Highlights
- Indulge in the centuries-old tradition of afternoon tea at one of London's top hotels
- Enjoy a serene glide along Oxford's River Cherwell with a private punting tour
- Spend a day discovering the photogenic villages and sights of the Cotswolds
- Explore Bath's literary history, Roman Baths, and food highlights over three days
- See dawn break over 4,000-year-old Stonehenge on a VIP sunrise tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in London, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz | London |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Oxford, Chauffeured Punting & Picnic, Bodleian Library Tour | Oxford |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Chipping Campden, Explore Hidcote Gardens, Horseback Ride | Chipping Campden |
| Day 4 | Guided Discovery Tour of the Cotswolds, Transfer to Bath | Bath |
| Day 5 | Free Day in Bath: Follow in the Footsteps of Jane Austen & "Bridgerton" | Bath |
| Day 6 | Tour Ancient Roman Baths, Twilight Relaxation at Bath Thermae Spa | Bath |
| Day 7 | Bath Food Heroes Walking & Tasting Tour | Bath |
| Day 8 | Stonehenge Inner Circle Experience, Transfer to London, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in London, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your driver and whisked to your central hotel in the capital, London. A historic city with a timeline stretching back almost 2,000 years, this thriving metropolis has world-class museums, ornate architecture, and an exceptional dining scene. Once you've arrived and settled in at your hotel, you'll start your vacation in style with one of England's time-honored traditions: afternoon tea. This custom began in the 1800s when Queen Victoria's confidante, the Duchess of Bedford, asked for something to satiate her afternoon hunger pangs.
What was once a "light bite" has transformed over the centuries into a beloved ritual, and you'll experience it at The Ritz. Sit in the spectacular setting of the hotel's Palm Court to the classical strains of the resident pianist while you partake in an array of sweet and savory delicacies. Choose from over 20 loose-leaf teas sourced by the hotel's certified Tea Master, Giandomenico Scanu, and a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, tempting cakes, and, of course, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam.
Day 2: Transfer to Oxford, Chauffeured Punting & Picnic, Bodleian Library Tour
This morning, you'll say "cheerio" to London and meet your driver outside your hotel for a two-hour drive west to Oxford. Dubbed the "City of Dreaming Spires," the town is home to one of England's oldest and most prestigious universities (the other being Cambridge.) Once you've checked in to your hotel, you'll head down to the riverbank for a relaxing tour of the city along the River Cherwell. You'll travel on a chauffeured punt (flat-bottomed riverboat), gently gliding along the water, passing the city's iconic sights and enjoying a light lunch from a picnic hamper.
See the Botanic Gardens, the playing fields of Magdalen College School, and Christ Church College (where Lewis Carroll taught in the mid-19th century and wrote "Alice in Wonderland"). Your chauffeur has in-depth knowledge of Oxford's history, so you'll hear the inside track of the city's colleges and famous university students. After passing the fertile gardens of St Hilda's College, you'll return to the boathouse.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
You've spent the morning exploring the College Backs, and this afternoon, you'll head inside Oxford's 11th-century university for a tour of one of the highlights, the Bodleian Library. Oxford's main research library, the Bodleian, is home to over 13 million books. You'll find some of these on a visit to the 15th-century Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor's Court, the medieval Duke Humfrey's Library, and Radcliffe Camera, which houses the science library.
Day 3: Transfer to Chipping Campden, Explore Hidcote Gardens, Horseback Ride
England's famous Cotswolds is a rural area in southern England that encompasses six counties and enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation status. The region lies just over an hour's drive west of Oxford. Today, you'll transfer a short way north to Chipping Campden, a delightful village known for its 17th-century market and beautifully preserved limestone buildings.
Check in at your hotel, and your first excursion is to nearby Hidcote Gardens, part of a historic manor house in the village of Hidcote Bartrim. The 10 acres (4 ha) that comprise these public gardens were inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of decorative and fine arts that originated in Britain in the late 19th century. You'll enjoy a private, two-hour stroll around the gardens to admire its hedges, rare trees and shrubs, mazes of narrowed paved pathways, and secret gardens bursting with colorful blooms.
Afterward, you'll reunite with your driver for a half-hour drive to the nearby Cotswolds Riding equestrian center, located in the picturesque village of Stanton. Here you'll saddle up and set off on a relaxed countryside "hack," spending the next few hours trotting the miles of local scenic paths and bridleways, with lookout points in the hills offering fabulous views over southern England. Your pace and route will be decided by your level of experience, with everyone from beginners to well-seasoned riders catered to.
