Cotswolds Day Tour from London

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Tour itinerary Pick-up location London Paddington — 7:30 am Highlights 1. Bibury and Arlington Row — 30–40 minutes 2. Bourton-on-the-Water — 1 hour 20 minutes 3. Snowshill Village — 30 minutes 4. Broadway — 1 hour 30 minutes for lunch and exploration 5. Scenic drive via Broadway Tower, the Lavender Farm and Middle Hill 6. Stow-on-the-Wold — 1 hour Return London Paddington — approximately 6:00 pm Small-group tour in an executive vehicle.

Tour overview

Discover the Cotswolds in one memorable day from London. Travel in a small group, with time to explore Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Snowshill, Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold. The route balances guided context, independent exploration, lunch and a scenic drive through the northern Cotswolds.

What's Included

Included • Return transport from London Paddington • Executive air-conditioned small-group vehicle • Small group • Friendly driver-guide and onboard commentary • Free time in every main stop • Digital destination guide

    What's Not Included
    Not included • Lunch, drinks and refreshments • Hotel collection or drop-off • Personal purchases and gratuities • Entry fees to optional attractions
    Important Things to Note
    Meeting point: Bus stop opposite Lite Bite Cafe Bar, 7 London Street, London. Breakfast and refreshments are available at the café from 7:00 am. Please arrive by 7:15 am to board; the coach departs at 7:30 am. The tour returns to London Paddington at approximately 6:00 pm. The order and duration of stops may change because of traffic, weather, seasonal closures or local events. The tour returns to London at approximately 6:00 pm, but guests should allow additional time for onward travel. Wear comfortable footwear and bring clothing suitable for changeable weather. Food is available to purchase during the Broadway lunch stop.
    Frequently asked questions
    How large is the group? Tours carry 16–30 guests, depending on the vehicle assigned to your departure. The vehicle varies by date. How long is the tour? Approximately 10.5 hours, departing at 7:30 am and returning around 6:00 pm. Is lunch included? No. There is time to buy lunch in Broadway or bring your own. Will the itinerary always run in this order? The order and timings may change with traffic, weather and local conditions. Can I discuss accessibility or mobility requirements? Yes. Please contact Shakespeare Coaches before booking so the team can advise.

    Check Availability & Book

    Day trip from London · Small group

    Cotswolds Day Tour from London

    Discover storybook villages, honey-coloured cottages and sweeping countryside on a relaxed full-day tour from London in a small group.

    Shakespeare Coaches4.9 from 2,031 reviews across Google, GetYourGuide and Tripadvisor (as at October 2026)
    ↻Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before departure
    ◷10.5 hoursDepart 7:30 am
    ◎Small group
    ◉Live tour guideEnglish

    Highlights

    • See the iconic cottages of Bibury and Arlington Row before the crowds build.
    • Enjoy unhurried free time in Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold.
    • Pause in tiny Snowshill and travel a scenic route past Broadway Tower and Middle Hill.
    • Travel comfortably from central London in an executive air-conditioned vehicle.

    Full description

    Leave London behind for a relaxed full-day journey through the Cotswolds. Depart from London Paddington in a comfortable executive small-group minibus and travel along scenic country roads with an English-speaking driver-guide.
    The day combines well-known Cotswolds highlights with quieter villages, giving you time to explore independently without feeling rushed.
    Show less
    Bibury and Arlington Row. Begin beside the River Coln in one of England’s most photographed villages. See Arlington Row and its historic honey-coloured stone cottages before the crowds build.
    Bourton-on-the-Water. Continue to the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, where low stone bridges cross the River Windrush. Enjoy time to walk beside the water and browse the independent shops.
    Snowshill. Pause in this peaceful hillside village, known for its beautiful cottages and countryside views. Its quiet setting offers a glimpse of the Cotswolds away from the busiest visitor routes.
    Broadway. Spend time exploring the elegant golden-stone high street, with cafés, traditional buildings and independent shops. This is the main lunch stop of the day.
    After Broadway, follow a scenic route past Broadway Tower, the Lavender Farm and Middle Hill, subject to seasonal access and local conditions.
    Stow-on-the-Wold. Finish in this historic hilltop market town, where you can explore the market square, old coaching inns, antique shops and the famous yew tree-flanked doorway of St Edward’s Church.
    The route is designed to balance guided local insight with generous free time. Return to London Paddington is expected at approximately 6:00 pm, although the order and timings may change because of traffic, weather or local events.

