The English cities of Gloucester and Cheltenham provide the ideal base for touring Blenheim Palace and exploring the Cotswolds, an area of thatched-roof cottages, stone bridges and cosy pubs.Take a Gloucester and Cheltenham private tour and explore this beautiful region with a local guide.

Founded by Romans in the 1st century, Gloucester grew rich during the Middle Ages as a wool producing and shipping port. Meet your guide at the Cathedral to see the soaring stained glass windows. Walk along Northgate past timber-framed Tudor houses, then head for Cheltenham Spa, named for the healing waters.

Tour Blenheim Palace, built in the 18th century for the Dukes of Marlborough, then drive through rolling green hills to the limestone villages of Stow and Bourton, returning via the 'wool church' of Chipping Camden. Gardeners can request a horticultural-themed tour, while literary historians will adore Dymock, where poets Robert Frost, Rupert Brooke and Edward Thomas wrote their famed verses.

Gloucester-and-Cheltenham

Famous around the world as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, this delightful and historic town lies on the bank of the river Avon. This is the setting for our morning walk exploring the life and times of William, his family. You will find out about where he was born, went to school, prayed and lived. You will see the site of his house where he died and the church where he was buried.

In the footsteps of William Shakespeare, Bard of Avon

Stratford upon Avon walking Tour

Our tour today takes us through the beautiful countryside of the northern Cotswolds where we will see some of the famous villages such as Stow on the Wold, Broadway, Chipping Campden plus some of the lesser-known villages that are "off the beaten track".

With time for lunch and a gentle stroll, we enjoy stories and tales from the history, people, and events that have shaped this most beautiful landscape. With stunning views at every turn, we discover how and why this region is designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cotswold dry stone wall surrounding ancient parish church

Happy days walking in the Cotswolds countryside

Exploring the Northern Cotswolds

Cotswolds Private Tour

This one day Private tour of the North Cotswolds is ideal for first time visitors to the area. Starting and finishing at your hotel in the Cotswolds we cover all the main spots in the Cotswolds as well as some of the quieter villages all of which are easily covered in one day, with plenty of time for stopping off and enjoying the scenery and atmosphere.

The days itinerary is flexible so places can be added to the tour or certain spots missed depending on time and your preferences. As this is a custom tour we will try and build a fun day out based on your preferences and wishes. As a guide, some of the villages/landmarks in the North Cotswolds we may visit include the following.

Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Snowshill, The Slaughters, Broadway Tower, Stanway, Winchcombe, Burford.

You may also choose to visit one of the following attractions located in the Cotswolds (entrance fees apply).

Kiftgate Court Gardens

Snowshill Manor House

Sudeley Castle

Blenheim Palace

The best of the Cotswolds in one day with a private driver-guide

Classic Cotswolds Tour

A Half Day Tour of the Highlights of the Cotswolds 4-5 hours

I will pick you up from your hotel, or train or bus station, in the Cotswolds, and drop you back there at the end of the tour. We can start this tour whenever you like.
We will visit some of the best known places in the Cotswolds but also go on some of the quaint backroads.
For train stations I suggest Cheltenham.
Let me know if you are a fan of the TV series Father Brown as I can include Blockley in the tour which is known as Kembleford.
It is really hard to do a half day tour of 4 hours as the villages are spread apart, so 4 hours will probably be more like 5 hours.
This tour is flexible so we can change the start time and the route according to where I pick you up and to what you have already seen.

Let's explore Chipping Campden, Stow on the World, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Bourton on the Water

A Half Day Tour of the Highlights of the Cotswolds 4 hours

Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle Full Day tour

The delightful and vibrant riverside town of Stratford upon Avon is where we begin our tour to explore the birthplace of the most famous playwright in the world - William Shakespeare.
Born into a local, middle class family in 1564. Surviving a terrible plague that was rife in the town that year, he grew up during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st. Dangerous times full of intrigue & religious intolerance, which he would later weave into his plays.

The afternoon is spent at the most complete medieval castle in England.
Situated above the the banks of the River Avon this most magnificent castle was the ancestral home of the Earls of Warwick one of whom was named the 'Kingmaker'.
Here you can visit the dungeon before climbing the spiral stairs of the highest towers to stand on the battlements from where you can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside. With so many exciting attractions, beautiful gardens and fascinating stories from history, this is a visit to satisfy the whole family.

Life and times of William Shakespeare & the Earls of Warwick

A Full Day Tour of the Highlights of the Cotswolds

Your pickup points can be Cheltenham, Gloucester, Moreton in Marsh or any of the Cotswold villages. Please contact me about this as I am flexible.
Should your pick up point be Oxford, Bath or Stratford Upon Avon, I will have to charge extra because of the distance and traffic. Please check with me regarding my availability and what you would like to do.
We will go off the beaten track and visit the picturesque and famous villages of
Bourton on the Water, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Stow on the World, Chipping Campden, Broadway Tower, Broadway and Snowhill. I will also include some hidden gems and some interesting local tales!
Let me know if you are a fan of the TV series Father Brown as I can include Blockley in the tour which is known as Kembleford!

