The Cotswolds

Lacock:

Lacock is a must see location for Harry Potter fans, with buildings and streets that are littered with connections to the blockbuster series. In the theme of movie sets, Lacock has also appeared in countless other films and series like Cranford, Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice and many more. Highlights within the city are the Village Lockup, Tithe Barn, St Cyriac’s Church and Lacock Abbey. Recommended time for a stroll around Lacock is around 45 minutes, but if you are planning to visit the Abbey you will need at least 90 minutes set aside in your day.

Check out our video for more information on this wonderful village:

Castle Combe:

Castle Combe is a hidden gem in Wiltshire’s Cotswolds. Just a 30 minute drive from Bath, it’s the perfect little village to drop in on the drive back to London. The 17th Century Cottages that line the centre of the village boast unrivalled beauty when it comes to that quintessential countryside village feel. The old Manor House is now a 5* hotel and can be toured around in your private vehicle for spectacular postcard views.

For pre-made tours that visit Lacock and/or Castle Combe, click here to check out our best-selling tours:

Burford:

Just a short 30 minute drive from Oxford is the village of Burford. Often dubbed ‘The Gateway to The Cotwolds’, this village is rich in character and history, dating back to The English Civil War when Burford became a gathering place for rebels in Oliver Cromwell’s army. Today the village has a wonderful selection of unique shops and cafes to amble your way through, as well one of the finest medieval ‘wool churches’ anywhere in the country. Please check opening hours of Burford’s St John The Baptist Church if you intend to go inside.

Bampton:

This village is an absolute must for Downton Abbey fans. Not only does it have it’s beauty as a typical Cotswold Village, but here you will find the church where the jilting at the alter took place and every wedding in the six series. The old Grammar School was also heavily used in the second series as the hospital, where you can today go and visit and see pictures of the filming that took place between 2011 and 2016.

Want to create your own Cotswold Village tour? Contact Us and share your thoughts and we will create the perfect itinerary to match your needs. If you’re looking to mix The Cotswolds with Oxford, why not look into our Oxford and The Cotswolds Day Tour from London?

Last but not least we have the heart of the Cotswolds, where some of the best kept secret villages are waiting to blow your mind with their unspoiled beauty.

Stow-on-the-Wold:

If you’re looking for a village that has it all in terms of cute little shops, quiet backstreets and old pubs, look no further. Stow’s character dates back over a thousand years to when it was a Saxon settlement on a hill (or wold). Part of the Saxon remains are inside The Porch House which is the Oldest English Inn in England! The local church also has Saxon routes, and boasts one of the prettiest doors in the country. This door (pictured) was said to be J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for the Doors of Durin in his Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

The Slaughters:

The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter are amongst some of our favourite villages to tour to because they are so remote. In our 8 seat tour van we can get away from the big bus tours to enjoy these very quiet little villages and their cotswold charm. Upper Slaughter has a ford (river crossing) that we can drive through (subject to weather) and you can catch a glimpse of scenes filmed from the popular series Father Brown. Lower Slaughter’s main street has recently been voted by Google Maps as ‘The Most Romantic Street in Britain’ following over 20,000 votes in a poll. The Water Mill in Lower Slaughter dates back to The Doomsday Book of 1086 and is still in working order today! A tea room, shop and museum are also located within the building.

If you want to visit the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, you may want to take a look at our tour to Stratford, Oxford and The Cotswolds below:

Well that’s just a little snippet of what the Cotswolds has to offer! With so many more popular villages from Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden, you’ll have to get in touch and create your own tour! We hope you enjoyed this information.

Happy Travels!