Explore England’s elegant natural environment and step back into history as you tour old towns and centuries-old locations which authors, royals, and government officials called home. This adventure encompasses the best of the Cotswolds: Visiting England’s stunning palaces and Neolithic monuments, cycling, walking, punting, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up-paddle-boarding down rivers and canals, all in one week. Eat with the locals in the best gastro-pubs the Cotswolds has to offer, try some of the most famous Cotswold ales and stay in the fantastic historic towns.
Rest your feet in the evenings in luxurious, four-star hotels and enjoy their award-winning restaurants. With stunning views around every corner, excellent accommodation, wonderful pubs and beautiful cuisine, England will give you an experience you won’t forget!
Discover why the Stongehenge is still a mystery today after thousands of years
Ogle at the ornate architecture of historical towns like Bath and Burford that lines the cobblestone streets
Sip a tea or beer at the many pubs dotting the cities
Indulge in naturally beautiful vistas as you explore the rivers, paddling along the canals into Oxford
Learn about the characters that lived in storied places, including the romantic Jane Austen and the powerful Sir Winston Churchill
Visit Bampton, where outdoor scenes for the TV show Downton Abbey were filmed
Tour the Blenheim Palace and walk within the 2,000-acre Capability Brown estate
A few more reasons why you’ve gotta go:
01
View the city of Bath from the River Avon as you kayak or canoe, passing elaborate stone buildings
02
Bike through the countryside up to the golden-stoned market town of Burford for Cotswold beer tasting
03
Take a private city tour of Oxford, famous for its ancient university and the fanciful “dreaming spires” that top the architecture
We collect you at 8:30am from London at Paddington Station, Platform 1, under the clock and take you by bus to the famous Neolithic Stonehenge. You have the option to walk to the Stones, a short two-mile round trip stroll for a nice, gentle start to your holiday. We lunch in the Tythe Barn Café in Bradford-Upon-Avon, with the option to walk or bike along some of Bath’s famous canals in the afternoon to your hotel in the centre of Bath. Bath has a wealth of great restaurants to choose from and a vibrant ‘foodie’ culture.
About The Bird, Bath Hotel
This boutique hotel will suit anyone’s fancy-looking to have a quaint, relaxing accommodation. 31 uniquely-designed and decorated rooms are ready for you to nestle in at night. Located in Bath City Centre, this stone-laden accommodation provides easy access to the hustle and bustle of the city and is central to some green spaces within the city.
We kayak or canoe out of Bath along the River Avon and back via the Dundas Aqueduct. There is no better to see the city than from the water and we finish up by the Holburne Museum for lunch. In the afternoon guests have the opportunity to visit the iconic Roman Baths, near-complete after 2000 years, and walk to Jane Austen’s house and the famous Royal Crescent.
We take a short transfer in the morning for some stand-up paddleboarding in the Cotswolds and then visit the ‘The Slaughters’, two of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque villages, walking through them to Bourton-on-the-Water for lunch. From here we bike through the countryside up to the golden-stoned market town of Burford for an early evening beer-tasting of the Cotswolds’ most popular ales. Burford has great gastro-pubs and restaurants to choose from, to dine in the evenings.
About The Lamb Inn
Step off the cobbled streets of Burford and into The Lamb Inn where you’ll be greeted with dark, warm woodwork, a stoked log fire, and a grandfather clock. This historic accommodation was established in the early 15th century originally as a weaver’s cottage. Over time the place has gained contemporary touches and comfortable amenities. Here you’ll find a variety of cozy corners and armchairs to choose from before you hit the hay.
We transfer to Blenheim Palace in the morning, for a walk within the 2,000-acre Capability Brown estate. Guests tour the palace, exploring its illustrious history, particularly as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. For lunch we have a group picnic outside by the stunning lake, and in the afternoon there is the option to cycle back to Burford and your hotel.
We bike out along the beautifully flat valley to the quaint town of Bampton, where the outdoor scenes for the hit TV show Downton Abbey are filmed. After an exploration of the town we take a short transfer to Eynsham where there is the option to walk or paddle along the canals into Oxford, with lunch in a riverside pub along the way. We take a tour of the city in the afternoon before punting along the river that runs through the city in the early evening, for a relaxed finish to your day.
About voco Oxford Spires
This luxuriously stylish modern accommodation features stunning A-frame architecture lined with stone and woodwork along the dormers. The hotel is located near the River Thames and plenty of museums and colleges to discover. A restaurant and bar are also available at this hotel, as well as a heated pool and spa. Inside your rooms you’ll have sleek decorations and bright features to welcome you home each evening.
Today our guides will meet you during breakfast and help you with your ongoing travel arrangements. Oxford is a mainline train station with frequent departures into London (a short 40-60-minute journey to London Paddington).
**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures.
Prior to the trip, arrive at your own convenience in London. On Day 1, we will meet you at Paddington Station, Platform 1 under the clock at 8:30 a.m. After a transfer to the Neolithic Stonehenge, the activities begin. After breakfast on Day 6, we take you to the airport, train station, or the hotel of your choice in Oxford. Alternatively, depending on your travel plans, you can also be dropped off at the London Paddington train station.
Activities
Cycling:
Day 1 mileage options: 10-15
Day 3-5 mileage options: 15-20
Walking/Hiking:
Day 1 mileage options: 2-6
Day 2-5 mileage: 4
Kayak or Canoe:
Day 2 mileage options: 4-6, no experience necessary
Paddleboarding:
Day 2 mileage: 2
Day 3 mileage: varies
Day 5 mileage: 2-4
Cultural Discoveries
Discovery: Step back into time as you venture through centuries-old locations that have been home to many authors, royals, government officials, and other famous English people. Discover why the Stongehenge is still a mystery today after thousands of years. Ogle at the ornate architecture that lines the cobblestone streets, sip a tea or beer at the many pubs dotting the cities, and indulge in naturally beautiful vistas as you explore the rivers. Learn about the characters that lived in these storied places, including the romantic Jane Austen and the powerful Sir Winston Churchill.
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They take the time to explain the local history and daily sightseeing and route options. Each route has been carefully planned to include options to please each traveler’s interests. Austin Adventures guides are available to help you select the distance that’s right for you and to offer advice and assistance as you desire.
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in the Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
Meals as listed in detailed daily itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not Included in the Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
Europe Expert
Adam Beecham
Want to know how to make fast friends in foreign places and how to get the most out of a destination by experiencing it like a local? Ask Adam, a longtime Austin Adventures guide who now serves as European Operations Manager in Holland. He caught the travel bug during a semester abroad in New Zealand and Australia and quickly discovered he never wanted to stop experiencing—and more importantly, sharing—the wonder of travel. He taught English in China, managed a resort in Mexico, and now lives with his wife and child in Amsterdam, ensuring guests have the best guides and experiences possible on their European adventures.