Stratford–upon–Avon, the Cotswolds & Oxford
3 day tour
Learn about Shakespeare’s inspirations. Study the spires of Oxford. And venture through grand palaces and castles on this journey through England's most beloved sights.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Places you explore
Blenheim Palace – Architects argue over the merits of this one-of-a-kind Baroque building. But we simply think it’s stunning.
Warwick Castle - This 1,000-year-old castle takes you back in time to the marvels of the Medieval Ages.
Oxford – Smarten up as you walk amongst the intellectuals and grand halls of this lovely little town.
Stratford-upon-Avon – Some of Shakespeare’s hometown hasn’t changed since he lived there. And on this tour, it’s yours to explore.
Stow-on-the-Wold – Cosy cottages, tiny tea shops, and green gardens: this is your quintessential English village.
Your journey
The thick-walled castles inspired Shakespeare's battle-torn tales. The narrow cobbled lanes kindled his love stories’ twists and turns. And the deep, green valleys encouraged him to write about monsters, myths, and magic.
On this adventure, we take you through the landscapes that sparked his imagination and his inspirational hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon.
But this tour isn’t just about the famous playwright.
You feel princely as you walk through the ancient hallways of Blenheim Palace. And you become snap-happy as you wander over the trickling rivers and peaceful hills of the Cotswolds.
Learn about Shakespeare’s inspirations and discover England’s most famous landmarks on this three-day tour.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at ) - ,
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You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
- Tour accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1
- Visit beautiful Blenheim Place, one of England’s largest houses and the birthplace of Winston Churchill
- Unearth the ancient, Neolithic Rollright Standing Stones
Leaving London, you visit the World Heritage site of Blenheim Palace. Learn about the history, explore the gardens, or even take a ride on the estate’s very own miniature railway line.
After the palace and a lunch break, you continue to the Rollright Standing Stones. These are an ancient complex of Neolithic and bronze age monuments that sit on the crest of the Cotswold Hills. This magnificent site marks the borderlands between the great counties of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.
We drive the short distance to Stratford-upon-Avon, your base for the next two nights.
Day 2
- Get as close to the medieval ages as possible at Warwick Castle
- Spend a whole afternoon discovering the canals, cottages, and cuisine of Stratford-upon-Avon
You travel to Warwick Castle, one of England’s best preserved medieval castles. Dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, Warwick Castle is often named as one of the best historic monuments in Britain.
In the early afternoon, you return to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and home of the playwright, William Shakespeare.
You now have a chance to explore the places that shaped the life of Shakespeare. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, the Tudor thatched cottage and gardens of his wife, or Mary Arden’s farm where Shakespeare’s mother once lived.
You can also explore the narrow streets of this medieval market town, visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, or take a stroll along the banks of the River Avon where you can rent a boat or take the ferry across the river. Overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon and soak up the ambience of this historic and inspiring settlement.
Day 3
- Observe the traditional pastoral style of England’s beautiful Cotswold villages
- Set your sights on the sensational spires, cathedrals, and museums of Oxford
Today, you leave Stratford-upon-Avon on a journey to the Cotswolds, a huge area that covers five counties and offers a variety of unique landscapes and charming villages.
The rolling hills, villages, and farms of this area give you a glimpse back in time to an England with a gentler pace of life. You visit Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest of the Cotswolds Towns. The large market square is testament to the huge markets and fairs that were once held in this hill top market town.
You continue onto Bourton-on-the-Water, nestling in the rolling Cotswolds hills. Known as ‘The Venice of the Cotswolds’, you have time to explore this ancient village that has stood on this spot since Anglo-Saxon times.
Your final stop of the tour is in the City of Oxford, here you have time to explore the beautiful listed buildings, explore the precincts of the colleges, climb one of the vantage points to take in the skyline, or see the art and antique collections in the Ashmolean Museum.
You then embark on the comfortable return journey to London.
Accommodation
Where does this tour stay overnight?
You stay two nights in Stratford-upon-Avon.
How does the accommodation work?
Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.
I want Rabbie’s to book my accommodation, what happens now?
Once you've booked your tour, we'll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts.
We'll reserve your room(s) with one of our preferred accommodation suppliers and you'll pay them directly when you check-in. Most accommodation hosts don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.
You won't be able to choose which Hotel/B&B you stay in, but we will confirm the named property and exact prices on your first day of tour. If it's important for you to know where you're going to be staying in advance, or if you want to stay in a specific Hotel/B&B, we recommend that you select the option to book your own accommodation.
What if I want to change my accommodation booking with Rabbie’s?
Plans can change, so we let you alter your accommodation choices for free within the first 48 hours of booking. After this time, amendments aren't guaranteed and carry a surcharge. Please contact rooms@rabbies.com if you have any questions.
I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do?
You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.
What if I cancel my tour at short notice?
If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation. And occasionally you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.
What are the accommodation types?
We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard.
The prices below are for guidance only and are based on 2022 rates. We’re working with suppliers to bring you the most up to date pricing for tours departing in 2023.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard
The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is £35 - £50 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single standard room is £40 - £70 per night.
B&B En suite
The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 - £65 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single en suite is £75 - £90 per night.
Hotels
Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £75 - £90 per person per night based on share accommodation. A single is £90 - £150 per night.
Hostels
A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost based on dorm beds is £19 - £27 per person per night.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, you can read our FAQs, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, or email rooms@rabbies.com.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.