Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds: England's Best in a Day

Immerse yourself in the charm and history of England on this small group tour. Explore the Cotswolds, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and discover the prestigious Oxford University in one day.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Hop aboard your air-conditioned luxury small mini-coach with a maximum of 16 people, in central London in the morning, then take a seat and relax in comfort on route into the English countryside.

First, visit the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon — famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Follow your guide on a walking tour of the town and take in top attractions such as the church in which Shakespeare is buried. Along the way, gain insight into life here in the 16th century.

Continue onward through the Cotswolds — an area of outstanding natural beauty where rolling hills, honey-colored cottages, and stone walls line the landscape. Stop off in a couple of different spots for a stroll, and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful corner of the country.

Next, head to Oxford — a city famous for its ancient university buildings. During your second walking tour, visit Oxford University’s Christchurch College and Bodleian Library, and admire beautiful architecture, charming boutiques, and quirky pubs and listen as your guide brings Oxford’s rich history to life. Then, enjoy free time to explore further at your leisure.

When your time in Oxford comes to an end, return in comfort to your original departure point in central London.

Points of Interest

  • The English Bus

  • Stratford-upon-Avon

  • Henley Street

  • Royal Shakespeare Theatre

  • Cotswolds

  • Stow-on-the-Wold Market Square

  • Bibury

  • University of Oxford

  • Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  • Radcliffe Camera

  • Holy Trinity Church

  • Arlington Row

  • Bodleian Library

What's Included
  • Round-trip travel by air-conditioned luxury Mercedes minicoach from central London
  • Bottled water
  • Walking tours in Stratford and Oxford
  • Experienced knowledgeable and welcoming tour driver/guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Fully commentated small group guided tour
What's Not Included
  • Optional entry to Shakespeare’s birthplace. Child - £10 Adult £20 Concession £16 Family £49.50
  • Food and drink
  • Gratuities
  • Please note that due to conservation works, the birthplace will be closed between 8 - 19 Jan 2024
Additional Information

Embark on a small group tour, limited to 16 people, from London to experience the best of England in one day by visiting Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Cotswolds. Journey to historic Stratford-upon-Avon accompanied by a guide and delve into the life and works of England’s renowned poet, William Shakespeare. Take a scenic drive through the charming countryside to the quaint Cotswold villages, where life moves at a leisurely pace. Afterwards, discover the ancient city of Oxford, home to one of the world’s oldest educational institutions, and join your tour guide for an informative walking tour. The tour includes guide services and a luxurious round trip in a mini-coach from central London.

  • Minimum age is three years
  • Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved, and across some uneven surfaces
  • Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
  • No large items of luggage are permitted, luggage compartment is limited
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Please do not travel if unwell and/or experiencing symptoms of Covid-19
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton London - Victoria
Bridge Place
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(229 Ratings)
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2014ss
Sep 23, 2024
Small group tour is the way to go! - Jon was made sure that everyone in the group was comfortable during the tour. He did not make us feel rushed. He also made sure that we had enough time for bathroom breaks and sight-seeing/shopping on our own. We also appreciated that he was knowledgeable and shared with our group interesting facts about the places we visited. Going "small" is definitely the way to go!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_h
Sep 23, 2024
Amazing experience!!! - This tour was amazing! Lucy was an absolutely phenomenal guide and had so much information about each place. We saw so much and many things that we likely wouldn’t have if we were in a big bus tour. The small group was awesome because it made it feel cozy. I would 100% recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Susan_l
Sep 12, 2024
The heart of England adventure - Tony He was so warm , knowledgeable and helpful……., Being a Shakespearean follower, I thoroughly enjoyed going to Shakespeare’s birthplace and the church where he was buried…… Even with the rain with thoroughly enjoyed Oxford and took a tour of part of the campus Holly recommend this tour
Review provided by Viator
Passport40933101689
Sep 3, 2024
Don't Miss This! - The English Bus needs to go on the "Do Not Miss" list of things to-do when visiting London. We had an absolutely spectacular day with Lilly, our tour guide and resident comedienne - from the pick-up in the morning through the drop-off at the end of the day, Lilly keeps you engaged and filled to the brim with interesting facts. Don't be scared by the 12-hour day, it flies by and you're often left wanting more time in some of these breathtakingly beautiful locations. 10 out of 10. We can't wait to come back and check out a tour to another location. - Johnathon & James
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sylvia
Aug 26, 2024
"Unforgettable Tour with Lucy, an Amazing Guide!" - Lucy was an incredible guide! Her enthusiasm and energy made the tour truly unforgettable. From start to finish, she kept us engaged with fascinating stories and insightful information about each stop. Her passion for the area really shone through, making the experience both educational and fun. She went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great time, answering all our questions with a smile. If you’re looking for a lively and informative tour, I highly recommend booking with Lucy. She made our trip memorable, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kyle_h
Aug 26, 2024
Outside of London for a Day! - Lucy was a great guide through our journey outside of London. She made our visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace insightful and poignant, and she navigates and narrated the Cotswold villages in a way that showed them to be out of this time period! Oxford was a fun romp with history and the present! The Turf Bar was a hoot, grounded in history, with a nod to scholarship—at least maybe…..but fun nevertheless. I’d recommend the tour to all friends. A long day but worth the time.
Review provided by Viator
Christophe_a
Aug 26, 2024
Worth it - Lucy is an amazing driver, a thoughtful person and a knowledgeable/funny guide. The tour was also very interesting, specially Oxford.
Review provided by Viator
Justin_p
Aug 15, 2024
awesome day - Tony was great! He was a hidtory buff and a thespian himself:)) the van is nuce and clean and we made plenty of restroom breaks
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_p
Aug 12, 2024
Great Experience - Andy, our driver and guide, was fantastic: very knowledgeable, personable and funny. Great tour to see a lot in a short time. The bus was comfy, and everything was well organized.
Review provided by Viator
Rustymambo
Aug 1, 2024
Stratford-on-Avon, Costwalds, Oxford - YES! - I went on an English Bus tour to the Cotswolds, Stratford-on-Avon, and Oxford. My guide was Andy. I give high marks to the entire trip, and Andy was a great guide, offering good info, pleasant and personable, and overall just a good time. A number of the stops were brief, which is detailed in the itinerary. So, we technically knew this ahead of time but some others in our group were put off by it because they didn't read the specifics. If you want a half-day in Stratford-on-Avon, this is not for you. I had time to quickly visit the birthplace of Shakespeare and walk down the pedestrian street. An extra 45 minutes would have been nice, but I'm not sure where that time would have come from. We were also shown other sites of Shakesperian interest, including his school, lot where his home was, and church. The drive through the Coswolds was nice and we stopped in a few towns, just long enough to grab a bite, shop, take pictures, etc. Oxford was dedicated the most time. An optional guided tour (by Andy) was available and I was glad to take it - he pointed out buildings, etc. that I would have otherwise maybe not seen, and certainly not known the history of or other info. I implore you to take this walk with Andy if you can! THere will still be some amount of free time afterward for you to do shopping or (fast) easting. Highly recommended all around!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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