May is, arguably, the best month of the year in England.  It is often sunny, with a clear freshness in the air alive with birdsong and the trees and flowers in full bloom. The English countryside is a beautiful tapestry of rolling hills, sweeping meadows, and bucolic villages. Colorful gardens, adorable lambs, and fresh greenery fill the landscapes in a beautiful effort to make up for the bleakness of winter. You often feel as if you are walking through a storybook. On this tour, you will slow down while wandering through charming villages, dotted with beautiful roses-covered cottages, explore gorgeous gardens, and linger over delicious dinners. 

Arrival Airport: London (LHR) - Train to Oxford (55 mins)

Departure Airport:  London LHR - Return train from Bath (1 Hr 15 mins) or private driver can be arranged for you (additional cost)

• Visit Iford Gardens and Great Chalfield Gardens
• Shopping in Market Towns: Stow-on-the-Wold & Burford 
• Explore Bibury National Trust and Stourhead National Trust
• Visit the villages of Snowhill, Stanton,  and Castle Combe,
  England’s prettiest village
• Visit Daylesford Organic Farm Shop
• View The Rollright Stones, a Neolithic stone circle considered older than Stonehenge. 
• Shopping in the historic town of Shaftesbury
• Visit Old Wardour Castle, English Heritage Site
• Fabulous dinners in historic country pubs 

Kyle, a seasoned travel guide with over two decades of industry experience, has dedicated her life to creating enriching and inspiring travel experiences for diverse groups. With a repertoire of leading thousands of travelers (yes thousands!), she possesses an intimate understanding of the transformative power of travel. Her journeys span across the picturesque locales of Europe and the US, underlining her vast travel experience and knowledge. Yet, with every tour, Kyle's heart for her guests remains the same: to ensure every individual returns home with a revitalized spirit, a broadened worldview, and cherished memories of newfound friendships.

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Arrive by train at Oxford. Your private transportation will pick you up from here. You’ll travel to a local pub where you'll spend some time getting to know your fellow travelers. Visit Bibury on the edge of The Cotswolds. Check into your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner together.

• 16th-century country pub for drinks and introduction time
• Explore Bibury, National Trust location
• Welcome dinner and drinks

LIGHT WALKING: 1-2 MILES THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON. BUS 45 MINS. SLEEP IN THE COTSWOLDS

Depart for your first day exploring the Northern Cotswolds. You'll visit the charming villages of Snowhill, Stanton, Lower Slaughter, and more. We purposely avoid the more crowded villages. Lunch will be in the market town of Stow-in-Wold. You'll have time to explore on your own. Later in the afternoon, visit Hidecote Manor Gardens, a gorgeous experience in the spring season. Make a stop at the Daylesford Farmshop. This will be an experience in and of itself! Dinner together in a country pub before returning to the hotel.

• Explore the villages of Lower Slaughter, Stanton, Snowshill, Stow on Wold plus more.
• Visit Hidecote Manor and Gardens National Trust
• Shop at Daylesford Farmshop
• Free Time: Lunch time at Stow in Wold

LIGHT WALKING: 2-4 MILES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, SOME HILLS AND STEPS. BUS 1 HR 45 MINS. SLEEP IN COTSWOLDS. 

Free Day. Sleep in, linger over breakfast. Enjoy a countryside amble. Book a massage or beauty treatment at the onsite treatment room. A few ideas: A day trip to Blenheim Palace, visit Kelmscott Manor — home to William Morris or visit other villages in The Cotswolds. Dinner on your own. 

Free Day: Entire day is yours to do as you like.

Departing early, you'll travel to the southern region of the Cotswolds. Your first visit will be to Castle Combe, considered the most beautiful village in England. You'll have plenty of time to take in this enchanting place. After lunch, visit Iford Manor Gardens, a romantic, award-winning garden that transports you as the garden design blends Italian, Byzantine, Ancient Roman, and Oriental garden inspirations, together with architecture and classical sculpture. A visit to Iford Manor Garden is like stepping into another, timeless world.  After a full day, arrive at your new hotel tucked away in a sleepy Wiltshire village.

• Visit Castle Combe, England’s most beautiful village
• Visit Iford Manor GardensDAY FOUR (Wiltshire) Departing early, you'll travel to the southern region of the Cotswolds. Your first visit will be to Castle Combe, considered the most beautiful village in England. You'll have plenty of time to take in this enchanting place. After lunch, visit Iford Manor Gardens, a romantic, award-winning garden that transports you as the garden design blends Italian, Byzantine, Ancient Roman, and Oriental garden inspirations, together with architecture and classical sculpture. A visit to Iford Manor Garden is like stepping into another, timeless world.  After a full day, arrive at your new hotel tucked away in a sleepy Wiltshire village.
• Visit Castle Combe, England’s most beautiful village
• Visit Iford Manor Gardens

MODERATE WALKING: 4-6 MILES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, MODERATE HILLS AND STAIRS. BUS 2 HR 45 MINS. SLEEP IN WILTSHIRE.

Spend the morning at Stourhead, stunning parkland and house. A breathtaking 18th-century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes, and classical temples is only the beginning. You can also visit Stourhead House, a Palladian mansion with a fantastic Regency library and a beautiful art collection. You will have plenty of time to explore this stunning place. After lunch, you will travel to the lovely town of Bruton. Its medieval days of wool, then silk, and wealth are long gone, leaving a legacy of charming architecture. After a wonderful day exploring. return to your hotel.

• Visit Stourhead National Trust
• Afternoon Tea at a walled kitchen garden cafe
• Visit the market town of Bruton
• Free Time: Afternoon in Bruton

MODERATE WALKING: 4-6 MILES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, MODERATE HILLS AND STAIRS. BUS 2 HR 45 MINS. SLEEP IN WILTSHIRE.

On your final day, travel south to Shaftesbury, known for its famous view of Gold Street lined with thatched cottages and countryside off in the distance. Later in the day, visit the English Heritage site, Old Wardour Castle. Built in the 14th century as a luxury residence, Old Wardour Castle survived two bloodthirsty sieges in its time, perhaps most notably in 1643 – when Lady Blanche Arundell courageously defended her home for nearly a week with just 25 men and her maidservants. The castle was famously used in the filming of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, as the ancestral home of Robin. Enjoy discovering hidden corners and winding stone staircases that make it easy to imagine life in the medieval castle. Travel to a local restaurant for a special farewell dinner.

• Visit Shaftesbury
• Visit Old Wardour Castle, English Heritage
• Special farewell dinner

MODERATE WALKING: 4-6 MILES THROUGHOUT THE DAY, MODERATE HILLS AND STAIRS. BUS 1 HR 30 MINS. SLEEP IN WILTSHIRE.