart of every visitor. With Shakespeare Coaches, you can experience this enchanting region in comfort and style. 1. Straford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon: Our fist stop is in the historical town of Shakespeares Birthplace! 2. Dovers Hill Dovers Hill: Begin your Cotswolds Day Trip by visiting the most northenly point of the Cotswolds and take in the most breatking views over the Veil of Evesham 3. Chipping Campden Chipping Campden: Next, visit the charming market town of Chipping Campden. Known for its elegant terraced High Street, Chipping Campden is home to beautiful historic buildings, delightful shops, and cozy cafes. Spend some time exploring the town's treasures, including the 17th-century Market Hall and the stunning St. James' Church. 4. Broadway Tower Broadway Tower: Your first stop is the iconic Broadway Tower, the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. This unique folly offers panoramic views of up to 16 counties on a clear day. Explore the tower and learn about its fascinating history, or take a leisurely stroll around the surrounding parkland. 5. Snowshill Village Snowshill Village: Let this 1000 year old village nestled on the side of the valley take your breath away 6. Stow-on-the-Wold Stow-on-the-Wold: Continue your Cotswolds Tour with a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold, a quintessential Cotswold market town. Known for its antique shops, cozy tea rooms, and the medieval St. Edward's Church, Stow-on-the-Wold offers a perfect end to your Cotswold adventure. Take time to soak in the town's rich history and charming atmosphere. 8. Bourton-on-the-Water Bourton-on-the-Water: Often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds," Bourton-on-the-Water is a must-see with its low stone bridges and tranquil river. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the River Windrush, visit the local shops, or explore attractions such as the Model Village and Birdland Park and Gardens. 7. Bibury Bibury: Visit Arlington Row built in the 14th century as a monastic wool store, the buildings were converted into weavers' cottages in the 17th century. The cottages are iconic for their charming, timeless appearance, characterized by steeply pitched roofs and stone walls. 9. Five Secret Villages Five Secret Villages As well as the Classic places to visit we will take you on a journey that explores five secret villages along the way that offer unique charm and tranquility, making for an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path experience that showcase the Cotswolds' best-kept secrets 10. Expert Local Knowledge - That is makes this London Tour unique This Tour Ends back at London Paddington Station.

From Birmingham: Cotswolds Full-Day Tour

From Birmingham: Cotswolds Full-Day Tour

Spend the day exploring the quaint countryside of the Cotswolds, known for its landscapes, charming villages and honey-coloured stone cottages. Enjoy the sights of the Cotswolds, as well as some quieter, less-seen areas of the countryside. First we will stop in the small town of Burford, one of the most unchanged medieval towns in England with many buildings that are more than 500 years old. You will be able to visit the local historic church (if no weddings or ceremonies), walk down the main street and explore the town. Then we will head to Bibury, known as the most beautiful village of England. Also known from the Stardust movie. Walk along the river and have a photoshoot at Arlington Row, a collection of cottages that are now one of the symbols of the Cotswolds. Enjoy free time to explore the charming village. We will continue to the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-Water. Allow enough time to walk along the river and its small villages, admire the stone houses and have lunch. You will have a chance to visit the Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum (£6.75 Entry for Adults) or visit the Model Village (£4.50 Entry for Adults). We'll end our tour with a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold, a bunch of pretty courtyards and antique shops around the old market square. Stow has been a trading centre in the Cotswolds for centuries and was the site of the last battle of the English Civil War in 1646. It is also home to 'England's Oldest Pub'!! After that, the tour returns to the meeting point.

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What people are saying about Bourton-on-the-Water

Overall rating

4.6
(2,980 reviews)

Paul and James were fantastic! Very good spirits, accompanied by good driving and a very good guided tour through the Cotswolds and Oxford! Will definitely book with them again in the future!

Andy, our guide was wonderful- fun, interesting, engaging! Learned a lot- he threw in lots of interesting history tidbits and great stories! The towns visited were charming! Thank you, Andy!

Wonderful time with Kevin as our tour guide. Everything was perfect and the practical advice on visiting England was very helpful. Would definitely do another trip with their company!

Excellent. Colin, our guide, was so informative and enthusiastic about the Coxwolds, but made all the information fun and interesting.

Ken was a lovely host/tour guide and very informative. We felt this tour was a good introduction to the Cotswold area.