Cotswolds Summer Adventurer Tour: Explore the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning scenery of the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Explore idyllic villages, majestic castles, and charming high streets on this summer adventurer tour.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bampton Library - We start the tour with a drive to ancient Bampton, one of the oldest towns in England and now well-known as the village of “Downton” in the TV series Downton Abbey. You will see the town and its pretty market square and the area of Bampton used for the filming of Downton Abbey.
  • Kelmscott Manor - Drive through the village of Kelmscott, the summer home of William Morris (one of the founders of the Arts and Crafts Movement) from 1871 - 1896.
  • Arlington Row - Journey through pretty Cotswold Stone villages to idyllic Bibury, with its 16th century cottages, river and trout farm.
  • Winchcombe Museum - Following the Coln Valley we pass through a succession of hamlets, hidden valleys and remarkable scenery before arriving in Winchcombe. Enjoy lunch in a rustic pub or take time to visit nearby Sudeley Castle, home to Catherine Parr, the 6th wife of Henry VIII
  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square - We continue our tour to the charming town Stow-on-the-Wold with its pretty square, delightful cafes and antiques shops.
  • Blenheim Palace - We return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton and Woodstock, the location of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
What's Included
  • Blue Badge guide
  • Bottled water
  • Beverages
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information

The Cotswolds, a recognized Area of Exceptional Natural Beauty, has been the muse for artists, authors, and thinkers for numerous generations. Venture out and find charming British hamlets, tucked away in peaceful dales, petite stone thatched residences, stately fortresses and manor houses, and delightful main streets dotted with adorable tea shops and antique stores. Allow us to guide you on a memorable journey through the breathtaking landscape, showcasing the finest of the North and South Cotswolds.

  • Not recommended for child aged 7 and under
  • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
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
(47 Ratings)
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Tour29305807232
Aug 18, 2024
Don't hesitate. The Cotswolds are beautiful. - A wonderful day lived with Israel and David. Got a lot of information during the visit to the different villages.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janice
Jul 23, 2024
Wonderful day! - Isobel and David were very warm and personable! Isobel was an extremely knowledgeable guide. I learned a lot about the history of the Cotswolds and other bits of history along the trip. I loved my trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amydk2386fc
Jul 16, 2024
The only way to see the Cotswolds! - This tour far exceeded our expectations. We were in a comfortable minivan/bus with about 10 other people. The entire tour, our guide Sean entertained us with fascinating history, facts, and anecdotes about the Cotswolds. He readily answered questions and welcomed our participation in the tour. We were especially pleased that most villages we visited were off the beaten path, so that we could explore without fighting our way through crowds. That's because the large commercial tour buses couldn't take the narrow roads that our nimble little van could. The villages were charming and the views of the countryside along the way were breathtakingly beautiful. The trip was fun because we could sit back, enjoy the scenery and the conversation, without worrying about driving or navigating our way around the winding, narrow, hilly roads. The guides had our comfort in mind, they had bottled water and knew where the rest stops were to be found in each village, and even had on hand the 20 pence needed to get into some of the pay toilets. This tour is a great value for your money and an experience you won't want to miss if you are interested in seeing the Cotswolds. There's no way you could have such a high quality, enjoyable and educational experience on a large commercial bus tour or driving through the area yourself.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z9507qylaurene
Jul 2, 2024
Beautiful, Informative, Stress-free Tour - This was a fantastic all-day tour around the Cotswolds. Isobel shared interesting information all along the way, and David was a pro at navigating the van along those narrow Cotswold lanes! I appreciated that there was plenty of time at all the stops, and that they had guests rotate seats in the van so that everyone had a different perspectives and no one was crammed in the back the whole time :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wendy_r
Jun 9, 2024
Out of the way experience. - Our guide, Isabella was very knowledgeable. We were taken to villages out of the way, which made for an amazing experience.
Review provided by Viator
Nada_k
Apr 25, 2024
Perfect Day in the Cotswolds - This tour from Oxford was the highlight of our England trip! Our guide's knowledge and friendly charm brought the region's history and hidden corners to life. We explored iconic villages alongside delightful off-the-beaten-path gems, all within a perfect timeframe. There was enough time to make a few stops to have coffee/snacks and lunch in different places. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a comprehensive Cotswolds experience from Oxford, and be back in time for dinner!
Review provided by Viator
541janisb
Jan 3, 2024
Wonderful tour of the Cotswolds and areas from Oxford. - This was one of the best tours I’ve ever taken! Trust me, you won’t regret it. So much knowledge and so much information given to each area we went. Fabulous time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
761malenag
Oct 17, 2023
Best visit to the Cotswolds! - The selection of villages that we visited were carefully curated, with Isobel and David being very knowledgeable and helpful. You don’t feel on a tour at all, as tours don’t get to the spots we got to visit. Strongly suggest this tour to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_t
Oct 5, 2023
Nice Trip - The guide was excellent and the trip met our expectations. The fact that the weather was beautiful helped.
Review provided by Viator
Rachel_r
May 13, 2024
I enjoyed seeing the... - I enjoyed seeing the countryside, the little villages, and Sidley Castle. I recommend this tour for someone who wants to see a bit of the Cotswolds.
Review provided by Viator
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