The Cotswolds and Shakespeare Tour from Oxford
4.9
32 Ratings
Oxfordshire
Explore the Cotswolds and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. Discover idyllic villages, majestic castles, and charming tea shops. Experience the best of the English countryside.
Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Woodstock - This tour combines a visit to the birthplace of William Shakespeare with a scenic drive through some of the villages and towns of the stunning . The day starts with a drive through the lovely town of Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace, home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

  • Shakespeare’s Birthplace - We drive through some spectacular scenery to arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon. Our short panoramic tour of Shakespeare’s home town will take you past charming timber-framed houses and some of the houses associated with William Shakespeare. Time to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace (optional) and see the Shakespeare theatres on the banks of the picturesque River Avon.

  • Great Tew - Enjoy the opportunity of walking round an authentic English village with its quaint ironstone and thatched cottages and 17c inn. Time for a delicious refreshment in the small village cafe.

  • Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens - Leaving Stratford, we head to Shottery where you can do an optional visit of Anne Hathaway’s cottage with it’s beautiful gardens and romantic “half-moon” seat.

  • High Street Chipping Campden - After a scenic drive over Ebrington Hill through the Warwickshire Cotswolds you arrive in the charming old market town of Chipping Campden with its golden limestone cottages. Time to browse in the small shops and see the old market hall.

  • Snowshill - The next stop is in the idyllic village of Snowshill with its beautiful honey coloured stone cottages and quaint church and stunning views of the Cotswold escarpment in the background. Here you will get the best Cotswold picture you could wish to take!

  • Bourton-on-the-Water - After another picturesque drive through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds you arrive in Bourton-on-the-Water , often called the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds. Walk along the banks of the pretty River Windrush and cross the charming stone bridges. Enjoy browsing in the gift shops or have a cream tea in one of the many cafes.

  • Burford Visitor Information Centre - We return to Oxford via Burford, the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’ with its sloping main street and many old coaching inns.

What's Included
  • Blue Badge guide
  • Pick up on request from Oxford Railway Station
  • Bottled water
  • Live commentary on board
  • Beverages
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels in North Oxford)
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Entrances to Shakespeare Houses
Additional Information

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.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Please note that this tour is not recommended for children under 12 years old.
  • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Location
Taylor Institution Library
St Giles'
Tour departs from coach bays next to Taylorian Institution Library in St Giles. Please arrive at the departure point 10 minutes before the tour is due to depart. Please look for a dark blue minibus with ‘Explore Oxford and the Cotswolds’ written on the sides.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(32 Ratings)
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Mariainesmarques
May 2, 2024
Incredible tour! - Absolutely amazing tour! Learned so many things about English history and about the places we visited. I loved how we had time for ourselves at each stop, as well. Isobel and John were great, so knowledgeable and friendly. We were lucky to find good weather.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shirlene_l
Oct 1, 2023
Great time, great fun, great family! - The guide was very informative. The driver very kind. Very comfortable van that holds about 12. Worth time and the money. Never rushed at stops.
Review provided by Viator
Slb2928bi
Sep 30, 2023
Great tour! - This tour was everything we wanted it to be. Our guide was professional, pleasant, extremely well-informed and her knowledge of the area and its history was extensive. We enjoyed all the places we stopped (although we would have liked to spend more time at Anne Hathaway’s cottage) and were given ample time to explore or have a bite to eat. Our driver, as well, was very courteous and professional and we felt very safe with him behind the wheel. The van was modern, but we would suggest that the back row seating be reduced from 4 to 3 seats as it is too crowded for 4 average-sized adults.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
593lynno
Sep 22, 2023
Exceptional, informative tour! - We loved this tour! The van was able to take us places that buses could not! . We enjoyed our extended stay in Stratford, and 4 to 5 shorter stays in other towns In Cotswolds!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream811610
Sep 9, 2023
The charming British countryside scenery, coupled with the tour guide Dan Xia's fluent Chinese and English explanations, make the trip to Shakespeare's birthplace both emotional and rational. - Visiting Shakespeare's former residence again, I had the opportunity to practice Latin writing at the Grammar School where Shakespeare studied. It was very interesting and intellectual. Tour guide Dan Xia gave detailed answers to every passenger inquiry. It also provides a lot of very practical information on local tourism in London.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_p
Jul 25, 2023
Wonderful tour/ great guide and driver--Just what I was looking for! - This was a full day tour from Oxford. The guide, Isobel and the driver were excellent and the day brought several stops for exploring & photos. Beside being very knowledgable and personable, they conveniently stopped in places with restrooms and pointed out the sights not to be missed in the various locations. The day seemed to go by quickly--I didn't know if 8-9 hours would be too much, but it wasn't. Nice group of fellow travelers, nice mini-van & expert driver. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Laura_a
Jun 26, 2023
Our Best Day! - We had a wonderful time on this tour. The tour guide is a wealth of knowledge, the driver is amazing, and the landscape is stunning. The Cotswolds and Strafford Upon Avon are beyond lovely, with quaint cottages, flowing rivers, shopping, and dining. All we had to do was sit back and take it all in. I cannot recommend this tour enough.
Review provided by Viator
Emilia_t
Jun 10, 2023
Worth it - I enjoyed the scenery and the knowledge history details given by Isabel and David’s driving made me feel safe the whole time.
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_z
Jun 10, 2023
The guide was extremely... - The guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed the entire tour to Stratford upon Avon and various villages in the Cotswolds & it was good value for money. Fantastic!!! Thank you 😊
Review provided by Viator
Cdehut
Jun 8, 2023
Perfect - Our guides were excellent each in their own way,the driver was safe, cautious and with very good road manners. IT IS IMPORTANT AS WE WEREN'T THROWN AROUND THE BUS. Our guide was full of accurate information, well spoken, all with a beautiful smile. We could not have done better in one day. Condition of vehicle, spotless and well air conditioned.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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