Day Tours
Experiences in Oxford
Sights in England
Experiences in England
Microtours in the U.K.—Guided walks, bus tours, museum tours, private guides, escorted sidetrips, and more
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Planning for a trip to England
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Day Tours Tours2h | from £25.00
Leave the crowds behind on this small-group tour and enjoy a bike ride with scenic views. Cycle past traditional narrow boats, ducks, swans, and of course Oxford's famous teams of rowers out on the Thames river. There are two routes available, both of which include an optional garden pub stop. Great photo opportunities and fun for all ages but a good family activity too.
Your guide will tell you all about the rowing races and the historical importance of trade along the river, and the various writers, including Lewis Carroll, whose story-telling is the result of days messing about with boats on the river.
This tour averages 2-4 people per group, ensuring a more personalized experience.Unlike other cycling tours, this experience is focused on letting you escape the city centre to head out of town along the river path to either Iffley village or Binsey village. You will begin by meeting your guide outside of the Oxford visitor info centre entrance at 2:30pm. With your guide and small group, you will decide which route will be taken, depending on circumstances.
The Iffley village route will take you past Christchurch and the boat houses and rowers to Iffley lock & village, with its medieval thatched roof cottages and its Norman chapel. Alternatively, the Binsey village route crosses through Jericho (a trendy neighborhood featured in the first episode of the Inspector Morse TV show) and over the Port Meadow.
The tour will return back to the original departure point, or nearby. Your guide will have a free map and directions available for wherever you need to go from there.
(no rating)4 days | from £225.00
Enjoy a weekend tour to Scotland, Edinburgh and The Highlands where you will have the chance to experience the best of Scotland on this 4-day tour.Friday:
Overnight travel by coach to Scotland.
Saturday:
Spend Saturday visiting Edinburgh with your guide to see the sights and learn some fascinating facts about the country and its people. Visit Edinburgh Castle (extra charge) or the shops or museums. Late afternoon you will be taken to your hotel.
Sunday:
A free day to do whatever you wish, either join your guide on the optional tour below or you can return to Edinburgh. Another option is to take a train to Glasgow to see the sights there, which is about 1 hour travel away.
Monday:
After breakfast you will be checking out of the hotel and will for most of the day be traveling back to your home destination. Time of arrival at your home is about 9pm - 11pm depending on where you live.
(no rating)3 days | from £165.00
Welcome on a weekend tour to Paris & Versailles where you can experience the French capital and the magnificent Palace of Versailles in a single weekend.Friday:
You will travel overnight to the wonderful city of Paris by coach and ferry/Eurotunnel. You will depart from Dover in the early hours of the morning, on arrival in France please note that you will have to put your watches forward by one hour. From Calais the journey to Paris will take about 4 hours, you will make a breakfast stop on the outskirts of the city where you will also be able to freshen up.
Saturday:
You will begin the day at the Notre Dame, which you will have time to visit for an extra fee.
It is a short walk from here to the Louvre Museum, where you can take lunch and visit this historic museum for an extra fee. At the museum there is a large underground restaurant complex with foods from around the world, the cost of the food here is very reasonable compared to the more expensive places in the street close to the museum. During the afternoon you will have time to stroll along the Champs Elysees and, if you wish, visit the Eiffel Tower before meeting for hotel check in.
You can join our evening illuminations tour Saturday evening – beginning with a visit to Montmartre & Sacre Coeur in the famous artists quarter with its magnificent views over Paris and quaint streets and café’s to Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge, followed by an evening illuminations tour with a stop at the Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower light show before returning to the hotel late evening.
Sunday:
After breakfast you depart Paris to Versailles where there is a traditional French Sunday Market, shops and cafes and sights to see and you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Chateau of King Louis XIV and the magnificent Gardens (tickets to visit the Palace and Gardens can be purchased on arrival).
The coach will depart from Versailles for the return journey to the UK. Arrival back at your home town will be late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
(no rating)1 day | from £40.00
Welcome on our tour to Cardiff & Wales. On this tour you will explore the capital city of Wales, Cardiff. You will arrive about midday and start with a tour of Cardiff Bay which includes the Pierhead Museum, Millennium Centre and National Assembly of Wales.
In the afternoon you will do the main walking tour of Cardiff city centre which includes Cardiff Castle, Bute Park with a "mini Stonehenge", Civic area with impressive buildings such as the National Museum and you will also see the Millennium Stadium, one of the largest in the UK. In your free time you will have the chance to visit the Castle (extra charge) or Museum (free) or do some shopping in the many arcades.You will be picked up from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford and be taken for this day tour to explore the capital city of Wales, Cardiff.
Wales is a separate country that forms part of the United Kingdom. Wales has a population of three million with a long coastline of 1,200 km, it’s a largely mountainous region to the north and its main centres of population are in the South with its capital Cardiff. Wales was an independent country until the late 13th century, it still holds on to a strong separate identity from England with its own language and its national sports. During the 19th century South Wales was one of the most industrial and productive places on earth with its vast coal mines, iron works and other associated industries. Modern Wales has been transformed from its industrial past in to a forward looking and vibrant region; Cardiff has had hundreds of millions of pounds spent on rebuilding and is home to the Welsh Assembly as well as its main shopping hubs and national museums.
Cardiff has become one of the UK’s tourist hotspots due to its cultural heritage and also its many shopping opportunities. Next door to the National Museum is the City Hall, this is the site of local government. All around the museum and City Hall you will find one of the most beautiful civic centres in the world surrounding Alexandra Gardens. Nicknamed the City of Arcades, Cardiff is great place for shopping in style and the Victorian arcades are worth a visit in themselves. Queen St, St Marys Street and The Hayes are the major pedestrianised shopping streets which all branch off the castle, so it is easy to walk from shop to shop without fear of traffic, here you will find the massive St David’s shopping centre, all around there a great number of places to eat.
On this tour you will do the main walking tour of Cardiff city centre which includes Cardiff Castle, Bute Park with a "mini Stonehenge", Civic area with impressive buildings such as the National Museum and you will also see the Millennium Stadium, one of the largest in the UK. In your free time you will have the chance to visit the Castle (extra charge) or Museum (free) or do some shopping in the many arcades.
The tour will return to the original meeting point.
(no rating)1 day | from £50.00
Welcome on a student tour to Stonehenge & Bath. On this tour you will visit 2 amazing places: The Stonehenge World Heritage site and the World Heritage city of Bath.The Stonehenge site has the entrance included in your ticket price. You will also get an audio guide given for free as you enter. Toilets, souvenirs plus food and drink is available. Stonehenge is one of the oldest prehistoric sites in Europe and is also a UN World Heritage Site. The site was first started in 3100BC and was in use until 300AD, almost 3500 years.
You can walk around the stones and use an audio guide that tells you more about the history of the stones. There is also a new visitor centre exhibition to learn more about this incredible landmark. Please make sure you are back on board the coach at the correct time.
