The Heart of England - Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds

After the meet and greet service we transfer you to your hotel where you can check in. You will have some downtime to familiarise yourself with your surroundings - there are nice gardens and a path along the river by the hotelto explore. Recommendations for places to eat and drink will be provided.

We start the day with a walking tour of Oxford. Here you will get to admire the beauty and tradition of the numerous colleges and their gardens, and check out the Bodleian Library - the oldest in Europe dating back to 1602. After a break for lunch we then re-convene to visit the Ashmolean Museum, followed shortly afterwards by the Pitt Rivers Museum which displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University. We finish with a dinner locally in Oxford.

Today we head north to Stratford-Upon-Avon (approximately one hour drive) to explore the birthplace of William Shakespeare and theatres associated with his fine work. Enjoy the delights of this charming town with its traditional stores, charming river and cosy pubs and restaurants. In the afternoon we head to Warwick castle to fully explore this world famous sight before returning back to Oxford in time for dinner.

Today is about exploring the Cotswolds! We start the day on the edge of the region by visiting Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winstone Churchill was born. This stunning setting is truly memorable so it worth savouring every moment! We then continue on to Burford, a beautiful town in the heart of the Cotswolds for lunch. We then head to Bourton-on-the-Water, famous for its honey-coloured stone architecture and model village, and also check out Bibury. The charm of these Cotswold villages will really stand out, with thatched roof cottages, cobbled streets and of course many red telephone boxes! We return to Oxford for dinner.

After breakfast we head to the West country. Our first stop is the city of Bath, where we dive into Roman history and culture here with a tour of the Roman Baths. After Bath we go on to Bristol to admire the SS Great Britain and Brunel's world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, offering spectacular views of the city and home to fascinating plant life. After lunch in Bristol (don't miss the opportunity to have local cider if you get the chance!) we then move on to Gloucester to visit the stunning cathedral as well as Tewkesbury Abbey - absolute must-sees in this area, before we return to Oxford for dinner.

Today is our last full day, with a focus on sustainability. You can choose between either visiting and engaging in our local sustainability project, which involves the restoration of a meadow in the local area. Alternatively, you can walk the Thames path, which is a beautiful route along the river down to Abingdon. This is one of the oldest towns in Britain and is home to some brilliant pubs and restaurants. After lunch here we will take you back to Oxford where you can enjoy your final afternoon of your trip at leisure and reflect on your adventure in the heart of England!

After breakfast we will transport you back to Heathrow airport for your flight home, unless you choose to connect to one of our post-trip itineraries or other adventures within the UK!