Heart of the Cotswolds Small Group Tour

Duration: 7 Hours

Location: Cotswolds

Price: £80

Our Cotswolds small group tour is perfect for anyone who wants to see the Cotswolds as a day trip from either London or Oxford. This guided small group tour from Oxford covers many of the main spots in the Cotswolds, while combining them with hidden gems that only the locals usually get to enjoy. The areas we visit will merge picturesque undiscovered villages with the main destinations of the North Cotswolds. You’ll get to experience the best of the well-known attractions while getting a feel for real Cotswold life, and soaking up the charm of this timeless area. There will be plenty of time for stopping to enjoy the scenery and soaking up the atmosphere.

Itinerary

What places will we get to see on the Cotswolds small group tour?

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

Paint me a picture:

Departing from Oxford Railway Station at 10am, you’ll start the day by visiting the fascinating village of Great Tew. A fairy-tale village of thatched cottages and beautiful landscapes that is away from the tourists. The home of several famous characters and the future home of royalty.

From Great Tew we then continue on to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds. Here you’ll have time to browse among honey-coloured buildings, cosy pubs, narrow streets, interesting shops and tiny tea rooms.

Our next stop is the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter, one of the prettiest villages in the Northern Cotswolds and set in the most amazing countryside.

Our next stop is arguably the most famous Cotswolds town and regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England; Bourton-on-the-Water. Known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ there is plenty to see and do with a wealth of attractions, shops, restaurants and tea rooms. Here you have free time to explore and enjoy some lunch.

From here we go through some enchanting Cotswold villages to the town of Burford, often called the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. A very iconic town and home to one of the most beautiful and ancient churches in the region. Stories aplenty!

Then we spend the afternoon travelling along the stunning Windrush Valley visiting hidden villages like Swinbrook, which is the home of the notorious Mitford Sisters. Then a highlight of tour, the beautiful village and ancient ruins of Minster Lovell. This pretty village on the River Windrush boasts plenty of Cotswold stone and thatched roofs, as well as holding the title of being the region’s most haunted village. Minster Lovell is perhaps best known for the ruins of its 15th century hall, owned by generations of the Lovell family.

Departure will be late afternoon returning to Oxford Railway Station by 5:00pm.

Useful Information

On your Cotswolds small group tour you’ll be looked after by our knowledgeable driver-guide and travel in one of our comfortable vehicles that can hold up to seven guests.

Your guide will give you a background of the area’s history as you travel, and at each of the stops you’re free to either explore the village with your guide or to have some free time to yourself, relax and maybe do some shopping.

Tour Details

The Cotswolds small group tour runs all year costing £80 per person with a maximum group size of seven, so please book early to avoid missing out!

The tour departs from Oxford Railway Station at 10am. Oxford can be easily reached from London Paddington & London Marylebone train stations making it the ideal tour for a day trip from London.

What’s Included?

Included in this tour

Travel in a modern, comfortable air conditioned vehicle
Led by a local guide
7 hour tour of the Cotswolds
Enjoyable conversation!
We are proud to support ‘One Tree Planted’. So with every booking made, we will donate to allow one tree to be planted

Not included in this tour

Entrance fees to other attractions
Food or refreshments
Gratuities

How to get here?

Your driver guide will meet you in the pick up area outside the front of Oxford Railway Station at 10am. Waiting is not allowed in the pick up area so they will arrive 5 minutes before the tour starts and will be standing with the Mercedes minibus holding a green sign saying Undiscovered Cotswolds.

The pick up area is directly in front of the train station just past the bus stops and close to the bronze bull statue.

Oxford Railway Station is a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Oxford. Please use Google Maps or our interactive map to find your way from the station.

Oxford can be easily reached from London Paddington & London Marylebone stations making it the ideal tour for a day trip from either London.

If coming from London Paddington we recommend booking an off peak return ticket on the 8:51am train which arrives at 9:43am. Train tickets can be booked at www.thetrainline.com. Please check train times as they are subject to change.
If coming from London Marylebone we recommend booking an off peak return ticket on the 8:11am train which arrives at 9:35am. Train tickets can be booked at www.thetrainline.com. Please check train times as they are subject to change.

FAQ’s

How much does the Cotswolds small group tour cost?

£80 per person.

What is the minimum/maximum people on the tour?

The minimum amount of people to run the tour is two and we can take up to seven people on our small group tour.

Do you offer pickups from hotels?

Not on this tour. But we do offer that service as part of our Private Tour.

What is the best way to get to Oxford Railway Station?

The tour departs from outside Oxford Railway Station at 10am all year round.

The pick up area is directly in front of the train station just past the bus stops and close to the bronze bull statue.

Oxford Railway Station is a 5-10 minute walk from the centre of Oxford. Please use Google Maps or our interactive map to find your way from the station.

Oxford can be easily reached from London Paddington & London Marylebone stations making it the ideal tour for a day trip from either London.

If coming from London Paddington we recommend booking an off peak return ticket on the 8:51am train which arrives at 9:43am. Train tickets can be booked at www.thetrainline.com. Please check train times as they are subject to change.
If coming from London Marylebone we recommend booking an off peak return ticket on the 8:11am train which arrives at 9:35am. Train tickets can be booked at www.thetrainline.com. Please check train times as they are subject to change.

What are the payment arrangements for the tour?

Full payment is required at the time of booking. We accept all major credit cards, Paypal or wire transfer.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy is 100% of the cost charged for cancellations within 48 hours prior the tour. For cancellations given 48 hours or greater before the tour then we just charge a 5% cancellation fee (covering transaction fees, exchange fees and management system fees).