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England's Stonehenge & Countryside Villages

Cotswolds Cultural Walking Tour

7 DaysStarting at $6,895
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Overview

Sometimes, Stonehenge steams at dawn. We know because on our tours we've stood there among the great pillars—no crowds, no ropes to hold us back—and felt the sun stream across Salisbury Plain to touch our faces at the same moment it starts to warm the night-cooled sandstone. It is a simple, awesome, hold-your-breath moment. And you’ll experience it yourself on this amazing journey through Southwestern England. Beforehand, we spend several days in the parts of the Cotswolds we love best. We’ll show you our favorite paths that crook through Technicolor cottage gardens, across sweeping meadows and into the loveliest honeyed-stone villages in the land. We’ll dine with friends in their manor house, and time a visit to the tea shop lady when her scones are warm and fresh. This isn’t just the superficially pretty England, it’s the real thing—a rich cultural experience with personal introductions and remarkable access to non-public places. You’ll simply never forget it.

Join us, to discover the Cotswolds on foot and at eye level.”
Edward Piegza, Founder

Itinerary Highlights

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• Enjoy afternoon tea in Oxford followed by a curated walk around the famed university

• Visit the sprawling estate of Blenheim, birthplace of Winston Churchill and UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Stroll along cinematic footpaths along the Windrush River Valley

• Learn all about honey-colored Georgian architecture and thatched roofs

• Bake scones during a hands-on lesson with a local baker friend

• Discover Chipping Campden and Hidcote Manor

• Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen country then enjoy a picnic lunch of local specialties

• Walk through the idyllic setting of farms, fields, and flowers at Dover’s Hill 

• Marvel at the remarkably intact mosaics at the active archeological site at Chedworth Roman Villa

• Experience 'only with Classic Journeys' special access to Stonehenge so you can walk right up to the stone circle when the site is closed to the general public

• Get up close to the iconic baths that date back to Roman times, on foot at eye level

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Oxford – 10:30 am – Lobby of The Randolph Hotel

  • Ending Point:

    Bath – 9:00 am – Lobby of the Bath Priory Hotel
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds villages; as well as well-maintained countryside and riverside trails; and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some limited elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Bath Priory Hotel

A luxurious country house nestled within award-winning gardens, The Bath Priory is a stunning hotel near the center of Bath. Enjoy its upscale accommodations, spa, restaurant as well as its charming English hospitality.

Bay Tree Hotel

Since its first guests in 1565, this perfect Cotswolds hotel has been a favorite. The details are remarkable, from the high-raftered hall to the oak-paneled rooms, tapestries and flagstone floors.

Cotswold House Hotel

This award-winning luxury hotel, will appeal to travelers visiting the Cotswolds, looking for tranquility, sublime comfort. The contemporary style makes Cotswold House and Spa one of the most admired boutique hotels in the Cotswolds.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times. As the editors of T+L say, “Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.” Here’s what that access means for you in the Cotswolds with Classic Journeys.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Experience the Cotswolds on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region, including their favorite parts of the famed Cotswold Way, scenic country paths past grazing sheep, and along the River Windrush to the honey-colored stone village of Burford.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. With an average of fewer than 10 guests per departure, we enjoy special access to Stonehenge so you can experience the stone circle when the site is closed to the general public, a fascinating guided walk with an expert on English gardens at Hidcote Manor, and a private scone making lesson in the home of a local baker.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the Cotswolds, including a manor house with spa, and a hotel dating to 1565.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes, and history of the places you visit with us in the Cotswolds. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know the Cotswolds more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the village where scenes of “Downton Abbey” were filmed, Winston Churchill’s birthplace, an organic farm and creamery, an active archeological site with its remarkably intact mosaics, and a tasting of locally made gins at a Cotswolds’ distillery.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the Cotswolds. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. From tour leaders to village elders to artisans, restaurateurs to hoteliers, we work with the local people to support their livelihoods. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Cotswolds tours?

Classic Journeys offers a Cotswolds experience like no other—leading you along flowering footpaths that weave through timeless villages and rolling countryside. Your well-connected expert local guides open garden gates, introduce you to artisans, and share the region’s hidden stories, making each day feel like a walk with an old friend. You’ll also experience ‘only with Classic Journeys access’ when you visit Stonehenge privately and away from the crowds for an unforgettable memory.

Which locations does the Classic Journeys Cotswolds itinerary include?

Your Classic Journeys itinerary begins in Oxford and takes you to the Cotswolds’ most enchanting spots: Chipping Campden’s golden high street, historic markets and riverside lanes in the Windrush River Valley, and up close to the iconic honey-colored cottages of Bibury’s Arlington Row. You’ll ramble through Upper and Lower Slaughter, visit Stonehenge privately, and lose yourself in the blooms of Hidcote Manor Garden—all at a pace that lets you truly savor the countryside.

When is the best time to visit the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds are spellbinding year-round, but spring bursts with wildflowers along ancient hedgerows, June and July fill the air with the scent and color of lavender at Snowshill, and autumn leaves the hills aglow in gold and russet. Classic Journeys’ departures are timed monthly from April through October so you can choose your favorite season for a small-group countryside adventure.

How active is the Cotswolds cultural walking tour?

Your days on tour feature gentle village-to-village walks, usually ranging from 3 to 7 miles on rolling hills and well-worn country lanes. There’s always flexibility to take on a longer ramble or opt for a more relaxed stroll, as this tour is designed for mixed abilities and families, so everyone can enjoy the scenery and stories at their own pace.

Do Classic Journeys’ Cotswolds tours include segments of the Cotswold Way?

Yes—you’ll walk select scenic segments of the famed Cotswold Way, winding through quiet woods, meadows, and hilltop villages. Expect mostly gentle trails with some short climbs. Comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots are recommended to keep you happy on varied paths and grassy tracks.

How do I get to the Cotswolds for this tour?

It’s easy! Most guests arrive at London Heathrow, then take the quick train from London to Oxford, where your journey begins. Classic Journeys can help arrange start and end transfers for a seamless travel experience, so just ask your Guest Services Coordinator if you need any assistance or advice.

How does Classic Journeys’ Cotswolds walking tour compare with other Cotswolds tours?

With Classic Journeys, you’ll be guided by expert insiders who know the quietest footpaths and friendliest locals in every village. Traveling in small groups means you enjoy nooks, gardens, and teashops that the crowds miss—plus you stay in handpicked boutique inns that capture the true spirit of the Cotswolds. It all adds up to a walking tour that’s both genuinely immersive and exceptionally good value.