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Stratford-upon-Avon and Cotswolds Tour: Visit Shakespeare's Home from London
4.3
267 Ratings
Greater London
Explore the rich history and stunning beauty of Shakespeare’s home town
Visit the half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born
See Anne Hathaway’s cottage and garden
Experience an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the Cotswolds
Stop at two quaint towns –Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Bulleid Way - Make your own way to the tour starting point in Victoria, central London, to meet your guide and group. Hop aboard a climate-controlled vehicle and journey from the city into the English countryside.
- Stratford-upon-Avon - See some of the most beautiful spots in the UK on this excellent tour of Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon and an official Area of Outstanding Beauty, the Cotswolds. An expert guide leads the way, regaling you with stories and interesting facts about the rich history of these beautiful places.
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace - See some of the most beautiful spots in the UK on this excellent tour of Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon and an official Area of Outstanding Beauty, the Cotswolds. An expert guide leads the way, regaling you with stories and interesting facts about the rich history of these beautiful places.
- Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens - Next stop is a visit to Shakespeare’s bride Anne Hathaway’s cottage and gardens. This beautiful little thatched farmhouse is the place where the Bard courted his bride and still to this day holds items or original furniture, including the Hathaway bed.
- Cotswolds - The Cotswolds- Visit what is often agreed to be one of the most beautiful areas in the whole of the UK. Quaint villages and breathtaking scenery, the Cotswolds looks like it jumped off the pages of a storybook.
- Bourton-on-the-Water - The tour makes photo stops at three stunning Cotswolds villages: Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as ‘Little Venice’ due to its low bridges and stone banks, Burford a beautiful town in Cotswolds.
After a wonderful day of sightseeing, arrive back to London at the approximate time of 7:30pm.
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What's Included
- Entry to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Gardens (if selected)
- Transportation by Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach
- Entry to Shakespeare’s birthplace (if selected)
- Entry to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom (if selected)
- Professional Guide
- Photo stops at Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drink
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Please show this e-ticket to gain entry to this tour.
- *During peak periods, vehicles without Wi-Fi may be used.
- Due to on-going roadworks between Gloucester Road and Victoria, your tour will end within a 3 minute walk to Gloucester Road Underground Station. This station is in Zone 1 and is three stops Eastbound on the Circle Line or the District Line to Victoria. The Piccadilly Line also runs through Gloucester Road and is 5 stops to Piccadilly Circus.
- Please note that this tour may be conducted bilingually if participant numbers require it
Location
1 Bulleid Way
Bulleid Way
Departure point: Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, 123-151 Buckingham Palace Rd, Victoria, London, SW1W 9SR.
Check-in: 8:15am
Departure: 8:30am
Return(approx.): 7:30pm
Return Point: Gloucester Road. Only a 3-minute walk to Gloucester Road Underground Station.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(267 Ratings)
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Benscoterbk
Jul 28, 2024
Wonderful day in the Cotswolds - It was a beautiful day for a tour of the Cotswold s. Everything was well organized and on time. Our guide, Eileen was very knowledgeable on the history and uniqueness of the area. Informative and entertaining with stories and joke along the way! Special kudos for our driver Kulvinder, who navigated some sticky traffic with ease. My family had a great day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joanne_o
Jul 28, 2024
Cotswolds adventure - Great time & great guide. Provided educational information about the Cotswolds. Felt safe & secure with our guide.
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_l
Jul 18, 2024
Great day trip - Charming tour guide and wonderful day trip !! Well worth the expense and a great experience . Lots to see and do
Review provided by Viator
Annamaria331
Jul 10, 2024
wonderful experience - It was one of the most beautiful excursions outside London ever. I had already used Golden Tour but the day in the Cotswolds and Stratford upon Avon will forever remain in my heart. The tour started on time and our Guide Danxia and our driver Koli were perfect at all times of the day. The tour is organized very well with the right timing to visit the different villages. also the return was perfect. definitely to recommend and redo.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachael_w
Jul 5, 2024
Cotswold Magic - Our tour guide worked so hard all day doing the tour in Mandarin and English. She was funny, punctual and helpful in taking pictures. The day was jam packed but you have to accept this on a day tour. Magical locations worth the time. Highly recommend the small tour buses as they can fit into the beautiful narrow country roads.