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK to see and you can learn about its Roman history and the founding of its Roman Bath complex (extra charge), and the citys rebirth in Georgian times and its triumph of architecture in the beautiful Royal Crescent. Also see the only bridge in the UK and one of three in the world that has buildings on both sides.
Many religious buildings such as Bath Abbey are available to visit and free or just ask for donations for entry. There are many street entertainers in the city centre and many shops of all types and of course many restaurants or cafes.
1 day | from £40.00
Welcome to Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon, home of Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers that ever lived. Discover the fascinating story of William Shakespeare's early years, and see where he spent the first five years with his new wife. See how his father, John, earned his living as a glove maker and explore The Shakespeare Exhibition, before entering the house and its outstanding gardens.You will be picked up for this tour from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford and driven to Stratford-Upon-Avon, one of England's most beautiful market towns situated to the River Avon. This small quaint place is full of history, picturesque Tudor buildings, theaters, shops, many attractions and things to see and do.
The tour will take you to the places where Shakespeare lived in Stratford, including his birthplace on Henley Street. It is open to the public with an exhibition center to learn more about this great man and see where he was born and lived in his early years. You will also be shown the King Edward VI School where Shakespeare went to study, the site of his retirement home and place of death, New Place. You can also visit his final resting place in the Holy Trinity Church.
The tour will return to the original meeting point in Oxford afterward.
(no rating)1 day | from £35.00
Welcome on our tour to Cambridge. On arrival in mid to late morning, you will be taken on a guided walking tour of some of the finest University buildings plus the museums and churches in Cambridge. You will also see the River Cam and witness some of the people punting along. Other sights include the graduation building called Senate House and on Saturdays the outdoor market stalls.You will be picked up at centrally located meeting point at approximately 8:45am for this tour of one of the oldest universities in the world. For over 800 years, people have traveled from all over the world to study and visit this wonderful city. With its beautiful college buildings, museums and churches, Cambridge is a joy to visit for tourists and students alike.
Cambridge is a small city with a population of just 100,000 which includes 23,000 students, even though the city is dominated by its ancient university it is also home to some of the most high tech companies in the world and is also home to Microsoft research offices. Whether it’s the history of the university or a chance to visit the market and surrounding shops, Cambridge is a great place to visit.
The tour returns back to the original departure location.
1 day | from £30.00
Welcome on our tour to London.
You will arrive in London late morning (by 11am) to the first stop near Buckingham Palace and start a walking tour (lasting about 1.5hrs) around the centre of London including sights such as Trafalgar Square, St James Park, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, Downing Street, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, London Eye, River Thames and Westminster Abbey.
Departure from London at 5pm and you will return home about 7pm to 8pm depending on your destination.Your tour will depart from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford at 8.30am and will arrive in London late morning, by approx. 11am.
Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is full of people, ideas and energy. The capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, it is also the largest city in Western Europe and the European Union. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of nearly 9 million people — although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance.
There are so many things to see and do in London you would not even have enough time to do them all if you lived there, here are some highlights. Big Ben is one of the most well known landmarks in London, the clock tower is part of the Palace of Westminster otherwise known as the Houses of Parliament. Next door to Big Ben is Westminster Abbey, this is where all of the nation's kings and queens have been crowned for nearly the last 1000 years, it is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. In Covent Garden Market you will find plenty of places to shop or to sit back to eat and drink and take in some of the world class street entertainment. There are also plenty of opportunities to take bus or boat tours to explore London even further (for own expense).
The tour departs London for the return journey at 5pm and you will return home at about 7pm to 8pm depending on your final destination.
(no rating)1 day | from £30.00
Welcome on our tour to Brighton.
On arrival in the city, your guide will take you on a walking tour through the historic Lanes area with its independent shops and theatres through the old historic centre of the city to the seafront.
Your guide will show you what the seafront has to offer from volleyball and nightclubs to the artist’s quarter and the famous Brighton Pier. In the afternoon, there will be some free time for you to visit the pier and seafront and if the weather is not so good, you could visit the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.Your full day tour will depart from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford at X and you will arrive in Brighton by approximately 10.30am.
Once you arrive in Brighton, you will take part on a 1 hour walking tour in the city, covering the following sights (entrance fees at own expense):
Brighton is one of the largest resorts on the South Coast of England. Brighton is not just popular as a destination in the summer months but at weekends throughout the year. Brighton is also called the City by the sea or London by the sea.
The Royal Pavilion is one of the most unique buildings in Britain. It was built in the fashion of and Indian Palace and the inside is decorated in an oriental style both of which were fashionable during this time. You can go inside and look around, this will cost about £8
Construction of Brighton Pier began in 1891 and took eight years to complete. Brighton Pier is now the only pier left in Brighton after the older West Pier was destroyed in a fire in 2003. The pier offers great views along the coast in both directions and contains many amusement rides, cafes and bars.
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery has many galleries with exhibits about Brighton as well as collections of pottery and porceline, a world art collection, fine art galleries along with many more. Visiting is free of charge.
After the walking tour you have free time until approx. 4.30pm. The tour will return to Oxford at approx. 7pm.
Please note: All times are approximate and may vary on the day depending on circumstances and are given as a guideline.
2 days | from £165.00
Join this weekend tour to Liverpool & Manchester to enjoy the best of the top cities in Northern England.
This information shows an example itinerary to use as a guideline, please note that the order you visit various attractions may change depending on circumstances or time of year.Saturday:
Early morning departure by coach with pick ups on the way to Liverpool where you will arrive early afternoon. A refreshment/lunch stop will be made on the journey.
On arrival in Liverpool you can join your guide for a walking tour of the city made famous by the Beatles. You will have the opportunity to stop at famous Penny Lane, visit the Cavern Club on Mathew Street as well as the award winning Beatles Story Exhibition to learn about the life, times and music of the ‘Fab Four’ (Admission charge at own expense payable to the guide in advance).
There will also be the opportunity to visit Liverpool Cathedral and the excellent Maritime Museum (Titanic Exhibition) at the Albert Dock which is free to enter. It's recommendable you get some dinner in the city before you depart in the evening to make your way to the hotel on the outskirts of Manchester.
Sunday:
After breakfast at the hotel the day will be spent in Manchester. As well as a visit to the city centre you can also take the opportunity to visit The Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club. The Stadium tour price is at own expense, payable to the guide on the weekend (limited spaces apply). For those who are not interested in the Stadium Tour, they can visit something else, for example the Imperial War Museum (own expense).
Departure from Manchester will be late afternoon with arrival at your original point of departure late on Sunday evening.
