From London: Shakespeare's Stratford & Cotswolds Day Tour

Highlights

• Enjoy a small-group tour with an expert local tour guide
• Travel to and from London Paddington Station
• Stroll along the scenic banks of the Windrush River in Bourton-on-the-Water
• Be captivated by the charm of the picturesque cottages along Arlington Row
• Enjoy plenty of time for self-exploration, shopping, and a delightful lunch

Description

Discover Shakespeare’s hometown and picturesque Cotswolds villages on a full-day small-group tour from London. Spend two hours exploring Stratford-upon-Avon before visiting Broadway Village, Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Bibury with its famous Arlington Row.

Travel in a luxury 16-seat minibus or 29-seat midibus with panoramic windows and extra legroom. Your expert guide shares local insights along the journey, while self-guided time at each stop gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Depart at 7:30 am from the bus stop opposite Lite Bite Cafe Bar near London Paddington. Leave the city behind and enjoy the journey to a day of literary history, honey-coloured cottages and riverside scenery.

Stratford-upon-Avon — 2 hours
Begin your sightseeing in the historic hometown of William Shakespeare. Explore Henley Street, see the exterior of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, stroll beside the River Avon and discover the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Enjoy two hours of self-guided time to explore the town’s historic streets, browse independent shops or pause for refreshments. Entry to Shakespeare’s houses is optional and not included.

Broadway Village — 1 hour 20 minutes
Continue into the Cotswolds for a leisurely stop in Broadway Village. Wander along its broad High Street, admire honey-coloured stone buildings and browse independent shops. With one hour and 20 minutes here, you can combine sightseeing with lunch at a café, pub or restaurant of your choice. Food and drinks are not included.

Snowshill Village — 30 minutes
Enjoy a quieter side of the Cotswolds with a 30-minute stop in Snowshill. Explore its village lanes, admire traditional stone cottages and take photographs of its picturesque surroundings. This short visit offers time to appreciate the village’s peaceful character.

Bourton-on-the-Water — 1 hour
Explore the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, where low stone bridges cross the River Windrush. Stroll along the riverbanks, browse village shops or find a café overlooking the water. Enjoy an hour of self-guided time to discover this much-loved village.

Bibury & Arlington Row — 30 minutes
Finish your village visits in picturesque Bibury. Admire the historic cottages of Arlington Row, stroll beside the River Coln and capture the classic Cotswolds scenery. Time to see Arlington Row is included within the 30-minute Bibury stop.

Relax on the journey back to London Paddington, with arrival expected around 6:00 pm. This full-day tour combines Shakespeare’s literary heritage with four distinctive Cotswolds villages, balancing local insights along the route with free time to explore.

The itinerary and timings may vary because of traffic, weather or local events.