Experience England’s historic cities, village greens, and royal landmarks from our home base in Oxford, the world-renowned university city whose colleges and winding lanes have inspired generations of writers, scholars, and dreamers. Our journey begins in London, where landmarks like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and the Tower of London introduce us to the nation’s rich history. From Oxford’s famed “dreaming spires,” we’ll venture into the surrounding countryside to explore Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon, wander through the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds, and discover the Roman and medieval heritage of Bath and Gloucester. Along the way, insider expertise from Oxfordshire-based tour operator Global Dreams Travel helps open doors to authentic experiences that bring England’s history, culture, and traditions to life.
April 19-26, 2027
Itinerary Highlights:
- Panoramic tour of London
- Walking tour of Oxford
- Stratford-Upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare
- Warwick Castle
- The Cotswolds
- Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds
- Bath and Roman baths
- Gloucester Cathedral
- Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill
- Stonehenge
Package Includes:
- Round-trip airfare from Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Six nights’ accommodations in Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
- Nine meals: six breakfasts and three dinners
- All sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
- Professional tour director
- Our State host
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations, and help with all bookings
Accommodations:
- Six nights in Oxford: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Note: Hotels are subject to change.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure
Monday, April 19, 2027
Board your overnight flight to London.
Day 2: Arrive in London • London city tour
Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Arrive at the London airport and meet your tour director. Board the coach and head into London for a panoramic tour of the capital, taking in iconic sites like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and more. Enjoy time to explore the Tower of London and get lunch on your own, then visit Tower Bridge for spectacular views of the city. We will then depart London and head to our hotel in Oxford, where we will be based for six nights. After check-in, we will reconvene for our welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 3: Oxford
Wednesday, April 21, 2027
Start the day with a walking tour of Oxford. Admire the beauty and traditions of Oxford’s colleges and the renowned Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe. After a break for lunch, take a college tour with an alumni guide. The rest of the day is at your leisure to visit the botanical gardens, take a tour of the Bodleian Library, or visit the castle and prison, which are adjacent to the hotel. Recommendations will be provided for dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 4: The Cotswolds
Thursday, April 22, 2027
Today, explore the Cotswolds. We start the day on the edge of the region by visiting Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born. We continue to Burford, one of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque market towns, for lunch and afternoon tea. Exploring the region further, we visit Bibury and Stow on the Wold, with their thatched-roof cottages, cobbled streets, and red telephone booths. We return to Oxford for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 5: Bath • Gloucester
Friday, April 23, 2027
As we depart for the West Country, our first stop is the city of Bath, where we explore Roman history and culture with a tour of the Roman baths. We will also make a photo stop at the iconic Royal Crescent. We will then enjoy a walking tour of the town, followed by some free time for lunch and souvenir shopping. Afterward, we head to Gloucester to visit the magnificent cathedral before returning to Oxford for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 6: Avebury Stone Circle • Stonehenge
Saturday, April 24, 2027
Step back thousands of years into England’s prehistoric past. After breakfast, we head to the Avebury stone circle. While not as large as Stonehenge, it is just as symbolic, and we can go right up to the stones. Our specialist guide for the day will explain what makes this site so interesting and the significance of these ancient monuments within the landscape. We will then stop for lunch in Avebury before arriving at Stonehenge. You will have free time for dinner back in Oxford.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 7: Stratford-Upon Avon
Sunday, April 25, 2027
Travel north to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. In the afternoon, visit Warwick Castle to explore this historic fortress. Enjoy a cruise on the River Thames, followed by a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 8: Departure
Monday, April 26, 2027
We will transport you back to the London airport for your flight home (a packed breakfast will be provided).
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Rates:
Regular rate: $5,150 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single rate: $5,700
For Reservations & More Information:
To sign up or see more information, please click below or contact Adam Cornish at info@globaldreamtravel.co.uk or (347) 748-1516 (U.S. phone number):
For more information on physical requirements and what to expect on an Our State trip, click here.
Explore More
Get excited for your trip and learn more about your destination with our curated list of books, films, music, and more.
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Read
An Instance of the Fingerpost (1997) by Iain Pears — Set in 1660s Oxford and featuring many famous historical figures, this mystery centers on a young woman accused of murdering an Oxford University fellow. Four witnesses — a physician, the son of a traitor, a cryptographer, and an antiquarian — recount their versions of the story, but only one is telling the truth.
Persuasion (1817) by Jane Austen — Austen set her final novel in the Cotswolds and the town of Bath, where she lived for several years. The satirical romance follows Anne Elliott, who is reunited with her former lover eight years after her family and friends persuaded her to end their relationship.
Inspector Morse series (1975-1999) by Colin Dexter — Over the course of 13 novels and three TV show adaptations, Inspector Endeavour Morse — one of Britain’s favorite detectives — investigates crimes and solves mysteries around Oxford and the Cotswolds.
His Dark Materials series (1995-2000) by Philip Pullman — Oxford alum Philip Pullman drew inspiration from the university for both the setting and the central themes —including knowledge and learning — in his fantasy trilogy about a girl living in a parallel universe where an oppressive religious institution reigns.
Watch
Shadowlands (1993; Amazon Prime Video, YouTube) — This drama is based on the true story of author C.S. Lewis during his time as a professor at Oxford, where he falls in love with an American poet who is then diagnosed with cancer.
Shakespeare in Love (1998; Paramount+, rent online) — Before visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon — the birthplace of Shakespeare — dive into the famous playwright’s world in this fictionalized romance that takes place as he’s writing Romeo and Juliet.
The History Boys (2006; rent online) — Based on the Tony Award-winning play, this comedy drama follows a group of intellectually gifted boys who are working to get into Oxford or Cambridge with the help of two eccentric teachers.
A Discovery of Witches (2019-2022; Netflix) — In this modern fantasy, a historian — who also happens to be a witch — discovers a magical manuscript in an Oxford library. She and a vampire join forces despite their initial mistrust in order to uncover the book’s secrets while fending off magical creatures.
Listen
Folger Shakespeare Audio Editions — Hear excerpts from some of Shakespeare’s famous plays, performed by professional actors. Full audiobooks are also available for purchase.
“Stonehenge: Everything You Wanted to Know” (2022) on the History Extra podcast — This two-part special features archaeologist and author Mike Pitts answering listener questions about how and why the mysterious Stonehenge was built, its relationship with other prehistoric sites, the name’s origins, and more.
“Morris Dance Tunes” Spotify playlist — The Cotswolds are home to the region’s own style of Morris dance — an English folk dance whose name is derived from the word “Moorish.” The Cotswold dances are traditionally accompanied by a single musician playing popular tunes from English history on the pipe, fiddle, accordion, or other instrument. To see the dance in action, watch this video from the 2023 Oxford Folk Festival.
Wassails — The Old Christmas tradition of wassailing — a variation on caroling — is said to bless fruit trees in the coming season. Orchards are plentiful around Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, where the wassailing custom has continued for hundreds of years.
