Location: Cotswolds
Top Things to do in Cotswolds
What to do and see in Cotswolds, England: The Best Cultural Tours
The Cotswolds (/ˈkɒtswoʊldz/ KOTS-wohldz, /-wəldz/ -wəldz) is an area in south central England containing the Cotswold Hills, a range of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat rare in the UK and that is quarried for the golden coloured Cotswold stone. It contains unique features derived from the use of this mineral; the predominantly rural landscape contains stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes and gardens. The population of the District is about 84,000.
Restaurants in Cotswolds
1. Private Cotswold Villages from London: Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Your expert guide will take you to a number of stunning English villages in the Cotswold region of the UK, near the city of Oxford, during this 10-hour journey. Enjoy free 4G WiFi to use all day inside the vehicle. You will be provided with free water to enjoy inside the vehicle as well. You will even get to stop at a secret place along the way to ensure you really do get that 'wow' factor. Your guide will know all the best places to stop and get that perfect photo and will even take them for you to make sure all of your group is in the photo together.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Bottled water, Professional guide/driver, Private small-group tour, Transport by private vehicle with working air-conditioning and heating and passenger sliding doors, Vehicle will seat 6 to 8 clients depending on group size we use brands like Ford, Mercedes, Hunyadi, Fuel surcharge
Exclusions: Entrance fees. All entry tickets to all chargeable sites need to be purchased by the client direct from the site's own website in advance. You may also purchase them on the day direct from the site, but this may take longer due to queue times and may cost more, Lunch, Gratuities, We do not use coaches for tours we use 7 to 9 seater minivans
Reviewed By Dr_Ooo
First, let me begin by saying that this review is SUPER LONG OVERDUE! My deepest apologies Nikhil! Second, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER from across the pond (we share the same birthday)!!! I hope this message finds you and yours well during this strange time. Dec 2018 my family made plans to take my mother, who’s never been abroad, to London. My sis (whose birthday is 4.17) booked this tour for the 5 of us. We were Nikhil’s 2nd tour, but we would have never known had he not told us. Nikhil’s love for country, joy, and overall exuberance is infectious. He never lost momentum, energy, and we never wanted for information. Every question from London, to Windsor Castle, to Stonehenge, to Bath, Nikhil could answer it all!! We lucked out! Anyone blessed enough to have Nikhil as their guide/historian is fortunate and any company smart enough to employ him must know how much of an asset he is professional, and how beautiful an individual he is personally. As mommy told you Nikhil, your mum raised you right! Thank you for the joy of your presence and for making our trip to London memorable!! Hope you’re birthday’s been a blast!! I had ice cream cake for breakfast!!
2. Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace - Small Groups
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Size Matters - we are big on details, small on group sizes! The only company to offer daily trips, with such small intimate groups. • Maximum 8 people - allowing restricted access to protected areas • Visit Burford, Burton on the Water and Bidbury - that exact cotswold vibe your looking for! • Enter Blenheim Palace, the largest non Royal Palace in England All with the services of a fun and entertaining guide, to bring out the drama of these sites - strictly no boring tours!
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch, Entrance To Blenheim Palace
Reviewed By C4677HXsandyc
Fred was fantastic! So much information about the amazing history of Oxford, and a lot of great stories to make you laugh, learn and really think. I would absolutely recommend this tour for anyone coming to Oxford.
3. Cotswolds Trails and Villages Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Immerse yourself in the Cotswolds with this one-day tour that gets you off the road and onto the trails! Visiting Broadway Tower, Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water as a minimum, this tour provides additional walking opportunities to explore the picture-perfect villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter on foot. Highlights: - Easy walk to Broadway Tower for panoramic views and red deer sightings - Take the minibus to Broadway, or walk from Broadway Tower following The Cotswold Way - Free time in Broadway to explore and take lunch at your leisure - Stay and explore beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water, or take a circular guided walk to the pretty villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter Between stops, travel the narrow country lanes, while your friendly local driver-guide brings the Cotswolds to life with a fun live commentary. Tour includes a pick-up from Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh railway station, enabling an easy connection by train London, Reading, Oxford, Worcester or Birmingham.
Inclusions: Pickup from Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station, Local driver/guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Pickup from Stratford-upon-Avon
Exclusions: Gratuities, Entry fee to Broadway Tower (optional extra), Lunch, Bottled water
Reviewed By AJ S
The Go Cotswolds tour from Stratford Upon Avon is probably the best and most affordable and extensive tour you can take in the beautiful and quaint Cotswolds. We were staying in Chipping Campden and the tour bus picked us up right outside our hotel. Since it was September 2020 we were in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and so precautions had to be taken. We had to hand sanitise each time we entered the tour bus and had to wear our masks at all times. The bus surfaces were regularly cleaned. The tour itself was very scenic, extensive and exciting especially if you are travelling to the Cotswolds for the first time and want a taster of every town in the area. The tour encompassed Chipping Campden, Dover Hill, Broadway Tower, Stow on the wold, Bibury and Bourton on the water. I loved all stops but the one which I found to be quintessential Cotswolds was the town of Bibury with it's beautiful Arlington Row. I am pretty sure most people would agree with me on that one as its picture postcard Cotswolds. The town which I found to be the most lively was certainly Bourton on the water with many day trippers from London and a wide selection of pubs and restaurants by the river. The tour guide was very informative and provided us with a detailed history of the region and extensive knowledge of the area. He is local to the region. I would give our tour guide a 10/10 when it comes to knowledge about the Cotswolds , it's history and it's culture. I would highly recommend taking this tour and would not think twice about booking another.
