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’.

Discover the captivating Cotswolds! Enjoy views of breathtaking countryside, sleepy villages, and bustling market towns on this panoramic tour of one of England’s most beautiful regions. Bask in the beauty of Blenheim Palace! Early arrival at the Palace ensures an almost private visit of this fairy-tale country mansion. See the sumptuous State Rooms with their priceless treasures, stroll through sweeping landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown, and grab a photo opportunity at the shimmering lake. Known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, the picturesque village of Bourton–on–the–Water boasts of many traditional features of the Cotswolds. Take time to marvel at its elegant low bridges and stroll along the magnificent Main Street. Estimated arrival time back to London is around 6.30 pm.

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.

The Cotswolds is classified as an area of outstanding beauty, famed for its traditional villages, rolling hills, cream teas, sheep, and Victorian follies. It is one of the UK’s most popular tourist spots so join us on our small group tour to get a more ‘off the beaten track’ experience of this charming area. Beautiful in all seasons we will visit some of the highlights of the Cotswolds, all within a day’s driving distance from London. A rural idyll that was once the heart of the wool industry in the medieval times, exporting textiles throughout Europe. During the Victorian Era the newly built railways passed this area by, meaning that its medieval charm has been preserved. It was rediscovered by the pioneers of Arts & Crafts Movement and the Pre-Raphaelites in the late Victorian era, who made it fashionable and created lots of small artisan workshops making goods such as furniture, jewelry and ceramics. First we will go to Burford, known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, an old Market town on the River Windrush that winds around a medieval church with a fascinating history. Then we will visit a variety of villages including Bibury with its Trout Farm and the old Weavers Cottages of Arlington Row. After a meander through nearby villages including Bourton on the Water, we will visit the iconic Broadway Tower for some great views across the countryside.

Escape the bustle of London on a full-day sightseeing tour to see some of England's most glorious sights and countryside. Travel in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, and enjoy an intimate, personalized experience as you visit Oxford, Stratford, and Cotswolds villages. Head out of the city on a route that shows you some of off-the-beaten-path London, and your guide will provide full commentary along the way. Then travel into the countryside, heading north-west to picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon. Before you arrive in Stratford, hear about the town’s history and its most famous resident, William Shakespeare. On arrival you’ll have the option of visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace if you wish, or you can explore the town on your own. Enjoy lunch in Stratford, and then take a guided walk through the town that includes a stop at the unusual church where Shakespeare is buried. Leaving Stratford the tour heads south to Oxford, passing through the stunning landscape of The Cotswolds. See some of the loveliest villages that the country has to offer. Narrow country lanes wind their way through classically English villages with clusters of thatched cottages. When you arrive at the world-renowned university city of Oxford, your guide will lead you on a walking tour to take in the city’s stunning architecture. See Oxford University’s colleges, some dating back 900 years. Explore gardens, alleys, pubs, and other hidden delights this city has to offer, as you hear about its history. After the walking tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore further at your own pace, armed with a map provided by your guide. Afterwards the coach will head back to London, arriving at around 08:00 PM.

If you find yourself in London on Christmas day, why not spend your day touring Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford-Upon-Avon and enjoying a traditional Christmas lunch. Your tour will begin at 08:45 at the Golden Tours Visitors Centre. Here you will board your luxury coach and meet your professional guide. Your guide will provide commentary about the sites you visit throughout the entire tour. Your first sop will be in Oxford. Renowned for over 900 years as a centre of academic excellence, follow in the footsteps of its famous students. Bill Clinton, Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis. Explore the university town of Oxford at a leisurely pace and take in the Bodleian Library and college courtyards. You will also be guided through the unspoilt narrow alleys and historic town squares. Your second stop will be in the Cotswolds. Bursting with history and heritage, the Cotwsolds are a charming blend of breathtaking natural history, bustling market towns and sleepy villages. Your final stop will be in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It is a market town with a difference. Here you will visit the birthplace of Shakespeare, arguably the world’s greatest writer. You will also have the pleasure of visiting Anne Hathaway’s cottage. Anne Hathaway was the wife of Shakespeare. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, you will be treated to a traditional Christmas lunch. This attractive market town is quite possibly the perfect setting in which to tuck into a festive meal with all of the trimmings. Comprehensive, entertaining and educational, this is the perfect way for the entire family to celebrate the Christmas season.