COTSWOLDS TOURS - private driving tour options from London

A DAY IN THE COTSWOLDS
Quaint villages, picturesque pubs and English country gardens. Perfect.

● Personally-guided full-day driving tour from London.
● For couples, families or private groups. Duration: 9 hours.
● Prices and practical details listed below. Bookings: tours@yourlondontours.com.

ITINERARY - SELECT ANY TOUR AND ONE OF ITS AFTERNOON OPTIONS

Tour No.1: North Cotwolds - An English Dreamscape
Picturesque villages, a magnificent vista, the country’s oldest pub, plus afternoon options to visit an historic castle, award-winning gardens, or the home town of the Great Bard.

Morning: This tour start at picturesque Great Tew, where the building materials make it a village unlike any other in the Cotwolds. After a refreshment stop we drive to the popular scenic riverside village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Next, the villages of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter may be sinister sounding, but their names do not convey their innate beauty and tranquillity. We then head off to visit the historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, 800 feet above sea level, and featuring the oldest pub in England. Lunch is an option at Chipping Camden: ‘If you visit one Cotswold village, make sure it’s this one,’ says William Frickers in his superb guidebook to the area, the famous Lygon Arms in Broadway, or the Pudding Club in Mickleton.

Afternoon option 1: North Cotswolds village drive with visit to Snowshill Manor: A drive along the legendary stretch of Cotswold road that contains three of its greatest jewels: Broadway, known as the Painted Lady of the Cotswolds, and the neighbouring villages of Stanton and Snowshill, much beloved of film-makers. Then we visit the mind-blowing Snowshill Manor, a spectacular collection of 22,000 extraordinary objects from across the globe amassed by one-time resident Charles Wade, plus gardens designed in the Arts & Craft style. Seasonal openings. Not Mon or Tue. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 2: North Cotswolds village drive with visit to Sudeley Castle: A drive along the legendary stretch of Cotswold road that contains three of its greatest jewels: Broadway, known as the Painted Lady of the Cotswolds, and the neighbouring villages of Stanton and Snowshill, much beloved of film-makers. Then we visit the magnificent 15th century Sudeley Castle, home of Henry VIII’s last wife Catherine Parr and simply packed with history. Seasonal openings. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 3: North Cotswolds Garden Delights: In close proximity to each other in the north Cotswolds are three unique gardens: Hidcote, one of England's most influential 20th-century gardens; Kiftsgate, the creation of three generations of women gardeners, which features the largest rose in England; and the ‘Chinese’ Wilson Memorial Garden. Visit one, two or all three. Seasonal openings. (Entry prices payable - family/group rate available. Not included in tour price).

Afternoon option 4: Stratford-upon Avon: William Shakespeare’s home town at the very northern edge of the Cotswolds. The wonderful thing about it is that amazingly, over 400 years on, many of the places associated with Shakespeare’s life are still standing and can be visited such as his birthplace, school, and residences. Also recommended is a viewing of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (his wife). A visit to the 14th century Holy Trinity Church where the great bard is buried is a must. Then follow in his footsteps and enjoy a walk along the banks of the River Avon, with your guide pointing out the theatres and memorials now erected in his honour. Admissions to houses extra.

Tour No.2: Mid-Cotwolds - The Idyllic Countryside
Picturesque villages, romantic ruins, an historic church, plus afternoon options to visit a magnificent Palace, award-winning gardens, or the world’s most famous university town.

Morning: There’s no better introduction to the Cotswolds than Minster Lovell. Thatched cottages, a picturesque parish church and romantic ruins compete to give this village exceptional charm. We then visit the historic wool-church at Burford. After a refreshment stop we drive to visit the Cotswolds wool merchants at Filkins. Alternatively, we can investigate the disturbing doom-window at Fairford church. Lunch is an option at the pub-of the-year in Farringdon or a perennial favourite at Woodstock.

