Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds & Oxford

  • Sightseeing Tours

    Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds & Oxford

Tour length

3 days

From

99,999.00$99999.00

Departs on Tuesdays from London

March 1 to December 27, 2022

The thick-walled castles inspired Shakespeare's battle-torn tales. The narrow cobbled lanes kindled his love stories’ twists and turns. And the deep, green valleys encouraged him to write about monsters, myths, and magic.  On this adventure, we take you through the landscapes that sparked his imagination and his inspirational hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.

But this tour isn’t just about the famous playwright.

You find yourself a little tipsy as you sample a local gin at an old barn. You feel princely as you walk through the ancient hallways of Blenheim Palace. And you become snap-happy as you wander over the trickling rivers and peaceful hills of the Cotswolds.  Learn about Shakespeare’s inspirations and discover England’s most famous landmarks on this three-day tour. 
  3 days/ 2 nights in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
DEPARTURE FROM LONDON: Stance 3, Greenline Coach Terminal, Bulleid Way, Victoria, SW1W 9SH. If coming on foot access is through the building at 4 Fountain Square, 123-151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SH.
The tour departs at 9:15am and returns at approx. 7:15pm on Day 3.

Itinerary


Day

1

Blenheim & Cotswolds

Tuesday

Leaving London, you visit the World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace. Learn about the history, explore the gardens, or even take a ride on the estate’s very own miniature railway line. 

After the palace and a lunch break, you continue to the Rollright Standing Stones. These are an ancient complex of Neolithic and bronze age monuments that sit on the crest of the Cotswold Hills. This magnificent site marks the borderlands between the great counties of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. 

You round off the afternoon with a visit to the Cotswold Gin Distillery. Learn about the production of gin in one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful areas and savour a lovingly produced, local drink. 

Overnight - Stratford-Upon-Avon


Day

2

Shakespeare Country

Wednesday

You travel to Warwick Castle, one of England’s best preserved medieval castles. Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Warwick Castle is often named as one of the best historic monuments in Britain. 

In the early afternoon, you return to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace and home of the playwright, William Shakespeare. 

You now have a chance to explore the places that shaped the life of Shakespeare. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, the Tudor thatched cottage and gardens of his wife, or Mary Arden’s farm where Shakespeare’s mother once lived. 

You can also explore the narrow streets of this medieval market town, visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, or take a stroll along the banks of the River Avon where you can rent a boat or take the ferry across the river. Overnight in Stratford and soak up the ambience of this historic and inspiring settlement.

Overnight - Stratford-Upon-Avon


Day

3

Bourton

Thursday

Today, you leave Stratford-Upon-Avon on a journey to the Cotswolds, a huge area that covers five counties and offers a variety of unique landscapes and charming villages. 

The rolling hills, villages, and farms of this area give you a glimpse back in time to an England with a gentler pace of life. Our first stop of the day is in Stow-onthe-Wold, the highest of the Cotswolds Towns. The large market square is testament to the huge markets and fairs that were once held in this hill top market town. 

You continue onto Bourton-on-the-Water, nestling in the rolling Cotswolds hills. Known as ‘The Venice of the Cotswolds’, you have time to explore this ancient village that has stood on this spot since Anglo Saxon times. 

Later you visit 'Broadway Tower'.  The second highest point in the Cotswolds, this 18th century hilltop folly has stunning views of the surrounding areas. There are public access paths for those who want to take a walk and admire the views; a café for refreshments and –  for a small fee (up to £5 per person) – guests can additionally visit the museum with exhibitions about the tower’s colourful past and enjoy further spectacular views from a roof viewing platform.

Your final stop of the tour is in the City of Oxford, here you have time to explore the beautiful listed buildings, explore the precincts of the colleges, climb one of the vantage points to take in the skyline, or see the art and antiquities collections in the Ashmolean Museum. 

After three days of exploring Shakespeare’s England, Oxford and the villages of the Cotswolds, we’ll embark on the comfortable return journey to London.


Availability

Room Type Single B&BDouble B&BSingle HotelDouble Hotel
No Tour Availability listed.

Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars
Exclusions: Lunch, dinner & refreshments. Entrances to all visitor attractions paid locally
Child rate: $499 B&B/ $579 Hotel (5-11 years sharing with 2 adults) Children under 5 years of age are not accepted.
No departures on Nov 10.

Luggage is restricted to one suitcase with a maximum weight of 14kg (31lbs.) and one small hand/day bag to go on the coach with you. Unfortunately, Rabbie’s are unable to store excess luggage.

Tour Highlights

  • Blenheim Palace
  • Warwick Castle
  • Oxford
  • Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Cotswolds Gin Distillery
  • Stow-on-the-Wold
  • Broadway Tower

Tour Inclusions

  • Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience with a maximum of 16 passengers on tour. Air Conditioning as standard. Services of a professional local driver/guide.
  • 2 nights ensuite accommodations
  • Full English breakfast daily

--> --> Back to Top