The Cotswolds, Oxford & Stratford upon Avon

Our first pick up is on the corner of Belvedere Road and Chicheley Street, SE1 7PB. This is the bus pick up and drop off point for the London Eye. This is in the Waterloo area and a short walk from both Waterloo and Westminster Stations. Your bus and guide will normally arrive 5-10 minutes before departure. Look out for a small white bus with “The English Bus” written on the side. A prompt departure is essential so please arrive in plenty of time. See more about the departure point HERE 

Outside the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Victoria, at 2 Bridge Place, SW1V 1QA. See our departure point page HERE. This is a very short walk from Victoria Station. Take exit 1 from the main railway station and turn right. Please be waiting outside the hotel, we will stop to pick you up as close to the hotel entrance as we can.

After we have picked everyone up, and you are sat comfortably, your driver/guide will introduce themselves, and explain the plan for your day. Your guide will provide full commentary on our interesting route out of London, passing some major landmarks on our way. We will make a quick bathroom/coffee/snack stop - you are more than welcome to eat and drink on the bus.

Before arrival, your guide will introduce the town to you, and give you some background of its history and what there is to see and do during our time in Stratford. You may want to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace – which has been restored to it’s 17th century look, or explore the town at your own pace.

We’ll gather an hour after arrival for a walking tour or a panoramic driving tour (weather and passenger mobility dependant) of Stratford, taking in Shakespeare’s birthplace, his old school, some of Stratford’s most historic houses, the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre and finally Holy Trinity Church – the burial site of Shakespeare.

Heading south towards Oxford, we meander through the countryside of Warwickshire before entering the exquisite countryside of the Cotswolds. Your guide will give you full commentary on what you are seeing and the background and history of the Cotswolds.

Entering the Cotswolds through Moreton-in-Marsh, our first stop will be Stow-on-the-Wold – the highest settlement in the Cotswolds and a small historic market town filled with beautiful old Cotswold stone buildings. Perhaps grab a snack from a traditional bakery or enjoy an ice cream while exploring.

Then on to the stunning village of Bibury through the Coln valley, on a scenic route down a narrow road unpassable by a large tour bus, passing through some of the Cotswolds most beautiful hidden villages. - Coln St Dennis, Coln Rogers, Winson, Ablington and popping out in beautiful Bibury.

We'll get out and explore Bibury - visit the famous Arlington Row - the most photographed stone cottages in the Cotswolds, perhaps in England. Admire residents beautiful flower displays in their gardens and soak up views of this stunning village from the banks of the trout filled River Coln.

Beyond the Cotswolds we take the short but scenic route through more countryside to the world famous city of Oxford. Home to the English speaking world's oldest university - the 900 year old University of Oxford. On arrival you’ll have some free time to explore, followed by an hour long optional but complimentary walking tour with your guide. Taking in some of Oxford’s best views, breath-taking buildings and narrow alleys- you’ll learn more about the long history of the city and its university and hear stories of some of its world-famous alumni. After the tour, enjoy more free time to explore, do some shopping and perhaps enjoy a drink and something to eat in one of Oxford's many historical pubs.

Dependent on traffic, we’ll get arrive back in London between 8.15 - 8.30pm. Your guide will plan the route into London based on where you all want to go, and will endeavour to get you as close as possible to your destination. We will also always return to the areas you started the tour, if this is your best option. Speak with your guide so they can make sure you know exactly how to get to where you need to get to.

We may alter the order of the day depending on traffic/weather/special events in order to maximise your enjoyment of the day. Please also note that from late October until mid March, the days are shorter which means that the latter section of the tour will be in the dark. Fear not, this can enhance the experience, and we adapt the tour accordingly.