    Your itinerary

    London Paddington · 7:30 am

    Meet your driver-guide and settle into your executive vehicle.

    Bibury & Arlington Row · 30–40 minutes

    Walk beside the River Coln and see one of England’s most photographed rows of cottages.

    Bourton-on-the-Water · 1 hour 20 minutes

    Explore the bridges, independent shops and riverside paths of the “Venice of the Cotswolds”.

    Snowshill · 30 minutes

    Pause in a wonderfully quiet hillside village known for its honey-stone homes.

    Broadway · 1 hour 30 minutes

    Enjoy time for lunch and a wander along this elegant village high street.

    Scenic Cotswolds Drive By

    • Broadway Tower
    • Lavender Farm
    Subject to seasonal access and local conditions.

    Stow-on-the-Wold · 1 hour

    Discover the ancient market square, historic inns and characterful lanes.

    London Paddington · around 6:00 pm

    Relax on the return journey after a full day in the Cotswolds.

    What’s included

    Included

    • Full-day guided tour
    • Executive air-conditioned transport
    • Professional driver-guide
    • Small group
    • All listed village stops

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Optional attraction entry
    • Gratuities

    Meeting point

    Bus stop opposite Lite Bite Cafe Bar, 7 London Street, London

    Meeting point: Bus stop opposite Lite Bite Cafe Bar, 7 London Street, London. Breakfast and refreshments are available at the café from 7:00 am. Please arrive by 7:15 am to board; the coach departs at 7:30 am. The tour returns to London Paddington at approximately 6:00 pm.

    View the meeting point on Google Maps ↗

    Know before you go

    • Wear comfortable shoes and bring clothing suitable for changeable British weather.
    • The itinerary order may change because of traffic, weather or local events.
    • Lunch is not included; Broadway offers cafés, pubs and restaurants.
    • Return time is approximate, so avoid booking tight onward connections.

    What guests say about Shakespeare Coaches

    Genuine Tripadvisor review excerpts from our Cotswolds tours. These are company reviews of the Cotswolds experience described by each guest.

    “A fantastic full-day experience exploring the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon from London.”

    Carolyn Z

    Tripadvisor · Reviewed
    Experience reviewed: Full Day Cotswolds Tour From London · Read the original review →

    “One of the best tour I ever did; Paul knows the area super well with a lot of anecdotes.”

    josephine d

    Tripadvisor · Reviewed
    Experience reviewed: Full Day Cotswolds Tour From London · Read the original review →

    “Our journey with Shakespeare Coaches from Moreton in Marsh was both enlightening and enjoyable.”

    Renate L

    Tripadvisor · Reviewed
    Experience reviewed: Full Day Cotswolds Tour From London · Read the original review →

    Frequently asked questions

    How large is the group?

    Tours carry 16–30 guests, depending on the vehicle assigned to your departure. The vehicle varies by date.

    Is lunch included?

    No. You will have around 90 minutes in Broadway, with a good choice of places to eat.

    Where does the tour start and finish?

    Meeting point: Bus stop opposite Lite Bite Cafe Bar, 7 London Street, London. Breakfast and refreshments are available at the café from 7:00 am. Please arrive by 7:15 am to board; the coach departs at 7:30 am. The tour returns to London Paddington at approximately 6:00 pm.

    Can the itinerary change?

    Yes. The driver-guide may adjust the order or route when traffic, weather or local conditions make that helpful.

    Can children under three travel?

    Children under three cannot travel on our tours.

    What is the cancellation policy?

    You can cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.

    Are 2026 and 2027 dates available?

    2026 and 2027 departure dates are being updated. Please check the booking calendar or contact us for availability.

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