Stroud is also home to one of Englands most famous farmers markets. Bristol-and-Bath-England Tour - The Cotswolds from Bath or Bristol Oxford is the mornings destination, where you can discover the treasures at the Ashmolean Museum, climb a tower for sweeping city views and explore the prestigious universitys range of ancient colleges, including Christ Church and its Great Hall. The Regency town of Cheltenham lies to the west of the Cotswolds, with good train connections to London, Birmingham and Bristol. If you want to visit the Cotswolds without a car but have no idea where to start planning your trip, these five sample itineraries might give you some inspiration. Go Cotswolds founders and owners Tom and Lisa Benjamin have an enormous passion for travel and, between them, have visited over 50 countries around the world. From London: Full-Day Cotswolds Tour with Lunch | GetYourGuide If you have time, stop by Greystones Nature Reserve, home to wildflower meadows, Iron Age ramparts and a replica Iron Age roundhouse, and an organic farm. Recommended Train, taxi Take the train from Bristol Temple Meads to Cheltenham Spa Take a taxi from Cheltenham Spa to Cotswolds 56 min 41 - 143 Welcome tothe Cotswolds, a very special, very wonderful place. There are lots of accommodation options to choose from so if youre looking for the perfect place to stay in the Cotswolds, browse through these suggestions: The Lamb Inn This idyllic pub located in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water is the perfect place to stay in the Cotswolds. Ideally suited to groups of up to 16 people travelling together, a private tour with Go Cotswolds allows more convenience and flexibility than our shared guided day tours. Small Group Cotswolds Tour From London - The English Bus Guests staying in London can take a day trip to the Cotswolds -the largest area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the country. Its also linked to many towns in the central and northern Cotswolds by bus. I have always used a car for travel Many dates available Departures from Stratford-upon-Avon and Moreton-in-Marsh. Top Road Trip Stops: Guiting Power; Bourton-on-the-Water; Snowshill; Stratford-upon-Avon. The converted building, with its original water wheel, is now a museum and craft shop with a caf. The order in which these are visited may vary. Chauffeured by our friendly, fully qualified and insured drivers, our comfortable, luxury minibuses are ideal for transporting groups of up to 16 people. Taking a guided trip takes the stress out of touring the Cotswolds from London, so you can sit back and enjoy the unparalleled scenery and history this gorgeous area has to offer. If I want to go to Stock-on-the-wold, Burton on the water, Bibury, Bath, Castle Combe, Stanton and Bath. How can I make it? Bristol - Filton | Cotswold Outdoor Go Cotswolds has featured in national and international press, and is recommended in guide books including Rick Steves Great Britain, and Japans PLAT series. Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, is routinely voted one of Englands prettiest villages. It was a totally impressive, different character holiday. The region offers itself to various forms of exploration to suite the visitor including the following:- Walking Tours - Guided & Self-Guided Walks The Cotswolds extends a very warm welcome to visitors and their four legged friends. +44(0)7774 693720 The Cotswolds is full of picturesque villages, historic churches, and pretty market towns. There is also another train service which you can use to explore the Cotswolds the Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Steam Railway. Today, the small municipality with its quintessential Cotswold architecture and ancient remnants is the Cotswolds largest town. Subscribe to our emails for tips and updates about our friendly tours across the UK & Europe. Guests can appreciate this monument along with many others on our day tour. The Cotswolds covers quite a large area in the West of England, so I assume that your plan is to experience the Cotswolds character, history and countryside. This guide takes you through only the best London to Cotswolds tour options, covering the destinations visited, the length of the trip and exactly whats included. Hear Victoria chat about the Cotswolds (and her fabulous tours) in episode 20 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE BESPOKE TOUR OF THE COTSWOLDS WITH VICTORIA. Another must-visit is Sudeley Castle & Gardens. Stow-on-the-Wold is another of the Cotswolds most beloved and enchanting villages. Travel the local way on small group tours of 16 people or less, You'll have a guaranteed experience or your money back, Guaranteed departures: Well never cancel your tour because of minimum numbers, Our eco-friendly tours support local communities. In the famed university you can again spend your time as you like, though your guide can suggest a walking tour that includes Christ Church cathedral and the Bridge of Sighs at Hertford College. Such a helpful article, thank you very much. We also won The Cotswolds Award for Best Tour Company 6 years in a row, and won Bronze and Silver awards in the 2020 and 2022 West Midlands Tourism Awards. Once you have arrived you can visit one of the Tourist Information Centres where you will receive a personal touch to help you plan your trip further. The major operators, Oxford Bus Company and Oxford Tube offer direct routes from London, Birmingham, and Leeds. