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The CotswoldsGuided tours

Our most recommended The Cotswolds Guided tours

From Oxford: Half-Day Cotswold Taster Tour

1. From Oxford: Half-Day Cotswold Taster Tour

Leave the medieval city of Oxford and head first to the pretty village of Minster Lovell. Walk through the village and see the pretty thatched cottages and River Windrush. Relax on a scenic drive that takes you through the idyllic hamlets of Asthall and Swinbrook to the old market town of Burford, the 'gateway to the Cotswolds'.  Enjoy time to browse in the sloping High Street of Burford, with its quirky shops and cafes. Continue through the old quarrying villages of Taynton and the Barringtons, where a panoramic drive takes you to Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'.  Wander along the banks of the quaint River Windrush with its old stone bridges or stop for a refreshment in one of the many cafes. Leaving Bourton-on-the-Water, you climb up to Stow Hill to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds and a market town since the 12th century. Stow is known for its many antique shops and art galleries, as well as many other shops and cafes.  Don't forget to visit St Edward's Church with its old door which inspired the writer Tolkien. On your way back to Oxford pass by the market town of Chipping Norton and Woodstock, the site of Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Stop for a brief photo stop of the palace before your return to Oxford.

From London: Cotswolds Villages Guided Day Tour

2. From London: Cotswolds Villages Guided Day Tour

Explore 5 historic and picturesque villages in the Cotswolds area on this private day trip from London. Visit the best ones and enjoy relaxing views of the rolling English countryside, and stroll through the tiny streets. Leave London and head for Burford. Stroll down the town's beautiful High Street to reach the River Windrush and marvel at the historic bridge crossing. Continue to Lower Slaughter to enjoy a view of a water mill dating from the 19th century. This one really is a wonder and normally everyone’s favourite. Stroll through Stow on the Wold's historic market square, surrounded by pubs, the town hall, and antique shops. Stop for lunch (not included) at a local pub or a tea room. Continue to Bourton on the Water to enjoy a relaxing walk along the River Windrush, surrounded by honey-colored stone buildings. Finish your tour with Bibury. Stroll along the famous Arlington Row, filled with stone cottages built in 1380. Enjoy between 45 minutes and 1 hour in each town, giving you the opportunity to have a coffee, see the sights, or buy a souvenir. Return to London in time for dinner.

From Bath: Cotswolds Private Day Tour with Pickup

3. From Bath: Cotswolds Private Day Tour with Pickup

The day begins in Castle Combe, which is surely one of the most photographed villages in all of England. Little has changed here since the 15th century - no street lights or TV aerials. This mediaeval gem is famous for its picturesque cottages and babbling brook. Nestled in a wooded Cotswold valley, Castle Combe has been a favourite Hollywood filming location over the years for movies including War Horse, Stardust and Doctor Dolittle. Thereafter, your journey continues on towards Tetbury, which is the home town of The King and Queen Camilla and neighbours their Highgrove Estate. Discover more about its fascinating history as a market town, famous in the past for the local wool and yarn industry. Walk down the Chipping Steps, an old entrance to the town and admire the picturesque weaver’s cottages. The centre of Tetbury is a conservation area and many buildings are hundreds of years old. Why not pop in to buy a souvenir from His Majesty's Highgrove Shop. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a charming country inn, where you can sample local dishes or maybe treat yourself to a decadent cream tea. The tour continues through the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty towards the idyllic twin villages of Upper & Lower Slaughter. Lower Slaughter was named the prettiest village in England in 2021 and it’s easy to see why. A location trapped in time, where wonderful photo opportunities await you amongst flower-draped cottages, romantic footbridges, and an idyllic water mill nestling on the banks of the River Eye. Maybe wander between Lower and Upper Slaughter (weather dependent). This tranquil corner of the Cotswolds countryside is like walking through a painting. Enjoy a photo stop at the famous village of Bibury on the journey back to Bath. Here, on the banks of the River Coln, you will stroll along Arlington Row, one of England's very oldest, continually inhabited streets. You will either be dropped off at your accommodation or in the centre of Bath. This will definitely be a day to remember.

Cotswolds: Private Guided Tour Day Trip by Car

4. Cotswolds: Private Guided Tour Day Trip by Car

Explore the picturesque villages and scenery of the world-famous Cotswolds region on a private full day tour scheduled from 10am to 6pm. Get off the beaten track and avoid the coach crowds with the help of your local guide. Visit the destinations you want to see, where practical, and discover locations you may not have heard of too. As the tour is private, the itinerary and start time are flexible. Along the way, enjoy coffee, lunch, and cake stops to suit your schedule as well. Possible places to visit include Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, Minster Lovell, North Leigh Roman Villa, Broadway Tower, Chastleton House, Kingham, and Kelmscott Manor. By booking this activity with me here, you are agreeing to book me as your guide for the day but this booking and payment does not include the significant costs of my arranging a taxi to drive us or alternatively you can choose to hire a car to drive us. I cannot be your driver as if I hire the car to deliver a commercial activity, the car insurance policy is invalidated. I do not own a vehicle of my own either.

