Relaxed Southern England Road Trip: London to Bath via the Cotswolds & Welsh Borders – 12 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 startup 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 alleys 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. 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, as well as 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, 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. 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: Cotswolds Discovery (Northern Loop), Drive to Chipping Camden

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Oxford, and when you're ready, get behind the wheel for your drive 1.5 hours north to Chipping Campden, one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds and your base for the next three nights. You'll be driving through the northern loop of the Cotswolds, a rural area encompassing six counties that 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 to 17th centuries, filled with tempting restaurants and bistros.

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

The UK has its fair share of castles, 4,000 to be precise, and Warwick Castle regularly makes the top 10 list. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, the fortress is a fantastic place to explore and understand England's medieval history. After a quick 30-minute drive north, you'll reach the castle and have as much time as you like to visit the Great Hall, walk the castle's ramparts, and head down to the dungeons. Meanwhile, there are plenty of interactive shows on the castle grounds to enjoy, whether it's falconry, jousting, or archery.

Once you've explored all the castle has to offer, return to Chipping Campden via a stop in Stratford-upon-Avon, a bustling town on the banks of the River Avon and famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Spend a few hours seeing the many Shakespearean sights such as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or Shakespeare's Birthplace. If you can, squeeze in a visit to Anne Hathaway's Cottage, a charming 15th-century thatched cottage and childhood home of Shakespeare's wife. It's a great place to wander through the extensive gardens and follow the sculpture trail inspired by the Bard's works.

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, Cotswolds Discovery (Southern Loop)

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 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 9: Discover Literary Bath, Food Heroes Walking & Tasting Tour

Spend the morning exploring Bath's Regency history and centuries-old connection to author Jane Austen, who called the city home in the early 1800s, at a time when the town was a destination spot for fashionable society. On a 2.5-hour tour that reveals the nuances of life in Regency England, you'll explore the elegant Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent, Sydney Gardens, and the Jane Austen Centre, where guides in period costumes help bring the era to life.

If walking Bath's hilly cobbled streets has helped work up an appetite, you're in luck. This afternoon is dedicated to the city's excellent culinary reputation where, in the company of an enthusiastic local foodie, you'll take a guided walking tour that introduces you to the town's leading artisan food producers while seeing Bath's landmarks. Discover tasty morsels, such as fennel salami and fresh sheep's ricotta, 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.

Day 10: Self-Guided Cycle to Bradford-on-Avon, Free Afternoon in Bath

Discover the gorgeous Wiltshire countryside this morning with a relaxed cycle along the Kennet and Avon Towpath to Bradford-upon-Avon. Let your e-bike take the strain as you weave through the Avon Valley, passing colorful, narrow boats and old stone bridges as you go. Don't miss the ancient bridge in the town center, which still retains two of its original 13th-century arches. Then, see the 19th-century former cloth mills that flank the riverside and stroll The Shambles, where you'll find independent boutiques and excellent places to stop for tea and cake.

Return to Bath, and you'll cycle through the Two Tunnels Path, a Victorian railway tunnel and the longest cycling tunnel in Britain. You'll be accompanied on your ride through the passageway with an interactive light and sound installation created in collaboration with the award-winning composer Mira Calix. Eventually, you'll emerge from the tunnel to wonderful views overlooking Bath and a gentle pedal downhill and back into the city.

Return your bike, and spend the rest of the afternoon at your own pace. Bath is filled with plenty of tempting, beautifully curated independent stores, so if you're looking for something special to commemorate your trip to the Cotswolds, you'll find it here. Later, when hunger bites, you'll be spoiled for choice. The city's eateries range from retro cafés, Lebanese restaurants, European brasserie fare, and a crop of excellent quality gastropubs, not to mention historic pubs and quirky microbreweries.

Day 11: Drive to London via Avebury

It's time to wave goodbye to Bath and head back east to the capital. Set off, and around half an hour into your journey, stop at Avebury. This small village and its wealth of prehistoric monuments in and around it are part of an extraordinary set of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites that, together with Stonehenge, form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Park in the village and spend a couple of hours exploring Abury Henge, which contains the world's largest prehistoric stone circle, while a mile to the south is Silbury Hill, the largest human-made mound in Europe.

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 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 to your trip. Cheers!

Day 12: Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens, Depart London

It's your last morning in the capital, and before you transfer to the airport, you could head to Hyde Park, central London's green lung and a vast open space adored by locals who go to jog, dog-walk, swim, or unwind. Leave behind the hustle and bustle for a few hours and brave an open-air swim in the Serpentine, or opt for a gentle row aboard one of the river boats available for hire. If the weather's fine, grab a second takeaway breakfast and coffee, spot the squirrels and swans, or admire the views across the lake from a waterside café.

Just next door to Hyde Park on its western side is Kensington Gardens, another of London's eight Royal Parks. Once the preserve of royalty, the park's palace has been the childhood home of Queen Victoria and more recently home to Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret, and the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Depending on your timings for the day, wander the historic tree avenues, see the cascading fountains in the Italian Gardens, or go in search of Peter Pan (you'll find a bronze sculpture dedicated to J.M. Barrie's literary hero down by the Long Water.)

When you're ready, transfer to the airport in time to make your flight home or continue your European adventure. Safe travels!