4. The Hidden Cotswolds & Dark Age England (from Bath for 2-8 adventurers)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Embark on a personalised journey of discovery into the authentic 'Hidden Cotswolds' with a friendly expert local guide. Bypass the mass-tourist experience for a truly memorable encounter with the best of the Cotswolds away from the crowds. Encounter ancient hill-towns, learn tales of great Kings & Saints & retrace their footsteps... Explore hidden villages, admire ancient churches and enjoy a walk through English landscapes. Enjoy the very best local food, drink, experiences, stories & more... Enjoy a unique insight into English culture, landscapes, heritage and cuisine for a truly unforgettable experience of authentic England...
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Lunch with beverage of your choice, Bottled water, Small-group tour of 8 or fewer, Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea, Alcoholic Beverages
Exclusions: Gratuities/tips are gratefully accepted. As a company we believe that gratuities are an important part of motivating and recognising outstanding service, and reward the guide for the commitment and care they have provided. They are discretionary., Additional purchases such as gifts, additional refreshments etc. are not included.
Reviewed By sarahbC8792AW
Hiring Around and About Bath was the best decision I made on my dream trip to England. Jules was easy to work with leading up to the tour, communicative and accommodating. He listened carefully to my interests and was able to personalize our tour. His knowledge of the area and of its political and social history is vast. His passion comes through with great storytelling and humor. The Cotswolds are beautiful and rich in history and there is so much to see. It is wise to hire Around and About Bath so you are not overwhelmed with where to go and what to do and can maximize your time there. It was the best part of my 2 week trip to Europe.
5. Private Cotswolds tour from Bath
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The beauty of your private Cotswolds Tour from Bath is the freedom and flexibility that it gives you on the day. This tour has a set itinerary where we have a recommended route. Here we have combined idyllic villages with the more famous Cotswold towns. This gives you a wonderful overview and experience of what the Cotswolds is all about. As it is a private tour we are totally flexible as to how long you would like in each place. We are also very flexible and are more than happy to modify the itinerary on the day if you would like.
Inclusions: A modern comfortable air conditioned vehicle, A nine hour tour, Fully designed and balanced itinerary with a mix of guidance and free time if required, Knowledgeable local driver-guide, Pick up/drop off within the Bath region and nearby towns and villages
Exclusions: Food or refreshments, Gratuities , Pick up outside the Bath or local region. Please contact us for more details.
Reviewed By mptaylor11
Our family had a wonderful time exploring Oxford and the Cotswolds with Graham, whom we found to be very knowledgable and friendly. The tour was well structured but also left enough flexibility for us to explore our specific interests. It felt like we were traveling with an old friend rather than someone we had just met. This was time well spent that provided us with fond memories from our family vacation.
6. Downton Abbey and the Cotswolds
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Take a trip back in time to the set of Downton Abbey on our full-day tour to Highclere Castle and the Cotswolds. Our tour departs from Oxford and takes you first to Highclere Castle, the splendid home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. You have a chance to visit the castle and see where the filming took place and also to visit the beautiful castle grounds. We then take you to the delightful village of Bampton which was the backdrop for the village of Downton. Enjoy lunch in the Swan pub at Swinbrook and then an enchanting drive stopping in some of the quaint villages of the North Cotswolds before returning to Oxford.
Inclusions: Blue Badge guide, Live commentary on board, Bottled water, Entrance ticket to Highclere Castle, Pick up from North Oxford Hotels on request , Pick up from Oxford Station on request
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By jennifercF805IS
My husband and I recently went on the half day Cotswolds taster tour and had an incredible time! The tour began with the introduction of our two fab guides who were so knowledgable and friendly. They greeted us wearing face masks and shields which put us at ease right away. They greeted me by name as well, impressive! We met them on Broad street which has some cafes that open early so make sure to grab one to go. We are local to Oxford but don’t have a car and this was perfect for a day out of the city to see the country. We sat socially distant from the guides and they even had sanitiser and water on hand if we needed it. They opened the door for us and kept themselves socially distant which was important. They were very professional and got to know us so they could customise the tour a bit to show us more churches and schools which we were interested in. I really loved our first stop at Minster Lovell and my favourite spot was Bourton on the Water. We will be going back to those places for sure. They definitely have more to see including historic sights and shops in those two places. Honestly the day was perfect and we felt like VIPs. This was the best half day taster tour and we are already planning to go again once restrictions are lifted. We even gave our families and friends their contact to book tours because we were so impressed. Fantastic driving Dave and Ed was so knowledgable about the area. Great communication with us pre tour and post. Thanks so much and definitely worth booking!
