Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive at one of London’s Airports and transfer by chauffeur driven car to your hotel, where you stay for two nights. Today maybe tour the amazing sights of London, Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace, lovely St. James Park and Westminster Bridge. See the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Walk down Whitehall, pass Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade to Trafalgar Square. See Nelson’s Column and the famous lions, visit the National Gallery and the church of St. Martin’s in the Field.
DAY 2
Today you may want to take a boat trip from Charing Cross Pier to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. See the famous Beefeaters and view the Crown Jewels. Continue to St. Paul’s Cathedral, modelled on St. Peter’s Rome. Return via the Monument to the Great Fire of London in 1666. Attend one of London’s renowned evening shows, ballet or opera (optional). If you wish we can arrange a Blue Badge Guided Tour, at extra cost. This can be for a full or half day.
DAY 3
Pick up your rental or chauffeur driven car and drive from London to the Cotswolds, via the Oxford, Witney, Burford, Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Broadway and Chipping Camden. The village greens, cottage gardens, antique shops, churches and quaint country pubs are truly characteristic of the Gloucestershire area. Stay two nights at your Cotswolds hotel.
DAY 4
Today, you may wish to drive to Stratford-on-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, visiting en route lovely Hidcote Manor Gardens. In Stratford, you may wish to take a local hop-on/hop-off bus tour and see Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s House, Holy Trinity Church and, of course, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Tonight perhaps attend a play.
DAY 5
This morning depart the Cotswolds via Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters, the Roman Villa at Yanworth, Bibury and Cirencester, Castle Combe and Laycock, which vie for the title of the prettiest village in England. Spend two nights in Bath.
DAY 6
Spend the day in Bath, a renowned spa town with classic Georgian architecture. Visit the Roman Baths, the Assembly Rooms, the Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen centre. Stroll through Prior Park and wander over the Pulteney Bridge.
DAY 7
Today drive to Windsor and Eton, perhaps visiting Stonehenge, Avebury, Winchester and Romsey Abbey en route. Visit Windsor Castle, St. George’s Chapel and nearby Eton College.
DAY 8
Drive to London’s Heathrow or Gatwick airport, drop the car and fly home.
