Malmesbury – a visit to the stunning Abbey House Garden – home to the “naked gardeners” – www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk. This visit may take place before official opening so you will be alone in this beautiful garden. Malmesbury is England’s oldest borough with a partially ruined 1000 year old Abbey, and the oldest hotel in England.

Drive through the hamlet of Doughton – where Prince Charles‘ home, Highgrove, is located and on to Tetbury – “Gateway to the Cotswolds”. Tetbury is an antiques town with about 50 Antique Stores in the Main Street. Its interest as a tourist destination has increased since Prince Charles opened the “Highgrove Store”. Tetbury Church has the 3rd highest spire in the UK.

Cirencester – established by the Romans and known as “Capital of the Cotswolds” ! Cirencester has an excellent Roman Museum and the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre. For a while, in Roman times, Cirencester was second only to London with an estimated population of 25,000 – actually comparable to the population today, except today there are less horses !!

Fairford Church has a stunning set of 15th Century stained glass windows, which survived the reformation – the only Church in the country to have such a treasure. The church had close associations with Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Meander along the River Coln (a tributary of the River Thames) to Bibury – described by William Morris, a 19th Century architect, writer, furniture and textile designer – as “the most beautiful village in England” Not many people know that Bibury has close connections with Arlington Virginia.

A beautiful walk through farmland, forest, meadow and riverside between Bibury and Coln-St-Aldwyns?? Check out this video.

Burford, Sherborne and the River Windrush a beautiful drive through pretty villages following the path of the river through the typical Cotswold town of Burford and on to the stunning village of Minster Lovell with its thatched cottages and ruined manor house.

Pass through the Villages of Yanworth, Cold Aston, Turkdean and Hampnett – a “gated” village, to Northleach – a typical Cotswold “wool town”.

Bourton-on-the-Water – nicknamed “the Venice of the Cotswolds” – personally I think that’s stretching the imagination rather too far! It is very touristy. I love it at 6am on a nice day in June but otherwise would give it a miss..but some of my Customers seem to like it ! My theory is, if its in a Rick Steves guide book, and has an “Edinburgh Woollen Mill” store, then I can show you better !

Stow-on-the-Wold – nice market town famous for antiques and (according to my wife) other nice exclusive stores.

Upper and Lower Slaughter – possibly walk across the meadow between the two villages. These are two iconic “must see” Cotswold Villages. “Slaughter” stems from the Old English name for a wet land “slough” or “slothre” (boggy or muddy place).

Naunton – another delightful village with a nice pub, “The Black Horse” – a favourite watering hole!

Guiting Power – a typical unspoilt Cotswolds village – a fascinating example of the unconscious harmony created by Cotswold masons over the centuries. Its russet-coloured houses are clustered round a sloping green. The cottages, shops and inns are all beautifully cared for and there are two nice pubs – the Farmers Arms in the village and the Hollow Bottom Inn just outside.

Stanton & Stanway – two of the prettiest and idyllic villages in the whole of the Cotswolds. Little changed in 300 years with a number of 16th and 17th century houses in the High Street as well as a restored, medieval cross and a church in which some Norman work is still evident. Nearby Stanway House is an outstandingly beautiful example of a Jacobean manor house and the single-jet fountain, at 300 feet, is the highest fountain in Britain and the highest gravity fountain in the world.

Snowshill Manor – a Cotswold manor set in hillside gardens housing Charles Wade’s collection of “colour, craftsmanship and design” – a spectacular, if quirky collection of more than 22,000 objects from across the world.

Broadway – a lively and vibrant village with a range of unique shops and designer boutiques, restaurants and hotels. It is steeped in history with its origins dating back to Roman times. Over the centuries it has made its mark in many different ways. In the 1600s it was a major stopping place for the stage coaches that travelled between Worcester and London – with the world-renowned Lygon Arms remaining popular with travellers and visitors. This is a photo of the folly, Broadway Tower, which looks over the village with views for miles and miles !

Chipping Campden – walk down the hill past thatched cottages, and interesting gardens into the High Street. Lovely typical Cotswold Market town – home of the “Cotswold Olimpicks” www.olimpickgames.co.uk.

Hidcote Manor – One of England’s greatest gardens, an Arts & Crafts masterpiece – a series of “outdoor rooms” each with its own unique character. Old roses, unusual plants and trees from around the world.

Our Charges – we can take from one to eight passengers and the minimum charge is 500GBP (for one to up to four passengers) for the day from a base in the Cotswolds. For five passengers or more, the charge is 550GBP. Charge includes driver, van and fuel only.

Payment can be made by card, wire (bank transfer) or cash.

We can collect and drop off at different locations – please ask us to quote you for that.

E: info@cotswoldtourguide.com

T: 01666 505056

T: (Overseas) +44 1666 505056)

TOLL FREE (USA & CANADA ONLY): 800 774 3968

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