Cotswolds: Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

5. Cotswolds: Full-Day Private Walking Tour with Local Guide

Starting outside a 700 year old pub called the Old Swan in Minster Lovell village and finishing outside the Anglican church in Burford market town, step back through time with an engaging walking tour through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds. View the famous grassland thatched medieval villages, churches — most notably, the historic Saxon church built on top of a Roman villa — Norman villages and the distinctive local yellow limestone homes. This tour is a rural walk. Enjoy a leisurely walk of 8 to 12 miles, depending on whether you prefer a shorter or a longer route plan. Stop to see the sights, enjoy lunch in a beautiful setting and pick fruit along the way during berry picking season. The reduced 8 miles route does require pre booking a taxi to drive part of the walk & that might cost up to £40 extra as this is a rural area where taxis charge minimum fares to collect us. Lunch table is booked at the award winning Swan Inn pub in Swinbrook village. Note that the cost of the meal is not included in the tour activity.

From Bath: Private Tour to Serene Cotswolds with Pickup

6. From Bath: Private Tour to Serene Cotswolds with Pickup

The day begins in Castle Combe, which is surely one of the most photographed villages in all of England. Little has changed here since the 15th century - no street lights or TV aerials. This mediaeval gem is famous for its picturesque cottages and babbling brook. Nestled in a wooded Cotswold valley, Castle Combe has been a favourite Hollywood filming location over the years for movies including War Horse, Stardust and Doctor Dolittle. The tour continues further into the heart of Wiltshire and onto the conservation village of Lacock, which dates back to the 13th century and where cars are the only sign of modern-day life. Little wonder that it has also been used as a filming location for Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and several BBC productions including Pride and Prejudice. Nearby Corsham is a quintessential English market town, which boasts many beautiful and historic buildings. It is also acknowledged as one of the most desirable places to live in all of South West of England. The High Street has become a recognisable filming location for both the big and the small screen. Admire the exotic resident peacocks as they strut along the cobbled streets. Corsham also boasts wonderful independent shops and you will savour a traditional pub lunch in the historic Methuen Arms. Thereafter, your journey continues to Bradford-on-Avon. Situated on the banks of the River Avon, this special place lies at the southern edge of the Cotswolds and it has been a magnet for people since the Iron Age. Bradford-on-Avon was also famous for the wool and weaving industry that spanned six centuries: pretty medieval weavers' cottages perched on the hillside are dwarfed by the Victorian great mills that still leave a lasting architectural impression. The Saxons (6th - 11th C.) drove their carts across the ‘broad ford’, which gave the town its name. You will follow in their footsteps as you walk towards the impressive Tithe Barn, one of the largest medieval barns in England. Then marvel at the engineering prowess of the Victorians as you wander back into town alongside the historic canal, which boasts several impressive locks. Journey back to the delightful Georgian City of Bath at the end of this memorable day, where you will either be dropped off at your accommodation or in the centre of town. **PLEASE NOTE that children aged 12 years or under are not permitted on this tour due to UK child seat law restrictions. Your driver-guide is neither insured nor licensed below this threshold.

Gloucester and Lacock Harry Potter Day Tour

7. Gloucester and Lacock Harry Potter Day Tour

The Harry Potter Tour of Gloucester and Lacock is a magical adventure to some of England's most historic places and scenic countryside. See filming locations, including sites used in actual scenes from Hogwarts School, or which served as an inspiration to the filmmakers. On the Harry Potter tour, experience one of the most beautiful villages in England and get a guided tour around the ancient streets and its local abbey. Stretch your legs and soak up the history of this picturesque village before a visit to the cathedral city of the Cotswolds. Visit the magnificent cathedral which doubled as Hogwarts School. Learn how the films were made, discuss the books and hear trivia about the magical world of Harry Potter. Have the chance to walk around the locations you visit, take pictures, and re-create some of the scenes from the films.  Feel free to dress up as Harry or any other character in the series! On the tour, Harry Potter trivia questions will be asked, so keep your spell book handy to test your knowledge of spells and see how well you know Harry, Ron and Hermione. 

