Relaxed Southern England Road Trip: London to Bath via the Cotswolds - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London, Twilight Soho Food & Drinks Tour

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. 

After settling in at your hotel, it's off to the legendary Soho district to fill up on gastronomic delights. In the company of an experienced and food-obsessed local guide, you'll discover hidden gems and famous haunts across Soho, Chinatown, and Seven Dials in Covent Garden to taste a variety of international dishes. Visit a former banana warehouse turned culinary start-up and devour the city's best bao buns while learning about the neighborhood venues that hosted legends, including Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie. You'll finish at a local bar, where you'll sample an unbeatable combination of cocktails and dessert.

Day 2: London by Vintage Bike, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Production

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll spend the morning touring London's streets by bike. This is no ordinary cycling tour—you'll be cruising around on a vintage Pashley bicycle, the epitome of British cycling. From the grandeur of Big Ben to the cobbled streets of East London, you'll ride along atmospheric back streets and cycle lanes to discover a side of the capital beyond the guidebooks. Pedal through elegant royal parks to urban squares and witness London's dynamic street art scene before finishing at one of the city's historic pubs, where you'll toast your fellow cyclists with real ale or craft gin.

Later on, you'll be transported back in time to Shakespeare's London to see a performance at the iconic Globe Theatre, painstakingly built to replicate the original and completed in 1997. Step inside, and you'll find a 360-degree auditorium built from oak beams, lime-plaster walls, and a water-reed thatched roof. You'll follow in the footsteps of 17th-century Londoners and watch one of Bard's best-loved plays in the open-air theater (just like the original, there's no roof over the center yard, so be sure to dress for the weather).

Afterward, cap your day off with a post-theater dinner next door at The Swan London, which offers contemporary British dining with views over the River Thames. Your location in the heart of the city means you're well placed to explore some of the capital's iconic landmarks, such as St Paul's Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge and the Tower of London, and the city's some 4,000 pubs.

Day 3: Drive to Oxford, Chauffeured Punt, Bodleian Library, Oxford's Pubs

Today, you'll pick up your rental car and leave the city behind 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), where you'll gently glide along the water and see sights including the Botanic Gardens, the playing fields of Magdalen College, and the college gardens of St Hilda's and Christ Church.

Return to dry land, and it's time to explore 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. 

Your final immersion into Oxford life, and the best way to get a feel for the city's past and present, is a self-guided tour of the town's historic pubs. Literary fans should head to the Eagle and Child, the well-known haunt of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, while the Turf Tavern, established in 1381, is known for its historic charm and as the watering hole for the "Harry Potter" cast. When you're ready for dinner, the King's Arms serves hearty English pub classics alongside a selection of cask beers, which can be enjoyed on the pub's riverside terrace.

Day 4: Pitt-Rivers Museum, Drive to Chipping Campden via the Cotswolds

Founded in 1884 by General Pitt-Rivers, Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum is filled with fascinating objects ranging from centuries-old weaponry to ancient boats and toys, celebrating human ingenuity across the globe. You'll spend the morning roaming the galleries and exhibitions before saying your goodbyes and hopping in the car, ready to drive 1.5 hours north to Chipping Campden. You'll be winding your way through the northern loop of the Cotswolds, a rural area that encompasses six counties and enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation.

Stop to stretch your legs and soak up quintessential English village life as you pass by the small towns of Chipping Norton and then Burford, whose wide streets, flanked by medieval buildings and independent boutiques, are worth a potter. Continue to Bourton-on-the-Water, known for its bridges that cross the River Windrush and run gently through the town. Pass through Stow-on-the-Wold, where you'll find excellent options for a delicious lunch, and pass through The Slaughters until you arrive at Chipping Campden.

Check into your hotel, and once you've settled in, head out to explore. Alongside the beautifully preserved golden limestone buildings, you'll find a long and wide High Street that sweeps through the town center and dates from the 14th century to the 17th century, filled with tempting restaurants and bistros.

Day 5: Day Trip to Warwick Castle & Stratford-upon-Avon

Afterward, either stop in for dinner, drinks, or both at The Coach House, a historic, award-winning pub with an almost 500-year-old heritage.

Day 6: Hidcote Gardens, Horseback Ride, Explore the Southern Cotswolds

Enjoy a genteel day of country living that starts with an excursion 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, drive half an hour to the Cotswolds Riding equestrian center 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 experience level, with everyone from beginners to well-seasoned riders catered to. 

Post-ride, you can complete your Cotswolds immersion with a self-guided tour of the southern loop portion of the Cotswolds. Drive south to Bibury, a picture-perfect village along the River Coln and one of the most photographed places in the area. Stroll the photogenic Arlington Row of Weaver's Cottages, then hop back in the car and follow the river through a series of postcard-worthy villages along the Coln Valley. Your last stop is the village of Painswick, dubbed the "Queen of the Cotswolds," where you could stop for dinner before returning to Chipping Campden.

Day 7: Drive to Bath via Castle Combe & Lacock, Afternoon Tea, Roman Baths

Today, you'll drive two hours south to Bath, your base, for the next three nights. The town's vast array of architectural gems has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Status, and its elegant Georgian architecture is among the finest in the country. Around 1.5 hours into your journey, you'll arrive at two nearby villages that appear to be drawn straight out of a storybook. The first is Castle Combe, known as one of England's most beautiful villages, and with no new houses built since the 1600s, the town's charming cottages adorned with ivy make it a serene spot to stop for a stroll.

A 15-minute drive away is Lacock, another perfectly preserved village with only four streets, whose historic architecture has made it a go-to film location for shows such as "Downton Abbey" and the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice." The main attraction here is the 13th-century Lacock Abbey, built from the beautiful, golden Cotswold stone. "Harry Potter" fans will enjoy exploring the cloisters and abbey rooms, which served as Hogwarts School cloisters in the films.

You might not want to linger too long, as upon arrival in Bath, you have a decadent afternoon treat waiting. Check into your hotel, and then follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens with a sumptuous afternoon tea at The Pump Rooms. This Bath institution has been the social heart of the city for over 200 years. Enjoy an array of sweet and savory delicacies and, of course, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam. Afterward, head next door to visit one of the best-preserved religious spas in the world, the Roman Baths, whose thermal springs still flow with natural hot water.

Day 9: Self-Guided Cycle to Bradford-on-Avon, Free Afternoon in Bath

Day 10: Drive to London via Avebury

When you're ready, hop back in the car, and in around two hours, you'll arrive back in London, where you can drop off your rental car, check back into your hotel, and get ready for your final evening in the capital. You have the whole of the city at your disposal, so head to Covent Garden and catch a West End show, dine at one of the area's buzzy brasseries, or go for tapas and a pint at a historic pub in Soho. Whatever you choose, be sure to raise a glass for your trip. Cheers!