Things to do in

Chipping Campden

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.

Embark on a leisurely full-day tour through the enchanting Cotswolds National Landscape, guided by a local driver. Immerse yourself in the essence of this quintessentially English region as you explore six distinct and charming locations. After departing from Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh, head to Dover's Hill, the northernmost viewpoint in the Cotswolds, providing panoramic vistas towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, and Coventry. Continue to Chipping Campden, an enchanting wool town where an hour of free time awaits, accompanied by maps and local recommendations. Then, explore Snowhill, a village steeped in history. Next, make your way to Stow-on-the-Wold for a well-deserved lunch break. Choose from a variety of delightful food options. Proceed to Bibury, often hailed as the prettiest village in England, home to the iconic Arlington Row of cottages. Finally, discover Bourton-on-the-Water, famous for its crystal-clear waters of the River Windrush and charming bridges. In the stretches between stops, your driver-guide will share the captivating story of the Cotswolds, offering commentary along the narrow back lanes known only to the locals.

Start your unforgettable Cotswold journey by boarding the minibus in Oxford. Then, set off on a scenic drive to the charming village of Minster Lovell. Enjoy seeing the pretty thatched houses and exploring the ruined 15th century Hall. Continue the route through the idyllic villages of Asthall and Swinbrook to Burford, the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'. Make a stop here to give you time to stroll around the sloping High Street and browse in the quirky shops and cafes. Next, travel further on your panoramic drive through the old quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons towards Bourton-on-the-Water, the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. Take a walk along the quaint River Windrush crossed with delightful stone bridges. From Bourton-on-the-Water, follow the route through some enchanting Cotswold villages to Broadway with its golden stone houses. Find a pub or cafe for lunch in this village which inspired artists and writers, such as Frank Millet, J M Barrie, and William Morris. After lunch, visit the beautiful market town of Chipping Campden, with its old market hall and wool church. Then, explore Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you can browse among the narrow footpaths and the antique shops and art galleries. Finally, return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton with a final brief photo stop in Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).

See the natural beauty of the North Cotswolds and historic Stratford-upon-Avon on a full-day tour from Oxford. Make several stops in quaint Cotswolds villages or towns and learn about the birthplace of Shakespeare. Head west from medieval Oxford and your first stop will be the quaint village of Great Tew with its pretty thatched cottages and delightful cafe. You then follow a route that takes you past more breathtaking views until you reach Stratford-upon-Avon. Here you’ll receive a tour of Shakespeare’s hometown, where you’ll see picturesque timber-framed houses, the famous Shakespeare theaters, the River Avon, and Shakespeare’s birthplace.   You continue the Shakespeare theme with a visit to Shottery, where you’ll see the enchanting home of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. Leaving the Stratford area your journey takes you into the Cotswolds across rolling hills and quaint villages. Your first stop in the Cotswolds is in the charming old market town of Chipping Campden with its golden limestone buildings. Visit the old market hall and wander around the quirky shops. Another picturesque drive through narrow country lanes takes you to the pretty village of Snowshill with its charming stone cottages and 19c church. Your final stop is in the delightful village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the Venice of the Cotswolds with its enchanting river crossed by a series of stone bridges. Your return journey to Oxford takes you across stunning scenery through the old market town of Burford, the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds'.

