The Captivating Cotswolds
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Stonehenge ©English Heritage
Prepare to be intrigued by rich, unique history, culture and the natural beauty of ancient limestone villages, rolling wolds countryside, beautiful gardens and magnificent historic castles and country homes. The Captivating Cotswolds are waiting for you …..
Tour Highlights Include:
London: – Enjoy a panoramic tour of the capital. Take in iconic sites such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge and Big Ben.
Oxford: – Designated a world heritage site and dating back to the 13th century with an imposing castle, impressive walls, quaint harbour and revolutionary suspension bridge.
Blenheim Palace: – A world heritage site with over 300 years of history. It is the birthplace of the ‘Greatest Briton of all time’ – Winston Churchill.
Cotswolds: – Known as the ‘Heart of England’ it is where time has stood still for 300 years. The Cotswolds is one of the most ‘quintessentially English’ and unspoiled regions of England where you cannot help but fall in love with the uniqueness of it.
Stratford upon Avon – A beautiful market town on the banks of the river Avon. With over 800 years if history and famous as the birthplace of the worlds greatest playwright – William Shakespeare.
Warwick Castle – Over 1,000 years of fascinating and sometimes gruesome history, stunning gardens, incredible state rooms and fantastic entertainment,
Bath: – The only place in the UK to have the whole city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find it steeped in culture and incredibly preserved Roman sites.
Stonehenge: – This wonder of the ancient world is still a mystery. Questions such as why it was build and how it was constructed still remain unanswered. Wander in the footsteps of our neolithic ancestors as you explore this 5000 year old monument.
Your group will travel by comfortable coach with an experienced driver and guide. They will ensure that you really make the most of your adventure.
Explore more of England with our ‘Big English Heritage’ Tour.
Dates
Dates available on request
Itinerary Summary
Day 1
Welcome to England
Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and take you on a short panoramic tour of London; taking in all the major sites including Buckingham Palace, House of Parliament, London Bridge and the Tower of London.
You will then be taken to your central London hotel where the rest of the evening will be free for you to spend at your leisure and explore the incredible city.
Day 2
Oxford and Blenheim Palace
After a traditional English breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the famous university town of Oxford, where you will start your journey with a guided walking tour of this historic city centre. ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’ has been an established town since the 9th century and home to royalty and scholars alike for ore than 800 years.
After an independent lunch you will visit the imposing Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of ‘the Greatest Briton of all time’ Sir Winston Churchill. Located just 8 miles from Oxford, the palace boasts more than 300 years of history and over 2000 acres of beautiful parkland to explore.
After some time exploring the incredible palace and gardens you will be taken to your hotel in Stratford – upon- Avon where the rest of the evening will be free to spend at your lesiure.
Day 3
Cotswolds Villages
After a traditional English breakfast at your hotel you will spend the morning discovering and exploring some of the Cotswolds quaint villages and market towns. Wander through the streets of independent shops and enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea in a Classic Tea Room.
After some free time for lunch you with visit Hidcote Manor where you will spend the afternoon exploring the intricately designed outdoor spaces in the fabulous Arts and Crafts inspired garden. Created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston, its colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are always full of surprises. Explore the maze of narrow paved pathways and discover secret gardens, magnificent vistas and plants that burst with colour.
After returning to your Stratford-upon-Avon hotel, the rest of the evening is free to spend at your leisure.
Day 4
Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle
Enjoy a traditional English breakfast at your hotel before you take a step back in time to Elizabethan England and explore the hometown of ‘The Bard.’ Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare and view his birthplace. The half timbered house is where the famous writer was born and grew up. Captivating costumed guides will show you around the house he spent his childhood years and tell you tales of its colourful history.
Next visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a picturesque farmhouse surrounded by beautiful gardens where Shakespeare’s future wife spent her childhood.
After some free time for lunch you will head to the historic Warwick Castle. which has dominated the middle of England for more than a thousand years. Explore its fascinating, and sometimes gruesome, history, stunning gardens, incredible state rooms and fantastic entertainment.
You will then return to your hotel to spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 5
Bath and return to London
After breakfast you will check out of your hotel and your driver will take you to the wonderful city of Bath. Stepped in nearly two thousand years of history it has been a top destination for relaxation and pleasure since the Roman times. Whilst in Bath you will visit the Roman Baths; hot springs that were once believed to be the world of the Gods and attracted visitors from across the Roman Empire. Come face to face with costumed characters who tell their stories and bring history to life.
You will the rejoin your coach and travel to the remarkable landscape of Stonehenge where you can follow in the footsteps of Neolithic Ancestors. The first Stonehenge monument was built over 5000 years ago and it is unlikely anyone will ever know it’s true purpose (an astronomical observatory, religious site, place of healing or a domain of the dead?) or even how the ancient stone structures were constructed using only primitive tools. You will have free time to explore the monument and museum before being transported to London where you will spend your final evening.
Day 6
Home Time
After a farewell breakfast at the hotel your private transfer will collect you from your hotel and transport you to the airport for your journey home.
Why not extend your stay and spend a few additional days in London? Contact us for more details and great prices.
This tour is suitable for groups from 15 persons
For individual travellers a tailor made tour can be created using a driver/guide – please contact us for prices.
Price is nett – non commissionable and based on sharing double / twin bedded rooms.
Discounts are available for larger groups – please contact us for details.
Single occupancy rooms are available – supplement on request.