Review provided by Viator
Jgraham12
Jul 24, 2024
Overpriced parking and entrance to exhibits ruined trip - A lovely city but spoilt by the price of parking. Was there 2 days and every attraction around is overpriced and charges a fortune for parking. It’s about time they got there act together and stopped trying to exploit tourists would not come again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaswati_d
Jul 24, 2024
Skip it! - So first things first — it’s an insanely long tour, which is fine — but as opposed to the tour description, we only stopped at Burton on the water for exactly 35 mins. Sandra (our guide), talked into the microphone during the journey SO MUCH that after a point we felt nauseous! None of the other two villages in the Cotlwolds were even touched upon, without so much as an explanation from Sandra as to why we weren’t going. Truth be told, she chatted way more about Margaret Thatcher, her son’s vehicle, and Winston Churchill (whom she low key nurses a crush on), and horticulture. Of substance pertaining to the history of Stratford, Shakespeare ans the Cotswolds — she had little to offer. You’re better off doing a trip on your own. This trip was a colossal waste of money.
Review provided by Viator
Matty_l
Jul 24, 2024
No Wei Should You Book this Tour - No Wei would I book a tour here again. Our guide, Wei, was rambled and spouted off useless information, and gave incorrect facts. Felt like I was on a middle school field trip. If she mentioned when and literally how to go to the toilet one more time… The stop at Bibury was unnecessary as we sat for 30 minutes to grab a take away coffee and you guessed it, use the toilets. The next stop I had been dreaming about was Bourton-on-the-Water. I respect that the bus couldn’t drive us to the “door” but the 15 min walk there and back stole a half hour of our time. I had roughly 50 minutes to take in this lovely town and raced around the water and scanned shops to be back on time. I’ll always remember it as the loveliest little village I never saw. Next time, factor in the walking. The stops in Stratford-Upon-Avon were not good choices. The Hathaway House was lovely but, shortening the visit time would be helpful. The school was rather dull and I skipped the birthplace to go off on my own. Delighted I went rogue as the trek to Trinity church proved to be the highlight of a miserable and expensive day. The architecture and staff and chance to view their family resting places along with the contentious bust was a profoundly moving experience. Adding this option as well as New Place would have been better, more engaging and enlightening experiences. Upon returning 10 minutes early, Wei chastised me for going off on my own although I informed her. I did not back down and she said she forgot and apologized. I cannot effectively articulate how dissatisfied I am with this experience I have dreamed about this for the entirety of my existence. I immediately cancelled my Windsor trip with this company as I realized I can seamlessly take the tube to Elizabeth and rail to Windsor. This experience will not be ruined by poor route planning or the inane babbling of Wei stating George VI was from the house of Hanover and that Albert, not Arthur was Henry VIII’s brother who died. People slip up, but literally repeating this FOUR times is an error. I spent much of the ride home wondering how obtaining a blue badge is a monumental achievement if Wei passed. She even complained multiple times we were the worst group she’s ever had. Three guests were left at the last stop. Even after all of the rushing, we still arrived 30 minutes earlier than the end time. That time could have been spent enjoying the spots. Sorry Bill, but all’s not well that ends well.
Review provided by Viator
Vmh4s985cm
Jul 24, 2024
Very bad tour!… Terrible!!! - Quiet bad. Only one bus available for this tour through Viator which is fine. When we arrived there were people in the bus since the tour guide was not around. She arrived in a rush and arguing with an older couple because they did not check in. At every stop she rushed people, several people complained. Out guide was distracted and seemed irritated. Last stop she gave a meeting time and left earlier than she said. She forgot some passages, including us. I had to pay 300 pounds to go back to London and my belongings that had been left in the bus “disappeared”. Quite terrible experience. Customer service is terrible as well. One person does not know what the other one did. WhatsApp messaging works for 1 conversation. You have to keep screenshots of previous conversations to send to the new person if you want to follow up on your previous conversation. Terrible experience!!!
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_d
Jul 22, 2024
It was the worst tour we have ever taken. - Definitely not worth the money. Tour guide kept giving different information on meeting place. Didn't really see much of the Cotswolds. We had less than 45 minutes at the stop. Basically not enough time to eat, go to the toilet and shopping. At Stratford she told us to meet at 2:45. Two other couples heard 2:45. We got to our mtg spot at 2:40 and she chastised us like little kids. Rudest tour guide ever. We spent more time on the bus then visiting the towns. It was 9-1/2 hours locked on a tour bus with no toilets. At first we were told the toilet was broke and then there was a sign that said emergency only.
9-1/2 hours a atour bus without a toilet. Then at the end she told us we could use it but they're was no toilet paper.
Review provided by Viator