The Kwaitt Family's Grand Adventure: London & the Cotswolds

Friday 7th March – Friday 14th March 2025

Number of Travellers: 5
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Overview

Version 2 – 14th Feb 2025

Day by Day

Day 1 - Friday 7th March - Welcome to London

On arrival in London, transfer to your centrally located hotel and take some time to relax ahead of your first evening in England.

An unmissable destination for travellers, the capital city is an international melting pot that brims with culture, history and iconic landmarks. With a well-known and well-deserved reputation for an eclectic and globally diverse food scene, your dinner this evening is sure to be a thoroughly enjoyable affair.

Later, draw the curtains on the twinkling lights of the city to enjoy a good night’s sleep ahead of an exciting day of exploring tomorrow.

Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: 2x Interconnecting Deluxe King Rooms
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 8th March - Life of a Royal

This morning, meet your local expert guide and watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. A grand and meticulously choreographed ceremony where the King’s Guard, dressed in iconic red tunics and bearskin hats, hands over their duties to the new guard amid military precision, drum beats, and brass band music. Afterwards, head to Westminster Abbey, steeped in centuries of British history. Explore the final resting place of monarchs and statesmen, admire the stunning Lady Chapel, and learn about its role in royal coronations and weddings. Next, visit the Palace of Westminster, the seat of modern democracy.

Later explore the Tower of London, uncover dramatic tales of monarchs and traitors within its storied walls. Marvel at the dazzling Crown Jewels and reflect on the fortress’s enduring legacy.

Conclude at Tower Bridge, a masterpiece of Victorian engineering. Walk its high-level walkways for sweeping city views and witness the majestic bascule chambers in action.

Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: 2x Interconnecting Deluxe King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sunday 9th March - Churchill War Rooms and St Paul's Cathedral

This morning, meet your local guide and arrive at the entrance of the Churchill War Rooms in the crisp morning air. As you step underground, they bring the bunker to life, describing the tension that once filled these dimly lit corridors, where Churchill and his war cabinet made critical decisions. Moving through the Map Room, the guide points out original markings left by wartime strategists, their voices lowered as if still respecting the secrecy of the space.

Exiting into the late morning bustle, follow your guide towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. Emerging at St. Paul’s, the guide gestures toward the iconic dome, recounting tales of its survival during the Blitz before leading you inside, where the golden glow of the vast interior and the hushed reverence of history take over. Wander beneath the towering arches, marvelling at the intricate mosaics and the sheer grandeur of the dome overhead. Climbing the Whispering Gallery, test its famous acoustics before ascending further to the Golden Gallery, where breathtaking panoramic views of London stretch out before you.

Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: 2x Interconnecting Deluxe King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Monday 10th March - Natural History Museum and the Cutty Sark

Begin your day with meeting your knowledgeable guide for an immersive journey through the Natural History Museum, where the grand Hintze Hall welcomes you with Hope, a stunning blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling. Explore and encounter towering dinosaur fossils, an animatronic T. rex, and the mesmerising Earth Hall, where an escalator carries you through a glowing globe to discover the power of volcanoes and earthquakes.

After, your adventure continues at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, the legendary 19th-century tea clipper renowned for its speed. Explore the beautifully restored decks, step into the crew’s quarters and captain’s cabin, and marvel at the towering masts that once carried sails across the seas. Walking beneath the ship’s soaring copper hull – suspended above the ground – gain a unique perspective on its sleek design and maritime engineering.

Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: 2x Interconnecting Deluxe King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Tuesday 11th March - Welcome to the Cotswolds

Leaving the bustling streets of London behind, your private transfer whisks you into the tranquil countryside of the Cotswolds, where rolling green hills and charming villages replace the city’s skyline. En route, you stop at the ancient Avebury Henge, a prehistoric stone circle even older than Stonehenge, where you meet your local guide for an in-depth exploration of its massive standing stones, mysterious earthworks, and surrounding village steeped in history.

After immersing yourself in this fascinating Neolithic landscape, you continue to Lacock, a beautifully preserved medieval village known for its cobbled streets, half-timbered cottages, and its starring role in films like Harry Potter and Pride & Prejudice. Wandering through its charming lanes, you visit the historic Lacock Abbey, once a monastery and later the home of photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot.

As the afternoon draws to a close, your journey takes you to Calcot Spa, a luxurious countryside retreat where you settle in for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Tetbury | Calcot Manor Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 1x Generous Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Wednesday 12th March - Cotswolds Water Park

Spend a day at Cotswolds Water Park with your guide offering a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility amidst the park’s 180 lakes and stunning natural landscapes. Your day begins with a scenic walk along nature trails, where you spot an array of birdlife and learn about the park’s unique wetland ecosystem.

When you’re ready to seek excitement, try a water sport such as kayaking on the crystal-clear waters, with your guide offering tips and insights along the way. After working up an appetite, enjoy a leisurely lakeside lunch at a charming café, soaking in the serene views. The afternoon brings opportunities for exploring along picturesque routes, discovering hidden coves, or simply unwinding on a sandy lakeside beach. Whether immersing yourself in outdoor adventure or enjoying the peaceful beauty of the water park, your day is a refreshing escape into nature.

Overnight: Tetbury | Calcot Manor Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 1x Generous Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Thursday 13th March - Quintessential Villages and E-bikes

Today, meet your guide and set off on an e-bike and relish in the ease of travel and the beauty of the landscape. Arriving first at Moreton-in-Marsh, explore the bustling market town. Perhaps visit the unique Cotswold Barn to sample local delicacies or peruse the charming shops lining the streets.

Continuing your journey, pedal on to Bourton-on-the-Water, where you park your e-bike and marvel at the intricate model village. After working up an appetite, indulge in a traditional pub lunch at one of the cozy establishments, savouring hearty British fare and refreshing beverages. Wander through the picturesque streets and enjoy the tranquility of the River Windrush before heading back to Broadway with your guide.

Overnight: Tetbury | Calcot Manor Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 1x Generous Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Friday 14th March - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 7 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
  • Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
  • The services of a qualified and experienced guide from Day 5 to Day 7 inclusive
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • Private Airport Transfer on Arrival Day, includes Meet & Greet
  • Private transfer from London to the Cotswolds
  • Private Airport Transfer on Departure Day from Cotswolds to LHR
  • All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Privately guided explorations of London including:
      • Entry to Westminster Abbey
      • Entry to the Tower of London
      • Entry to Tower Bridge
      • Entry into Churchill War Rooms
      • Entry into St Paul’s Cathedral
      • Entry to Natural History Museum
      • Entry to the Cutty Sark
      • Ground transportation with your guide
    • Entry to Avebury Henge
    • Entry to Lacock Abbey
    • Entry to Cotswolds Water Park
    • Water Sport Activity
    • E-bike Hire
    • Entry to the Model Village
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed.
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
  • Activities are only private if so specified.
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.