Shakespeare day trip from London · Small group

Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon & Cotswolds Day Tour from London

Discover Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and beautiful Cotswolds villages on a relaxed full-day small-group tour from London.

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

  • Spend two hours exploring Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and its famous literary landmarks.
  • See Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Henley Street, the River Avon and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
  • Visit Broadway, Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury in the Cotswolds.
  • Travel comfortably from central London in an executive air-conditioned vehicle.

Full description

Leave London for a full-day journey to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. This small-group Stratford-upon-Avon tour from London departs from Paddington in a comfortable executive minibus with an English-speaking driver-guide.
Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace and historic hometown alongside Broadway, Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury. The day balances literary history, famous Cotswolds villages and beautiful countryside, with generous free time to explore independently without feeling rushed.
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Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Begin with two hours exploring the historic hometown of William Shakespeare. Walk along Henley Street, see the exterior of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, stroll beside the River Avon and discover landmarks including the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Holy Trinity Church. Entry to Shakespeare’s houses is optional and not included.
Broadway Village. Spend an hour and 20 minutes exploring this Cotswolds village, with time for lunch, independent shops and a stroll among honey-coloured stone buildings.
Snowshill village. Enjoy a 30-minute stop among the stone cottages and quiet lanes of this picturesque Cotswolds village.
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.
Bibury and Arlington Row. Finish the village visits beside the River Coln in one of England’s most photographed villages. See Arlington Row and its historic honey-coloured stone cottages.
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.

Stratford-upon-Avon · 2 hours

Explore Shakespeare’s hometown, its historic streets, riverside and famous literary landmarks.

Broadway Village · 1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy time for lunch and explore Broadway’s honey-coloured stone buildings, independent shops and village streets.

Snowshill village · 30 minutes

Take a short village stop to enjoy Snowshill’s stone cottages and peaceful Cotswolds setting.

Bourton-on-the-Water · 1 hour

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

Bibury & Arlington Row · 30 minutes

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

London Paddington · around 6:00 pm

Relax on the return journey after a full day in Stratford-upon-Avon and 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
  • Entry to Shakespeare’s houses
  • 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

What can I see in Stratford-upon-Avon?

You will have around two hours to explore Shakespeare’s hometown, including Henley Street, the exterior of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the River Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and other historic landmarks.

Is entry to Shakespeare’s houses included?

No. Entry to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and the other Shakespeare houses is optional and paid separately, giving you flexibility during your free time.

Which Cotswolds villages does the tour visit?

After Stratford-upon-Avon, the planned route visits Broadway, Snowshill village, Bourton-on-the-Water, then Bibury and Arlington Row. The order may change because of traffic or local conditions.

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 80 minutes in Broadway Village, with time to explore and choose somewhere 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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