Cotswolds Private Driving Tour - Classic Itinerary

Duration: 7 Hours

Location: Cotswolds

Price: £549

Our Private Cotswolds Tour from Oxford is the ideal way to explore the timeless villages, rolling countryside, and historic market towns of the Cotswolds in comfort and style.

Starting and finishing in Oxford, this bespoke driving tour allows you to experience the Cotswolds at your own pace. Unlike large coach tours, your day is entirely private — just you and your personal driver-guide travelling through one of England’s most beautiful regions.

What Makes This Private Cotswolds Tour Special?

Fully private experience – No shared groups, no fixed schedules
Flexible itinerary – Tailored to your interests and preferred pace
Door-to-door collection in Oxford
Expert local guide sharing history, stories, and hidden gems

Itinerary

Places We Visit on the Private Cotswolds Tour from Oxford

On our Private Cotswolds Driving Tour from Oxford, you’ll explore a handpicked mix of iconic villages and hidden gems across the heart of the North Cotswolds:

Great Tew
Stow-on-the-Wold
Lower Slaughter
Bourton-on-the-Water
Burford
Swinbrook
Minster Lovell

Paint Me a Picture…

Departing from your hotel or Oxford Railway Station at 10:00am, your private Cotswolds tour begins in the enchanting village of Great Tew.

Great Tew – A Hidden Fairytale

With its thatched cottages, immaculate limestone houses, and sweeping countryside, Great Tew feels untouched by time. Peaceful and away from the tourist crowds, it has long attracted notable residents — and even future royalty.

Stow-on-the-Wold – Highest Town in the Cotswolds

From Great Tew, we continue to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you can browse antique shops, cosy pubs, independent boutiques, and traditional tea rooms among honey-coloured buildings and historic market squares.

The Slaughters – Timeless Beauty

Next, we visit Lower Slaughter, widely regarded as one of the prettiest villages in the Northern Cotswolds. With its gentle stream, historic mill, and tranquil setting, it offers that quintessential postcard-perfect moment.

Bourton-on-the-Water – Lunch Stop

Arriving in Bourton-on-the-Water — often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds” — you’ll have free time to explore, enjoy lunch, and wander across its low stone bridges spanning the River Windrush.

Burford – Gateway to the Cotswolds

We then travel through enchanting countryside to Burford, an iconic hillside town known as the “Gateway to the Cotswolds.” Its dramatic High Street and magnificent St John the Baptist Church tell stories of wealthy wool merchants, civil war history, and centuries of village life.

Swinbrook & The Windrush Valley

In the afternoon, we follow the beautiful Windrush Valley to the quiet village of Swinbrook, famously associated with the Mitford sisters. This peaceful hamlet is the kind of place most visitors never discover.

Minster Lovell – Ruins & Legends

A highlight of the day is Minster Lovell, nestled beside the River Windrush. With its Cotswold stone cottages, thatched roofs, and the atmospheric ruins of its 15th-century hall, it is often described as one of the region’s most mysterious villages.

Return

We return in the late afternoon, arriving back at your hotel or Oxford station by approximately 5:00pm, after a relaxed and beautifully paced private day in the Cotswolds.

Useful Information

On your Private Cotswolds Tour from Oxford, you will be looked after by a knowledgeable local driver-guide and travel in one of our comfortable vehicles, accommodating up to seven guests.

As we journey through the beautiful Cotswolds, your guide will share the history, stories, and hidden details that bring this remarkable region to life. At each stop, you are welcome to explore alongside your guide or enjoy free time to wander independently — browse local shops, relax in a tea room, or simply soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

We usually stop for lunch at a traditional country pub, where you can enjoy classic English dishes and, if the sun is shining, perhaps sample a local ale in a peaceful garden setting.

Tour Details

£549 per group (1–7 guests)
Available 7 days a week, all year round
Departure: 10:00am from Oxford

Your private Cotswolds tour departs from Oxford at 10:00am. We can collect you directly from your hotel in Oxford or from Oxford Railway Station if you are arriving by train.

Oxford is easily reached from:

London Paddington Station
Marylebone Station

This makes it an ideal private day tour to the Cotswolds from London, combining convenience with a relaxed, door-to-door experience.

What’s Included?

Included in This Private Cotswolds Tour

Travel in a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle
Led by knowledgeable local guides
Approximately 7-hour private tour of the beautiful Cotswolds
Friendly, engaging conversation and local insight throughout the day

Not Included in This Tour

Entrance fees to attractions not specified
Food or refreshments
Gratuities

How to get here?

Start Time & Pick-Up Information

Your Private Cotswolds Tour from Oxford begins at 10:00am.

We can collect you from anywhere in Oxford.

If you are travelling from London, the easiest and most cost-effective option is to take a direct train from:

London Paddington Station
Marylebone Station

to Oxford Railway Station.

From Oxford station, we will collect you free of charge.

We recommend booking train tickets through Trainline. Please check train times before travel, as schedules may vary.

Prefer a Door-to-Door Experience?

If you would like a completely seamless and stress-free day, we can arrange collection and drop-off from anywhere in the region — including London.

For this fully bespoke service, our Tailor-Made Cotswolds Tour is the perfect option, offering maximum flexibility and convenience.

FAQ’s

How much does the Cotswolds private driving tour cost?

The 7-hour Private Cotswolds Tour is £549 per group (1–7 guests).

Please see the “How to Get Here” section for alternative starting locations.

When can I take this tour?

This tour operates seven days a week, subject to availability.

What is the minimum and maximum group size?

The minimum is 1 guest, and the maximum is 7 guests.

For larger groups, please contact us to discuss availability and pricing options.

Can I be picked up from London, Bath, or Stratford-upon-Avon?

No. This classic private driving tour begins from Oxford.

If you would like collection from further afield — including London, Bath, or Stratford-upon-Avon — our Tailor-Made Cotswolds Tour would be the ideal option.

Can I add attractions such as Warwick Castle or include a city tour of Oxford or Bath?

No. This is a fixed classic itinerary designed to showcase the best villages of the Cotswolds in a relaxed 7-hour format.

If you would like to customise your day or add notable attractions such as Warwick Castle, then our Tailor-Made Tour is the perfect solution.