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- Shakespeare's Stratford, Oxford & Cotswolds -Small Group Tour from London
Shakespeare's Stratford, Oxford & Cotswolds -Small Group Tour from London
Our Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford & Cotswolds small group tour from London is a convenient and comfortable way to visit three of England’s most varied and famous locations. The medieval town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of England’s most famous playwright William Shakespeare. Visit the house where Shakespeare was born and spent his early years and see the childhood home of his wife, Anne Hathaway. From here, we drive into the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty with its rolling pastoral countryside, along narrow winding country lanes, stopping to visit ancient villages before having lunch in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. The afternoon is spent in Oxford, on a guided walking tour of this historic university town, with its ancient buildings and cobblestone streets including a visit to the 15th century Divinity School.
This fully guided small group tour has a maximum of 16 passengers.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Birth Place of William Shakespeare
The Romans first established a settlement here in 70 AD at a crossing over the River Avon. By the 15th and 16th centuries, Stratford had become a prosperous market town.
Entering the town, we drive through with our guide pointing out the many places of interest amongst the 13th to 16th century buildings, many with connections to Shakespeare, including the schoolhouse where he studied and the Church of the Holy Trinity. We stop to visit the Shakespeare Visitor Centre with its permanent exhibition of all things Shakespearean, including the story of Shakespeare’s life in the town and in London and the continuing importance of the playwright to the world of literature. We then enter the Shakespeare family house built by his father John, a glove maker. William Shakespeare was born here in 1564 and grew up here, living in the house with his wife Anne Hathaway for 5 years before moving to London in 1592. Step back in time as you enter the parlour, John’s glove workshop and the family bedrooms to glimpse Williams’s life. Following your visit, you’ll have free time to explore Stratford before we continue on our way. Just outside the town, in the village of Shottery we pass by Anne Hathaway’s childhood home, a very beautiful timber-clad thatched roof cottage, and drive into the Cotswolds countryside.
the cotswolds
Cotswold Countryside
The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside, with its gently rolling hills, green pastures, grazing sheep, and winding narrow lanes passing through ancient towns and hamlets. This is picture-postcard England. Our smaller panoramic coach enables us to drive along the narrowest of these lanes and through some locations not accessible to large group tours to the ancient villages of Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, sleepy Taynton, and the twin villages of Great and Little Rissington. We then continue onto the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, where there are many pubs and tea houses for lunch.
oxford
Bodleian Library and Christ Church College
The afternoon is spent in Oxford, The University was founded in 1096 AD, and our guide will lead a walking tour of this historic university town, with its ancient buildings, narrow lanes and cobblestone streets. We visit The Divinity School, built in the 15th century, which is the oldest building still being used by the university. You have time to explore at your leisure and walk in the footsteps of the many famous students who have studied here, including Lewis Carol, Albert Einstein and Bill Clinton and where some scenes from Harry Potter films were shot.
From here we return to London
- Depart London at 7:45
- Drive into the Cotswolds in a panoramic,16 seater air-conditioned minibus
- Arrive at Stratford-upon-Avon, a beautiful town in the Cotswolds famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
- Learn more about the town’s connection with this literary giant with a panoramic coach tour. Sights include the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptized and buried. From here we head to the house where Shakespeare was born.
- Photo stop outside Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the pretty farmhouse, and gardens where the wife of Shakespeare lived as a child.
- Drive through the windy, twisty countryside road of the Cotswolds and pass through some of the most beautiful villages along the way, including Burford, Bourton on the Water and the Rissingtons
The Cotswolds
- Enjoy lunch in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold
- Enjoy a guided tour of Oxford’s historical centre and see the beautiful courtyards of the world famous university. Learn about the University’s connection to former Prime Minister’s, Presidents and Nobel Prize Winners, as well as its more recent involvement in the Harry Potter films.
- Highlights include Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre, Harry Potter film locations and University buildings.
- Tour includes entrance to Divinity School, a teaching room of theology built in 1488. It is a masterpiece of gothic architecture with amazing fan-vaulted ceilings.
- Tour then departs from Oxford to London, arriving back at Victoria Coach Station around 6:30pm.
schedule:
- 07:45: Depart London
- 10:15: Arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon
- 11:45: Depart Stratford-upon-Avon
- 12:30: Tour of Cotswolds villages
- 13:30: Depart the Cotswolds area, driving through Burton-on-the-Water, the Rissingtons and Burford (no stops at these places)
- 15:00: Arrive in Oxford
- 16:30: Tour ends in Oxford
- 18:30: Dropoff in London
*All times are approximate and may vary according to traffic conditions
More info:
Tour includes:
- Professional, experienced guide
- Transportation via minibus in a small group with a maximum of 16 people. This small size tour allows us to take the most scenic routes in the Cotswolds
- Entrance fees to Shakespeare’s Birthplace & The Divinity School
- Fully refundable and amendable until 7 days before travel, with a flexible booking guarantee! You can view the booking conditions during the booking process, prior to confirmation of any booking
Tour excludes:
- Food & drink
- Gratuities (optional)
Departure Information:
London departure:
Choose from 3 different departure locations! (Feel free to email us if you are unsure which one is closest to your hotel and we will advise.)
- 7.15: Departing from The British Museum
- 7:30: Departing from Hard Rock Hotel (Marble Arch)
- 7:45: Departing from Holiday Inn (97 Cromwell Road)
