Cotswolds in a Day – Guided Small Group Tour from Stratford-upon-Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon is a relaxed, full-day escape into rolling hills, honey-stone villages and storybook market towns, all with a local guide to bring the landscape and its traditions to life.
What to Expect
Your day starts in a comfortable small-group vehicle from the Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach/Bus Terminal on Windsor Street, or from Moreton-in-Marsh station. As you head into the Cotswold hills, your guide shares insights into local history, farming life and quirky customs.
When conditions allow, the first stop is Dover’s Hill, with sweeping views from the northern edge of the Cotswolds. In Chipping Campden you’ll have around an hour to wander the historic high street, lined with 14th–17th-century wool-merchant houses, using a handy map of suggested highlights.
You then dip off the usual tourist trail to Snowshill, a tiny hillside village where quiet lanes and elevated views show a more secluded side of the Cotswolds. Stow-on-the-Wold offers over an hour of free time to browse independent shops and characterful alleyways, hunt down the much-photographed “Tolkien door”, and grab a quick lunch or settle into one of the cosy cafés.
In riverside Bibury you can stroll past the iconic Arlington Row cottages, often dubbed England’s most picturesque scene, and decide for yourself if it deserves its “prettiest village” reputation. The day rounds off in Bourton-on-the-Water, where low stone bridges span the clear River Windrush and the classic Cotswold-stone buildings frame a lively village centre.
Between each stop, you’ll enjoy scenic drives through rolling countryside and stone-built hamlets, with commentary that ties the whole area together.
Practical Info & Who It’s For
This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, car-free travellers, and locals keen to see the Cotswolds without the hassle of driving or parking. It suits adults, couples and older families who are comfortable with gentle walking and being out all day.
Tickets are available via the official booking page.
Event details at a glance
- Location: Shakespeare’s Birthplace Bus Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6NL (with additional pick-up at Moreton-in-Marsh train station)
- Dates: Multiple scheduled departures 19 November 2025–31 March 2026; typically 08:50–17:30 (some late November dates 09:50–17:30)
- Price: See current per-person rates and availability online
- Best for: First-time Cotswolds visitors, car-free travellers, small groups and couples
- Organiser: Go Cotswolds
