English Charm – Exploring the Cotswolds

The Guzman Family

Sunday 14th July – Sunday 21st July 2024

Number of Travellers: 4
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Overview

On a bespoke, thoughtfully curated trip, enjoy exploring the beauty of the Cotswolds. A region cherished for its pastoral charm, the landscape is a tapestry of lush river valleys, rolling green fields and villages of honey-coloured stone. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the region is also rich in history – peppered with ancient ruins, tumbling castles and intriguing archaeological sites. With a fantastic network of quiet rural lanes, leafy bridleways, and winding riverside trails, it’s the perfect place to explore by foot and by bicycle. Joined by a knowledgable Wilderness guide, visit the stunning cities of Bath and Oxford, Snowhill’s famous Lavender Fields and take a tour behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company. As the soft evening light slips below the hedgerows, relax in hand-picked, bespoke accommodation and enjoy delicious meals full of fresh, seasonal produce.

 

 

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 14th July | Windsor Castle & Stonehenge | Overnight: Bath

Day 2 | Monday 15th July | Explore Bath | Overnight: Bath

Day 3 | Tuesday 16th July | Exploring the Cotswolds by Bike | Overnight: Cirencester

Day 4 | Wednesday 17th July | Malmesbury and Cirencester | Overnight: Cirencester

Day 5 | Thursday 18th July | Cycle & Westonbirt Arboretum | Overnight: Kingham

Day 6 | Friday 19th July | Lavender Fields & Broadway Tower | Overnight: Kingham

Day 7 | Saturday 20th July | Shakespeare & Stratford upon Avon | Overnight: Kingham

Day 8 | Sunday 21st July | Blenheim Palace, Oxford & Depart

Highlights

  • Enjoy cycling along leafy bridleways and quiet country lanes with your knowledgable Wilderness guide.
  • Explore pretty limestone villages full of classic Cotswold architecture and quintessential English charm.
  • Stay in traditional local inns, enjoying excellent cuisine and welcoming hospitality.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 14th July - Windsor Castle & Stonehenge

Meet your Wilderness guide this morning at your Heathrow hotel and wind your way out of London to Windsor, which is crowned by the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. Spend a few hours exploring the castle. Then, travel west to the beautiful city of Bath – an elegant city full of traditional heritage that has been a well-being destination since Roman times. Along the way, stop at Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world and the largest of its kind in Britain. Arrive in Bath this evening, check in to your welcoming hotel and relax before dinner.

Overnight: Bath | The Bird

Day 1 - Guide Details - Keith McGregor Read More +

Name: Keith McGregor
Contact Number: +44 (0) 7779294476
Meeting Place: Sheraton Heathrow Hotel | Meeting Time: 09:30

Keith will meet you in the lobby of your hotel at 9:30am.

Day 1 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Bird
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://www.thebirdbath.co.uk/food-drink/the-restaurant/

Please pay locally

Day 2 - Monday 15th July - Explore Bath

Today, enjoy exploring Bath. Admire the beautiful Georgian architecture as you visit some of the city’s most notable landmarks, such as the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge. You’ll take the opportunity to visit the Roman Baths and enjoy walking through 2000-year-old history. After lunch, stop by the Victoria Arts Gallery, a tranquil and thought-provoking place beyond busy streets. You might also want to visit Bath Abbey or the Jane Austen Centre, which offers an insight into what life was like during Regency times and explores how living in Bath affected Austen and her writing. Enjoy dinner tonight in this pretty city before heading into the country tomorrow.

Overnight: Bath | The Bird
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 2 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Cote
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://www.cote.co.uk/

Please pay locally

Day 3 - Tuesday 16th July - Exploring the Cotswolds by Bike

After breakfast, join your guide for a beautiful, relaxed ride taking you from Bath into the heart of the Cotswold countryside, visiting Castle Combe and Tetbury. England’s largest area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), the landscape here is a medley of rolling green fields, honey-coloured villages and ancient deciduous woodland. Explore pretty market squares and charming artisanal shops, stop at historical sites and learn about the region’s fascinating history. With the freedom to adjust and change your route as you wish, enjoy a thoroughly lovely day on two wheels.

Overnight: Cirencester | Wild Thyme and Honey
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Crown at Wild Thyme and Honey
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://www.wildthymeandhoney.co.uk/eat-at-the-crown/

Please pay locally

Day 4 - Wednesday 17th July - Malmesbury and Cirencester

As the morning light spills through the windows, join your guide for an engaging circular ride that passes in and out of honey-coloured villages. Cycle past Highgrove, a private residence of His Majesty King Charles III, before continuing to Malmesbury to visit the Abbey. With a rich history, Malmesbury Abbey is thought to have been home to the first king of England (King Athelstan the Glorious). This afternoon, make your way along the leafy lanes back to your hotel, where a hot shower followed by a cool drink will carry you into another relaxing evening.

Overnight: Cirencester | Wild Thyme and Honey
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Crown at Wild Thyme and Honey
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://www.wildthymeandhoney.co.uk/eat-at-the-crown/

Please pay locally

Day 5 - Thursday 18th July - Cycle & Westonbirt Arboretum

After breakfast, head out into the sunshine for a picturesque pedal to Westonbirt Arboretum. Enjoy listening to the cheerful song of the blackbird as you weave by thick hedgerows and past fields dotted with grazing sheep. Arrive at Westonbirt and spend some time exploring the 600-acre arboretum. With 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of tree from all over the globe, it plays a vital role in research and conservation and is a beautiful place to visit. Don’t miss the Treetop Walkway for a bird’s-eye view of the canopy and a unique perspective on this living museum of trees. This evening, enjoy another delicious dinner at a cosy local restaurant.

