Join Our State as we immerse ourselves into 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 – 14th, 2025

 

Package Includes:

• Courtyard By Marriott Oxford City Centre
• All breakfasts
• Meet at the airport with transfer to and from the hotel and a welcome dinner on the first night (three courses and a drink)
• Expert guide
• Our State host to be with you every step of the way
• Comfortable touring vehicle
• Local knowledge, recommendations, and help with all bookings
• Three dinners – a welcome dinner, pub dinner, and a farewell dinner
• Flights in and out of London Heathrow from Raleigh, North Carolina
• Admission to and tours of all attractions on the itinerary
• City tour of Oxford
• Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds

 

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

 

Not Included:

• Lunches and dinners, unless specified – we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options, however local recommendations will be provided
• Tips/Gratuities – minimum suggested per person, per day is $20
• Any visa requirement costs

 

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

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.

 

Day 2

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 re-convene 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.

 

Day 3

Today we head north to Stratford-upon-Avon (approximately a one-hour drive) to explore the birthplace of William Shakespeare and theatres 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 century.

We return to Oxford in time for dinner.

 

Day 4

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.

 

Day 5

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 1300 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 UK’s greatest examples of medieval architecture.

We will enjoy a traditional and convivial pub dinner on the way back to Oxford.

 

Day 6

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.

 

Day 7

After breakfast we will transport 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 UK!

 

Tour Rates:

$4900 per person based on double occupancy.

Single rate is: $5550

The dates for this exclusive Our State tour are April 7 – 14th, 2025 and places are limited to 30 people.

 

For reservations and more information:

For more details or to book, go to globaldreamtravel.co.uk or contact Adam Cornish at info@globaldreamtravel.co.uk or call Adam at (347) 748-1516 (USA phone number).

Book Now

 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.