(no rating)1 day | from £55.00
Take in two of England’s famous UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites in one day on this adventurous day trip from Oxford. Travel by coach to the prehistoric site of Stonehenge and learn of the area’s significance via your audio guide. Explore the visitor center, where objects unearthed from the site are on display. Then, follow a guide though the ancient streets of Bath and discover top attractions including Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Royal Crescent. This tour includes guide, entrance fees, and round-trip travel from Oxford.
Hop aboard your coach in central Oxford in the morning, then travel in comfort to the UNESCO–listed site of Stonehenge. Nestled in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, Stonehenge is widely considered among the world’s most mysterious prehistoric sites.
On arrival, explore Stonehenge at your own pace and admire the unique rock monuments up-close. With your audio-guide to hand, gain insight into the site’s fascinating history. Then, head to the visitor centre — home to a world-class exhibition featuring 250 ancient objects from around the area.
Continue onward to Bath, a Georgian spa town hidden in the Somerset hills. During your guided walking tour, take in top attractions including Bath Abbey, Bath Circus, the Jane Austen Centre, and the beautiful Royal Crescent, and learn of Bath’s interesting heritage.
When your time in Bath comes to an end, return to central Oxford to conclude your tour.
4 days | from £225.00
This 4-day (3-night) weekend break from Oxford takes you to explore the beautiful city of Paris, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park. Experience the French capital and enjoy the magic of Disney in a single weekend.The journey starts on Friday evening with an overnight travel to the wonderful city of Paris by coach and ferry. You will depart from Dover in the early hours of Saturday morning; on arrival in France please remember to put your watches forward by one hour. From the Port of Calais the journey to Paris will take approx. 4 hours and you will stop for breakfast (own expense) on the outskirts of the city where you will also be able to freshen up.
On arrival in Paris begin the day at the world famous medieval cathedral of Notre Dame, which you will have time to visit and from here take a sightseeing tour boat along the River Seine (own expense) – the perfect way to begin your day in Paris. To book the River Seine boat trip please pay the guide on the bus before arrival in Paris.
It is a short walk from here to the Louvre Museum, where you can take lunch and visit this historic museum (entry and meals at own expense, however if you are lucky enough to be under 18 then the entrance is free). At the museum there is a large underground restaurant complex with foods from around the world, the cost of the food here is very reasonable compared to the more expensive places in the street close to the museum. During the afternoon you will have time to stroll along The Avenue des Champs-Élysées and visit the Eiffel Tower (own expense) before meeting up for the hotel check in.
You can join the evening illuminations tour on Saturday evening; this begins with a visit to the bohemian district of Montmartre and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica, located in the famous artists' quarter with its magnificent views over Paris and quaint streets and café’s to Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge, followed by an evening illuminations tour with a stop at the Trocadero to see the stunning Eiffel Tower light show before returning to the hotel late evening.
The last day Sunday will be spent at Disneyland Paris (your trip includes an entrance ticket to both Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland as well as all shows, rides and events) or you can alternatively have extra free time to explore and enjoy the city of Paris.
You will depart from Disneyland Paris after a full day to return back to Oxford for arrival on early Monday morning.
(no rating)1 day | from £40.00
On this full-day tour departing from Oxford you will visit two beautiful and historical sites: the nearby World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace and the charming villages which make up the area of the Cotswolds.
Departing central Oxford in the morning, you will start the day by visiting the magnificent Blenheim Palace located just a short journey north of Oxford. Entrance to the palace, park and the gardens is included in the tour. See one of the most impressive and biggest houses in all of England.
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. It is the main home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace was built between 1705 and 1722. Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It has been the home to the Churchill family for about 300 years and was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain during World War II.
After plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings you will then continue into a national area of outstanding beauty - The Cotswolds. It is full of quaint small villages with houses and churches that date back around 500 years with most buildings made in local limestone (similar to Bath or some Oxford University Colleges).
After another short journey that shows you some of the Cotswold villages and the natural landscape of fields and gentle rolling hills, you will stop at one of the prettiest of all the villages, Bourton-on-the-Water. After a quick tour you have time for lunch (own expense) and free time to enjoy any of the attractions, sights or events on offer.
Departure will be late afternoon returning to Oxford by 5pm and returning to Bournemouth by 7pm.
1 day | from £35.00
On this full-day tour of Brighton and Portsmouth, you will visit Portsmouth first for a stop for some sightseeing and lunch. You will be located near the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and during a short walking tour you will get to see famous historic British ships such as Admiral Nelson's HMS Victory. You will be able to visit the nearby Gunwharf Quays shopping and entertainment area, which has the Emirates Spinnaker Tower, many designer discounted clothes shops and also lots of places to eat lunch. After the visit to Portsmouth you will be taken to the main destination, Brighton. You will have one hour tour of the best areas and sights and then have a few hours of free time for shops, attractions or visiting the museum or you may wish in good weather to soak up the sun on the beach.Your full-day tour of Brighton and Portsmouth will depart early from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford near the Ashmolean Museum and you will arrive in Portsmouth at approximately 10am.
There will be a short walking tour upon arrival in Portsmouth and then free time until departure at 12 noon to Brighton. You will see the famous historic dockyard and HMS Victory.
You will arrive in Brighton at approx. 1pm and have a 1-hour walking tour followed by free time before departure from Brighton at approx. 5pm. You will see the famous Brighton sites, such as historic North and South Lanes, Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier and more.
You will return back in Oxford at approx. 8.30pm.
(no rating)3 days | from £165.00
Welcome on a student weekend tour to Amsterdam & Bruges.
Enjoy your time in the capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam and its unique charm with countless canals and coffee shops and world-class museums before visiting the well-preserved medieval Belgium town of Bruges.
Friday:
Overnight departure by coach and ferry to Holland arriving in Amsterdam on Saturday morning about 9am.
Saturday:
A breakfast stop will be made before arriving in Amsterdam. On arrival in the city you can begin the day with a trip on the famous canal boats (*extra charge), after which your tour guide will introduce you to the city, including a walking tour of the sights from Dam Square to the Museum District where you will have the opportunity to visit the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and the Heineken Beer Museum! (Visits at own expense.)
At the end of the tour you will have the afternoon to explore the city at leisure before making your own way to the hotel for check in later in the afternoon.
Sunday:
After breakfast at the hotel you will depart Amsterdam and begin our journey south, stopping to visit a traditional Windmill and Cheese Farm, where you will also see a demonstration of clog making (traditional wooden shoes) and a chance to buy some Dutch souvenirs before we continue our journey south into Belgium and the picturesque city of Bruges for the afternoon.
Departure from Bruges is late afternoon, with a short stop on the way at PJ’s chocolates (near Ostend). This is an opportunity to take home some famous Belgium chocolates. The journey will continue to the port of Calais in France for the evening ferry back to the UK, with arrival late Sunday evening. Arrival in UK towns will depend on sailing times and immigration formalities.
(no rating)1 day | from £85.00
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.