Overnight: Kingham | The Wild Rabbit
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Details Read More +

Restaurant: Wild Rabbit
Reservation Time: 19:15
Website: https://thewildrabbit.co.uk/fine-dining/

Please pay locally

Day 6 - Friday 19th July - Lavender Fields & Broadway Tower

This morning, head to Snowshill to experience the aromatic fields of purple lavender that ripple like waves in the breeze. Visit the distillery to see where the lavender oil is extracted, and stop by the cabin shop. This afternoon, walk a lovely section of the Cotswold Way – a 164km trail that stretches from the charming old wool merchants’ town of Chipping Camden to the Roman city of Bath. Chipping Campden’s high street is architecturally stunning, with most buildings having been built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Leaving the village, enjoy the way the landscape changes underfoot and the views that stretch from fence post to fence post towards the horizon. On arrival to Broadway, climb the town’s famous gothic folly, which offers a panorama of the surrounding bucolic countryside.

Overnight: Kingham | The Wild Rabbit
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Kingham Plough
Website: https://thekinghamplough.co.uk/food-and-drink/

Please pay locally

Day 7 - Saturday 20th July - Shakespeare & Stratford upon Avon

Visit Stratford-upon-Avon this morning, a charming market town which is well known as the birthplace and burial ground of William Shakespeare. Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company, learning about those who have played a pivotal role in its unique and fascinating history. Grab a coffee and stroll around the town, perhaps popping into some of the artisanal shops that nestle together on the historic streets. This afternoon, enjoy a mellow walk, rambling through the pastoral landscape and being surrounded by the peace of nature.

Overnight: Kingham | The Wild Rabbit
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Details Read More +

Restaurant: The Wild Rabbit
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://thewildrabbit.co.uk/fine-dining/

Please pay locally

Day 8 - Sunday 21st July - Blenheim Palace, Oxford & Depart

After breakfast, head out to visit the incredible Blenheim Palace. Built between 1705 and 1722, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is notable as the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill. With ornate interiors – where every portrait, tapestry and furnishing has a story, enjoy soaking up the history before taking a stroll around the meticulously curated, expansive grounds. Later, head to Oxford and enjoy a walking tour of the historical city. An established town since the 9th century, people have inhabited this area for thousands of years. With stunning architecture, walking through its bustling cosmopolitan streets makes for a lovely final afternoon of your trip. Catch a train back into London this evening, where your trip will conclude.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 8, including all parking fees – not including train to London
  • Bike hire and maintaince throughout the trip
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary, including:
    • Entry to Windsor Castle
    • Entry to Stonehenge
    • Entry to The Roman Baths
    • Entry to Bath Abbey
    • Entry to the Victoria Arts Gallery
    • Entry to Westonbirt Arboretum
    • Entry to the Cotswolds Lavender Fields
    • Entry to Broadway Tour
    • Shakespeare Theare Company behind the scenes tour
    • Entry to Blenheim Palace and Gardens
    • Guided walking tour of Oxford
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Train travel from Oxford to London
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities
Important Contact Numbers Read More
Wilderness England Office | 9:00am – 5:30pm

UK: +44 (0)1768 721 210
US: 833 574 0690

Out of Office Hours | 5:30pm – 9:00am

+44 (0)7482 170 401

Emergency Services

999

Arrival & Departure Read More

Your guide will meet you at Sheraton Heathrow Hotel at 9:30 am on the first day of your trip.

You will be returned to Oxford Train Station at 4:50 pm on the final day of your trip.

Important Additional Information Read More
  • Walking Kit List Kit List - PDF: View Now
  • England General Info - PDF: View Now

Get in Touch

Tel: +44 (0)1768 721 210

Email Rachael

Accommodation

The Bird

18-19 Pulteney Road | Bath | Bath |
BA2 4EZ | England
Phone: 01225 580438
Web: thebirdbath.co.uk

Wild Thyme and Honey

Ampney Circus | Cirencester | Cirencester |
GL7 5RS | England
Phone: +44 (0) 1285 851 806
Web: wildthymeandhoney.co.uk

The Wild Rabbit

Church Street | Kingham | Oxfordshire |
OX7 6YA | England
Phone: +44 (0) 1608 658389
Web: thewildrabbit.co.uk

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Bee

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Herdwick Sheep

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Afternoon Tea

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Meet Your Guide

Keith McGregor

Contact Number: +44 (0) 7779294476

I am what my friends call me ‘a climbing lifer’ as there is nothing better than being in the mountains high on a crag face or mountain top with friends and new acquaintances. I have just finished ten years of teaching adventure leadership in higher education and now it’s time for me to spend more time helping others to enjoy the great British outdoors. I have been a very active mountaineer, caver and rock climber for over 40 years and have loved teaching and helping others to feel safe and challenged in the outdoor environment, over the last 20 years.

Full Web Bio

Virtuoso

English Charm – Exploring the Cotswolds

Sunday 14th July – Sunday 21st July 2024