Cotswolds Tours from London

Written by Viator, December 2010

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Tip - What to See & Do, UNESCO Heritage Site

Whatever idea you have of English countryside is sure to be fulfilled in the Cotswolds, a range of gentle hills in the west of England which attracts visitors from all over the world. Rolling green landscapes are interrupted only by picturesque villages and unspoiled market towns.

In and around the Cotswolds you’ll find a huge number of historically significant sites, and thankfully there are numerous alternatives for exploring the area from London to ensure you make the most of the region.

There’s Oxford, for example. The cobble-stoned streets of the world’s most famous seat of learning are graced by august colleges and serene courtyards as well as such venerable institutions as the Ashmolean Museum, Bodleian Library and Christ Church Cathedral.

Then, traveling north you come to Blenheim Palace. The Duke of Marlborough still lives in part of his ancestral home, but there are plenty of other stately rooms to explore in this enormous UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is this the finest example of English Baroque, it was also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Traces of another great Englishman, William Shakespeare, are everywhere you turn in Stratford-upon-Avon, whose thatched Tudor cottages look much as they did in the Bard’s day. Further north along the Avon River you’ll find the looming towers of Warwick Castle. The imposing bulk of this 950-year-old fortress embraces a range of moods, from the dim, dark dungeon to the delightful gardens.

Nestling in the embrace of the Cotswolds, Bath is a showcase of Georgian town planning which actually dates back 2,000 years, when it was the spa town for trendsetting Romans. Bath Abbey, the Jane Austen Center and Royal Crescent are the highlights of this most appealing of English cities. And walking along its terraced houses and elegant squares, you will often get an inviting glimpse of the surrounding hills: England’s country garden.

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All Cotswolds Tours from London Reviews

Reply by Viator, May 2012
Doing what: Warwick Castle, Stratford, Oxford and the Cotswolds Day Trip from London

Wow! Warwick Castle is exactly like I imagined a Medieval Castle. There was some pretty cheesy parts, but the landscape and tower are great and the employees are very knowledgeable. The timing on Stratford was great - it was Will's birthday. I appreciated getting to see how 16th century peasants lived. We only drove by the cottage, but the driver was good enough to show us many thatched roofs and the Costwolds tour was great. We took a side trip to see a couple of miscellaneous items and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Oxford is equally beautiful and the timing of the tour was just right, not too rushed, not too slow. I'd say this was definitely a highlight!

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Reply by Viator, May 2012
Doing what: Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Castle Day Trip from London

A great trip to pack in a lot in a short amount of time. Our guide Nora (I hope that's right!) was natural and informative and pleased to share her passion and knowledge of the areas.
Warwick Castle has been bought by Madame Tussaudes which is made evident from the tacky figures and sensor activated sound but look past that and you'll see an incredible Medieval Castle that's worth the time. Stratford -on-Avon is a great spot for lunch and incredible for Shakespeare enthusiasts. The Cotswolds visit is but a drive through so sit on the right side on the bus and have your camera ready! Oxford was a nice last stop, I'd been there before but learnt a lot from out guide on this visit.

All in all expect to get a taste of these places. Plenty of time at Warwick Castle and Stratford-on-Avon and Oxford. A stop in the Costwolds for afternoon tea wouldn't go astray, returning and hour later wouldn't hurt.

Go for it!!

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Reply by Viator, August 2011
Doing what: Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Castle Day Trip from London

The trip was excellent and sites were wonderful. My only negative comments are small - - the tour guide really only guided us at Oxford, as both Stratford and Warwick were self-guided tours. Also, the Costwolds is not really a destination, as you simply zoom through the area at 100 kph. Arranging for a stop, even just 20 minutes, would have been nice.

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