You start your unforgettable Cotswold journey driving to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall – and the beautiful villages of Asthall and Swinbrook (home to the Mitford sisters).
Continuing through the quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons to Bourton-on-the-Water (the Venice of the Cotswolds – with its delightful bridges over the River Windrush).
From Bourton-on-the-Water your route takes you through some enchanting Cotswold villages to Broadway – the village which inspired artists and writers, such as Frank Millet, J M Barrie and William Morris.
After a lunch stop you continue on to the beautiful market town of Chipping Campden, often considered the centre of the Arts and Crafts movement in the Cotswolds and then on to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you can browse among the narrow footpaths and the antique shops and art galleries.
You return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton with our final stop in Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
5h | from £65.00
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. This is an extended half-day tour from Oxford, ideal for those who would love to see some of the Cotswold villages, but cannot spare a whole day.
Your ‘Cotswold Taster’ begins with a drive to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall – and the beautiful villages of Asthall and Swinbrook (home to the Mitford sisters). Continue through the quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons, and arrive in Bourton-on-the-Water, the Venice of the Cotswolds – with its delightful bridges over the River Windrush.
From there follow a picturesque route through Lower Swell to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here, enjoy exploring the narrow streets with their quaint shops and cafes. Return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton, with a final stop in Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill) before returning back to Oxford.
9h | from £139.00
Learn about the lives and love interests of the fictional Crawley family on a full-day 'Downton Abbey' filming location tour! Depart from Oxford and travel to the county of Oxfordshire to explore villages such as Cogges, Bampton, Bladon and Swinbrook where the British period TV drama has been filmed. In the afternoon, tour Blenheim Palace — a UNESCO site not used in the series but magnificent nonetheless — for an insight into the daily lives of upper-crust English aristocracy.Leave Oxford by air-conditioned minivan, and travel out into the glorious countryside that surrounds the city. On the journey, your guide will keep you entertained with tales and trivia about the Downton Abbey TV series that has a fan base spread all over the world.
Filmed mostly in and around Oxfordshire, the British period drama of Downton Abbey documents the dramas and scandals of the fictional Crawley family and their servants in the days leading up to and after World War I. Hear insider gossip about characters such as Lady Mary, and discover little-known facts about the shooting locations included on your tour. Stop at a farm nestled in the hills near Cogges and enjoy a hot drink (own expense) in the farm’s rustic cafe before you check out filming locations around the farm.
Continue to Bampton in the Cotswolds. The stone cottages and leafy, twisting streets in this quintessential English village might look familiar; scenes depicting the Downton village are often shot here and appear throughout the entire series. On a walking tour, see the village church — the site of Lady Mary’s wedding to Matthew Crawley — and the house that was once used as the Crawley family home. Stroll along the main street, spotting shops and the fictional Grantham Arms pub that appear in many episodes.
Travel onward to the historical village of Shilton to explore its center, including a quaint village pub that is surrounded by ponds, medieval bridges and wells. From Shilton, travel to a pub in Swinbrook for lunch (own expense) where Lady Sybil eloped with the family chauffeur Branson; enjoy a quick stop in the village of Bladon to see the graves of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife; and finish the tour at Blenheim Palace — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While not used as a Downton Abbey filming location, one can imagine the palace's stately grandeur that would impress the Crawley family. Take a walking tour that delves into the history of Winston Churchill's ancestral home, originally given to the first duke of Marlborough as a gift from the English Parliament. Wander through the State Apartments, and then explore a section of the beautiful landscaped gardens that feature the Temple of Diana. Finally, return to your minivan and travel back to the start point in Oxford where your tour finishes.
9h | from £139.00
Tour Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds and Oxford in one day, on this leisurely paced excursion with an expert guide. After departing Oxford by comfortable minivan, visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in the charming town of Stratford-upon-Avon and enjoy a photo stop outside Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: the former home of William Shakespeare’s wife. Then, visit several picturesque villages in the beautiful Cotswolds region before returning to the timeworn university city of Oxford for a walking tour.Meet your guide in central Oxford, and then hop inside an air-conditioned minivan and head to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. Learn about the town’s famous ex-resident on a minibus tour of Stratford, including his school and the Holy Trinity Church where the playwright and poet was baptized and buried. Hop out of your minivan and head inside Shakespeare’s Birthplace — now a museum — and see a range of exhibits about the beloved bard.
Next, make a brief stop in Shottery for photos of the thatched-roof English cottage of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. Then, continue to the Cotswolds, the attractive region that prospered from its wool trade during the Middle Ages. Admire the scenery as you travel along tiny one-track lanes through gently rolling hills, and gaze at the golden-stone villages, green pastures and pretty churches that adorn the landscape. With your guide, walk around the village of Burford, explore the delightful Coln Valley and tour the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter before lunch (own expense) in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
When the time comes, take a seat inside to your minivan and travel back to Oxford. Upon your return, set off on a walking tour around the genteel city, famed for its prestigious university. Stroll around the city center and look out for the some of the notable university buildings, seeing some of the eminent colleges such as All Souls, Christ Church and Divinity School, and learn about the well-known writers, artists and politicians who studied inside the colleges’ walls.
Hear about the lives of JR Tolkien, CS Lewis and Lewis Carroll — who each lived in the city — and see places used as filming sites in the popular Harry Potter movies. Your tour then concludes near Oxford train station, leaving you free to continue exploring the city's narrow streets and lanes as you wish.
8h | from £85.00
A unique opportunity to combine a tour of the Cotswolds with a visit to Shakespeare's home, Stratford-upon-Avon, with its famous theatres and quaint medieval timber-framed houses. Come and discover idyllic stone villages, nestling in quiet valleys, small thatched cottages, majestic castles and manors, and charming high streets peppered with quaint tea shops and antiques shops. Let us help you to enjoy the English countryside at its best.
Our Cotswolds and Shakespeare Tour combines the beauty of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon with a drive through some of the breathtaking scenery of the North Cotswolds. We leave Oxford and head north through “the Tews”, a group of delightful ironstone villages. We pass the site of English Civil War Battle of Edgehill and several stately homes, including the beautiful Elizabethan Charlecote Park, before arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our short guided walk of Shakespeare’s home town will take you past charming timber-framed houses, the Shakespeare theatres and the River Avon, finishing with an optional visit of Shakespeare’s Birthplace. After lunch, we leave Stratford, passing by Anne Hathaway’s cottage and head into the Cotswolds. A delightful cross-country route takes us through the village of Ilmington and past the famous Kiftsgate Court and Hidcote Manor Gardens, to our next stop in 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 ‘wool church’ and ruined manor house. We return to oxford, following another scenic route through the stone villages of Broad Campden and Blockley. We stop in the busy market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, with its art galleries and antiques shops and then continue on to Oxford via Chipping Norton and Woodstock the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
(no rating)8h | from £85.00
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 us take you on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning scenery, combining the best of the North and South Cotswolds.
