England | Stonehenge to Downton Abbey

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 15^th 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.