England’s Cotswolds and Historic Sites – 5 Days

Departing London, travel through affluent Buckinghamshire, perhaps stopping at Cliveden or Hughenden Manor on route to Oxford where you’ll enjoy the college quads and spires of the world-renowned Oxford University. Soak up the unique academic ambience which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde and explore the famous colleges such as Magdalen and Christchurch or the Bodleian Library and New College Hall used as parts of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. Nearby lies the village of Woodstock home of the stunning baroque mansion of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

• Accommodation: overnight in Oxford.
• Distance: 50 miles / 80 km, 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.), if starting at Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Oxford, Oxford University and Blenheim Palace.

DAY TWO – Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon

Departing Oxford pass in to the Cotswolds, perhaps stopping at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens before visiting one of William the Conquerors fortresses at the stunning Warwick Castle. A short drive south you’ll find Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, open greens and boats bobbing on the river Avon. The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford is brimming with cultural and historic attractions including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Hall’s Croft.

• Accommodation: overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon or the northern Cotswolds.
• Distance: 55 miles / 90 km, 1 hour (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle.

DAY THREE – The Cotwolds Villages and Sudely Castle

Spend today exploring the West of this magical region and its quaint and eccentric chocolate-box villages such as Broadway, Moreton-in Marsh and Stown on the Wold. Stunning sites you can visit include Snowshill Manor and Garden, the stunning ruins of 13th century cistercian Hailes Abbey and the medieval manor at Sudely Castle, linked to King Henry VIII and 2 of his wives. Time permitting you may chose to visit the regency town of Cheltenham, its wide boulevards, promenades, imperial gardens and glorious Georgian architecture.

• Accommodation: overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon or northern Cotswolds.
• Highlights: The Cotswolds.

DAY FOUR – Lacock Abbey, Bath City and Roman Baths

Pass through the southern Cotswolds head for the beautiful village of Lacock brimming with history and used in the filming of Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice. Then to the city of Bath which oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, a wealth of quality museums, exhibitions and of course the spectacular Roman Baths and Pump Room.

• Accommodation: overnight in Bath
• Distance: 85 miles / 135 km, 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.)*.
• Highlights: Bath City, Roman Baths and Lacock Abbey.

DAY FIVE – Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and Windsor Castle

Leaving Bath you may visit 14th century Farleigh Hungerford Castle on route to the Salisbury Plain. Make a stop to see the errie and unexplained standing stones of Stonehenge and lesser known Avebury before exploring the cobbled streets and squares of Salisbury, home to Britain’s tallest cathedral spire. Round off the day with a visit to the prehistoric ruins at Old Sarum before returning to London. Time-permitting you may choose to stop in Windsor to view the stunning Windsor Castle.

• Distance: 100 miles / 160 km, 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.), based on a route to Heathrow Airport*.
• Highlights: Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.

Return your vehicle.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.