Itinerary Details
Flight Arrival & Meet Guide
Welcome to England! After landing, complete customs and immigration formalities before meeting your CIE Tours driver/guide, who will be waiting in the Arrivals Hall. Enjoy your comfortable ride with your knowledgeable driver who will guide you through the popular and hidden gems of England.
Oxford at Leisure
Stop in Oxford for time at leisure. Oxford is famous for being a university town and now has 42 colleges. Enjoy a visit to Christ Church College, one of the largest colleges in the University of Oxford. Next visit the Ashmolean Museum, the world’s first university museum, which was opened in 1845. Then visit the Oxford University Press, the largest university press in the world and the second oldest. Finally, visit the Bodleian Library, which includes the Divinity School and the Duke Humfrey’s Library.
Cogges Manor Farm
Visit Cogges, a unique historic farm. With a beautiful manor house, stunning walled garden and friendly animal residents. The site has been farmed since before the Domesday Book and parts of the manor house date back to the Thirteenth Century. Cogges is a popular location for TV and the big screen, Downton Abbey (as Yew Tree Farm) and Arthur & George were filmed here.
Bampton Village
Travel to the small town of Bampton in Oxfordshire, the home of the fictitious Downton of Downton Abbey. Take an orientation tour of this beautiful town set in the Thames Valley. The village was used for filming outdoor scenes, most notably St. Mary's Church and the library, which serves as the entrance to the cottage hospital.
2 Night Stay: Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter
Formerly a 17th-century rectory, Lords of the Manor is set in 8 acres of secluded gardens and parkland. With a peaceful Cotswold location, the hotel is surrounded by pretty villages. Atrium is a fine dining restaurant that showcases tasting menu. The second restaurant, The Dining Room, is for guests wishing to a choose from à la carte menu but in a less formal dining environment.
Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip
Stratford-upon-Avon at Leisure (Full Story Ticket)
Arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the great playwright, William Shakespeare. Here, enjoy some free time in this lovely old riverside town, rich in half-timbered Tudor houses and memories of the great playwright. You may wish to visit Tudor World, which allows you to experience life during the sixteenth century. Stop to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where in 1564, William Shakespeare was born. During your visit, you will introduction to his life, work and times in which Shakespeare lived. Or, visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. This Elizabethan farmhouse was the home of Shakespeare’s wife and, with much of its original 16th century furniture, conveys the atmosphere of Shakespeare’s life.
Cotswolds to Bath
The Cotswolds
Travel through the beautiful and hilly countryside of the Cotswolds. Here, the houses are mainly built of the local honey-colored stone and see quaint villages, which have remained almost unchanged for 200 years.
Lacock at Leisure
Spend some time at leisure in Lacock, one of England’s oldest villages. The early-middle ages saw Lacock as a flourishing woolen mill village; its proximity to the London and Bath road ensured it retained influence and commerce. Over time, it gave way to larger towns but the village remained intact with its myriad of architectural styles.
Bath Sightseeing
Continue to Bath, a spa town which has been well known for its natural hot springs for almost 2,000 years since the Roman era. The fashion of “taking the waters” was revived in Regency times during the 18th century and many of the finest houses, streets and parks date from then. Here, you can enjoy some time to sightsee and shop.
2 Night Stay: Abbey Hotel, Bath
Located in a row of Georgian townhouses, this hotel overlooks gardens and is close to Bath’s older quarters. The rooms are individually decorated with pops of color against a muted color palette. Enjoy a drink at the ArtBar, a meal with a view in the Allium Restaurant, or enjoy some afternoon tea.
Longleat & Stonehenge
Longleat House & Gardens
Visit the Longleat House, an stunning example of high Elizabethan architecture with landscaped grounds surrounding it. The House was completed by Sir John Thynne in 1580. Today, his descendants still call it their home. Explore an incredible collection of art, exquisite tapestries, a wealth of incredible furniture as well as thousands of historic documents.
Stonehenge
Visit Stonehenge, one of Britain’s most celebrated monuments. Set on Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is comprised of the remains of a double circle of monoliths, which dates from approximately 3000 BC. It is believed to have been used by the ancient Druids for sun worship or as a burial ground.
Avebury Sightseeing
Stop in Avebury, which is part of an extraordinary set of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites. The henge monument and stone circles, built and altered between 2850 and 2200 BC, surround the present-day village.
Bath to London
Highclere Castle
Visit Highclere Castle, which is set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. More recently the castle and surrounding gardens have played host to the hugely successful drama series Downton Abbey, which is filmed on these grounds.
Basildon Park
Explore Basildon Park, a stunning Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland. Once the home of Lord and Lady Iliffe, it played host to many glamorous parties in the 1950s. See the set of Grantham House from the popular Downton Abbey series. The interiors of Basildon Park are used as the Crawley family’s London residence, Grantham House.
3 Night Stay: The Chesterfield Mayfair, London
The Chesterfield, located in the heart of Mayfair, is quintessentially British and exudes classic charm and unique personality. An ideal location minutes from Bond Street, Piccadilly and the Royal Parks, The Chesterfield Mayfair is renowned for the best Dover sole in London, themed afternoon teas, molecular cocktails and gin tasting experiences. A passionate team consistently exceeds guest expectations with faultless service.
Private Driver Services Conclude
Your private driver services will conclude at the end of the day. Ask your driver to reconfirm your return airport transfer, if applicable, before parting ways.
London at Leisure
London Pass Day 1
Spend the entire day free to explore London. You may want to visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, Beefeaters, ravens, and the priceless Crown Jewels. You could also visit Westminster Abbey with its glorious medieval architecture, impressive tombs, and monuments. Stop at Kensington Palace, the principal royal residence of the royal family from the 1690s until 1760, when George III moved to Buckingham Palace. Among the highlights are a display of court dress from 1760 to the present, including Princess Diana’s wedding dress. Tonight, you may like to try some of the fine local British cuisine at one of the many venues located within London.
London Pass Day 2
Today is completely at leisure for independent sightseeing or shopping. You could take a day trip to Windsor to visit Windsor Castle, the official residence of The King. Covering thirteen acres, this is the largest inhabited castle in the world. See the Upper and Middle Wards, the Round Tower, and the Lower Ward where St. George’s Chapel is situated. Or, art lovers can view some of the world's finest art collections in London's galleries such as the National Gallery. If shopping appeals to you, London offers a huge array of shops and designer boutiques. Try the popular stores along Oxford Street, the special boutiques of Bond and Jermyn Streets, or the famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. In the evening take advantage of London's worldwide reputation for its entertainment ranging from the theater, musicals, opera and ballet to rock concerts and nightclubs. Or choose from the many restaurants of all types scattered throughout the city.
Depart England
Private Transfer to London Airport
Your vacation ends after breakfast with a private transfer to London Airport. We hope you had a wonderful vacation, and wish you a safe flight on your journey home. We can’t wait to hear all about your trip! Check in with us on any of our social media and website to share your pictures and stories.