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. North Cotswolds 6 hour Tour from 450 per group ( 4 hour tour option from 350), South Cotswolds 6 hour Tour from 450 per group (4 hour tour option from 350), Bespoke Cotswolds 6 hour Tour from 500 per group (4 hour tour option from 400). Total Distance: 84 miles. You ideally need a car - or go on an organised tour. So, as for how many days to spend in the Cotswolds, you could easily spend a week or more in the area without getting bored. Did you know? 17 Best Villages in the Cotswolds - PlanetWare - Travel Guides by the Places to visit in the Cotswolds | VisitEngland And with services usually finishing by 6pm, if you want to stay out for dinner youll probably need to take a taxi (its a good idea to book in advance, especially at weekends). Deals of The Week:Spring into Solo Adventure! Guided Cotswolds Tours - Driver Guide - Discover the Hidden Cotswolds The map above shows the route numbers and below you can find a list of the routes by number, showing the main stops and with a link to the timetables to check days, times and where the bus stops are. 15 Best Bus Tours of London Reviewed (Ultimate guide), 10 Best London hotel chains from budget to affordable luxury. The Cotswold Tour Guide Chauffeured Tours Cheltenham 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Dec 2023 The Cotswold Tour Guide is the Cotswolds' only guide Accredited by Visit England and he was Awarded their Hidden Gem Accolade for 2019. 6 cotswolds locations 375 PER VEHICLE The perfect introduction to the Cotswolds. The homes in the surrounding villages are all made of yellow Cotswold stone, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the ancient area. If you have time and a car you could start in Bristol, take some time around the south Cotswolds and then loop around the coast taking in Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia, and fly back out of somewhere more convenient. This blog has been sooo useful- especially the train/bus map. BS34 7BR. Enjoy a 6 hour driver guided tour of the Cotswolds, whether your interest is architecture, churches,history or the countryside you'll have a fun and informative day. Then, for the perfect Insta-shot, stroll down from Market Place toward the river, where youll find the villages iconic bridge. From fabulous gardens to amazing shops, we could go on but why not come and see for yourself? Filton. One of the benefits of private tours with us is that we have the time to walk and guide you along the historic Cirencester streets. You can get normal single and return tickets as well as rover tickets which let you use the service all day and cost 25 for adults and 10 for children aged 515. Click to book this Day trip to Highclere Castle, the Cotswolds and Downton Abbey or read more about Planning a visit to Highclere. Discover the very best of the Cotswolds Lower Slaughter beautiful old Mill, Upper Slaughter delightful quiet village, Stow on the Wold large Market square , Broadway an old coaching town, Lacock backdrop for period drama filming , Cirencester Capital of the Cotswolds, Bibury the most beautiful Cotswold village. Originally from Washington State, she is a slow traveler and digital nomad. From Cirencester you can head north on the 855 bus to visit Bibury (17 minutes), where Arlington Row is one of the Cotswolds most photographed spots. The English countryside is a unique place. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The last stop of the day is at Burford, aka the Gateway to the Cotswolds. Average Hiking Distance: 22-28km (14-18 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-8 hours per day. I want to travel in a maximum group size of up to: Copyright TourRadar. Our private tours let you explore the lovely Market Town of Tetbury. Click here to see their availability, The Porch House Located in the idyllic village of Stow-on-the-Wold, this inn dates back to the 10th century and is the perfect place to stay if youre looking for luxury in the Cotswolds. Must-see attractions include the Corinium Museum with Roman, Norman, and Saxon artefacts and the Parish of St. John Baptist. Visiting Cotswolds: a weekend in Bath and Cotswolds Once you're done with Bath, although, arguably, you can't be done with Bath, this city has so much to see, you can drive to Cotswolds. 