Description
- Staying in or near Oxford and wanting to explore beyond the city?
- Travelling alone, with a partner, or a small group?
- Looking for an affordable, car-free option?
Then this is the tour of the Cotswolds for you!
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, shared small-group guided tour then look no further than Go Cotswolds. If you’re visiting Oxford, then our NEW Oxford departures bring the Cotswolds even closer to you!
Itinerary for our Cotswolds Day Tour from Oxford:
After picking you up from central Oxford (St. Giles, see below), you’ll visit the following locations:
Note: We may vary the order in which we visit these locations, but times shown are approximately the amount of time you’ll spend in each location.
- Bampton (45 minutes free time). A scenic route from Oxford city centre brings us to the edge of the Cotswolds and the pretty village of Bampton – though fans of a certain TV show may know it better as ‘Downton’! There are cafés and shops here to stock up on snacks and a small Downton Abbey exhibit for the superfans!
- Shilton (20 mins). The lovely village of Shilton is a hidden gem here in the Cotswolds – off the tourist trail, quiet and peaceful, with a very picturesque ford (river crossing the street). It’s a beautiful place to stop and get snap-happy with your camera!
- Bibury (30 minutes). Home to the iconic ‘Arlington Row’ of chocolate-box cottages, tiny Bibury has been described as “the prettiest village in England”, so will you agree?
- Bourton-on-the-Water (1 hour 15 minutes). In this beautiful and very popular village, pretty Cotswold stone bridges cross the crystal waters of the River Windrush. We’ll arrive here at around 13.15, so now’s the time to choose where you’ll eat your lunch (not included). We suggest you get a grab-and-go lunch so you’ll have time to explore properly – though the fantastic independent tea rooms and cafés can be hard to resist!
- Burford (1 hour). Before heading back to Oxford, we’ll stop in the classic Cotswolds market town of Burford. Hike up ‘The Hill’ for gorgeous cottages and far-reaching views, shop for gifts and antiques, or have a cream tea in one of the local tea-rooms. Don’t miss the impressive ‘wool church’ of St. John The Baptist with its surprising history!
Pick up time and location:
Tours depart from bus stop C, outside The Ashmolean Museum on St Giles, Oxford at 09.30. Please arrive by 09.20.
- Google Maps pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wA2MoPVTHUwefmnm8
- What3Words location: ///game.stays.reward
Kindly note: due to restrictions on vehicles of our size on many streets within Oxford city centre, it is not possible to pick you up from hotels or any other location in Oxford.
Drop-off time and location:
- We return to Oxford (St Giles) by 16.30.
Kindly note: due to restrictions on vehicles of our size on many streets within Oxford city centre, it is not possible to drop you off at hotels or any other location in Oxford.
Train travel
From London (Paddington or Marylebone stations), Reading, Banbury or Birmingham New Street, take a direct train to Oxford station. From here, it’s approximately a 14-minute walk to our pick up point on St Giles, outside the Ashmolean Museum.
We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The time stated above is usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off point – 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 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?
- Transport in an executive class, air-conditioned 16-passenger seat Mercedes minibus.
- Plenty of free time, so you can explore several beautiful places in the Cotswolds in one day.
- Maps of each location, highlighting our recommended things to see and do, so you can make the most of your free time.
- 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.
- Gratuities – tips are never expected but always appreciated by our hardworking team
Cancellation policy, terms and conditions:
Our Cotswolds Day Tour from Oxford may be amended, or cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure. No refunds are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour.
Click here for our Terms and Conditions.