From London: Cotswolds and Bilbury Private Guided Car Trip

8. From London: Cotswolds and Bilbury Private Guided Car Trip

Cotswolds is one of the best gems of England. Take your experience to the highest level and join our comfortable hassle-free tour. Travel in comfort between the sites as private car transfers are included. Admire the wonders of a British countryside and learn everything about visited places, as an enthusiastic 5-Star Guide will accompany you along the way. Enjoy some free time for a relaxing walk, sovenir shopping ot a traditional British lunch with beer. Choose the 9-hour option to discover the Top-rated Attractions of Cotswolds. Do not worry about getting there - you will be picked up direct from your accommodation in London and enjoy comfortable journey. Cotswold delights with its beautiful green landscape, charming villages and honey-colored stone cottages. Feel the unique atmosphere and visit the the picturesque town of Bourton-on-the-water. It’s known as ‘the Venice of the Cotswolds’ not without a reason! Walk along the serene river and admire the charming small bridges. Next stop - Stow-on-the-Wold, a lovely town full of quaint inns and antique shops. Have a pint in an ancient pub and find out some interesting facts about this place, as it was the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien! Continue your exploration of Cotswold and visit the Bibury - it is said that it’s the prettiest village in all of England. Get to know the Bibury inside out while admiring the iconic weavers cottages and walking around the Arlington Row. Finish your tour with Burford. This beautiful town has many unchanged buildings since the medieval era, as a magnificent church waiting to be discovered.

From London: Downton Abbey & the Cotswolds Private Day Trip

9. From London: Downton Abbey & the Cotswolds Private Day Trip

Discover the wonders of the Cotswolds region on a sightseeing trip from London. Spot landmarks from scenes in Downtown Abbey during a visit to Bampton and experience life in romantic cobbled villages. After meeting your guide, head to the village of Bampton, where you can see many of the famous landmarks featured in the popular Downton Abbey TV series. Admire the buildings that played the part of the Downton Cottage Hospital and see the church where characters got married. In the Cotswolds, visit one of the area's most beautiful villages, Bourton-on-the-Water. This is a must-see village, with a number of attractive bridges that cross the gently-flowing river at its center.

From Moreton-in-Marsh: Hidden Gems of Cotswolds Private Tour

10. From Moreton-in-Marsh: Hidden Gems of Cotswolds Private Tour

Experience the picturesque Cotswolds, an area of idyllic English countryside known for its green landscapes, charming villages, and honey-coloured stone cottages, on a guided driving tour without worrying about missing the must-see places. Skip the hassles of a DIY or large-group trip and relax on a luxury tour of must-visit towns and villages. See the historical homes of Stow-on-the-Wold and marvel at the honey-stoned Broadway and other precious villages like Chipping Campden, Bibury and Snowshill. Highlights: - Spend at least 6 hours exploring the best of the Cotswolds! - Discover iconic villages, historic towns, and stunning countryside! - Enjoy free time to explore each location at your own pace! - Travel in a luxury car along the country roads! - Private tour offers a fully personalized experience. - Learn about local history and photography from your guide! Basic Itinerary: 1. Moreton-in-Marsh: This is the meeting point and the beginning of your adventure. 2. Chipping Campden: Explore the historic town with its diverse architectural styles and experience outstanding natural beauty and tranquil countryside. 3. Broadway Tower: Visit the 18th-century iconic landmark, enjoy panoramic views, and learn about its history. 4. Snowshill: Stroll through the idyllic village, and take a tour of the National Trust Snowshill Manor (optional, and tickets not included). Admire Charles Wade's eclectic collections. 5. Stow-on-the-Wold: Experience the highest Cotswold town, delve into its historical significance, and enjoy the charming market square and St. Edward's Church. 6. Lower Slaughter: Take a picturesque village walk, and visit the ancient mill and its little shop. 7. Bourton-on-the-Water: Discover the scenic village, cross river bridges, and explore family-friendly attractions such as Birdland Park, Model Village, Motoring Museum, and Dragonfly Maze (optional and tickets not included). 8. Bibury: Visit the "most beautiful village in England," see the iconic street Arlington Row, and explore the rich heritage and stunning architecture. 9. Moreton-in-Marsh: This is the drop-off location, and the tour ends here.

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What people are saying about The Cotswolds

Booking Galahad Tours was the best decision we made on our trip- in fact, if we had more time, I would have booked Matt for a few more excursions! He was polite, friendly, and sooooo knowledgeable. The pace was perfect for our group (which included an 11-year-old boy) and we had a beautiful, leisurely day while fitting in everything we wanted to see. Highly recommend, and hope to come back and do it all over again. Thank you Matt!

As is always true with these tours, the driver makes all the difference! Our driver, Nick, was one of the most personable people I've met and was fantastic the whole time. We had two people in our group who had disabilities and he made them feel so special. The tour was a really fun day for us and one of our highlights of our trip to the UK

Jay with Kingdom Tours was fantastic. One of our favorite days on our trip. Burford, Bibury and Bourton on the Water were everything we hoped. I highly recommend this tour to those who want to see a quaint side of England outside of London.

Was great having a private tour guide and driver was very relaxing and easy. Our guide Simone was great and entertaining and our driver Iman was fast to our locations

Matt was a very gracious & informative guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our day in the Cotswolds with him.