Afternoon Tea in the Cotswolds at the Home of an Earl

Duration: 8-12 Hours

Location: Cotswolds

Price: £625

This truly special private tour is perfect for anyone who would like to enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea in the heart of the Cotswolds, set within the magnificent surroundings of Stanway House.

Stanway House is a stunning Jacobean manor, still owned and lived in by British aristocracy to this day. As part of your experience, you’ll enjoy private access — meaning there are no crowds, no tour groups, and no wandering visitors. Just us, the estate, and its remarkable history.

The house is also home to the largest gravity-fed fountain in the world, an engineering marvel set within beautifully maintained gardens and parkland.

Alongside this exclusive visit, your day includes a journey through some of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque villages — combining iconic highlights with hidden gems that only locals tend to discover.

This is not a standard sightseeing tour. It’s a refined, intimate experience — ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, or any special occasion that deserves something truly memorable.

Itinerary

Our Afternoon Tea in the Cotswolds experience is entirely private, giving you complete flexibility to shape the day exactly as you wish.

Whether you’d like to spend more time exploring villages or linger longer at the magnificent Stanway House, we can adapt the itinerary to suit your preferences.

We recommend a minimum of 6 hours, although 7–8 hours allows for a more relaxed and immersive experience.

Below is an example of a beautifully balanced 8-hour itinerary.

What Places Could We Visit?

Minster Lovell
Bourton-on-the-Water
Lower Slaughter
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stanway House
Great Tew (if starting/finishing in Oxford)

Paint Me a Picture…

Departure – Around 10:00am

Your day begins with a scenic drive into the heart of the Cotswolds.

Minster Lovell – Atmosphere & Ruins

We start in the beautiful village of Minster Lovell, nestled beside the River Windrush. With its thatched cottages and quiet lanes, it feels wonderfully untouched. The haunting ruins of its 15th-century manor house create one of the most atmospheric spots in the region.

Bourton-on-the-Water – Riverside Charm

From here, we travel through rolling countryside to Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds.” Low stone bridges cross the river and there is time to explore, browse shops, and soak up the lively yet elegant atmosphere.

Lower Slaughter – Romantic & Timeless

Next is Lower Slaughter, one of the most romantic villages in England. A gentle brook winds past honey-coloured stone cottages and an old flour mill — picture-perfect at every turn.

Stow-on-the-Wold – Market Town Character

We continue to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Wander antique shops, cosy inns and historic streets before we make our way to the highlight of the day.

Stanway House – Private Aristocratic Elegance

Arriving at Stanway House, you’ll enjoy a private visit to this magnificent Jacobean manor, still owned by British aristocracy. With no crowds and no tour buses, it is an intimate and exclusive experience.

The estate is home to the largest gravity-fed fountain in the world — an impressive spectacle set within elegant gardens.

Your visit concludes with a traditional afternoon cream tea served in the gardens — a quintessentially English experience in an extraordinary setting.

Optional Stop – Great Tew

If beginning and ending in Oxford, we can also include the enchanting village of Great Tew, a hidden gem with a fascinating modern history and timeless beauty.

Flexible Drop-Off

As this is a private tour, we can drop you anywhere within the region — including:

The Cotswolds
Oxford
Bath
London

Collection from Oxford or the Northern Cotswolds is complimentary. Pick-ups from further afield are available for a small surcharge.

Useful Information

Duration & Pricing – Afternoon Tea in the Cotswolds

To fully enjoy this exclusive private experience, we recommend allowing 8 hours, depending on your starting location.

Tours can operate anywhere between 6–10 hours, giving you complete flexibility to shape the day at your own pace.

Starting in the Cotswolds or Oxford

£699 per group (up to 7 guests)
Based on an 8-hour private tour
Collection and drop-off included at no additional charge

What’s Included?

Included in This Private Afternoon Tea Tour

Travel in a modern, spacious, air-conditioned vehicle
Led by your local driver-guides
Private visit and traditional afternoon tea at Stanway House
6–10 hour private tour of the beautiful Cotswolds
Complete flexibility and control over the design of your day
We proudly support One Tree Planted — with every booking, we donate to plant one tree 🌱

Not Included

Entrance fees to additional attractions (if added)
Food or refreshments outside of the included afternoon tea
Gratuities (optional)

How to get here?

Start Time & Collection Information

The start time for this private tour is flexible, allowing us to tailor the day around your plans.

We can collect you from anywhere in the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, Bath, or London.

This makes the experience ideal for a relaxed day trip from any of these locations.

Travelling from London?

The easiest and most cost-effective option is to take a direct train from:

London Paddington Station
London Marylebone Station

to Oxford Railway Station.

We will collect you from Oxford station free of charge.

Prefer Door-to-Door Service?

If you would rather enjoy a completely seamless experience, we are happy to collect and return you directly to your accommodation.

Please note that pick-up and drop-off outside of Oxford and the Northern Cotswolds incurs the following additional transfer fees (per group):

Stratford-upon-Avon – £70 each way
Bath – £70 each way
London – £150 each way

If you are staying elsewhere, simply contact us and we will confirm what is possible.

FAQ’s

How much does the tour cost?

The Afternoon Tea in the Cotswolds private tour is £699 per group when starting from Oxford or within the Cotswolds.

For alternative starting points, please see the “How to Get Here” section.

When can I take this tour?

This experience operates Monday to Friday, subject to availability.

If you are looking for a weekend option, our Customised Private Cotswolds Tour may be a suitable alternative.

What is the minimum and maximum group size?

We welcome 1 to 7 guests on this private tour.

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

Does this tour include entry to Stanway House?

Yes. The tour includes:

Private entry to Stanway House
A private guided visit of the manor
Traditional afternoon cream tea in the gardens

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

Yes, we can collect you from:

London
Bath
Stratford-upon-Avon

An additional transfer fee applies. Please see the “How to Get Here” section for full details.

Where does the tour start?

Your private tour can begin anywhere in the Cotswolds region or nearby towns and cities, including London.

Collection from Oxford or the Northern Cotswolds is complimentary.

If travelling from further afield (such as London), the most cost-effective option is often to take a train to Oxford, where we can collect you. Alternatively, we are happy to provide full door-to-door service for an additional fee.

Can I add attractions such as Warwick Castle or include Oxford or Bath?

Yes — as this is a private tour, we can include additional attractions such as:

Warwick Castle
A city tour of Oxford
A visit to Bath

Please note that additional entrance fees will be added to the tour cost, and including extra locations may reduce the time available for your Stanway House and afternoon tea experience.

What are the payment arrangements?

Full payment is required at the time of booking.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, or bank transfer.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations within 48 hours of the tour: 100% charge
Cancellations 48 hours or more before the tour: 5% charge

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