- Cirencester - Known as the “Capital of the Cotswolds,” this market town boasts an impressive “wool church” with the largest church porch in the country. On market days, visitors can explore the stalls and visit Saint John’s the Baptist church, an impressive “wool” church where you can see Anne Boleyn’s ornately decorated cup, a gift to her daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth. The nearby hotel features a Roman mosaic in the lobby floor.
- Bibury - Often called the loveliest village in the Cotswolds, Bibury charms visitors with Arlington Row, a series of medieval cottages by the River Coln.
- Bourton-on-the-Water - Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water invites visitors to stroll along the River Windrush and cross the footbridges to visit the perfumery, one of the many attractions in town.
- Lower Slaughter - An ideal photo stop, where the Victorian water-wheel, still in operation, can be seen, as well as a rare sheep breed that brought much wealth to the Cotswolds.
- Stow-on-the-Wold - Stow-on-the-Wold, where the wind blows cold. Built on a hill, it didn’t escape the ravages of the English Civil War, as we shall discover. In the heart of the Cotswolds, we will see the “hobbit” door in the parish church and perhaps have time for a quick pint in England’s oldest pub.
- Burford - Burford can justifiably claim to be the loveliest town in the Cotswolds, featuring effigies of local gentry and wool-rolled top tombs in the church’s graveyard. Beneath Burford’s peaceful façade lies a turbulent past, which we will discuss on our tour, including the notorious Tom, Dick, and Harry.
- Minster Lovell - The ruin of Minster Lovell Hall holds a gruesome story! Yet this peaceful place by the River Windrush is a delightful spot to conclude our tour. Nearby, there are splendid examples of thatched buildings as well.
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- All entrances when accompanied by guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Parking fees
- Lunch
We at Albion Touring have been curating and running tours throughout Britain and the World for over 30 years. Our essential Cotswolds tour brings together 7 together of the area’s most iconic places, from the “Capital of The Cotswolds” - a must see on market day, to hidden villages and coaching towns. Our essential Cotswolds tour is a whole day experience featuring some of England’s most charming itineraries, where folklore abounds and the wealth from the wool trade is all around us. We’ll visit places tucked way otherwise closed to the larger tour groups. Want to see the “hobbit” door in medieval church? How about having a pint of English ale in England’s oldest tavern? One of the must sees is a quaint thatched village right on the edge of the Cotswolds by the ruins of a medieval manor house.
The panoramic rooves on our vehicles means that we get to see much more of the countryside.
- Total travelling time to and from the Cotswolds is about 4 hours plus about 2 1/2 hours driving through the Cotswolds between itineraries.
- not suitable for people prone to travel sickness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