This Cotswold Tour introduces visitors to some of the most enchanting villages of the South and North Cotswolds, starting with a drive to the ancient market town of Bampton, one of the oldest towns in England and now well known as the village of Downton in the popular TV series Downton Abbey. We continue via Kelmscott, the home of the Arts and Crafts founder, William Morris, to Lechlade on the River Thames. From there, our journey takes us through some pretty Cotswold stone villages to idyllic Bibury, with its 16th century cottages and trout farm. Heading up the Coln Valley we travel through a succession of stone hamlets, hidden valleys and breath-taking scenery, arriving in the beautiful town of Winchcombe for lunch. Enjoy lunch in a rustic pub or restaurant or take the time to visit Sudeley Castle, the burial place of Catherine Parr, the 6th wife of Henry VIII. Our Cotswold Adventure continues through more stunning countryside to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds, with its charming cafes and antiques shops. We return to Oxford via the quaint village of Cornwell and the bustling market town of Chipping Norton, passing finally through Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
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Multi-day excursions links- Sceptrevacations.com - Long the price champ on self-drive vacations in the British Isles (they provide airfare, rental car, and vouchers for hotels and/or B&Bs, all at a discount; your trip is your own), Sceptre now also offers rail journeys, chauffeur trips, and escorted tours ("Journeys"). Though it covers much of Europe now, Sceptre started with Ireland and Scotland, and still offers a wider range of British Isles itineraries than most, including plenty in England and Wales.
- City-discovery.com - Chief rival to Viator (though with a less spiffy interface and often sub-par text descriptions), representing many of the same tours (at the same prices). However, it also seems to cover more destinations, especially secondary ones. When it comes down to it, City-Discovery and Viator have maybe 70% the same inventory, but then 30% will be completely different (some Viator has City-Discovery does not, other vice-versa) so it pays to check through the offerings from both.Partner
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Your guide will tell you all about the rowing races and the historical importance of trade along the river, and the various writers, including Lewis Carroll, whose story-telling is the result of days messing about with boats on the river.
This tour averages 2-4 people per group, ensuring a more personalized experience.
Unlike other cycling tours, this experience is focused on letting you escape the city centre to head out of town along the river path to either Iffley village or Binsey village. You will begin by meeting your guide outside of the Oxford visitor info centre entrance at 2:30pm. With your guide and small group, you will decide which route will be taken, depending on circumstances.
The Iffley village route will take you past Christchurch and the boat houses and rowers to Iffley lock & village, with its medieval thatched roof cottages and its Norman chapel. Alternatively, the Binsey village route crosses through Jericho (a trendy neighborhood featured in the first episode of the Inspector Morse TV show) and over the Port Meadow.
The tour will return back to the original departure point, or nearby. Your guide will have a free map and directions available for wherever you need to go from there.
Friday:
Overnight travel by coach to Scotland.
Saturday:
Spend Saturday visiting Edinburgh with your guide to see the sights and learn some fascinating facts about the country and its people. Visit Edinburgh Castle (extra charge) or the shops or museums. Late afternoon you will be taken to your hotel.
Sunday:
A free day to do whatever you wish, either join your guide on the optional tour below or you can return to Edinburgh. Another option is to take a train to Glasgow to see the sights there, which is about 1 hour travel away.
Monday:
After breakfast you will be checking out of the hotel and will for most of the day be traveling back to your home destination. Time of arrival at your home is about 9pm - 11pm depending on where you live.
Friday:
You will travel overnight to the wonderful city of Paris by coach and ferry/Eurotunnel. You will depart from Dover in the early hours of the morning, on arrival in France please note that you will have to put your watches forward by one hour. From Calais the journey to Paris will take about 4 hours, you will make a breakfast stop on the outskirts of the city where you will also be able to freshen up.
Saturday:
You will begin the day at the Notre Dame, which you will have time to visit for an extra fee.
It is a short walk from here to the Louvre Museum, where you can take lunch and visit this historic museum for an extra fee. At the museum there is a large underground restaurant complex with foods from around the world, the cost of the food here is very reasonable compared to the more expensive places in the street close to the museum. During the afternoon you will have time to stroll along the Champs Elysees and, if you wish, visit the Eiffel Tower before meeting for hotel check in.
You can join our evening illuminations tour Saturday evening – beginning with a visit to Montmartre & Sacre Coeur in the famous artists quarter with its magnificent views over Paris and quaint streets and café’s to Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge, followed by an evening illuminations tour with a stop at the Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower light show before returning to the hotel late evening.
Sunday:
After breakfast you depart Paris to Versailles where there is a traditional French Sunday Market, shops and cafes and sights to see and you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Chateau of King Louis XIV and the magnificent Gardens (tickets to visit the Palace and Gardens can be purchased on arrival).
The coach will depart from Versailles for the return journey to the UK. Arrival back at your home town will be late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
In the afternoon you will do the main walking tour of Cardiff city centre which includes Cardiff Castle, Bute Park with a "mini Stonehenge", Civic area with impressive buildings such as the National Museum and you will also see the Millennium Stadium, one of the largest in the UK. In your free time you will have the chance to visit the Castle (extra charge) or Museum (free) or do some shopping in the many arcades.
You will be picked up from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford and be taken for this day tour to explore the capital city of Wales, Cardiff.
Wales is a separate country that forms part of the United Kingdom. Wales has a population of three million with a long coastline of 1,200 km, it’s a largely mountainous region to the north and its main centres of population are in the South with its capital Cardiff. Wales was an independent country until the late 13th century, it still holds on to a strong separate identity from England with its own language and its national sports. During the 19th century South Wales was one of the most industrial and productive places on earth with its vast coal mines, iron works and other associated industries. Modern Wales has been transformed from its industrial past in to a forward looking and vibrant region; Cardiff has had hundreds of millions of pounds spent on rebuilding and is home to the Welsh Assembly as well as its main shopping hubs and national museums.
Cardiff has become one of the UK’s tourist hotspots due to its cultural heritage and also its many shopping opportunities. Next door to the National Museum is the City Hall, this is the site of local government. All around the museum and City Hall you will find one of the most beautiful civic centres in the world surrounding Alexandra Gardens. Nicknamed the City of Arcades, Cardiff is great place for shopping in style and the Victorian arcades are worth a visit in themselves. Queen St, St Marys Street and The Hayes are the major pedestrianised shopping streets which all branch off the castle, so it is easy to walk from shop to shop without fear of traffic, here you will find the massive St David’s shopping centre, all around there a great number of places to eat.
On this tour you will do the main walking tour of Cardiff city centre which includes Cardiff Castle, Bute Park with a "mini Stonehenge", Civic area with impressive buildings such as the National Museum and you will also see the Millennium Stadium, one of the largest in the UK. In your free time you will have the chance to visit the Castle (extra charge) or Museum (free) or do some shopping in the many arcades.
