Blenheim Palace and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London
Address
Victoria Coach Station, 164 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 9TP, UK
GPS
51.4922773, -0.14880143861205
Join us for an incredible day trip from London, to Blenheim Castle, Bampton, the village featured in “Downton Abbey” and the charming Cotswolds. On this full-day excursion from London with an expert guide, see a plethora of England’s rural and historical gems, as well as the fictional ‘Downton Abbey’ community.
Discover the enchanting scenery of the Cotswolds with visits to an idyllic village: either Bibury or Bourton-on-the-Water. Marvel at splendid Blenheim Palace, the UNESCO-protected country house where Sir Winston Churchill was born, and discover the enchanting scenery of the Cotswolds with visits to an idyllic village: either Bibury or Bourton-on-the-Water. Finally, visit the charming village of Bampton to view some of the locations where the popular television series ‘Downton Abbey’ was filmed, and stop for lunch before heading back to London.
Highlights
- Visit Blenheim Palace
- Panoramic tour of the enchanting Cotswolds
- Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water
- Visit the village of Bampton, setting for the TV series Downton Abbey
- First-class luxury motorcoach and services of a professional tour guide
Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London
London – Blenheim Palace – Bampton – The Cotswolds – London
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The stunning State Rooms are brimming with priceless works of art and magnificent tapestries. The Palace is still inhabited today by the Duke of Marlborough. The Gardens are set in over 754 hectares of land with an exquisite water garden.
If you select the upgrade price at checkout, an official guide will take you through the Blenheim Palace State Rooms, bringing the history of this fabulous palace to life.
The Cotswolds
This region of outstanding natural beauty is characterized by attractive small towns and thatched villages of yellow Cotswold stone made prosperous by the historic wool trade.
We’ll make a short stop in the village of Bibury, once described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England.” There you will see Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages built of local stone. Then we’ll continue to Bourton-on-the-Water, the Little Venice of the Cotswolds. Its picturesque High Street is flanked by shaded greens, and the River Windrush, spanned by several arched stone bridges, runs alongside.
Downton Abbey Village
In the village of Bampton, we’ll visit the street where many scenes from the Downton Abbey TV series were filmed. You can see the Church where a number of Downton events were hosted, from weddings and funerals to the Downton Fair. Next to the church is Churchgate House, used as the Crawley family home, and the old Grammar School which now houses the Bampton Library. The street is also the location for two local pubs, The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.
General itinerary
Travel northwest through picturesque Oxfordshire in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle from Victoria coach station in London. Stop at UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace, Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace, after around 1.5 hours on the road.
Enter, put on your audio headsets to hear your guide’s comments, and take a tour around the luxurious State Rooms of this magnificent stately home from the 1700s. On a leisurely walk through the grounds, admire the magnificent artworks and tapestries that line the walls, as well as the formal gardens.
Return to your carriage and take in the stunning vistas of the Cotswolds, where rolling green hills give way to stone-built market towns and thatched cottages. Stop in at one of two delightful villages: Bibury, a picture-perfect hamlet where you can stroll past the famed weavers’ cottages, which were originally established as a wool store in 1380, and St. Mary’s Church, built in the 12th century.
Alternatively, continue on to beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water, which is known as ‘Little Venice’ because to a succession of attractive low bridges that span the Windrush River, which runs through the village center. Admire the lush greens, tiny shops, and stone banks along the riversides as you stroll through the alleyways.
Finally, travel to Bampton, a traditional English village that served as the fictional Downton Abbey in the popular TV drama series Downton Abbey. See the church where Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley were married, as well as the mansion where Isobel Crawley lived.
Pass via the historic school that served as Downton Hospital, as well as two hamlet taverns. While you’re here, stop for lunch (at your own own) at a local restaurant or café before returning to London, where your tour will end in Westminster.