Day 4: Guided Discovery Tour of the Cotswolds, Transfer to Bath
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, and when you're ready, meet your private guide and driver for an in-depth tour of the southern loop portion of the Cotswolds Discovery Trail. You'll uncover plenty of fascinating Roman history and landmarks along the way, and the first is in Cirencester, home to the remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in Britain. Built in the second century when the town was known as the Roman city of Corinium, and second only to London in size and importance, the amphitheater is estimated to have a capacity of around 8,000 people.
Continue to Bibury, a stunning village along the River Coln: home to the Arlington Row of Weaver's Cottages, the town remains one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds. You'll have plenty of time to snap your own pictures and stroll the quiet lanes before hopping back in the car and following the river through a series of picture postcard villages along the Coln Valley. Other highlights include the lookout point of Painswick Beacon, where a short hike to the top reveals sweeping views of the area, and the village of Painswick, dubbed the "Queen of the Cotswolds."
Day 5: Free Day in Bath: Follow in the Footsteps of Jane Austen & "Bridgerton"
Today, you can explore Bath at your own pace. While the city is awash with historical sights and beautiful labyrinthine alleyways to saunter along, it also enjoys a centuries-old connection to author Jane Austen, who called the city home in the early 1800s and wrote compellingly about Regency Bath in two of her novels. Spend the morning on an optional 2.5-hour guided tour that reveals the nuances of life in Regency England, and walk in the footsteps of Austen as you explore the Royal Crescent, Sydney Gardens, and the Jane Austen Centre, where guides in period costume help bring the era to life.
You can continue the literary theme in the afternoon by wandering around Bath's excellent independent booksellers. Book lovers shouldn't miss a chance to visit Topping & Company, a wonderful bookshop in the spacious and airy setting of a Grade II-listed former Friends Meeting House. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of "Bridgerton" with a 1.5-hour tour of the Netflix series' filming locations. You'll be supplied with headphones to absorb the music and sounds of life in the "ton" while admiring the handsome abode of Lady Danbury herself.
Day 6: Tour Ancient Roman Baths, Twilight Relaxation at Bath Thermae Spa
Spend a leisurely morning browsing Bath's antique markets, galleries, and independent boutiques. If you're looking for something special to commemorate your trip to the Cotswolds and Somerset, you'll find plenty of beautifully curated stores here. If you'd prefer to head into the countryside and explore, opt for a self-guided e-bike tour for a glorious ride along the Kennet and Avon Towpath to Bradford on Avon, a charming waterside town that's home to one of the oldest churches in England.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the city's ancient Roman Baths complex, which gives the town its name and is recognized as one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses. The hot springs here bubble up to a toasty 115°F (46°C), and on a tour of the site, you'll walk the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. While you can't enter the baths here, you can at the nearby Thermae Bath Spa, which is where you'll spend the evening.
As dusk falls, slip into the tranquil rooftop pool with beautiful views over the city's skyline. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage or facial, and when you've explored the indoor Minerva Bath and wellness suite, head for a light dinner and drinks in the Springs Restaurant.
Day 7: Bath Food Heroes Walking & Tasting Tour
It's your last day in Bath, and you'll spend it on a half-day food tour that combines a guided walk through the city's landmarks and the chance to meet a selection of Bath's artisan food producers and taste their delicious fresh produce and culinary creations. Start with a visit to the famous Bath Farmers Market, where you'll find stalls selling everything from juicy red strawberries from the Cheddar Gorge, fresh cheeses including sheep's ricotta and mild, delicate goat's, to locally-made fennel salami and clotted cream fudge.
Afterward, move on to discover tasty morsels at a selection of the city's leading independent cafés and street food sellers while you hear directly from the innovative individuals driving the current culinary scene. You'll also discover Bath's drinking dens, from heritage pubs to trendy bars and small music venues, and hear why Bath is such an important location on the UK's food and drink map. In the evening (once you've recovered your appetite), put your newfound foodie knowledge to good use and spend your final night at one of the city's excellent restaurants.
Day 8: Stonehenge Inner Circle Experience, Transfer to London, Depart
Just an hour outside Bath lies Stonehenge, one of the UK's most fascinating landmarks and a testament to human ingenuity. A prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, the Stone Circle is aligned toward the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice. Today, you'll wake early for an incredible early morning VIP tour of the site outside of regular visiting hours.
Over an hour, you can wander among the stones freely, take photos, and discover the fascinating details of these mighty sarsens and bluestones. Your knowledgeable guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the circle's origins and the prehistoric people who lived here 4,000 years ago. Afterward, you'll join your driver back in the car for the 1.5-hour transfer to the airport, where you'll arrive in plenty of time to catch your flight home or continue your European adventure. Safe travels!
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