The tour will return to the original meeting point.
The Stonehenge site has the entrance included in your ticket price. You will also get an audio guide given for free as you enter. Toilets, souvenirs plus food and drink is available. Stonehenge is one of the oldest prehistoric sites in Europe and is also a UN World Heritage Site. The site was first started in 3100BC and was in use until 300AD, almost 3500 years.
You can walk around the stones and use an audio guide that tells you more about the history of the stones. There is also a new visitor centre exhibition to learn more about this incredible landmark. Please make sure you are back on board the coach at the correct time.
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK to see and you can learn about its Roman history and the founding of its Roman Bath complex (extra charge), and the citys rebirth in Georgian times and its triumph of architecture in the beautiful Royal Crescent. Also see the only bridge in the UK and one of three in the world that has buildings on both sides.
Many religious buildings such as Bath Abbey are available to visit and free or just ask for donations for entry. There are many street entertainers in the city centre and many shops of all types and of course many restaurants or cafes.
You will be picked up for this tour from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford and driven to Stratford-Upon-Avon, one of England's most beautiful market towns situated to the River Avon. This small quaint place is full of history, picturesque Tudor buildings, theaters, shops, many attractions and things to see and do.
The tour will take you to the places where Shakespeare lived in Stratford, including his birthplace on Henley Street. It is open to the public with an exhibition center to learn more about this great man and see where he was born and lived in his early years. You will also be shown the King Edward VI School where Shakespeare went to study, the site of his retirement home and place of death, New Place. You can also visit his final resting place in the Holy Trinity Church.
The tour will return to the original meeting point in Oxford afterward.
You will be picked up at centrally located meeting point at approximately 8:45am for this tour of one of the oldest universities in the world. For over 800 years, people have traveled from all over the world to study and visit this wonderful city. With its beautiful college buildings, museums and churches, Cambridge is a joy to visit for tourists and students alike.
Cambridge is a small city with a population of just 100,000 which includes 23,000 students, even though the city is dominated by its ancient university it is also home to some of the most high tech companies in the world and is also home to Microsoft research offices. Whether it’s the history of the university or a chance to visit the market and surrounding shops, Cambridge is a great place to visit.
The tour returns back to the original departure location.
You will arrive in London late morning (by 11am) to the first stop near Buckingham Palace and start a walking tour (lasting about 1.5hrs) around the centre of London including sights such as Trafalgar Square, St James Park, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, Downing Street, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, London Eye, River Thames and Westminster Abbey.
Departure from London at 5pm and you will return home about 7pm to 8pm depending on your destination.
Your tour will depart from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford at 8.30am and will arrive in London late morning, by approx. 11am.
Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is full of people, ideas and energy. The capital and largest city of both the United Kingdom and of England, it is also the largest city in Western Europe and the European Union. Situated on the River Thames in South-East England, Greater London has an official population of nearly 9 million people — although the figure of over 14 million for the city's total metropolitan area more accurately reflects London's size and importance.
There are so many things to see and do in London you would not even have enough time to do them all if you lived there, here are some highlights. Big Ben is one of the most well known landmarks in London, the clock tower is part of the Palace of Westminster otherwise known as the Houses of Parliament. Next door to Big Ben is Westminster Abbey, this is where all of the nation's kings and queens have been crowned for nearly the last 1000 years, it is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. In Covent Garden Market you will find plenty of places to shop or to sit back to eat and drink and take in some of the world class street entertainment. There are also plenty of opportunities to take bus or boat tours to explore London even further (for own expense).
The tour departs London for the return journey at 5pm and you will return home at about 7pm to 8pm depending on your final destination.
On arrival in the city, your guide will take you on a walking tour through the historic Lanes area with its independent shops and theatres through the old historic centre of the city to the seafront.
Your guide will show you what the seafront has to offer from volleyball and nightclubs to the artist’s quarter and the famous Brighton Pier. In the afternoon, there will be some free time for you to visit the pier and seafront and if the weather is not so good, you could visit the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
Your full day tour will depart from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford at X and you will arrive in Brighton by approximately 10.30am.
Once you arrive in Brighton, you will take part on a 1 hour walking tour in the city, covering the following sights (entrance fees at own expense):
Brighton is one of the largest resorts on the South Coast of England. Brighton is not just popular as a destination in the summer months but at weekends throughout the year. Brighton is also called the City by the sea or London by the sea.
The Royal Pavilion is one of the most unique buildings in Britain. It was built in the fashion of and Indian Palace and the inside is decorated in an oriental style both of which were fashionable during this time. You can go inside and look around, this will cost about £8
Construction of Brighton Pier began in 1891 and took eight years to complete. Brighton Pier is now the only pier left in Brighton after the older West Pier was destroyed in a fire in 2003. The pier offers great views along the coast in both directions and contains many amusement rides, cafes and bars.
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery has many galleries with exhibits about Brighton as well as collections of pottery and porceline, a world art collection, fine art galleries along with many more. Visiting is free of charge.
After the walking tour you have free time until approx. 4.30pm. The tour will return to Oxford at approx. 7pm.
Please note: All times are approximate and may vary on the day depending on circumstances and are given as a guideline.
This information shows an example itinerary to use as a guideline, please note that the order you visit various attractions may change depending on circumstances or time of year.
Saturday:
Early morning departure by coach with pick ups on the way to Liverpool where you will arrive early afternoon. A refreshment/lunch stop will be made on the journey.
On arrival in Liverpool you can join your guide for a walking tour of the city made famous by the Beatles. You will have the opportunity to stop at famous Penny Lane, visit the Cavern Club on Mathew Street as well as the award winning Beatles Story Exhibition to learn about the life, times and music of the ‘Fab Four’ (Admission charge at own expense payable to the guide in advance).
There will also be the opportunity to visit Liverpool Cathedral and the excellent Maritime Museum (Titanic Exhibition) at the Albert Dock which is free to enter. It's recommendable you get some dinner in the city before you depart in the evening to make your way to the hotel on the outskirts of Manchester.
Sunday:
After breakfast at the hotel the day will be spent in Manchester. As well as a visit to the city centre you can also take the opportunity to visit The Old Trafford, home of Manchester United Football Club. The Stadium tour price is at own expense, payable to the guide on the weekend (limited spaces apply). For those who are not interested in the Stadium Tour, they can visit something else, for example the Imperial War Museum (own expense).
Departure from Manchester will be late afternoon with arrival at your original point of departure late on Sunday evening.
Take in two of England’s famous UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites in one day on this adventurous day trip from Oxford. Travel by coach to the prehistoric site of Stonehenge and learn of the area’s significance via your audio guide. Explore the visitor center, where objects unearthed from the site are on display. Then, follow a guide though the ancient streets of Bath and discover top attractions including Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Royal Crescent. This tour includes guide, entrance fees, and round-trip travel from Oxford.
