The Cotswolds have been famous for the rolling, green hills in the countryside as well as the quaint homes made of their unique, local limestone.
These villages have been home to poets and artists and even a few movie scenes. Now it’s your chance to take it all in with a Cotswold Village tour from London.
Best Cotswolds & Oxford Day Tours From London
| Cotswolds Tour with Lunch From London | Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey & the Cotswolds | Oxford & Cotswolds Village Day Trip from London | |
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| Departure Point: | Victoria Coach Station | Victoria Coach Station | Behind Victoria Train Station, Stand 3 |
| Departure Time: | 8:15 AM | 8:45 AM | 9:15 AM |
| Duration: | 11 Hours | Full day | 10 hours |
| Includes: | Luxury coach transportation, professional guide, lunch in Bibury Village | Guided tours of both Bourton-on-the-Water and Downton Abbey Village | Luxury coach transportation, maximum of 16 travelers |
Be sure to see our reviews of Bus Tours of London, Stonehenge Tours and Tower of London Tours.
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Oxford & the Cotswolds Tours From London
- Cotswolds Tour with Lunch From London
- Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey & the Cotswolds
- Oxford & Cotswolds Village Day Trip from London
- Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds: Day Trip from London
- Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds Villages Full-Day Tour
We have reviewed the top rated tours to Oxford and the Cotswolds, providing overviews and highlighting the details of each. We also make recommendations on staying in London in our guide section.
Cotswolds Tour Reviews
1. Cotswolds Tour with Lunch From London
- Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station, Gate 19-20
- Departure Time: 8:15 AM
- Duration: 11 hours (approx.)
- Includes: luxury coach transportation, professional guide, 2-course lunch in Bibury Village
Your first stop once you leave Victoria Coach Station is Burford Village. This is a famous Cotswold village due to the River Windrush passing by beautiful homes.
Walk down High Street to the banks of the river and don’t forget to check out a tea house or two. Bibury Village is up next and is the site of the Swan Hotel. This hotel calls a stunning 17th-century structure home.
The restaurant, where you will enjoy a delicious 2-course meal, serves many cuisines. Be sure to try a local ale or wine while you dine as well!
You’ll also take quick walking tours of both Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. Stow-on-the-Wold is well known as a market town where you can find local deserts and imported, crafted items year-round.
It’s also home to several annual fairs and festivals you won’t want to miss.
Your professional guide will walk you through four of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, telling you of the most famous spots to stop in each. Have your camera at the ready for some stunning photo ops.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other London Experiences You May Enjoy:
2. Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey & the Cotswolds
- Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station, Gate I-5
- Departure Time: 8:45 AM, 9:00 AM
- Duration: 1 day (approx.)
- Includes: Guided tours of both Bourton-on-the-Water and Downton Abbey Village, optional entry ticket to Blenheim Castle
Blenheim Castle has long been regarded as a pristine example of English Baroque architecture. With entry to the castle, you can tour many staterooms filled with both art and tapestries, as well as explore the gardens.
Blenheim Castle is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England during WWII. Bourton-on-the-Water is a Cotswold Village often referred to as the “Venice of the Cotswolds.”
The river running gently through the village can be crossed or even overlooked by many quaint bridges. Some of these bridges have stood over the river for centuries.
Bampton Village in the Cotswolds is often referred to as Downton Abbey Village. Much of the popular TV show was filmed here and many of the landmarks you will see while on tour may look familiar to you.
Two of the fictional pubs featured in the show are real, working pubs in Bampton. This tour can be purchased either with the admission to Blenheim Castle or without it.
If you are interested more in exploring the villages, the flexible day tour provides all transportation without castle entry. The day tour from London can be purchased with the price of admission included as well.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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3. Oxford & Cotswolds Village Day Trip from London
- Departure Point: Behind Victoria Train Station, Stand 3, Greenline Coach Terminal
- Departure Time: 9:15 AM
- Duration: 10 hours (approx.)
- Includes: Luxury coach transportation, maximum of 16 travelers, professional driver and guide
Oxford is home to one of the oldest universities and while it’s renowned for providing only the best education, it is also well known as “the City of Dreaming Spires.” When you arrive, you’ll be able to wander amongst the beautiful buildings.
Dating back to the 12th-century, these buildings are home to many colleges and departments under Oxford University. You’ll also have a chance to take in the beautiful exhibits at the Ashmolean Museum, filled with art and antiquities.
When leaving Oxford, you’ll head first to Bampton Village in the Cotswolds. This village is commonly known as Downton Abbey Village. Many of the landmarks here were commonplace when filming the TV show, including St. Mary’s, the parish church in Bampton.
Your last stop will be in Bibury Village where you will have time to explore independently and also enjoy a traditional English tea in the afternoon.
Your luxury coach and professional driver will bring you back to London with plenty of time to enjoy a late dinner.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds: Day Trip from London
- Departure Point: across from Gloucester Road Underground Station
- Departure Time: 7:45 AM
- Duration: 11 hours (approx.)