Let's explore Bourton on the Water, The Slaughters, Stow on the World, Chipping Campden, Broadway Tower, Broadway and Snowshill

Stratford upon Avon Half Day Walking Tour

Famous around the world as the birthplace of the playwright William Shakespeare, this delightful and vibrant riverside town is the setting for our morning walk exploring the life and times of William, his family, friends, and associates.

From the birthplace, we take a gentle stroll beside the river and through the streets that were familiar to William Shakespeare. Along the way we see where he went to school, the site of the house that he retired to on his return from London - and his final resting place in the Parish Church.

In the Footsteps of William Shakespeare

A Full Day Tour Of Castles, Towers, Deer Parks and Market Places in the Cotswolds!

Your pick up points can be in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcester, Evesham, Stratford on Avon, Oxford, Moreton in Marsh, or any of the Cotswolds villages. Please contact me about this as I am flexible.

This tour is of the Northern Cotswolds and gives you a chance to visit some National Trust Properties and gardens like Hidcote Manor near Chipping Campden and Kiftsgate Court Gardens, which are next door to each other,
Snowhill Manor near Broadway,
Broadway Tower
and Studeley castle in Winchcombe.
(It is also possible to explore Blenheim Palace, for this we will make up a different route).
I will also add some hidden gems and tell you some interesting tales of the area.
Some of these places would have to be pre-booked.
You can choose up to three places to visit and we will include some picturesque villages in-between.

It can include, Winchcombe, Broadway, Broadway Tower, Snowshill Manor, Chipping Campden and Hidcote Gardens.

Let's explore Studeley Castle, Hidcote Manor, Kifsgate Court Gardens Broadway Tower

My Cotswold tour takes you on a journey through the Cotswolds, the heart of rural England.
Meander through the lanes of tranquil villages, tucked away down hidden valleys, nestled among the gently rolling hills of this quintessentially English countryside. We will visit the ancient market towns where you can stroll around the local antique shops, spoil yourself with a traditional English cream-tea or enjoy the sunshine in one of the beer gardens of an Old English pub.

We visit villages such as Castle Combe (known as the prettiest village in England), Snowshill, Bibury, Lower Slaughter and Market towns like Tetbury (home of Highgrove), Burford, Chipping Campden and Broadway.

Beautiful English countryside tour, including medieval villages and market towns

Three Day Tour of the Cotswolds

A Full Day Tour Meandering Through The Southern Cotswolds!

Here are some suggestions for this tour - we can visit some of these, your choice!
The Southern Cotswolds are different to the Northern villages but just as pretty.
Bibury is known for the picturesque Arlington Row cottages which were built in 1380 as a monastic wool store.
They were converted into a row of weavers' cottages in the 17th century.
Cirencester used to be called Corium in Roman times
Lacock Abbey, which started as a nunnery in the 1200s, before becoming a Tudor home, is sometimes used as a film set for Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. It is surrounded by the pretty village of Lacock itself.
Castle Combe is another quaint and really pretty village, not to be missed!
Biddestone a cute village used for filming Agatha Raisin
Tetbury the local town to King Charles's family home of Highgrove House and Gardens

Let's explore Lacock, Malmsbury, Cirencester, Bibury and Castle Combe

A Full day tour exploring the Coln Valley, Chedworth Roman Villa, Bibury, Burford and Cirencester.

Your pick up points can be in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Worcester, Stratford, Evesham, Oxford, Moreton in Marsh or any of the Cotswolds villages. Please feel free to contact me about this as I am flexible.
This tour is one of my favourite tours as the countryside is truly beautiful and the lovely River Coln meanders through valley. It is off the beaten track and is probably the best kept secret of the Cotswolds.
We visit Chedworth Roman Villa, one of 50 in the area, with it's amazing mosaics. You will step back in time and learn about how the Romans lived and what they did for us.
You might see trout swimming in the River Coln at Bibury and its resident black swan and you will learn about the wool industry and see some lovely weavers cottages.
Bibury was described by William Morris (1834-96) as "the most beautiful village in England".
At Cirencester you can visit the Corinium Museum which has some beautiful Roman mosaic floors.
Burford is a pretty village on a hillside steeped in history too.

Let's explore what the Romans did for us and the impact of the sheep industry in the Cotswolds!

A Full Day Tour Of the Hidden Gems of the Southern Cotswolds!

Your pick up points can be in Cheltenham, Gloucester or any of the Cotswolds villages. Please feel free to contact me about this as I am flexible. If you are in Bath, Oxford or London, please contact me.
On this tour I will take you to some spectacular 'out of the way places' of the hidden Western and Southern Cotswolds.
You'll see the parts of the Cotswolds that the average tourist does not get to see.
If it is on a Saturday we could visit the iconic farmers market in Stroud enroute!
It will include scenic, narrow country lanes, picturesque villages, a large common with cattle grazing free, locally made ice cream and the beautiful town of Cirencester which was called Corinium in Roman times.
The Southern Cotswolds is more hilly and you will see some stunning views.

Dining room at Chedworth Roman villa with mosaics depicting the seasons

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