Hop aboard your coach in central Oxford in the morning, then travel in comfort to the UNESCO–listed site of Stonehenge. Nestled in the beautiful county of Wiltshire, Stonehenge is widely considered among the world’s most mysterious prehistoric sites.
On arrival, explore Stonehenge at your own pace and admire the unique rock monuments up-close. With your audio-guide to hand, gain insight into the site’s fascinating history. Then, head to the visitor centre — home to a world-class exhibition featuring 250 ancient objects from around the area.
Continue onward to Bath, a Georgian spa town hidden in the Somerset hills. During your guided walking tour, take in top attractions including Bath Abbey, Bath Circus, the Jane Austen Centre, and the beautiful Royal Crescent, and learn of Bath’s interesting heritage.
When your time in Bath comes to an end, return to central Oxford to conclude your tour.
The journey starts on Friday evening with an overnight travel to the wonderful city of Paris by coach and ferry. You will depart from Dover in the early hours of Saturday morning; on arrival in France please remember to put your watches forward by one hour. From the Port of Calais the journey to Paris will take approx. 4 hours and you will stop for breakfast (own expense) on the outskirts of the city where you will also be able to freshen up.
On arrival in Paris begin the day at the world famous medieval cathedral of Notre Dame, which you will have time to visit and from here take a sightseeing tour boat along the River Seine (own expense) – the perfect way to begin your day in Paris. To book the River Seine boat trip please pay the guide on the bus before arrival in Paris.
It is a short walk from here to the Louvre Museum, where you can take lunch and visit this historic museum (entry and meals at own expense, however if you are lucky enough to be under 18 then the entrance is free). At the museum there is a large underground restaurant complex with foods from around the world, the cost of the food here is very reasonable compared to the more expensive places in the street close to the museum. During the afternoon you will have time to stroll along The Avenue des Champs-Élysées and visit the Eiffel Tower (own expense) before meeting up for the hotel check in.
You can join the evening illuminations tour on Saturday evening; this begins with a visit to the bohemian district of Montmartre and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica, located in the famous artists' quarter with its magnificent views over Paris and quaint streets and café’s to Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge, followed by an evening illuminations tour with a stop at the Trocadero to see the stunning Eiffel Tower light show before returning to the hotel late evening.
The last day Sunday will be spent at Disneyland Paris (your trip includes an entrance ticket to both Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland as well as all shows, rides and events) or you can alternatively have extra free time to explore and enjoy the city of Paris.
You will depart from Disneyland Paris after a full day to return back to Oxford for arrival on early Monday morning.
On this full-day tour departing from Oxford you will visit two beautiful and historical sites: the nearby World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace and the charming villages which make up the area of the Cotswolds.
Departing central Oxford in the morning, you will start the day by visiting the magnificent Blenheim Palace located just a short journey north of Oxford. Entrance to the palace, park and the gardens is included in the tour. See one of the most impressive and biggest houses in all of England.
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. It is the main home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace was built between 1705 and 1722. Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It has been the home to the Churchill family for about 300 years and was the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain during World War II.
After plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings you will then continue into a national area of outstanding beauty - The Cotswolds. It is full of quaint small villages with houses and churches that date back around 500 years with most buildings made in local limestone (similar to Bath or some Oxford University Colleges).
After another short journey that shows you some of the Cotswold villages and the natural landscape of fields and gentle rolling hills, you will stop at one of the prettiest of all the villages, Bourton-on-the-Water. After a quick tour you have time for lunch (own expense) and free time to enjoy any of the attractions, sights or events on offer.
Departure will be late afternoon returning to Oxford by 5pm and returning to Bournemouth by 7pm.
Your full-day tour of Brighton and Portsmouth will depart early from a centrally located meeting point in Oxford near the Ashmolean Museum and you will arrive in Portsmouth at approximately 10am.
There will be a short walking tour upon arrival in Portsmouth and then free time until departure at 12 noon to Brighton. You will see the famous historic dockyard and HMS Victory.
You will arrive in Brighton at approx. 1pm and have a 1-hour walking tour followed by free time before departure from Brighton at approx. 5pm. You will see the famous Brighton sites, such as historic North and South Lanes, Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier and more.
You will return back in Oxford at approx. 8.30pm.
Enjoy your time in the capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam and its unique charm with countless canals and coffee shops and world-class museums before visiting the well-preserved medieval Belgium town of Bruges.
Friday:
Overnight departure by coach and ferry to Holland arriving in Amsterdam on Saturday morning about 9am.
Saturday:
A breakfast stop will be made before arriving in Amsterdam. On arrival in the city you can begin the day with a trip on the famous canal boats (*extra charge), after which your tour guide will introduce you to the city, including a walking tour of the sights from Dam Square to the Museum District where you will have the opportunity to visit the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and the Heineken Beer Museum! (Visits at own expense.)
At the end of the tour you will have the afternoon to explore the city at leisure before making your own way to the hotel for check in later in the afternoon.
Sunday:
After breakfast at the hotel you will depart Amsterdam and begin our journey south, stopping to visit a traditional Windmill and Cheese Farm, where you will also see a demonstration of clog making (traditional wooden shoes) and a chance to buy some Dutch souvenirs before we continue our journey south into Belgium and the picturesque city of Bruges for the afternoon.
Departure from Bruges is late afternoon, with a short stop on the way at PJ’s chocolates (near Ostend). This is an opportunity to take home some famous Belgium chocolates. The journey will continue to the port of Calais in France for the evening ferry back to the UK, with arrival late Sunday evening. Arrival in UK towns will depend on sailing times and immigration formalities.
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.
You start your unforgettable Cotswold journey driving to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall – and the beautiful villages of Asthall and Swinbrook (home to the Mitford sisters).
Continuing through the quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons to Bourton-on-the-Water (the Venice of the Cotswolds – with its delightful bridges over the River Windrush).
From Bourton-on-the-Water your route takes you through some enchanting Cotswold villages to Broadway – the village which inspired artists and writers, such as Frank Millet, J M Barrie and William Morris.
After a lunch stop you continue on to the beautiful market town of Chipping Campden, often considered the centre of the Arts and Crafts movement in the Cotswolds and then on to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you can browse among the narrow footpaths and the antique shops and art galleries.
You return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton with our final stop in Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
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. This is an extended half-day tour from Oxford, ideal for those who would love to see some of the Cotswold villages, but cannot spare a whole day.
Your ‘Cotswold Taster’ begins with a drive to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall – and the beautiful villages of Asthall and Swinbrook (home to the Mitford sisters). Continue through the quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons, and arrive in Bourton-on-the-Water, the Venice of the Cotswolds – with its delightful bridges over the River Windrush.
