Description
We’re testing this tour for a full launch in 2026, so it is currently ONLY available on Tuesday 22nd July 2025!
Itinerary for the Cotswold Castle & Lavender Fields tour:
After picking you up from either Stratford-upon-Avon (08.50AM) or Moreton-in-Marsh (09.30AM), you’ll visit the following locations:
Note: times shown in parentheses are approximately the amount of time you’ll spend in each location. Travel time is also indicated in the descriptions below.
- Cotswold Lavender (1 hour 10 minutes). A 20-minute journey through narrow country lanes from Moreton-in-Marsh brings us to Cotswold Lavender. This family-run farm grows and harvests lavender for use in cosmetics, toiletries and even ice cream! Wander the fragrant rows of purple blooms, humming with bees and butterflies – it’s a photographer and nature lover’s dream! There’s a café and shop selling lavender products, wildflower meadows, and a woodland trail for children to enjoy here too. Entry fee not included: pay on arrival, card payment only (£7.75 adults, £3.50 children aged 5-15).
- Sudeley Castle (2 hours 30 minutes). Heading eastwards, it takes just 20-25 minutes to arrive at the beautiful Sudeley Castle. Once the home of King Henry VIII’s last wife, Catherine Parr, it’s the only privately owned castle to have an English Queen buried within its grounds. The current resident, Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe, converted the house and gardens into a stunning attraction with plenty to wow visitors! Take your time to explore, and perhaps grab a bite to eat at the on-site café. Entry fee not included: pay on arrival (£23.00 adults, £10.00 children aged 3-15 – book online for 10% off).
- If you don’t wish to visit Sudeley Castle, we can drop you off to explore the lovely nearby town of Winchcombe instead.
- Blockley (45 minutes). Leaving Sudeley Castle behind, a charming 30-minute countryside drive brings us to the lovely Cotswold village of Blockley. Or, if you’re a fan of TV’s Father Brown, you might know it better as Kembleford! A classically pretty Cotswold stone village, Blockley is also home to St Peter & Paul’s Church of England church (which doubles as the Roman Catholic church of St Mary’s, in the TV show), and the wonderful community-owned Blockley Village Shop & Café.
Pick up times and locations:
- 08.50: Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 09.30: Moreton-in-Marsh – Moreton-in-Marsh train station (wait in the car park near the ticket office)
If you would like to change your pick up point after booking, you can do so using the ‘Manage this purchase’ link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Go Cotswolds. If you’re not sure which pick up point to choose, please ask!
Drop-off times and locations:
- 16.00 – Moreton-in-Marsh train station
- 16.30 – Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal
If you would like to be picked up in Stratford-upon-Avon and dropped off in Moreton-in-Marsh, or vice versa, no problem!
Train travel
From London (Paddington station), Reading, Oxford, Charlbury, Kingham, Honeybourne, Evesham or Worcester, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
From Birmingham, take a direct train to Stratford-upon-Avon – our pick up point is just a 5-10 minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon train station. (See this Google Map for walking directions.)
We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The times stated above are usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off points – we are often a few minutes earlier, but we can never 100% guarantee this. If you have a flexible ticket, then you can take an earlier train and won’t have to wait around.
However, if you wish to book a particular train to take advantage of cheaper ‘advance single’ tickets, then we recommend you plan to depart after the drop-off times stated above.
We recommend The Trainline* for online train ticket bookings. Book train tickets 6-8 weeks ahead of the travel date (and no more than 12 weeks ahead) for the best prices.
What to wear?
Please dress in comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather conditions. Bring a raincoat or umbrella if it’s raining, and a hat, water and sunscreen if it’s hot. Wear comfortable shoes.
What’s included in the Cotswold Castle & Lavender Fields tour?
- Transport in an executive class, air-conditioned 16-passenger seat Mercedes minibus.
- Plenty of free time, so you can explore several locations in one day.
- Expert insights from one of our fun, friendly driver-guides. All of our guides are locals, so we’ll bring the story of the Cotswolds to life.
What’s not included?
- Lunch and refreshments – bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks at the stops on the tour.
- Entry to Cotswold Lavender – pay on arrival, card payments only (£7.75 adults, £3.50 children aged 5-15)
- Entry to Sudeley Castle – pay on arrival (£23.00 adults, £10.00 children aged 3-15 – book online for 10% off). If you don’t wish to visit Sudeley Castle, we’ll drop you off to explore the nearby town of Winchcombe instead.
Cancellation policy, terms and conditions:
Our Cotswold Castle & Lavender Fields tour may be cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure. No refunds, credit or transfers are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time. Go Cotswolds is not liable to issue refunds or amends for any pre-booked tickets to Sudeley Castle – please refer to the Terms & Conditions on the Sudeley Castle website.
We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour.
Click here for our Terms and Conditions.