Afternoon option 1: Mid-Cotswolds village drive with afternoon tea: First we drive to the Duntisbournes, a series of riverside hamlets in the relatively unknown west Cotwolds district. Further off the beaten track we find the charming village church at Yanworth, before stepping back in time at the nearby Roman villa excavations. Finally we come across Bibury, dubbed ‘most beautiful village in England’, and take a walk along the picturesque riverbank. There is also a trout fishery here worth looking into and tea is also an option.

Afternoon option 2: Mid-Cotswolds Garden Delights: A visit to the Rococo Gardens in the village of Painswick, known as the Queen of the Cotswolds or Sezincote, the extraordinary inspiration for Brighton Pavilion, with Indian gardens designed by Repton. Alternatively, on Wednesdays and the first Saturdays of the month, the option of visiting Kelmscott, home and gardens of Arts & Craft guru William Morris. Seasonal openings. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 3: Blenheim Palace: Winston Churchill’s ancestral home and birth-place. It was built to commemorate a great military victory over 300 years ago and is great example of the excesses of late baroque architecture. Stories of scandal abound throughout its history and your guide will fill you in with the scurrilous details. There is an option to join an inhouse tour or you can wander the gardens at your own pace. The landscape, designed in part by the famous Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, is simply stunning in its magnitude. There is also an opportunity to visit the churchyard in the village of Bladon to see the simple grave where Churchill is buried. Seasonal openings. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 4: Oxford: Famous throughout the world as a university town, with over 40 colleges. The poet Matthew Arnold described it as ‘That sweet city with her dreaming spires’. Your guide explain the mysterious traditions of this ancient town, its college system, and the architecture which sets it apart from other centres of academia, and the real world! We get many complaints about the academic haughtiness towards visitors, but a little forewarning from your guide will help you to smile at the bumptious attitudes rather than let it spoil your tour. There are a number of options which your guide will suggest. Fans of Harry Potter will recognize the great hall at the famous Christchurch College, while fans of Alice in Wonderland will recognize a number of references here too. There are also options to visit the renowned Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum. Seasonal openings. Admission to colleges extra.

Tour No.3: South Cotwolds - From the Sublime to the Splendiferous
Picturesque villages, a film-makers’ favourite, an ancient church plus afternoon options to visit an historic castle, award-winning arbortetum, or the famous historic city that is a World Heritage site in its entirety.

Morning: South Cotswolds village drive: In the South Cotswolds we find incredibly picturesque villages which easily match their rivals to the north. Lacock is a well known beauty spot favoured by movie makers. Pride & Prejudice and Harry Potter have been filmed here. A little off the beaten track, Castle Combe, with its historic St Andrew’s Church, claims a reputation as ‘the prettiest village in England’. Lunch at the 13th century Old Bell in Malmesbury, England’s oldest hotel, is an option.

Afternoon option 1: Tetbury and Malmesbury: A drive to Tetbury, and perhaps some shopping in the antiques capital of the Cotswolds, Then a visit to Malmesbury Abbey. This was part of a Benedictine monastery founded in 676AD. It uniquely survived Henry VIII’s Dissolution. The first king of England is buried here.

Afternoon option 2: Berkeley Castle: A drive out to the far western fringes of the Cotswolds to investigate Berkeley Castle, the oldest surviving castle in England to have remained in the same family. It is thus the oldest family home in England. 23 generations have lived here, in the process lending the family name to Berkeley Square, Berkeley University, and the Berkeley Hunt. This is the real deal. Includes rarely seen gardens and the site of King Edward II’s gruesome murder. Seasonal openings. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 3: South Cotswolds Garden Delights: A visit to the Abbey House Gardens – home of the famous ‘Naked Gardeners’ or, for something a little more rugged, to the beautiful Westonbirt Arboretum. Seasonal openings. Admission extra.

Afternoon option 4: Bath: A visit to the World Heritage site at the very southern edge of the Cotswolds. See how the Romans made their sandal-print on British history. The stunning Roman Baths unearthed at the end of the 19th century just have to be seen. Bath is renowned for its naturally occurring thermal waters, the only hot water mineral springs in the country. Try a glass in the Pump Room. Bath was at the heart of the Georgian social scene. Fans of writer Jane Austen will discover a delightful museum dedicated to her. The whole city, entirely carved out of a local honey-coloured stone, reflects architectural achievements past and present. Roman Baths admission extra.

