Cotswolds Day Tour from Oxford - Explore Downton and Beyond

4.9 (19 reviews) 7 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

19 reviews

4.9

Bibury is a popular village for visitors to the Cotswolds - for a very good reason. It's gorgeous! — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Bourton-on-the-Water is a favourite destination in the Cotswolds — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Cotswolds on this new day tour from Oxford with an established, award-winning local company! Visit charming villages like Bampton (the real-life 'Downton'!), and enjoy free time to explore the idyllic surroundings of Shilton, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford. With insights from fun, friendly, local driver-guides, you'll learn about the rich history and culture of the Cotswolds while enjoying a leisurely day in the countryside. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small groups seeking an affordable and enjoyable day trip experience.

Full-day tour departs central Oxford at 09:30 and returns by 16:30
Explore Bampton, Shilton, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Burford
Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus with a local guide
Free time at each location to enjoy shops, cafes, and stunning views

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Likely to Sell Out Excellent Quality Likely To Sell Out

At a glance

Duration: 7 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 16 people
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: Go Cotswolds - Guided Tours

Ages: Children (3–15 years) · Adults (16–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Pickup from central Oxford (St Giles Bus Stop C, outside the Ashmolean Museum) at 9.30am.
Included: Souvenir booklets with maps, photos and information
Included: Travel the back roads in a spacious, comfortable, 16-seater Mercedes minibus
Included: Fun, friendly, local driver-guide to share stories and enhance your day

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Food and drink - please bring your own, or money for food and drink on the go

Itinerary

Bampton

45 min

A scenic, 40-minute drive from Oxford city centre brings us to the edge of the Cotswolds and the pretty village of Bampton – though fans of a certain TV show may know it better as ‘Downton’! There are cafés and shops here to stock up on snacks and a small Downton Abbey exhibition for the superfans!
Stop 2

Passing by

After a 15-minute drive from Bampton, we'll arrive in the lovely village of Shilton - a hidden gem here in the Cotswolds! This charming village is off the tourist trail, quiet and peaceful, with a very picturesque ford (river crossing the street). It’s a beautiful place to stop and get snap-happy with your camera!
Bibury

30 min

Leaving Shilton, we'll take the scenic back roads (30 mins), via the pretty villages of Eastleach and Coln St Aldwyn's, to arrive at your next stop - the popular village of Bibury. Home to the famous Arlington Row of cottages, Bibury is often described as "the prettiest village in England". See for yourself!
Bourton-on-the-Water

1 h 15 min

16-seater minibuses can travel on roads unsuitable for larger coaches - and the 40-minute scenic route from Bibury to Bourton-on-the-Water is a perfect example of this! Winding our way through the gorgeous Coln Valley, we'll arrive in the must-see village of Bourton-on-the-Water (a village where larger coaches cannot park). You'll have approximately 1 hour 15 minutes of free time here to explore this pretty riverside village. Perhaps have some lunch in one of the many charming tea-rooms or cafés, stroll along the river Windrush, shop for gifts or visit a local museum.
Burford

one hour

Leaving Bourton-on-the-Water, a 25-minute drive - passing through the lovely villages of Great Barrington and Taynton - brings us to your final stop in the historic Cotswold market town of Burford. Hike up ‘The Hill’ for gorgeous cottages and far-reaching views, shop for gifts and antiques, or have a cream tea in one of the local tea-rooms. Don’t miss the impressive ‘wool church’ of St. John The Baptist with its surprising history!

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This tour departs from Bus Stop C on St Giles, Oxford (outside the Ashmolean Museum). Please arrive 10 minutes before the departure time.

End point

This tour departs from Bus Stop C on St Giles, Oxford (outside the Ashmolean Museum). Please arrive 10 minutes before the departure time.

Using your ticket

You don't need to print your ticket - please just have it handy on your mobile phone and be prepared to show it to your guide if requested.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Kindly arrive at the pick up point at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure so we can get everyone checked in and depart right on time!.
There is no sign at the bus stop which says ‘C5’ but if you use the map location provided, or What3Words location game.stays.reward, you’ll be in the right place! The bus stop is a popular layby for coaches and minibuses. St John’s College and a small blue take-away food kiosk are on the opposite side of the road.
Look out for our friendly guide in Go Cotswolds uniform, driving a large white minibus with green and purple Go Cotswolds branding—you won’t miss us!
If you are arriving in Oxford by train, note that our pick-up point is a 10-15 minute walk from Oxford railway station.
Uber and similar services are not widely available in Oxford and the Cotswolds, and local taxis can be difficult to book last minute. We strongly recommend booking taxis in advance or using public transport where possible.
If you're not at your pick-up point on time (09:30) and we can't contact you, the tour will depart without you. Make sure we have your correct mobile number with international dial code before your tour.
After the tour, please plan any onward travel after 16.30.
We have plenty of secure luggage space on board our vehicles, though please note our guides may not be able to assist with very heavy luggage
Children aged 3–15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Sorry, no children under 3.
Tours run in all but dangerous weather—please dress appropriately!
Accessibility: Users of lightweight mobility equipment such as canes, walking frames and foldable manual wheelchairs are welcome on our tours, provided you can climb 3 steps to get on and off our minibus, multiple times during the tour. Lightweight, foldable manual wheelchairs can be stored in the luggage compartment of our minibus. We're sorry, we cannot accommodate wheelchair users who are unable to get in and out of their chair unassisted, nor can we accommodate any electric wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
The itinerary for this tour may be amended on the day by your guide - we'll visit all of the listed locations, for the stated amount of time, but locations may be visited in a different order depending on the conditions, traffic etc on the day.