Best Cotswolds Tours from London
A guide to the best Cotswolds tours from London. The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful areas of the English countryside with many picture postcard towns and villages. This is where many famous people have their country homes. King Charles 111 and his sister Princess Anne have both chosen to have their private homes here, and for a good reason: it is a most serene part of the English countryside.
There are several things to consider when choosing the best tour from London to the Cotswolds, and our comprehensive guide answers some of these questions. Whilst some people like to spend the whole day in the area, others prefer to get a taste of the Cotswolds and also take the opportunity to visit Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon or Blenheim Palace on the same day. Also, some travellers might opt for the larger coach tours, whilst other visitors prefer small-group tours, using smaller minibuses that can drive along the narrow, windy English country lanes. Whichever tour you decide on, the entire experience is enhanced by having an expert guide explaining the history and unique features of the Cotswolds and its villages, towns and country houses. All guides are fully qualified, and many have been born and raised in the Cotswolds and know many secret locations and intriguing stories.
But do not be fooled by the rolling landscape, picturesque and peaceful pastures, grazing sheep and honey coloured stone built cottages. The Cotswolds has been the setting for violent battles, especially during the bloody English Civil War in the mid-17th Century fought between King Charles1 and the Royalists.
Top 3 Cotswolds Tours
1. Tour from London to Cotswolds with Lunch
This is the best tour from London to the Cotswolds if you want to spend a full day visiting villages in the area and enjoy a traditional pub lunch.
Departing London in a coach from Victoria Station, you’ll visit the three pretty villages of Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water and enjoy lunch in a charming 17th-century pub in Bibury. The tour is available four times a week during summer and every Sunday during winter.
Price: £96 per adult
For more information: Cotswolds Day Tour
2. Cotswolds, Shakespeare’s Stratford & Oxford Small Group Tour
Our Cotswolds & Oxford small group tour from London is available every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday. The morning is spent in the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon, the home town of William Shakespeare. The afternoon is spent in Oxford, with time to explore the city centre, visit some of the University Colleges and admire the Bodleian Library. Travel from London to the Cotswolds in a 16-seater executive minibus with a driver/guide.
This is the best Cotswolds trip to tour the region in a small group.
Price: £149 per adult
For more information: Cotswolds, Stratford & Oxford Tour
3. Private Tour from London to Cotswolds
A private tour offers the most flexible way of visiting the Cotswolds. The itinerary can be designed according to your interests. So whether it’s visiting off-the-beaten-track villages or driving to some of the lesser known country estates in the area, we’ll be happy to plan a visit for you! Our private tours can come with or without a guide, and vehicles are available in several sizes.
Top Tips for Choosing the Best Cotswolds Tour for You
1. Are you looking for a taster or in-depth tour?
Most of the Cotswolds tours visit two or three villages in the morning and then spend the afternoon at Blenheim Palace, Oxford or Stratford-upon-Avon. This is great if you are looking to spend the day getting a flavour of the Cotswolds, this iconic English Countryside with some history and culture.
A few tours spend the whole day in the Cotswolds, which offers more time to walk around each village and stop for a longer lunch. These slower-paced tours are perfect if you want to soak up the special charms of the area!
2. Large-group versus small-group tours
Small-group tours are undoubtedly the best way of seeing the Cotswolds since 16-seater vehicles are able to drive along the narrow and windy country lanes. They can also take you right into the heart of the countryside, giving you an authentic taste of England!
Large 40+ seater buses cannot offer the same experience since they must stick to the main roads. However, the major advantage of taking a large-group tour is that the price will be less expensive.
3. Getting from London to Cotswolds by Tour
Almost all the tours operate a coach service with pickup from Central London. The standard pickup location is Victoria Coach Station, although some tours pick up from other London locations that might be more convenient depending on where you are staying in the capital.
Best Small Group Cotswolds Tours from London
1. Cotswolds, Bath & Stonehenge Small Group Tour
This fast-paced tour visits Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge & Avebury. Transportation is via a small group 16-seater minibus, which has been optimized to give the best sightseeing experience. Also included is the services of an extremely knowledgeable tour guide. The tour pickups from three very convenient locations in London.
The day begins with a visit to Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its neolithic stone circles. Learn more about the site, which dates back over 5,000 years, from your knowledgeable guide. We then visit the beautiful city of Bath, where you’ll have time to explore the charming streets, have lunch and walk around the Roman Baths. We continue the drive into the Cotswolds hills, visiting the pretty village of Lacock. The village has been used as a filming location in Harry Potter, Pride & Prejudice and the recent Downton Abbey movie. Finally, we arrive at the village of Avebury, home to thatched-roof cottages and another prehistoric stone circle.
This tour is best for those looking for a small-group experience that is fast-paced and visits manydifferent places in one day.
Price: £149 per adult
2. Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace Small Group Tour
Our tour from London to Cotswolds & Blenheim Palace is available every Saturday. Travel in a small group minibus with an expert guide, with pickup available from three different locations in London. You’ll spend the morning visiting several Cotswolds villages, including Bourton on the Water, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold.
The afternoon is spent at Blenheim Palace. Blenheim is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of Britain’s most impressive and important country estates. It is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and includes incredible State Rooms and landscaped gardens.
Price: £149 per adult
3. Downton Abbey Small-Group Tour
Our Downton Abbey small group tour transports you into the world of the hit TV Series. The Cotswolds was chosen as the setting for this period drama since the area maintains the feeling of a bygone age. Thatched roofed cottages, and unspoilt countryside which are quintessential features of early 20th Century Britain.
You’ll first visit Cogges Farm and the village of Bampton in the Cotswolds to see all the Downton Abbey related sites. The afternoon is spent at Highclere Castle, which is the real-life Downton Abbey. Here, you’ll be able to see the State Rooms, Dining Room and garden. There might even be time for a spot of afternoon tea!
Price: £189 per adult
Overnight Cotswolds Tour from London
Why not get a true Cotswolds experience with an overnight stay in a bed and breakfast? Departing from Central London, this Cotswolds tour visits Cirencester, the largest town in the Cotswolds. It also stops at some of the smaller villages like Bampton, Lacock and Stow-on-the-Wold. On the first day, you’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Stonehenge and Avebury.
For more information: Overnight Cotswolds tour
