Immerse yourself in quintessential British culture from our home base 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’ll 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 Gloucester. 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 13-20, 2026
Itinerary Highlights:
- Oxford city tour
- Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare
- Warwick Castle
- Cotswolds region
- Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds
- Bath
- 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
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure
Monday, April 13, 2026
Board your overnight flight to London.
Day 2: Arrive in London • Windsor
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport, where you will be met by our team. Due to the early arrival, we will make the short journey to Windsor, where you will have a couple of hours at leisure. Some may wish to have breakfast or coffee to refuel after an overnight flight, so we will take you to our favorite spot with views of the castle. There is also an opportunity to shop if you wish to do so. We may even get to witness the changing of the guard before heading back to the coach to depart for Oxford.
We will then check in to the hotel and allow you to rest and recover before a welcome drink on the rooftop of the hotel. You will receive a complimentary beverage (either gin or a beer) that has been produced locally and use the opportunity to admire the views and get to know your fellow travellers. We then head to dinner at Victor’s (a five-minute walk from the hotel).
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 3: Oxford
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
We start the day with a walking tour of Oxford. Here you will get to admire the beauty and tradition of the numerous colleges, and check out the Bodleian Library — the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1602. After a break for lunch, we then reconvene to take a college tour with an alumni guide. We expect to finish around 3 p.m., after which you will have some time at leisure — we highly recommend using the time to pick up souvenirs. You may also wish to visit the botanical gardens, take a tour of the Bodleian Library, or visit the castle and prison, which are adjacent to the hotel (please note the stairs in the castle and prison are extremely steep and uneven and therefore we do not recommend this to anyone with mobility issues). Dinner at leisure (recommendations provided).
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 4: Stratford-Upon-Avon • Warwick Castle
Thursday, April 16, 2026
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 before returning to Oxford in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 5: The Cotswolds
Friday, April 17, 2026
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 6: Stonehenge
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Today we explore history from up to 5,000 years ago in England. After breakfast, we head to the Avebury stone circle. While it isn’t 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 such circles on our lands. We will then stop for lunch in Avebury before arriving at Stonehenge. You will have free time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 7: Bath • Gloucester Cathedral
Sunday, April 19, 2026
We depart for the West Country after breakfast. 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 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 stunning cathedral before returning to Oxford for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
Day 8: Departure
Monday, April 20, 2026
We will transport you back to Heathrow Airport for your flight home (a packed breakfast will be provided), 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:
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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 by Iain Pears (1997) — 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 by Jane Austen (1817) — 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 by Colin Dexter (1975-1999) — 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 by Philip Pullman (1995-2000) — 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” on the History Extra podcast (2022; Apple Podcasts, Spotify) — 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.
