Delve deeper into the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon than you could independently in a day on this small-group tour from Oxford. With a driver-guide and minivan transport to free you from travel hassles, you can simply enjoy the scenery on route to Stratford. After a guided walk and optional visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace, criss-cross through the Cotswolds, dipping into stone villages along the way.

Visit the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon in a day from Oxford
Minivan travel and guide: see and learn more than you could independently
Visit Stratford and Cotswolds villages, plus panoramic Cotswolds drive
Limited to 12 for personal feel, with north Oxford hotel pickup and drop-off

What's Included

Bottled water
Beverages
Blue Badge guide
Live commentary on board
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels in North Oxford)
Pick up on request from Oxford Railway Station

Lunch
Entrances to Shakespeare Houses

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Taylor Institution Library
St Giles', Oxford OX1 3NA, UK
Tour departs from coach bays next to Taylorian Institution Library in St Giles. Please arrive at the departure point 10 minutes before the tour is due to depart. Please look for a dark blue minibus with ‘Explore Oxford and the Cotswolds’ written on the sides.

Start time

09:30 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Woodstock (Pass By)

Shakespeare's Birthplace

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Great Tew

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Anne Hathaway's Cottage & Gardens

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

High Street Chipping Campden

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Snowshill

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bourton-on-the-Water

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Burford Visitor Information Centre (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please note that this tour is not recommended for children under 12 years old.
Stroller accessible

Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Laura_A

We had a wonderful time on this tour. The tour guide is a wealth of knowledge, the driver is amazing, and the landscape is stunning. The Cotswolds and Strafford Upon Avon are beyond lovely, with quaint cottages, flowing rivers, shopping, and dining. All we had to do was sit back and take it all in. I cannot recommend this tour enough.

Reviews

5.0

28 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 28 reviews

Wonderful tour/ great guide and driver--Just what I was looking for!

Laura_P, Jul 2023

This was a full day tour from Oxford. The guide, Isobel and the driver were excellent and the day brought several stops for exploring & photos. Beside being very knowledgable and personable, they conveniently stopped in places with restrooms and pointed out the sights not to be missed in the various locations. The day seemed to go by quickly--I didn't know if 8-9 hours would be too much, but it wasn't. Nice group of fellow travelers, nice mini-van & expert driver. Highly recommended!

Our Best Day!

Laura_A, Jun 2023

Worth it

Emilia_T, Jun 2023

I enjoyed the scenery and the knowledge history details given by Isabel and David’s driving made me feel safe the whole time.

The guide was extremely...

Pamela_Z, Jun 2023

The guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed the entire tour to Stratford upon Avon and various villages in the Cotswolds & it was good value for money. Fantastic!!! Thank you 😊

Excellent tour - highly recommended

Richard_O, May 2023

Wonderful tour -- it was delightful! Tour guides were very knowledgable and enthusiastic. Able to get to areas where we just would not have visited otherwise. Area and sites were definitely worth visiting!

Alright

Manda_C, May 2023

Bus was too hot and fairly cramped, and it’s only the beginning of May. Tour stops were fine. I wish there was more of an opportunity to enjoy a scenic walk through the countryside, rather than only town centres, but this was not an advertised part of the tour

Response from Host, May 2023

I’m sorry that you were disappointed that there was not more walking in the countryside. The Stratford tour is really more about visiting Shakespeare’s home and only part of the day is in the Cotswolds. We do run tours that go to more small villages where you can walk around more.

Memorable Experience!

Pradeep_S, May 2023

The tour guide was excellent. She explained all venues and history on tour very well, to made trip worth!

Fantastic!

Gerald_R, Apr 2023

The guy seem to be so knowledgeable about launch about the history and geography of the area. She also knew so much about the current happenings in the area. She was so friendly (Isabella), and made the tour so enjoyable I tried to book the next day with her, and she was already full. What an extraordinary tour guide and tour this was! I would definitely do this tour again, if I had the chance.

A Cotswold day trip to Stratford upon Avon

Robert_C, Aug 2022

A well-narrated excursion visiting quintessential Cotswold villages, culminating in a 2 hour visit to the hometown of William Shakespeare. A small group tour conducted by a very knowledgeable guide, Isobel,made this an intimate, informative and personal experience.

Cotswolds and Straford -upon-Avon 1 day tour

Alexander_V, Jul 2018

Isobel and David were friendly,very knowledgeable and helpful. Thank you so very much!! I would recommend them to anyone who takes this tour.

We loved it! Our guide was very...

Donald G, Sep 2017

We loved it! Our guide was very knowledgeable as well as being easy to listen to. She gave interesting stories and context, as well as great facts, kept us entertained and informed the whole way. It was great being in the smaller bus because it felt more personal. There was just enough time at each stop, we loved going through Shakespeare's birthplace and Anne Hathaway's cottage again as it had been 22 years. Plenty of info about Oxford, the University and the surrounding area. I'd highly recommend this team!

Tour guide lady was excellent. She...

Shamila D, Jul 2017

Tour guide lady was excellent. She had so many stories to tell about places we visited or passed by, she was informative, funny and entertaining. I did not feel rushed at all and thoroughly enjoyed the visits to Shakespeare's birthplace and Anne Hathaway's home for both of which you have to pay an extra 16 GBP. The van was comfortable and the tour was paced well. Would recommend highly.