Private Cotswolds Villages Tour
With its rustic rural charm, rolling hills, vibrant market towns and picturesque villages, the Cotswolds covers nearly 800 square miles of unspoilt countryside. Take this private tour through rolling hills, home to some of the most famous and historic towns and villages of England. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this range of hills in west-central England is packed with history and charm and Cotswold stone. As you make your way through little villages and historic market towns you will have the opportunity to explore the honey-coloured cottages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and The Slaughters. Highlights include a stunning row of 17th century weaver’s cottages and a tranquil river flowing through the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’.
Whether you're travelling as a couple or with friends and family, we're proud to offer a modern vehicles to cater for everyone.
Additional Information
• Experience Starts: 08:30
• Experience Finishes: 18:30 approx.
• Prices are quoted based on an English-speaking Guide. If you wish to have a guide that speaks another language, please send us a request.
• Prices are based on departing and returning to a London location within Zones 1-3
• Full payment required at time of booking. Once confirmed, bookings are subject to our Booking Conditions
• All tours are subject to availability
• Tour operates: Monday-Sunday (excluding 24-26 December & 1 January)
What's included
- Evan Evans Separate Blue Badge Guide & Chauffeur or Knowledgeable Driver Guide (depending on option chosen)
- FREE Wi-Fi on-board
- Travel in a Luxury Vehicle
- Photo opportunities in in all villages
- Pick-up and drop off from your chosen location (London zones 1-3)
- Lunch
Overview
The Cotswolds – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Covering almost 800 square miles and no fewer than five English counties, the Cotswolds are the single largest designated Area of Natural Beauty in the UK. The area was once renowned for its wool production, reminders of which you can still see today. During this experience, you will visit picturesque villages hidden in the heart of the Cotswolds, with honey-coloured limestone period buildings and rich cultural heritage. Relax in your Luxury Private Vehicle with a Blue Badge Guide as you enjoy the best of the English countryside.
Burford – “Gateway to the Cotswolds”
Burford is known as the gateway to the Cotswolds. Its High Street slopes from the high Wolds, where you have beautiful views over the open countryside, down into the pretty Windrush valley.
Choose to visit Burford’s numerous small shops offering Cotswolds cheese, quality meats, freshly made cakes, antiques and books.
Stow-on-the-Wold – “The Market Town”
Stow-on-the-Wold is a charming market town nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, England. Known for its picturesque beauty, it sits atop an 800-foot hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The town's history dates back to the medieval period, with its large market square, testament to its past as a thriving wool trading hub.
Upper and Lower Slaughter – ‘Picture Perfect’
Upper and Lower Slaughter are two picturesque villages nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, offering a quintessential glimpse into the region's timeless beauty. Located just a mile apart, these villages are connected by the River Eye, which meanders peacefully through both, enhancing their idyllic charm. Upper Slaughter is known for its unspoiled, tranquil atmosphere, with honey-colored stone cottages and a historic manor house that exude a sense of serenity. Whilst Lower Slaughter, features a charming old mill with a working waterwheel, now housing a museum and a café. Both villages are virtually untouched by modern development, retaining their historic character and offering a window into England’s past. Be captivated by the gentle beauty of the surrounding countryside, with rolling hills and lush meadows.
Bibury - “The most beautiful village in England”
On arriving at Bibury you may think you have been transported back in time. The village was once described by the British poet, artist and novelist William Morris (1834-96) as “the most beautiful village in England”.
Bibury’s attractions includes Arlington Row, a 17th century row of weavers’ cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln. It is one of the most photographed areas in the region and was chosen as a location for the 2007 film ‘Stardust’. The River Coln flows between the main village street and a water meadow: together with Arlington Row as a backdrop, it makes one of the most picturesque scenes you will find in the Cotswolds.
Bourton-on-the-water – “The Venice of the Cotswolds”
Regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on -the-Water has a unique appeal to visitors and residents alike.
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, this one village offers a wealth of attractions and shops, restaurants and tea rooms, or simply the space for you to enjoy some time by the River Windrush, spanned by its five arched bridges.
Bourton-on-the-Water’s most prized feature is its tranquil river. Fed from many springs, its source is approximately ten miles from the village, and even in the 1976 drought the flow continued.
The earliest evidence of a Christian presence in Bourton-on-the-Water goes back as far as 709AD when a wooden church was built on land donated by the local king, centred to the Abbey of Evesham. Today the parish Church remains the focus of a lively worshipping community in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, extending a warm welcome to visitors.