- This online travel guidebook helps you create a bespoke road trip to help with planning your break before you travel as well as when you are on your break, with 12 months of online access. - Therefore, we suggest you don’t wait until your travel date, purchase the guidebook in advance to help you with your planning. Choose an early date and get planning straight away! With the Cotswolds broken down into mini itineraries, you can be sure you will see the best of the chocolate box views, but also discover more and get off the beaten track with the wider, lesser-known Cotswolds too. Get the best out of your break with our user-friendly, online guide that will make planning a breeze. Simply cherry-pick from the options provided ensuring you won’t miss a thing! Access this Class Cotswolds road trip on 2 devices (mobile, tablet or desktop) for 12 months to help with planning your break before you travel, as well as on your holiday. Cotswolds Highlights: • The suggested mapped route is a fully flexible route that winds through the Cotswolds with a series of mini-themed routes that connect, creating a road trip of 183 miles (292 km) with a drive time of around 7 hours and 35 mins. • The suggested mapped route on the online guidebook is fully flexible meaning it will help you plan your trip with places to go and things to see and do, whether from 3 to 14 days • As you journey through the Cotswolds you will also travel through the ages and discover the history of the land and the ages that defined it. Commencing the times gone by with Neolithic settlements. • Bronze and Iron Age forts, and Roman settlements. Learn about how the prosperous wool trade shaped affluent towns and provided the creation of several ‘wool churches’ in the Middle Ages. • The more prominent towns in the Cotswolds highlight the Regency period and the Victorians, including the Golden Age of Steam, taking you through thousands of years of history on your road trip. Online & Interactive Destinations Guidebook: • Save hours using our inspiration and signposting to plan your perfect Classic Cotswold driving route. • The destination guides cover 20 destination locations and guides on essential places to visit in the Cotswolds, such as Bronze and Iron Age forts, and Roman settlements. Don’t miss any of the iconic homes and gardens on the route. • The destination guide includes over 220 attractions, experiences and activities to uncover your own England. The Uncover More map includes: 40+ Viewpoints, 195+ Places of interest, 40+ Hidden gems, 20+ Wild swim spots, 30+ On screen spots The Overnight Stay map includes: 50+ Cotswolds Campsites, 25+ Motorhome stops, 120+ Hotels, 135+ B&Bs, guesthouses and lodges

Day 1 Departing Bristol, your journey begins with a scenic drive through what is considered the birthplace of British tourism and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. We’re talking about Wye Valley, of course, which is dubbed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You’ll love the views of this region as we head towards Tintern Abbey on the banks of River Wye. There’s some fascinating history behind this now-roofless national icon which was founded in 1131. Afterwards you make your way to the market town of Ross-on-Wye where you have free time to explore and grab a bite to eat. Then it’s time to head to Broadway. No, we’re not talking about seeing a stage production, we’re talking about the picturesque village in the Cotswolds. This is a great time for a spot of shopping, or simply wander and enjoy the town before heading to Stratford-upon-Avon, your base for the night. You arrive in the birthplace of Shakespeare in the mid-afternoon so there’s still some time to explore and sort yourself out for dinner. You’re spoilt for choice in Stratford-upon-Avon. Perhaps you’ll explore the Schoolroom and Guildhall, where Shakespeare was first inspired by literature and theatre. Or perhaps you’ll visit his childhood home and hear tales of his family life. Day 2 You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a movie today. Your first destination is considered one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the UK. Wander around the picturesque village of Chipping Campden before heading to Bourton-on-the-Water. Quite a literal name, as this village boasts the beautiful River Windrush running through it, and is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. You continue onto Oxford, your main stop for the day. Famously known for its university, the city of Oxford has an interesting history and plenty of things to do and see. You can learn about some of it at the Ashmolean Museum, Britain’s oldest public museum. If museums aren’t your thing, there’s always Oxford Castle & Prison, a tour of some of the colleges around town, and even several Harry Potter locations to spot. Enjoy a relaxing drive back through some of England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the perfect way to end your day as you head to Bristol where your tour ends in the early evening.