Tour No.4: Quintessential Cotwolds Villages
10 contenders vie for our attention in this ultimate tour of Cotswold villages. Essentially a driving tour with shorts stops for close-up views and photographic opportunities.

Morning: There’s no better introduction to our top ten Cotswold villages than Minster Lovell. Thatched cottages, a parish church and manor house ruins compete to give this village exceptional charm. After a refreshment stop in Burford we drive to the popular scenic riverside village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Next. the villages of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter may be sinister sounding, but their names do not convey their innate beauty and tranquility. Lunch is an option at Chipping Camden: ‘If you visit one Cotswold village, make sure it’s this one,’ says William Frickers in his superb guidebook to the area; the famous Lygon Arms in Broadway, or the Pudding Club in Mickleton.

Afternoon (one option only): A drive through Broadway, known as the Painted Lady of the Cotswolds. Following on are the neighbouring villages of Stanton and Snowshill, much beloved of film-makers. Then we drive to the Duntisbournes, a series of riverside hamlets. Finally we come across Bibury, dubbed ‘most beautiful village in England’, and take a walk along the picturesque riverbank. Tea is also an option here. During the drive home the merits of each village are discussed as we let the arguments begin! Your vote counts as to how we devise this tour in the future!

PRICE OPTIONS
A DAY IN THE COTSWOLDS: PERSONALLY-GUIDED FULL DAY TOUR OPTIONS	PRICE (Full day 9 hours).
BY PRIVATE CAR (1-4 passengers)	£400.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
BY PRIVATE CAR (5-7 passengers)	£430.00 (per car) + any entrance fees.
RENT-A-GUIDE (transport provided and arranged by client)	£240.00 (per group) + any entrance fees.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
● General: Rest assured with Your London Tours: All our tours are tailored to YOUR requirements. The guide will be exclusively dedicated to your family or group during the tour itself, so you will be able to relax and enjoy your day.

● Important note: 'Private tour' means a privately chartered guided tour by luxury car, mini-coach or public transport. We do not offer tours to individuals wishing to join a larger group (for this you require a scheduled coach tour operator).

● Availability: To avoid disappointment, we recommend early booking to secure your preferred date. Dates may be subject to the availability of appropriate guides. Access to attractions may also be subject to daily or seasonal variations in opening times.

● The guide: Your tour will be conducted by a fully accredited & qualified guide who will confirm your itinerary at the start of the tour and provide a friendly and knowledgeable commentary throughout. For private car tours the guide will also drive the vehicle.

● Pick-up/drop-off: You can be picked-up for your tour anywhere in the London area, whether at your hotel, place of residence, or any venue of your request. The same applies as a dropping-off point after the tour.

● Timings: The guide will meet you at the recommended start time of 09.00 or any time of your request. The duration of this tour is 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off, which includes built-in stops for photo opportunities, facilities, and a 1-hour lunch break.

● Lunch: An appropriate restaurant, traditional pub, or sandwich stop can be arranged for lunch (note: tour price does not include food or refreshments). Alternatively, you may want to bring a pre-packed lunch. The guide usually takes a rest during this period.

● Price: As shown in the table above. It does NOT include entrance fees (we recommend they are paid on the day) lunch or refreshments. Payment methods, privacy, cancellation and refund policies and full terms & conditions are listed on our Prices & Bookings page.

● Clothing: Clients should dress appropriately making allowances for the changeable British weather, outdoor activities or visiting churches, etc. Our main tip is to dress comfortably. For more tips to help make your tour even more enjoyable click here.

● Format: The tour has been specially researched and designed by our staff (copyright applies) and is exclusive to Your London Tours & associates. Selected elements of different tours can be combined to create even more options. See our Pick & Mix page.

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