Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds: England's Best in a Day

Immerse yourself in the charm and history of England on this small group tour. Explore the Cotswolds, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and discover the prestigious Oxford University in one day.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Hop aboard your air-conditioned luxury small mini-coach with a maximum of 16 people, in central London in the morning, then take a seat and relax in comfort on route into the English countryside.

First, visit the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon — famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Follow your guide on a walking tour of the town and take in top attractions such as the church in which Shakespeare is buried. Along the way, gain insight into life here in the 16th century.

Continue onward through the Cotswolds — an area of outstanding natural beauty where rolling hills, honey-colored cottages, and stone walls line the landscape. Stop off in a couple of different spots for a stroll, and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful corner of the country.

Next, head to Oxford — a city famous for its ancient university buildings. During your second walking tour, visit Oxford University’s Christchurch College and Bodleian Library, and admire beautiful architecture, charming boutiques, and quirky pubs and listen as your guide brings Oxford’s rich history to life. Then, enjoy free time to explore further at your leisure.

When your time in Oxford comes to an end, return in comfort to your original departure point in central London.

Points of Interest

  • The English Bus

  • Stratford-upon-Avon

  • Henley Street

  • Royal Shakespeare Theatre

  • Cotswolds

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square

  • Bibury

  • University of Oxford

  • Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  • Radcliffe Camera

  • Holy Trinity Church

  • Arlington Row

  • Bodleian Library

What's Included
  • Round-trip travel by air-conditioned luxury Mercedes minicoach from central London
  • Bottled water
  • Walking tours in Stratford and Oxford
  • Experienced knowledgeable and welcoming tour driver/guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Fully commentated small group guided tour
What's Not Included
  • Optional entry to Shakespeare’s birthplace. Child - £10 Adult £20 Concession £16 Family £49.50
  • Food and drink
  • Gratuities
  • Please note that due to conservation works, the birthplace will be closed between 8 - 19 Jan 2024
Additional Information

Embark on a small group tour, limited to 16 people, from London to experience the best of England in one day by visiting Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds. Journey to historic Stratford-upon-Avon accompanied by a guide and delve into the life and works of England’s renowned poet, William Shakespeare. Take a scenic drive through the charming countryside to the quaint Cotswold villages, where life moves at a leisurely pace. Afterwards, discover the ancient city of Oxford, home to one of the world’s oldest educational institutions, and join your tour guide for an informative walking tour. The tour includes guide services and a luxurious round trip in a mini-coach from central London.

  • Minimum age is three years
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved, and across some uneven surfaces
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • No large items of luggage are permitted, luggage compartment is limited
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please do not travel if unwell and/or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton London - Victoria
Bridge Place
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(229 Ratings)
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Denise_s
Jul 22, 2024
Our tour guide, Andy, was... - Our tour guide, Andy, was the best! His historical knowledge of London and the areas of the tour was phenomenal. If you have the chance to take this tour with Andy, you will not be disappointed!
Review provided by Viator
O6596xnkarens
Jul 21, 2024
Great small bus tour. - Loved this tour, great if you’re looking for a small guided tour with a small group. The bus is comfortable/ air con/ supply water. I found Andy very knowledgeable and had a relaxed friendly demeanour. If you want a good taste of the Cotswolds and Oxford this is the tour for you. A small taste of Stratford upon Avon too, the home of William Shakespeare . I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Devika_d
Jul 15, 2024
Enjoyable and Memorable - It is a trip worth taking and the anecdotes shared by Jon were the best part. The itinerary was planned carefully and you could see that genuine thought has been put to make it a memorable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Sherry_r
Jun 20, 2024
Awesome tour!!! - We loved the guide and entire day! She was one of the best guides we ever encountered and we travel a lot! She kept us informed, was thoughtful and helpful, was caring and informative!
Review provided by Viator
Selena_s
Jun 10, 2024
Unforgettable and Memorable Day in The Cotswolds and Oxford - We had an amazing day touring The Cotswolds, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Oxford. Tony is impeccably filled with Information and history regarding all of these places! We truly had an unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Englishmarm
Jun 7, 2024
Full Day Excursion - This is the way to see some of England outside of London. It is a full day trip with free time in each stop. Tony did commentary from the time we got on at the meeting spot until we got back. It quality of the tour, comfort of the coach, size of the group, the sites visited make this an excellent value.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Siusan_c
May 30, 2024
An enjoyable experience - Tony the tour leader was fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable, very friendly, as well as an excellent driver.
Review provided by Viator
Judinewyork
May 18, 2024
A Great Day outside of London - We so enjoyed our "Cotswolds Villages, Stratford and Oxford Day Tour. This was my second tour with The English Bus, and it was fabulous! Lucy, our guide/driver was a gem. She gave us much history, was filled with such joy and had everyone laughing and asking questions. Lucy found a perfect balance between information, entertainment, and personalization. The tour included many stops but was well balanced so we didn't feel we missed something or didn't have enough time. It was a great overview and we definitely know where we would want to go back to explore more. Each stop was different and well timed and then there was the incredible Lucy which made this an unforgettable day exploring outside London.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Whi6789
Jun 17, 2024
Amazing Tour on The English Bus - The English Bus Tour was amazing!!! Our driver Lilly was knowledgeable and energetic. The small group size was perfect and allowed for driving smaller roads in the Cotswalds with amazing views. We met Jon in Oxford and did a walking tour. He was very informative and we enjoyed the tour! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa_m
May 11, 2024
Good but Long Day - a 12 hour day. We had 1.5 hours in Stratford, 20 minutes in each Cotswold stop, and 2 hours in Oxford. I wish we had started with Oxford because when we arrived late in the afternoon the museums were closed. The Cotswolds were beautiful but relatively brief. I could have done without Stratford and spent more time explore the Cotswolds. Lucy was friendly and knowledgeable but she's definitely the type of guide who provides A LOT of information between stops so if you're looking for more quiet time this isn't for you.
Review provided by Viator
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