On Day One, arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh train station and make your way to your B&B to receive your welcome pack and maps. On Day Two, start your exploration from the beautiful village of Chipping Campden, arguably the loveliest of the Cotswold towns. A taxi will collect you from Moreton in Marsh and take you to the start of your holiday. From there, you’ll embark on a 9.6-mile walk that takes you through Blockley, Bourton on the Hill, Sezincote, Longborough, and finally ending in Stow on the Wold. Spend the next two nights at a charming B&B in the center of Stow on the Wold. Arrive before 5pm for a well-deserved welcome drink and slice of homemade cake. On Day Three, enjoy a circular walk to Broadwell and Oddington, which leaves from Stow and heads to the beautiful Broadwell and Oddington. Along the way, stop at Daylesford Organic farm for refreshments and wonderfully local organic produce. Head back to Stow and enjoy a complimentary traditional Cream Tea in a charming tearoom. On Day Four, walk from Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water, a 6.4-mile journey that takes you through some of the most picturesque and historic villages in the region. Our maps and guides will include local recommendations along the way to ensure that you don’t miss our best local pubs, cafes, and artisan products. The next morning, end off your journey with a delicious breakfast before your transfer to Moreton-in-Marsh Station

Day 1: Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon Start your journey from Paddington at 8.30am in our luxury 16-seat Mercedes midi-coach. Explore historic Oxford, visit iconic university colleges, the Bodleian Library, and Radcliffe Camera. Continue exploring Oxford with visits to the Ashmolean Museum or the Pitt Rivers Museum. Wander through the Botanic Garden if time allows. Lunch in Oxford before departing for Warwick at 2 pm. Arrive in Warwick and explore Warwick Castle in the late afternoon. Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, check into accommodation, and enjoy dinner in the historic town center. Day 2: Stratford-upon-Avon Explore Stratford-upon-Avon at your own pace, including the birthplace of William Shakespeare, with our free entry pass granting access to key attractions. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace, and learn about his early life and house history. Head to Shakespeare's New Place, his family home during later years, with beautiful gardens and contemporary sculptures. Take a coffee break at a local café, enjoying the town's charming atmosphere. Visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, exploring its history and exhibitions. Have lunch in the town center at a local restaurant or pub, sampling British or international cuisine. Explore the Guild Chapel, an impressive medieval building with stained glass windows and connections to Shakespeare. Discover Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall, the school where Shakespeare studied as a child, and explore the unique Guildhall architecture. Visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the picturesque childhood home of Shakespeare's wife, with a thatched cottage and gardens. Explore Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare's burial place, and its riverside location. Take a relaxing River Avon cruise with scenic views of the town and surrounding countryside. Dine at a riverside restaurant with an evening atmosphere and optional live music. Consider optional evening entertainment like a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or a local play. Day 3: Cotswold Adventure Embark on a Cotswold adventure from Stratford-Upon-Avon at 9 AM. Experience panoramic views at Dover’s Hill, unveiling the Cotswolds' quirky traditions. Explore the historic town of Chipping Campden, dating back to the 14th-17th centuries, with its unique maps guiding you to must-see gems. Discover the hidden gem of Snowshill, a tiny hillside village with charm and allure. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Stow-on-the-Wold, a lively market town with independent shops and the legendary ‘Tolkien door’. Witness the iconic 'Arlington Row' in Bibury, often hailed as "the prettiest village in England." Venture to Bourton-on-the-Water, a fairy-tale village with Cotswold stone bridges over the River Windrush. Return to London, with drop-off around 7 PM.

Take to the skies and experience what it's like to be a pilot with this extraordinary 30-minute flight experience. After arriving at the airfield, you will be greeted by friendly staff who will offer you refreshments as you fill out some safety forms. You will then be introduced to your pilot, who will show you around, take you to the plane and answer any questions you might have.  Then it's time to take to the skies! Departing from Enstone Airfield, you will head deeper into the cotswolds and enjoy spectacular views of some famous Cotswold Villages and famous landmarks. Heading back towards Enstone, you will experience beautiful English countryside from on high before carrying on towards Chipping Norton. Take a circuit around Chipping Campden before landing back at Enstone Airfield. If you are lucky, you might have the chance to sit in the cockpit and get a hands-on feel of what it's like to be a pilot of a light aircraft. Once you're safely back on the ground, enjoy refreshments in the club lounge with friendly staff who will be there to answer your questions and take photos so you can remember your day.