- Includes: luxury coach transportation, professional driver and guide, independent exploration of Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford
You’ll head toward Stratford-upon-Avon when leaving London, enjoying some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
Stratford is the birthplace of Shakespeare and while there you will also be able to view, and possibly tour the Swan Theatre. In Stratford, you’ll also see the famous Tudor-style architecture and have a full 2 hours to see the city.
Your professional guide can give you suggestions on where to visit based on what you are most interested in. This is a great place to pick up a souvenir to take home.
After a bit more countryside driving, you’ll arrive in Oxford, the city that revolves almost entirely on the University of the same name.
The walking route through Oxford that takes you past most of the famous landmarks you’d like to see is not long and your guide can send you in that direction. However, you are welcome to explore the city independently as you’d like.
After your guide gives you the lowdown on the connections between Alice in Wonderland and even Harry Potter and this historic city, you can choose a local restaurant in which to enjoy a meal or you can head to Turf Tavern, supposedly haunted by Old Rosie, to enjoy a beverage with local academics.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Oxford, Stratford & Cotswolds Villages Full-Day Tour
- Departure Point: across from Earls Court Underground Station, Warwick Road Exit
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Duration: 1 day (approx.)
- Includes: roundtrip transportation, visit Stratford-upon-Avon, entrance to Shakespeare’s birthplace, countryside drive with photo op stops, walking tour of Oxford
Stratford-upon-Avon is your first destination after leaving London by coach. Your guide will give you a short tour around the city to orient you to the most popular stops. Then, you will have free time for independent exploration.
Your tour includes entrance to Shakespeare’s birthplace where you can see many artifacts related to the poet and playwright.
Don’t forget to stop by the Swan Theatre, also of interest to Shakespeare fans, before boarding your coach for a countryside drive.
With good weather, your driver will stop at several places along your drive through the Cotswold countryside for photo ops of the green, rolling hills and the unique, quaint villages along the way to Oxford.
On a walking tour with your guide, you’ll see much of “the City of Dreaming Spires” and come to understand why it’s been nicknamed that since 1865 in a poem now famous by Matthew Arnold.
You’ll also stop by the Sheldonian Theater, the Museum of Science, and Balliol College before heading back to London.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
FAQs About Cotswolds Day Trips From London
How far are the Cotswolds from London?
The Cotswolds are 100 miles west of London and it’s about 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
What’s the best way to drive to the Cotswolds from London?
The easiest way to get to the Cotswolds is to take the M4 highway through Swindon which takes you to the south Cotswolds. You can also take the A40 through Oxford to see the north and east Cotswolds. You need to be careful when taking the narrow roads that are barely wide enough for a car. Also go early, there is limited parking spaces in many of the villages.
Can I get to the Cotswolds from London by train or bus?
There are several train and buses that go from London to the Cotswolds. Unfortunately they will not take you directly to the smaller villages which tend to be more scenic. You can take a train from London Paddington to Oxford, Bath, Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh or Kemble. From there use local buses or taxis to reach other destinations. You can also take a bus from London Victoria to Oxford, Bath, Cheltenham, or Cirencester then transfer to other local buses. By far the best way to go the Cotswolds is with a guided tour so you can avoid the driving and parking issues.
What is there to see in the Cotswolds?
There are picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and country houses along with scenic viewpoints and parks.
Bibury: This quintessential Cotswold village with honey-colored stone cottages, a trout farm along with a church that dates to the 12th century.
Bourton-on-the-Water: This charming village has a river running through the center is has by several low bridges crossing over.
Broadway: This is one of the larger towns that has a wide main street with shops, cafes, and galleries. It is also the starting point of the Cotswold Way. This is a 102 mile walking trail that goes all the way to Bath.
Burford: This small historic village has a medieval bridge, a church with a 15th-century spire and many antique shops and pubs.
Castle Combe: This picturesque village has been used as a film location for many movies like War Horse and Stardust.
Chipping Campden: This is an ancient market town with a history of wool trade and arts and crafts. There is a 17th-century market hall, a 14th-century church along with many medieval buildings and gardens.
Lacock: This famous village is listed in the National Trust and has a 13th-century abbey, a 15th-century tithe barn and a 16th-century inn. Several films have used the village for filming such as Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice.
Stow-on-the-Wold: This hilltop town has a large market square, a 17th-century town hall plus a 15th-century church. There are also a variety of antique shops and art galleries.
Sudeley Castle: This castle dates was built in the 10th century and several royal figures have lived here such as King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. There is a large collection of paintings and furniture in the castle.
Upper and Lower Slaughter: These two villages are separated by a stream with a footbridge crossing over. You can see a 19th-century water mill, a 13th-century church along with a 15th-century manor house.
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Value
The Oxford, Stratford, and Cotswolds: Day Trip from London is our Editor's Choice with its combination of sites seen, tour guides and value.
