Cotswolds Cultural Guided Walking Tour
At a Glance
- 6 days, 5 nights
- 3 or 4 star hotels
- Guided
- Up to 16 guests
- Pickup: Oxford
- Carbon: 82kg CO2e
- Difficulty: Easy
- 2x Dinners
From
£2549
$3319
Per Person, Double Occupancy
Explore the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds and Bath at a gentler pace
Step into a world of honey-hued villages, winding country paths, and centuries old stories on this cultural walking tour through the heart of England. Designed for those who prefer to explore at a relaxed pace, this journey blends gentle walking with rich cultural experiences. From Oxfordโs dreaming spires and the grandeur of Blenheim Palace to the hidden gardens of Hidcote and the ancient mosaics of a Roman villa.
With handpicked stays in characterful country hotels and expert local guides leading the way, youโll experience Englandโs heritage and natural beauty in the most enriching and unhurried way possible, whilst still being outdoors amongst nature.
Whether youโre a culture lover, history buff, or simply seeking a slower pace in beautiful surroundings, this tour invites you to walk, taste, and discover the Cotswolds and beyond.
Tour Highlights
- Traditional punting on the River in Oxford
- Tour of Blenheim Palace and visit Churchillโs grave in Bladon
- Visit Broadway Tower with sweeping countryside views
- Spend an afternoon at Sudeley Castle, burial place of Queen Katherine Parr
- Explore the Roman Villa of Chedworth
- Immerse yourself in nature at the stunning Westonbirt Arboretum
- Walking tour of Bath city including the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, and Jane Austen highlights
Your Itinerary
Settle into life in England with our pre-trip extension in Oxford, the โcity of dreaming spires.โ Saunter around the university colleges, explore the botanical gardens or take a sip of Old Rosie at the Turf Tavern, one of Oxfordโs oldest pubs. If you have time after all this, take to the water on a punt (a flat-bottomed wooden boat) and travel the short distance from Magdalen Bridge along Christ Church Meadows.
Accommodation for pre-night โ Voco Spires, Oxford
Accommodation for night 1: Voco Spires Hotel, Oxford
4 miles (with extension options)
Accommodation for nights 2 and 3: Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
Accommodation for nights 2 and 3: Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh
Accommodation for nights 4 and 5: Hare & Hounds Hotel, Tetbury
Known for its hot springs, Roman baths, splendid Georgian architecture, and as the home of Jane Austen, Bath delights visitors with its quintessentially English charm. Your post trip extension includes an additional night in the city, one night’s hotel stay and entry to the famous baths.
Accommodation for post-night – Hampton By Hilton Bath City
Due to local scheduling, activity time is subject to change. Accommodations vary depending on departure date.
Dates & Booking
Map
Good To Know
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Gallery
Handpicked Accommodation
voco Oxford Spires Hotel
Voco Oxford Spires is a stylish hotel located on the outskirts of Oxford, set in a beautiful parkland area by the River Thames. The hotel features a modern design while incorporating elements of classic elegance. Voco Oxford Spires is also well-positioned for exploring the historic city of Oxford.
The Manor House Hotel
The Hare & Hounds Hotel
What our guides say...
I love to explore Englandโs rich history and culture and this tour allows you to slow down and absorb the centuries of history and tradition all around us.
Trip Extensions
Pre-Trip: Oxford
- Voco Spires
1 night
Post-Trip: Bath
- Hampton by Hilton
1 night
Detailed Information
Whatโs Included
- All accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- All breakfasts and 2 x dinners (excluding dinner drinks)
- GPS routes, provided via RideWithGPS (app available for Apple or Android)
- All special events, iconic points of interests, expert guests and entrance fees (where specified)
- All transportation from rendezvous to farewell locations
- All baggage transportation
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service
- Services of a professional local guide
- 24/7 emergency telephone support
Accommodation Types
Difficulty Level
What difficulty rating is this tour?
Easy. This tour is rated easy โ itโs appropriate for guests who enjoy shorter, less demanding walks. Your holiday, however, will be tailored by your guide to suit your individual preferences and rewarding views are guaranteed! Daily distances range from 2-4 miles.
Is this tour suited to seniors?
Our Active England guided walking holidays in the UK are enjoyed by travellers of all ages, but are particularly popular amongst the over 60โs. As an easy tour, this walking holiday is suited to all seniors.
Equipment Provided
Pre & Post Tour Travel
For pre and post tour options, please see our London packages.
Pick-up location: Oxford railway station. Our holidays are designed to be completely relaxing, with the start of our tours sitting within easy reach of London, Bristol or the Midlands. This tour begins from Oxford, a direct 1.5-hour train journey out of London, so that you can begin your holiday stress-free.
End-of-tour location: Kemble railway station.
FAQ's
Where are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds National Landscape (previously referred to as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty โ AONB) stretches from Bath in the South to Stratford Upon Avon in the North, and across to Oxford in the East. An iconic pocket of England with breath-taking natural beauty, rolling hills and historic towns and villages, built from the golden Cotswold stone.
What is the best way to get out of London into the Cotswolds?
The best way into the Cotswolds from London and most major cities is by a direct train from Paddington into Oxford, Moreton-in-Marsh or Bath Spa. Our trips begin from mainline stations so you can arrive relaxed, refreshed and ready to start your tour. If you prefer to drive, please confirm with our team the best place to park for each tour.
Can I join a tour as a solo traveller?
Of course! All our trips are open for single travellers to join. You will have a great time on our walking tours whether travelling on your own, as a couple, family or group, meeting like-minded people on our guided trips, or choosing your own adventure on our self-guided tours. โAs a single female, I would not hesitate to go on another Active England trip as a solo travellerโ. S.G.
How hilly are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds are a range of hills, with its name stemming from โCoteโ meaning sheep enclosure and โwoldโ meaning hills. There are therefore lots of hills and incredible views from the top! However, you will able to miss out some of the steeper inclines โ or add in some hillier walk for those looking to stretch their legs. There are routes for everyone and with our routes your guide will tailor your tour to your preferences.
Why choose a guided holiday?
Our guides are the beating heart of our tours and can make all the difference to the enjoyment of your walking holiday โ so we make sure to choose them VERY carefully! They are driven, knowledgeable, know how to have A LOT of fun and importantly will take you on the โroad less travelledโ across the Cotswolds. They know the best spots for making your walking tour truly different and truly magical!
Reviews
Make this trip private
Our private tours are based on our tried and tested group departures with two key differences. They offer you the freedom to travel when you wish and with whoever you’d like to holiday with.
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Carbon Footprint
Whatโs the Number?
Nearly everything has a carbon footprint. Together with ecollective, weโve measured the carbon impact of not only every tour we operate but our entire business. Weโve taken into account greenhouse gas emissions across the business including office, travel, website, vehicles, accommodation, activities, food, suppliersโฆ
What does the number mean?
Weโre going to improve this by measuring and reducing our footprint each year. That means working with our suppliers to make changes that have a more positive impact on us and the planet. What does this look like in reality?
- Redesign trips to reduce our carbon impact
- Working closely with all our suppliers across England to join us on our decarbonisation journey
- Switching up our vehicle fleet to electric
- Investing in projects that permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere for any emissions that remain.
Weโve got a long way to go but weโre on our way to net-zero
Weโre committed to reducing our impact on the planet and working towards a sustainable future. Weโve taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year.
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