Cotswold Walking Gardens Tour – 6 Days

 

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Windsor Great Park, Savill Garden

We collect you at 8.30 from London at Paddington Station, platform 1, under the clock and take you by bus Windsor, which is about 1 hours’ drive. Central to the Crown’s Estate is Windsor Great Park’s Savill Garden, described as a natural haven of beautifully designed gardens which we tour around before we walk right into the back door of the Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. We tour Windsor Castle, home to the Queen and the royals for approaching 1000 years. We then take the bus to our hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds for a nice, gentle start to your holiday.

Mileage: Walking, 4-6 miles.

Day 2 – Hidcote and Kiftsgate Gardens, Stratford

We visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company and its theatre. If you would like to see a production at the RSC we can organise this for you (bookings need to be made in advance however).

On the way to Stratford we visit the beautiful American inspired gardens at Hidcote, with stunning views over the west of England and its individually designed outdoor “rooms”. We then head next door (literally) to the wonderful Kiftsgate Gardens, inspired by three pioneering women over the last century. The group then walks  down a disused railway line right into the heart of Stratford itself. The tour then returns to the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh for the evening.

Mileage: Walking, 4-6 miles.

Day 3 – Picturesque Cotswolds

The tour then winds its way through the majestic countryside of the Cotswolds, taking in some of the most well-known towns and villages including Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water, The Slaughters, Snowshill and the majestic Broadway Tower. For lunch we stop at the gardens at Snowshill Manor, home to the eccentric Charles Wade who collected a lifetime of antiques and antiquities which are on display in the Manor House.

Mileage: Walking, 4-7 miles

Day 4 – Blenheim Palace, Capability Brown Landscapes

We visit the country home of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site. We walk through the back gate of 2000 acre estate and stroll through the stunning grounds. On arrival at the Palace we provide guests with a sumptuous picnic over-looking the Capability Brown landscaping and give you ample time to explore the historical house and beautiful gardens. We then travel to Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds.

Mileage: Walking, 4-6 miles.

Day 5 – Burford into Oxford

We head through the Cotswolds to the beautiful Cotswold town of Bampton, home to the hit show Downton Abbey (it is the village where all the outside filming is completed) then on to the home of William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement. We also drop in at one of England’s premier Garden Centers, Burford Garden Centre and then take all guests to Oxford by bus in the afternoon for a good look round the historical university town, returning to Burford in the evening.

Mileage: Walking, 4 miles.

Day 6 – The Ridgeway and White Horse Hill

We travel from Burford towards stunning White Horse Hill, the Ridgeway and walk up the hill to one of the most iconic English views with the landscape rolled out like a patchwork quilt. A side visit to the Neolithic long-barrow at Wayland Smithy and then onto lunch at the White Horse in Woolstone, before transit to a mainline railway station and the end of the tour.

Mileage: Walking, 4 miles.

Accommodation

Guests stay in the best 4* hotels in the Cotswolds region, with unbeatable settings, wonderful accommodation and stunning food – just see Trip Advisor for The Manor Hotel. Further options are available for those who want to stay in a country cottage location or in a selection of hand-picked bed and breakfasts or pubs.

Support and Equipment

Walk or bike as much or as little as you like as there are options to suit all ages and abilities. Every day guest will be able to shorten the route if required ensuring guests

Our guides are local experts in history, heritage. They know every gate, stile and pub and will fix all major equipment issues and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

If you choose to bike, we have a fleet of bikes from Giant and flat bar, drop bar, road, hybrid and e-bike options all bike types are catered for. Helmets as standard, just bring your shoes and pedals, if you have them, and away you go.