Grand and historic, the unique academic ambience of Oxford, boasts the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Visitors can explore famous colleges such as Magdalen College, Christchurch College and New College Hall, along with the magnificent Bodleian Library.
Known as the birthplace of Shakespeare, the lovely medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is well worth a visit. As well as the birthplace of Shakespeare, the homes of his wife and mother are nearby and delightfully quaint.
Visit the North Cotswolds, home to cookie-cutter villages and beautiful landscapes. Each Cotswold village is picturesque in its own unique way and offers delightful sightseeing to idle the day away.
As the name suggests, Bath is home to a wealth of ancient Roman baths as well as Britain’s only natural bathing thermal hot springs. The vibrant city also boasts a wide range of great places to eat and drink, as well as an impressive collection of museums.
Visit one of the most famous landmarks in the UK; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge. The distinctive standing stone circle also has a world-class exhibition centre and Neolithic houses.
Located on the southern edge of the South Downs National Park, the city of Winchester is famed for its medieval cathedral, castle and historic inner city. Near the city, you can also find the home of Jane Austen, the famous 19th-century English novelist.
This tour of the heart of England begins in London – Britain’s vibrant and wonderful capital city. From here, travel through quintessential English countryside to Oxford, home to prestigious Oxford University, and then to the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Travelling around the Cotswolds countryside, visit chocolate-box villages such as Moreton in Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water and the Slaughters. It will then be time to discover the fascinating historic cities of Bath and Winchester.
Begin your holiday in the iconic city of London, a buzzing, energetic mecca of different cultures, attractions, sights and sounds. You could visit historic landmarks such as the Tower of London or St Paul’s Cathedral, watch the guards change at Buckingham Palace or take a cruise along the winding River Thames.
Onwards to another renowned city, Oxford offers a wealth of sightseeing options. Hop on and hop off a City Sightseeing Bus Tour and explore the many attractions in the city, including the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, the various university colleges, the historic covered market and the Botanic Gardens. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the many filming locations spread across the city, while history buffs will delight in Oxford’s wonderful architecture.
This tour will then take you on to historic market towns and twee villages. Discover Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Wiliam Shakespeare and home to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre. After exploring Stratford-upon-Avon, head south to the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a captivating area to discover, with picturesque villages and historic castles dotted between a patchwork quilt of rolling green fields.
As well as quaint villages and gorgeous landscapes, the Cotswolds are also surrounded by lovely cities such as Bath, known for its Roman-built baths and stunning Georgian architecture. From Bath, your tour takes you to Salisbury and its impressive cathedral, but not before visiting the world-famous, Neolithic standing stone circle of Stonehenge. Spend your sightseeing day exploring fascinating sites near Salisbury, including the Old Sarum and historic Winchester.
The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.
We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.
Arrive in London and enjoy your first evening in England’s energetic capital city. You will find endless opportunities for eating and drinking from Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional pubs to bustling, international food markets and cuisines from every country in the world.
Overnight – London
Today you could choose to take a sightseeing tour in order to get acquainted with this vast city and all the attractions it has to offer. Learn about the history of London with a visit to the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey or explore one of the many museums and art galleries.
Overnight – London
For a more extensive view of this renowned capital, take a cruise along the River Thames, a circuit on the London Eye or a trip up the dizzying heights of the Shard to enjoy stunning views of London’s well-known skyline. Perhaps, finish with tickets to a show in London’s iconic West End.
Overnight – London
Leaving the capital behind you will head for Oxford. Named ‘the city of dreaming spires’ by poet Matthew Arnold, Oxford has a unique atmosphere which has inspired many academics. There are plenty of sights to enjoy, including Magdalen College or Christchurch College, or just soak up the relaxing atmosphere on the banks of the River Thames.
Overnight – Oxford
Spend the day exploring Oxford. You may wish to visit the numerous Harry Potter locations throughout the city, lose yourself in the magnificent Bodleian Library, or discover the historic covered market.
Overnight – Oxford
Travel north from Oxford for a short journey to Stratford-upon-Avon. En-route, you may wish to visit magnificent Blenheim Palace – a grand country house and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight – Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is most famous as the birthplace of the great playwright William Shakespeare. Today you can visit his birthplace at Anne Hathaway’s cottage or the family home of his mother at Mary Arden’s Farm. In the evening we recommend that you book tickets to a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Overnight – Stratford-upon-Avon
The charming town of Warwick and its impressive castle is well worth a detour before you head south towards the Cotswolds – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Overnight – North Cotswolds
Discover the North Cotswolds, dotted with twee villages such as Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. For something grander, the spa town of Cheltenham is close by.
Overnight – North Cotswolds
Heading south you will skirt the edge of the Cotswolds before reaching the vibrant city of Bath. This historic city boasts numerous ancient Roman baths as well as the UK’s only natural bathing, thermal hot springs.
Overnight – Bath
Lounge your day away in one of the many baths in the city, or head back into the southern Cotswolds – more quaint villages, patchwork fields and sightseeing opportunities await. Alternatively, join a walking tour of Bath and be awed by the city’s incredible Neoclassical architecture.
Overnight – Bath
Departing Bath, head southwards towards Salisbury. Make sure to take the short but worthy detour to Stonehenge, one of the most famous Neolithic sites in the UK. The impressive standing stone circle towers over the Wiltshire countryside and is a must-see on the route.
Overnight – Salisbury
Spend time exploring Salisbury Cathedral, which boasts Britain’s tallest spire, before making the short journey to nearby Winchester. The medieval Winchester Castle and its gothic cathedral draw visitors from all over the world. The home of novelist Jane Austen can also be visited from the city.
Overnight – Salisbury
After breakfast it’s approximately 2 hours drive back to London, where your unforgettable tour of London & The Heart of England will come to an end.
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We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.
Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.
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Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.
If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.
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