7. Royal Windsor Cotswold & Shakespeare Country in Executive Vehicle Private Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Explore 2 of the most Historical sites in England, in a Private Vehicle Shakespeare's Birthplace is a restored 16th-century half-timbered house Visit Mary Arden's Farm Discover the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. Visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the beautiful 500 year old cottage where Shakespeare courted his bride-to-be. See original furniture including the Hathaway bed and uncover five centuries of stories in this picturesque cottage and 13 generations of the family who lived there. The Cotswolds. One of the delights of visiting the Cotswolds is exploring the different areas, each with its own identity, yet all with those defining Cotswold features: golden stone and rolling hills, the ‘wolds’. All Tours Carried out in Executive Vehicles Our definition of “private tour” simply means your tour, where all ground services are provided by your very own personal driver, with a private vehicle and chauffeur. Especially convenient if you are traveling with children or elderly people.
Inclusions: Bottled water, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Parking Fees
Exclusions: Gratuities, Entry fee to any sites
Reviewed By D A
Could not go on trip because cancellations of travel restrictions because of COVID. They say you get a refund but refused to give refund. Not an honest company. Never again.
8. Undiscovered Cotswolds & Cream Tea from Bath for 2-8 guests
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Discover authentic England on a half-day tour experience that is like no other. Embark on a journey of discovery as one of 2-8 guests accompanied by a friendly, expert local who'll share with you the iconic village of Castle Combe and a taste of the Cotswolds that most visitors never see. Encounter ancient tombs, breathtaking architecture and learn of the area's remarkable past before heading deep into the Cotswolds countryside for an encounter with breath-taking natural beauty and/or a meander through an undiscovered historic Cotswolds town. Escape the ordinary tourist experience for one that is truly immersive, personal and utterly unforgettable. The Highlight of your Trip. Guaranteed.
Inclusions: Collection and return to central Bath., Afternoon refreshments, cream tea in a lovely village location., Travel as one of 2-8 guests in a comfortable vehicle., Bottled water, A truly unique and memorable experience that shares the must-see with the unseen.
Exclusions: Gratuities/tips are graciously received., Additional purchases such as gifts, additional refreshments etc. are not included.
Reviewed By emilybL4986TF
My mom and I had a wonderful day with Jules and Phoenix! They are incredibly knowledgeable and such nice people. We explored beautiful towns and gorgeous countryside landscapes. We learned so much about the history of England and had a lot of fun seeing the hidden gems of the Cotswolds and historically important places. This was an amazing tour and we highly recommend it!
9. Cotswold and Oxford private group day tour from Watford
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
This tour is designed for a small private group and can accommodate up to 16 passengers. You can be sure of a nice friendly atmosphere in a modern comfortable nifty minibus capable of taking the small roads and side streets, avoiding heavy traffic when necessary. Also this makes for a more interesting tour as you will be taken through beautiful small country roads where the bigger coaches cannot go. No time wasted loading and unloading gives you much more time to enjoy your tour of the Cotswold. Your experienced friendly driver/guide will point out places of interest throughout the journey and you will see famous villages buildings and monuments, the best of the Cotswold and Oxford. Your guide will make sure that you are comfortable at all times and enjoying a day to remember in the beautiful english Countryside.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
10. Private Guided Tour of the Cotswolds 'Off The Beaten Track' in a Luxury Mercedes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
With this bespoke tailored private tour our knowledgeable local tour guides will tour you around the beautiful Cotswold countryside in luxury.This ‘bespoke’ tour is designed for anyone and everyone. For photographers, we’ll take you to the very best spots to catch that perfect image, for historians we’ll take you on a journey through the history of our “Sceptr’d Isle. If Literature or crafts are your thing, we’ll take you to Kelmscott Manor, home of William Morris. Maybe you are a Film and T.V. fan and want to see where they filmed ‘Downton Abbey’ or take a risk and visit the locations of ‘Father Brown’. You can tour antique shops in Stow-on-the-Wold, sample specialist food and drink, focus on ‘out of the way’ villages and historic churches, or hear folk tales, ghost stories and legends from around the Cotswolds.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Bottled water, Professional Driver Tour Guide, Transportation will be within a luxury Mercedes vehicle no older than 2 years old, Hotel pick up and drop off
Exclusions: Gratuities, Drinks, food and snacks are not included in the price of this tour
Reviewed By olivia_lucienne
Mr. Robin Dale came to my rescue! I was trying to get from Blockley Village to Moreton-in-Marsh station on an evening in December, and the bus I was waiting for never came. I called several taxi services, all of whom were unavailable, before someone gave me Mr. Dale's number. Though I believe it was after hours for him, he came out to get me and drive me the 15 minutes or so to the station. I was indeed getting a bit stressed and chilly out in an unfamiliar town at night, so to not have to wait another hour for a bus (which I was just hoping would come!) was such a blessing. I will always remember his graciousness with an abundance of gratitude -- he came to pick me up on his own time, simply because he did not like the idea of me waiting alone in the dark and cold, and was so pleasant throughout the drive. I cannot think of better, more above-and-beyond service. Do contact Cotswold Tours & Travel for your taxiing needs -- but preferably according to their schedule!
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