2. Private Cotswolds in a Day Tour for 1-16 people 700.00 Book Now Cotswolds in a Day Our signature small-group tour of famous Cotswolds towns, villages and views. Our tours to the Cotswolds from London take you to the fairytale villages and the most magical spots in the area. Stay at one of the many accommodation options and experience wonderful hospitality. Next, head a few miles east to Daylesford Organic, a trendy, award-winning farm shop and caf specializing in organic, sustainable local foods, including produce grown on-site, as well as an in-house butcher and creamery. Thank you for writing this Lucy. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Beautiful home of the English speaking world's oldest university, dating back over 900 years. Dont be put off by their sinister-sounding names. Lacock is a favourite location among film-makers, and highlights include the historic abbey and a clutch of 15th-century buildings. Or you can take the S2 bus to the medieval town of Burford (50 minutes), which calls at Northleach (65 minutes) on its way to Cheltenham. Pick up points in Stratford-upon-Avon, Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden. This tour offers the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with this glorious part of the British Isles for a day youll never forget. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thank you so much! With nearly 800 square miles of glorious countryside to explore, we know your dogs will have as much fun here as you will. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Located between Bristol and Oxford and just south of Birmingham, the Cotswolds region spans nearly 800 square miles. The best places to see snowdrops in the Cotswolds. Address: Cotswold Outdoor Bristol Filton. Report inappropriate content Penmere Cheltenham, United. Tetbury is a Cotswold town of great architectural interest and is well placed as a base for touring the Cotswolds. From Bourton its a lovely 1.5-mile walk along the River Windrush to Lower Slaughter, where you can do a short diversion to neighbouring Upper Slaughter, and on to Stow-on-the-Wold. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees. Next, head about 45 minutes east to Burford, once the site of a fortified ford during the early Middle Ages and later the center of the medieval wool trade. Day trip into Cotswolds from Bristol - Tripadvisor Click to book this London full day tour to the Cotswolds. The church was originally founded in the 13th century. 10 pretty Cotswolds villages and towns to visit, Destinations: Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Whats included: Transport, guide, 2 course lunch, Destinations: University of Oxford, Burford & Bibury, Departure point: Greenline Coach Terminal near Victoria Coach Station, Whats included: Transport, guide, free time to explore, Destinations: Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds & Oxford, Departure point: Stanhope Arms pub opposite Gloucester Road underground, Destinations: Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds & Downton Abbey villages, Departure point: Varies according to date, Whats included: Transport, audio headset, Blenheim Palace State Rooms. Sign up to receive the latest news and updates! In terms of mileage covered this is one of the longest day tours but you will have memories of three very different takes on the best of what England has to offer. Day tour from London visiting Stonehenge, Bath and Stratford So you need to plan carefully and keep an eye on the time, especially to make sure you dont miss the last bus. * There are also some tours starting in the Cotswolds, which cuts down on time on the bus, with one from Moreton-in-Marsh* and another from Oxford.*. First youll stop in Burford, where the high street slopes down towards the River Windrush. Click to book this private day tour of the Cotswolds and Lacock village. We've got 26 adventures going to Cotswolds, starting from just 5 days in length, and the longest tour is 24 days. For a long time- I had been put off visiting the Cotswolds due to my lack of transport knowledge in the area. Alternatively, you could catch the train to Stroud where its a seven-mile walk along the canal to Stonehouse, where you can pick up a return train to Cheltenham. However, our tour guide will point out that the majority of the church is from the 15th Century coinciding with the prosperous period of wool and local cloth. 9 Best Cotswolds Tours from London - UK Travel Planning The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". , You need to book NOW if you want to take a tou, The Cotswold Way is for everyone, not just for har, Hey, London travellers! Explorequintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone; take insplendid, lively market towns; visit some of the countrys greatest palaces, castles and country houses;marvel at the natural world in acclaimed reserves and at some of the most famous arboretas in Britain; walk through breath-taking landscapes along historic trails; or make a splash in our lake-land area with its own inland beach.