Join Our State as we immerse ourselves in quintessential British culture. Our home base is in the world-famous university city of Oxford, where our hotel is just a short walk away from shopping, pubs, and restaurants. Once we familiarize ourselves with the “dreaming spires” and incredible history, we then explore the surrounding areas, including Stratford-Upon-Avon (birthplace of William Shakespeare), the Cotswolds region, and the West Country, where we visit Bath and Bristol. What we love about this tour is that we will be staying in the area where Global Dream Travel is located, allowing us to benefit from their great local partnerships and expertise.
April 7-14, 2025
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
Itinerary Highlights:
- Take a city tour of Oxford and immerse yourself in the incredible history of this university town
- Take a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of Shakespeare, and on to Warwick Castle
- Explore the peaceful British countryside in the Cotswolds region, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds
- Enjoy the West Country as we visit Bath, Bristol, and Gloucester
- Sample some excellent local food and drink, including traditional roasts, hand-pulled ales, and more
- Visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill
- Visit Stonehenge
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Arrive at London Heathrow, where you will be met by our team. We make the short transfer (approximately one-and-a-half hours) to the hotel in Oxford to check in. Enjoy some free time to relax and settle in before dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 2: Oxford
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
We start the day with a walking tour of Oxford. You will get to admire the beauty and tradition of the numerous colleges and their gardens with an alumnus of the university. We will visit Bodleian Library, the oldest library in Europe, dating back to 1602. After a lunch break, we reconvene to visit the University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, followed by the Pitt Rivers Museum, which displays the archaeological and anthropological collections of the university. We finish with a dinner locally in Oxford.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 3: Stratford-Upon-Avon • Warwick Castle
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Today, we head north to Stratford-Upon-Avon (approximately a one-hour drive) to explore the birthplace of William Shakespeare and theaters associated with his fine work, including a tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. In the afternoon, we head to Warwick Castle to fully explore this world-famous sight. Warwick Castle is one of the best-known castles in central England. Created on the location of the medieval wooden military fortification under William the Conqueror during the 12th century, it was adapted into a stone castle. It provided excellent protection during the Norman invasions and became one of the best-known strongholds during the Hundred Years War. Warwick Castle served as an example for many military stone castles that were created in 14th and 15th centuries. We return to Oxford in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 4: The Cotswolds
Friday, April 11, 2025
Today is about exploring the Cotswolds! We start the day on the edge of the region by visiting Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born. This stunning setting is truly memorable. We continue to Burford, a beautiful town in the heart of the Cotswolds for lunch and afternoon tea. We then head to Bourton-on-the-Water, famous for its honey-colored stone architecture and model village, and travel on to Bibury. The charm of these Cotswold villages will really stand out, with thatched roof cottages, cobbled streets, and, of course, many red telephone boxes. We return to Oxford for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 5: Bath • Bristol • Gloucester
Saturday, April 12, 2025
After breakfast, we head to the West Country. Our first stop is the city of Bath, where we dive into Roman history and culture with a tour of the Roman Baths. We will then travel to Bristol to admire the SS Great Britain and Brunel’s world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, offering spectacular views of the city and home to fascinating plant life. After lunch in Bristol (don’t miss the opportunity to have local cider if you get the chance!), we will head to Gloucester to visit the stunning cathedral that dates back more than 1,300 years. The cathedral is renowned for its grand Gothic architecture, particularly the elaborate fan vaulting of the cloisters and 225-foot-high central tower. It was the filming site of two Harry Potter movies. We will also visit Tewkesbury Abbey, world-renowned for being one of the U.K.’s greatest examples of medieval architecture. We will enjoy a traditional and convivial pub dinner on the way back to Oxford.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 6: Stonehenge
Sunday, April 13, 2025
On our last full day, we visit Stonehenge, a truly spectacular yet spiritual site that is an iconic part of Britain’s ancient history. We will return to Oxford in time for lunch, giving you the afternoon to enjoy some of the quirky and charming shops on High Street, before a farewell dinner on a pleasure boat where you can reflect on your visit to the Heart of England.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 7: Departure
Monday, April 14, 2025
After breakfast, we will transport you back to Heathrow Airport for our flight home, unless you choose to connect to one of our post-trip itineraries or other adventures within the U.K.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Rates:
Regular rate: $4,900 per person based on double occupancy.
Single rate: $5,550
For Reservations & More Information:
For more details or to book, go to globaldreamtravel.co.uk 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.
