Cotswold Summer Explorer Tour: Discover Idyllic English Villages and Majestic Castles
4.9
66 Ratings
Oxfordshire
Embark on a captivating Cotswold Summer Explorer Tour and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Discover idyllic villages, majestic castles, and charming high streets on this unforgettable journey.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote - You start your unforgettable Cotswold journey from central Oxford, driving to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall.
  • Burford - Enjoy a walk around Burford with its quaint cafes and antiques shops or visit the impressive wool church of St John the Baptist.
  • Bourton on the Water - Our drive then takes us through some beautiful countryside and some of the old quarrying villages of the North Cotswolds to Bourton-on-the-Water, the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. Bourton has many cafes and small souvenir shops to explore and there is also the picturesque River Windrush.
  • Broadway - Another picturesque route brings us to the charming and unspoilt Worcestershire town of Broadway. We stop here for lunch, where you can enjoy the fine shops and quaint cafes.
  • High Street Chipping Campden - Passing the quirky Broadway Tower we head to the delightful market town of Chipping Campden, the centre of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds. Here, you can browse in the quaint shops or visit the impressive
  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square - Our return route to Oxford takes us to the charming town of Stow-on-the-Wold. See the quaint antiques shops and boutiques and visit St Edwards Church with its quirky wooden door (said to have inspired the writer Tolkien).
  • Blenheim Palace - Our route back to Oxford passes through the delightful market town of Chipping Norton and Woodstock, the home of Blenheim Palace.
What's Included
  • Pick up from hotels in North Oxford on request
  • Pick up from Oxford Railway Station on request
  • Bottled water and select beverages
  • Professional Blue Badge guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Additional Information

The Cotswolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has inspired artists, writers and philosophers for many centuries. Come and discover idyllic English villages, nestling in quiet valleys, small stone thatched cottages, majestic castles and manors, and charming high streets peppered with quaint tea shops and antiques shops. Let your knowledgeable guides show you the English countryside at its best.

  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Location
Taylor Institution Library
St Giles'
Tour departs from coach bays next to Taylorian Institution Library in St Giles. Please arrive at the departure point 10 minutes before the tour is due to depart. Please look for a dark blue minibus with ‘Explore Oxford and the Cotswolds’ written on the sides.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(66 Ratings)
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Ronaldf468
May 23, 2024
Cotswold encyclopaedia on wheels - This an exceptional operator couple - the facts and detail that Isabel walked us through none stop for many hours is insane - the local knowledge of the area, historical and current is remarkable - it is not comparable to the larger tours - the personalised attention really makes a difference - beautiful scenery- charming locals, off the normal tourist trappings - a memorable experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Timfromnj
May 21, 2024
A great tour of the countryside. - My wife Lisa and I took this full day tour while visiting Oxford. We had wanted to see the Coswolds and we are glad that we chose this tour. Isobel, the leader and her husband, David, the driver, were great. The tour lasted about 8 hours and included a beautiful drive through the countryside. We went through 8 villages, stopping in two for 40 minutes. We also had an hour lunch break I Broadway, a quaint village where we had a great lunch in The Swaw. The tour had 12 passengers in a nice, comfortable mini bus. The views were magnificent. The leaders very knowledgeable and nice. The participants were friendly and everyone really enjoyed the tour. We would highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maureen_g
May 21, 2024
Cotswold tour - Wonderful day. Full of information. Guide was excellent, beutiful clear speaking. Value for money would do it again.
Review provided by Viator
Suzspot
Apr 13, 2024
Great Tour of The Cotswolds - This tour is fantastic. It is such a great way to see the Cotswolds- being introduced to it by local guides- Isobel and David. They guided us through villages in the Cotswolds- not only showing us the sites- but also giving us information about the history of the area- and insights into the communities that we are visiting. Their tours are designed in such a way that we are in quieter (if possible) villages so that we avoid some of the tourist rush- and also have a better way to experience the sights. In each village you get ample time to explore it- and Isobel gives great guidance of what highlights there are to see- and what spots are good to grab a bite at. I would highly recommend going on their tours. I have enjoyed it so much I have been a repeat customer- going on a few of their offerings, during my extended stay in Oxford.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skgirlforever
Apr 9, 2024
Must Do Tour of the Cotswolds - Beautiful towns and villages in the scenic English countryside. Wonderfully narrated tour - highly recommend this one.
Review provided by Viator
Suedavis
Oct 9, 2023
A Day of Beauty and Charm - We booked this trip well in advance of arriving in Oxford and we were glad we did. It is quite popular. Taking a Cotswold tour out of Oxford rather than London allows you to see way more when doing a day trip. Dave was an excellent driver and Isabelle was an excellent guide - telling us many good stories. We had frequent rest stops, bathroom stops (maybe being a few 20 pence pieces to access some of the bathrooms), and wander around and eat stops. We were picked up close to our accommodations at 9:15 and returned very close to 6PM so it was a full day. But, a great day. We saw enough to make us want to come back and spend more time in this beautiful area of England.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andreasb9637gr
Sep 27, 2023
Delightful day! - Excellent trip. Very informative and entertaining guide. Couteous and helpful driver. Amazing sights. Best of England.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robinm253
Aug 29, 2023
Great day! - The tour was very educational and enjoyable. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and the driver took good care of us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lazydoxie
Aug 26, 2023
Gorgeous day in the Cotswolds - Fabulous tour, exactly as described. The scenery is stunning and our guide and driver were excellent. I learned a lot about the history of the area and we had adequate time at the stops to explore a little. I recommend bringing a lunch with you so you can maximize your time in the villages.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Escape18435289905
Apr 23, 2024
Pleasant day tour with knowledgeable guide - A nice little day tour. Traveling solo but so were several others. Isobel is a very knowledgeable, entertaining guide. Nice range of places visited with a good amount of time at each.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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June 2024
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