From there follow a picturesque route through Lower Swell to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here, enjoy exploring the narrow streets with their quaint shops and cafes. Return to Oxford via the bustling market town of Chipping Norton, with a final stop in Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill) before returning back to Oxford.
Leave Oxford by air-conditioned minivan, and travel out into the glorious countryside that surrounds the city. On the journey, your guide will keep you entertained with tales and trivia about the Downton Abbey TV series that has a fan base spread all over the world.
Filmed mostly in and around Oxfordshire, the British period drama of Downton Abbey documents the dramas and scandals of the fictional Crawley family and their servants in the days leading up to and after World War I. Hear insider gossip about characters such as Lady Mary, and discover little-known facts about the shooting locations included on your tour. Stop at a farm nestled in the hills near Cogges and enjoy a hot drink (own expense) in the farm’s rustic cafe before you check out filming locations around the farm.
Continue to Bampton in the Cotswolds. The stone cottages and leafy, twisting streets in this quintessential English village might look familiar; scenes depicting the Downton village are often shot here and appear throughout the entire series. On a walking tour, see the village church — the site of Lady Mary’s wedding to Matthew Crawley — and the house that was once used as the Crawley family home. Stroll along the main street, spotting shops and the fictional Grantham Arms pub that appear in many episodes.
Travel onward to the historical village of Shilton to explore its center, including a quaint village pub that is surrounded by ponds, medieval bridges and wells. From Shilton, travel to a pub in Swinbrook for lunch (own expense) where Lady Sybil eloped with the family chauffeur Branson; enjoy a quick stop in the village of Bladon to see the graves of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife; and finish the tour at Blenheim Palace — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While not used as a Downton Abbey filming location, one can imagine the palace's stately grandeur that would impress the Crawley family. Take a walking tour that delves into the history of Winston Churchill's ancestral home, originally given to the first duke of Marlborough as a gift from the English Parliament. Wander through the State Apartments, and then explore a section of the beautiful landscaped gardens that feature the Temple of Diana. Finally, return to your minivan and travel back to the start point in Oxford where your tour finishes.
Meet your guide in central Oxford, and then hop inside an air-conditioned minivan and head to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. Learn about the town’s famous ex-resident on a minibus tour of Stratford, including his school and the Holy Trinity Church where the playwright and poet was baptized and buried. Hop out of your minivan and head inside Shakespeare’s Birthplace — now a museum — and see a range of exhibits about the beloved bard.
Next, make a brief stop in Shottery for photos of the thatched-roof English cottage of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. Then, continue to the Cotswolds, the attractive region that prospered from its wool trade during the Middle Ages. Admire the scenery as you travel along tiny one-track lanes through gently rolling hills, and gaze at the golden-stone villages, green pastures and pretty churches that adorn the landscape. With your guide, walk around the village of Burford, explore the delightful Coln Valley and tour the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter before lunch (own expense) in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
When the time comes, take a seat inside to your minivan and travel back to Oxford. Upon your return, set off on a walking tour around the genteel city, famed for its prestigious university. Stroll around the city center and look out for the some of the notable university buildings, seeing some of the eminent colleges such as All Souls, Christ Church and Divinity School, and learn about the well-known writers, artists and politicians who studied inside the colleges’ walls.
Hear about the lives of JR Tolkien, CS Lewis and Lewis Carroll — who each lived in the city — and see places used as filming sites in the popular Harry Potter movies. Your tour then concludes near Oxford train station, leaving you free to continue exploring the city's narrow streets and lanes as you wish.
A unique opportunity to combine a tour of the Cotswolds with a visit to Shakespeare's home, Stratford-upon-Avon, with its famous theatres and quaint medieval timber-framed houses. Come and discover idyllic stone villages, nestling in quiet valleys, small thatched cottages, majestic castles and manors, and charming high streets peppered with quaint tea shops and antiques shops. Let us help you to enjoy the English countryside at its best.
Our Cotswolds and Shakespeare Tour combines the beauty of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon with a drive through some of the breathtaking scenery of the North Cotswolds. We leave Oxford and head north through “the Tews”, a group of delightful ironstone villages. We pass the site of English Civil War Battle of Edgehill and several stately homes, including the beautiful Elizabethan Charlecote Park, before arriving in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our short guided walk of Shakespeare’s home town will take you past charming timber-framed houses, the Shakespeare theatres and the River Avon, finishing with an optional visit of Shakespeare’s Birthplace. After lunch, we leave Stratford, passing by Anne Hathaway’s cottage and head into the Cotswolds. A delightful cross-country route takes us through the village of Ilmington and past the famous Kiftsgate Court and Hidcote Manor Gardens, to our next stop in 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 ‘wool church’ and ruined manor house. We return to oxford, following another scenic route through the stone villages of Broad Campden and Blockley. We stop in the busy market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, with its art galleries and antiques shops and then continue on to Oxford via Chipping Norton and Woodstock the site of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
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 us take you on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning scenery, combining the best of the North and South Cotswolds.
This Cotswold Tour introduces visitors to some of the most enchanting villages of the South and North Cotswolds, starting with a drive to the ancient market town of Bampton, one of the oldest towns in England and now well known as the village of Downton in the popular TV series Downton Abbey. We continue via Kelmscott, the home of the Arts and Crafts founder, William Morris, to Lechlade on the River Thames. From there, our journey takes us through some pretty Cotswold stone villages to idyllic Bibury, with its 16th century cottages and trout farm. Heading up the Coln Valley we travel through a succession of stone hamlets, hidden valleys and breath-taking scenery, arriving in the beautiful town of Winchcombe for lunch. Enjoy lunch in a rustic pub or restaurant or take the time to visit Sudeley Castle, the burial place of Catherine Parr, the 6th wife of Henry VIII. Our Cotswold Adventure continues through more stunning countryside to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds, with its charming cafes and antiques shops. We return to Oxford via the quaint village of Cornwell and the bustling market town of Chipping Norton, passing finally through Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace (the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).
- Sceptrevacations.com - Long the price champ on self-drive vacations in the British Isles (they provide airfare, rental car, and vouchers for hotels and/or B&Bs, all at a discount; your trip is your own), Sceptre now also offers rail journeys, chauffeur trips, and escorted tours ("Journeys"). Though it covers much of Europe now, Sceptre started with Ireland and Scotland, and still offers a wider range of British Isles itineraries than most, including plenty in England and Wales.
- City-discovery.com - Chief rival to Viator (though with a less spiffy interface and often sub-par text descriptions), representing many of the same tours (at the same prices). However, it also seems to cover more destinations, especially secondary ones. When it comes down to it, City-Discovery and Viator have maybe 70% the same inventory, but then 30% will be completely different (some Viator has City-Discovery does not, other vice-versa) so it pays to check through the offerings from both.Partner