Oxford & Traditional Cotswold Villages
1 day tour
A relaxed day out exploring Oxford and the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds.
Tour map
Highlights
Places you explore
Oxford University - Take in the stunning spire-studded skyline of the English speaking world’s oldest University.
Great Hall of Christ Church College - It’s the only college in the world that’s also a cathedral. What’s more is it’s absolutely gorgeous!
Traditional Cotswold Villages - These picturesque villages will fill up your camera’s memory in seconds.
Bampton - Downton Abbey fans and history lovers will enjoy this traditional village’s honey coloured cottages.
Bibury - This town arguably boasts the most charming village views in all of England.
Your journey
The Cotswolds are like stepping into a landscape painting. Vivid green colours, lush waterways and the most delightful cottages. And Oxford needs no introduction. The city of students, spires and sumptuous cathedrals is as inspirational as it is fascinating. Join this tour and experience two of England’s most deservedly-famous locations.
Tour Details
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
Itinerary
You head north west out of London, passing close to Pinewood Film Studios and through the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The picturesque countryside here is stunning and has inspired the television shows, Midsummer Murder and Vicar of Dibley.
Your first stop is Oxford, where you have time to explore the precincts of the many colleges, climb one of the vantage points to take in the skyline, or see the art and antiquities collections in the Ashmolean Museum. The choice is yours.
We then spend the afternoon touring the beautiful villages of the Cotswolds, with their tiny ironstone cottages that have remained unchanged for centuries.
We’ll visit Bampton, a village with a long association with traditional Morris Dancing. You can explore the magnificent parish church of St Mary, where many iconic scenes from Downton Abbey were filmed.
Our next stop is in Burford, the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. It’s a small market town with enormous character and a huge history. The main street is lined with gorgeously quaint cottages and properties.
You have time to take in the local charm and hospitality; and if you’re thirsty you could have a traditional English ‘Afternoon Tea’. Finally, you make the short journey to Bibury, described by William Morris as the prettiest village in England, and the place that Henry T Ford wished to dismantle and ship back to the USA.
Here we have time to stroll past the famous and fairytale-like Arlington Row. After a full day exploring the city of Oxford and the villages of the Cotswolds we’ll embark on the comfortable return journey to London.
This route may be reversed on some occasions.
Customer Reviews
I had a lovely time on my tour!
Riley Posted on 17/04/2018I had a lovely time on my tour and wanted to thank Rabbies and James, my driver. I loved seeing Oxford and the Cotswolds! The personal touches from James made the trip much more enjoyable. I wrote all about it on my blog as well if anyone wants to hear more, google Rileys Roves.
Oxford and Cotwolds
Nataliya Posted on 19/05/2017May17
Oxford and Cotwolds
Nataliya Posted on 19/05/2017May17
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies.
What are your cancellation policies?
We have a cancellation period of three days for our one day tours, and 21 days for longer tours. If cancelled outside this period, we'll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion. Click here to view full terms and conditions.
What is a guaranteed departure?
It's simple: you book, you go. This means we'll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance. You can click here for excellent rates.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com, or check out our full FAQs.
4 reasons to choose Rabbie's
Travel the local way on small group tours of 16 people or less
You'll have a guaranteed experience, or your money back
Guaranteed departures: you book, you go
Our eco-friendly tours support local communities
