Cotswold Stays
Stay a few days to enjoy the villages
Where to Stay
In your own Cottage or a fine Country Hotel
Private transport
With your own driver guide guide on hand when needed
Places to Visit
Explore at your leisure
A suggested Cotswold Itinerary
Day 1
If you are flying into London to start your visit your guide will meet you at the airport or your hotel you can now sit back and relax knowing all your luggage will be taken for you. We travel to the tranquility of the Cotswold Hills – an area of 700 square miles of Natural beauty. The limestone scenery of limestone walls, stone cottages, patch work quilt fields and rolling hillsides is the quintessential English countryside. This was the ancient wool producing area of Britain. Stay in a Cotswold village in a place to suit you. Enjoy an evening relaxing, maybe at a local friendly pub.
A full range of excellent 5* hotels with fine dining in traditional and modern settings can complete your visit, giving you luxury and comfort – A perfect time to remember.
Day 2
Tour of the North Cotswold Villages. The Villages of Stanton and Stanway introduce us to thatched cottages and the Cotswold Charm. We enjoy Stow on the Wold, Chipping Campden and the hounds of Broadway with lunch at a village pub or maybe the gormet food experience at Daylesford. We drive on to the “Venice of the Cotswolds” – Bourton on Water and through the villages of Upper an Lower Slaughter. The town of Burford is our afternoon stop with interesting antiques shops and tea rooms.
Day 3
A Tour of the South Cotswold villages. We venture out to a villag described by William Morris as ” The prettiest village in England ” – to Bibury, nestled in the Coln Valley alongside the gently flowing river and trout farm. We visit Fairford and a church with 15C stain glass windows unusually saved from the destruction of the “Refirmation”. The Cotswold Weavers at Filkins gives us an insight into the ancient woollen trade, so vital to the ecomomy of Britain, and a chance to sample high quality woollen products.
Day 4
Today we visit the home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of the great Sir Winston Churchill – Blenheim Palace. We take time to explore the lavish state rooms and relax in the landscaped gardens of Capability Browm. After lunch we tour the city of the dreaming spires – the University City of Oxford. Walk the hallowed pathways of JRR Tolkein Lewis Carol and CS Lewis and visit Harry Potters Hogarts Dining hall at Christ Church college.
Day 5
Stratford & Warwick Castle
Stratford-upon-Avon is best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, who was born in Henley Street in 1564. He was baptised in Holy Trinity Church and attended the local school. See the house where he lived, plus other properties associated with him. His wife’s family home in Shottery and his mother’s house in Wilmcote are also open to the public. There is plenty to keep you occupied for most of the day and you can even visit the theatre in the evening for a final treat.
Warwick Castle provides the setting for every schoolboys idea of a typical medeaval Castle. Dramatic battlements of the mighty stronghold and an exhibition of life in ancient times, completes a fabulous day out.
Day 6
Snowshill Manor, Kiftsgate Court and Hidcote Manor Gardens . In the morning we visit the 16C home of collector Charles Paget Wade. This gathering of over 22,000 items will amaze and give great interest. The gardens of Kiftsgate and Hidcote Manor are beautiful in all seasons but to catch them in Spring or summer is a real treat. We include both gardens as a “must” for any garden enthusiast.
Day 7
Bath & Stonehenge
The City of Bath is the finest example of Georgian architecture in Britain., straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Built for pleasure and relaxation, beautiful Bath has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. The waters are still a big draw, both at the ancient Roman Baths and the thoroughly modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in.
Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain, making it the ideal city break Immerse yourself in Bath’s remarkable collection of museums and galleries, and enjoy year-round festivals, theatre, music and sports.
The ancient and mysterious site of Stonehenge is our afternoon treat. A detailed explaination transforms this site from a group of impressive stones to the site of a World Heritage marvel.