— Tour information

4-Day English Tour: Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath & Windsor

— Summary

Our 4-day English expedition will take you on a journey through history and nature to unveil the essence of this beautiful country.

 

Starting in the history city of Oxford to see Shakespeare’s birthplace, we will stop off in the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds, wander the historic streets of Bath, and delve into the mysteries of Stonehenge. Finishing our tour off exploring some iconic royal sites in London, this is a perfect option for those wanting a taster of a variety of places in the south.

 

Itinerary

Private 4-Day England Highlights Tour

Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford, Bath, Stonehenge & Windsor

This itinerary is fully flexible and designed with your interests in mind. Let us know what inspires you, and we’ll craft an unforgettable journey tailored just for you

Day 1 – Oxford & Stratford-upon-Avon

Your private driver guide picks you up before departing London for Oxford. Enjoy a guided walk among historic colleges and landmarks. Stop for coffee or a short break if you wish.

Lunch in Oxford
Time to relax and enjoy lunch in the city

Stratford-upon-Avon
Travel to Shakespeare’s birthplace and visit key sites, learning about his life and legacy.

Evening in Stratford-upon-Avon
Settle in for a relaxed evening in this storied town.

 

Day 2 – The Cotswolds & Bath

Departure from Stratford
Begin your journey through the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds Villages
Explore some of England’s most picturesque villages, including:

  • Broadway
  • Stow-on-the-Wold
  • Bourton-on-the-Water
  • Bibury
  • Castle Combe

Time to walk, explore, and take in the character of each location

Lunch Stop
Enjoy lunch in one of the Cotswolds villages.

Travel to Bath
Travel through the countryside to Bath.

Evening in Bath
Time to relax, explore, or enjoy dinner

 

Day 3 – Bath, Stonehenge & Countryside Stay

Bath City Experience
Explore the historic city of Bath.
Take in landmarks such as the Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey.

The Roman Baths
Discover Roman life at this remarkably preserved ancient site.

Lunch in Bath
Relaxed time before continuing your journey

Stonehenge
Visit the iconic prehistoric stone circle and explore the ancient site.

Evening in Salisbury or the New Forest
Travel to Salisbury or the New Forest for an overnight stay in peaceful countryside.

 

Day 4 – Windsor & Hampton Court

Departure from your hotel
Start your final day by journeying to Windsor for royal discoveries.

Windsor Castle
Tour the world’s oldest inhabited castle. See the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel. (Windsor Castle closed Tuesdays/Wednesdays.)

Lunch in Windsor
Time to relax and enjoy lunch in the town

Hampton Court Palace
Explore Henry VIII’s palace, Tudor kitchens, and formal gardens.

Return to London
Comfortable drive back with drop-off at your accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Cotswolds villages does the tour visit?

Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury and Castle Combe are the ones we head for on the second day, with time in each to walk about rather than photograph and leave. How many you get through depends on how long you linger, and lunch is taken in one of the villages rather than somewhere on the way.

Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. How does that affect the tour?

Windsor Castle is normally closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and can also close at shorter notice. We check the published opening information for your dates and confirm any change to the running order or attraction before you book.

Where do we stay each night?

The published route uses Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath and Salisbury or the New Forest as the overnight areas. Your written proposal must name the actual accommodation, what is included and its cancellation terms before any hotel is treated as booked. The multi-day tours page shows the other longer routes.

Does the tour start and end in London?

The published itinerary starts and finishes in London. If you need an airport or different end point, include it in the enquiry and rely on the pickup and drop-off locations in the written quote rather than assuming the route can be changed.

How does the four-day tour differ from the five-day?

The longer version adds the coast. Both cover Oxford, Stratford, the Cotswolds, Bath, the Roman Baths and Stonehenge before finishing at Windsor and Hampton Court, and the extra day on the five-day England tour goes to Brighton, with the Royal Pavilion, the Lanes and the seafront.

What is there to see in Oxford and Stratford on the first day?

Oxford’s historic colleges and landmarks on a guided walk, then Shakespeare’s birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon. The morning goes to Oxford, with time to stop for a coffee if you want one, lunch is taken in the city, and the afternoon moves on to Stratford for the key Shakespeare sites and a wander through the town before the evening there.

Does the tour suit visitors who have already seen London?

It does, because London is not on it. The four days run west and north of the city, through Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds villages, Bath and Stonehenge, and only come back towards the capital for Windsor and Hampton Court on the final day. If you have already had your fill of the city, this is the England most visitors miss.

Rolling Cotswolds farmland, hedgerows and grazing sheep in late afternoon light

— What our tour clients say

Customer Reviews

— featured tours

View all tours
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben across the Thames, with a red bus on Westminster Bridge

Full Day London Tour

Let’s explore London’s most iconic sights together whilst discover all the enchanting hidden gems. This flexible 1-day is fully customisable, ...
More information
Pulteney Bridge and the weir on the River Avon in Bath

3-Day British Odyssey Cruise Excursion

Explore England’s finest treasures on this 3-day journey through historic landmarks and scenic beauty, ideal for those visiting on a ...
More information
The Tudor brick gatehouse of Hampton Court Palace, with visitors walking through the arch

5-Day English Adventure: Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath & Brighton

Experience a captivating 5-day journey through some of England’s most historic sites and breathtaking landscapes. This tour will take you ...
More information
Stonehenge from the air at sunrise, the stone circle ringed by its earthwork on Salisbury Plain

Stonehenge Inner Circle & Roman Baths Full Day Trip from London

This 1-day tour is steeped in history and wonder as we experience two of England’s most iconic ancient sites in ...
More information