Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Day Trip
Description
Discover over a thousand years of history at one of England’s most beautiful medieval castles before visiting the picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Finally, head off to explore the historic city of Oxford on a walking tour of the city with your expert guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Over a thousand years of history are waiting to be discovered at this fantastic medieval castle. Set against the River Avon within 64 acres of landscaped parkland, this beautiful castle once belonged to the most powerful man in England, The Earl of Warwick. Learn how the 'Kingmaker' was the only man who dared defy the King, and how he defeated the armies of King Edward IV in battle before taking the King himself as a prisoner. Explore the lavishly decorated State Rooms and 17th-century Great Hall; a room boasting an impressive collection of artefacts including suits of armour and medieval weapons. In the castle's 14th-century gaol, the original dungeon, see graffiti left behind by prisoners hundreds of years ago. How many names can you spot?
This picturesque market town is most famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, widely regarded to be the greatest writer in English literature and the world's preeminent dramatist.
This ancient market town is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare, widely regarded to be the greatest writer in English literature and the world's greatest ever dramatist. You'll have the option to visit the 16th-century half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born in 1564 and grew up. Enjoy a fascinating insight into tales of his family life and admire rare artefacts on displays from the Shakespeare Trust's world-class collections.
Covering almost 800 square miles and no fewer than five English counties, the Cotswolds are the single largest designated Area of Natural Beauty in the UK. Get your cameras at the ready as we drive through the unremittingly pretty countryside on our way to our next destination. Please note that we do not stop any of villages in the Cotswolds.
Our final stop, also known as 'The City of Dreaming Spires', is the UK's most famous university town and home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Oxford. Enjoy a walking tour through the city with your expert guide, who will bring the charm and history of this incredible city to life. Oxford is the only place in the country where you will find examples of every architectural period going as far back as Saxon times. Little surprise, then, that this beautiful city has been the filming location for countless movies and TV series over the years, including the Harry Potter film series. As you wander its cobbled streets with your guide, you will see sights including Bridge of Sighs, Trinity College, the Ashmolean Museum and The Sheldonian Theatre.
In Christ Church college, you will be visiting one of the University's most prestigious colleges. Founded by Henry VIII in 1532, Christ Church also functions as the UK's smallest cathedral. Its beautiful architecture has seen it featured in movies such as Harry Potter and The Golden Compass, while it has also inspired replicas around the world. The famous dining hall, for example, has been reproduced in Cornell University & the University of Chicago. The dining hall in all Harry Potter movies is modelled on the Christchurch dining hall!
Hertford Bridge, often called "the Bridge of Sighs", is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane in Oxford, England. Its distinctive design makes it a city landmark.
The Bodleian Library is the main research library of the University of Oxford, and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 12 million items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- For a wheelchair user: Please contact us at least seven days before travel so we can make sure to arrange a suitable vehicle.
- Please note that the order in which the stops are made may vary for operational reasons.
- During this tour there will be a panoramic drive through the Cotswolds (but there will not be a stop off in the Cotswolds)
Reviews(3,098)
Pablo has been one of the best guides ever. Thanks for driving us Vinnie
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Pablo was one of the best guides you’ve ever had. We’re also pleased that Vinnie provided you with a safe and comfortable journey. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them. Thank you for choosing Evan Evans Tours, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience! Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
Pablo, our guide, and Vinnie, our bus driver, were great. We had a wonderful time on this tour. Oxford was probably the highlight and Pablo did a great job on the walking tour. Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Castle were just ok. Warwick castle is very commercialized and probably great for families, but not that great for adults. Stratford upon Avon is cute but the Shakespeare museum is very small. We had a nice lunch there so that was good. Overall a nice day and a safe travels with Pablo and Vinnie.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful day and that Pablo and Vinnie made the tour enjoyable and safe. It’s especially great to know that Oxford was a highlight and that you enjoyed Pablo’s walking tour. We also appreciate your honest thoughts about Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle. We’re glad you were able to enjoy a nice lunch in Stratford, and we understand that different attractions can appeal to different types of visitors. Thank you again for sharing your experience and for choosing us. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable journey in the future! Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
It was ok in that it would've taken a lot longer with public transport and the coach was comfortable and air conditioned. I would've liked more time at Stratford-Upon-Avon so I also could've visited Ann Hathaway's cottage and Shakespeare's final resting place. Guide was ok, but not very entertaining and needs to wear something that he can be more easily spotted in. I signed up for the English tour, but because there was a Spanish speaking contingent, it felt like 75% of his narrative was in Spanish.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your honest and detailed feedback. We’re pleased to hear that you found the coach comfortable and air-conditioned, and that the tour was a convenient alternative to traveling by public transport. We understand your disappointment about the limited time in Stratford-upon-Avon, especially as you would have liked to visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s final resting place. We also appreciate your comments regarding the guide’s visibility and presentation. Most importantly, we’re sorry that you felt the English commentary was not given enough attention. We understand how frustrating this would be when you specifically booked an English-language tour. Your feedback is valuable, and we will share these concerns with our team to help improve the experience for future guests. Thank you again for joining us and for helping us identify areas where we can do better. Kind regards, Evanevanstours team
It was a great experience! ! My favorite stop was Stratford-upon-Avon. I am glad I added the admission price to Shakespeare's house. That made it hassle free. ANA was an excellent guide. She was well-prepared and gave us some background info about our next stop. She was friendly, funny and always open to any questions or concerns. PRAB, our driver, was safe, friendly and maneuvered those tiny roads with ease. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride. Overall, we enjoyed our trip very much! Patricia
Dear guest, Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience, Patricia. We’re delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the day — especially your visit to Stratford‑upon‑Avon, which truly is a special stop. It’s great to know that adding the admission to Shakespeare’s house made everything smooth and hassle‑free for you. We’re thrilled that Ana made such a positive impact on your trip. Her preparation, friendly nature, humour and willingness to answer any questions are exactly what make a guide exceptional. And we’re equally glad to hear that Prab’s safe, calm and confident driving — especially on those narrow country roads — allowed you to relax and enjoy the journey. Your kind words for both your guide and driver are truly appreciated. We’re so happy the overall experience was memorable for you.
Didn’t know it was multi-language. Tour guide did a good job but might have chosen a different, all English tour
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback. We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the tour and that our guide did a good job. We appreciate your comments regarding the multilingual format and understand that an English-only tour may have better suited your preference. We hope to welcome you again on a tour that better matches your expectations. Kind regards, Evanevanstours Team
Saul was a brilliant and conscientious guide. He was very personable and knowledgeable and made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. He handled little hiccups like a road closure and a cranky guest with confidence and grace and honesty. He gave the tour in Spanish and English. He was a superb communicator making sure we knew exactly what time we needed to meet at the bus and where to meet. He made the day trip fun and engaging. Corey was a safe and excellent driver. He maneuvered traffic circles and needing the turn around in a narrow road due to an unexpected road closure with skill and confidence. They were very organized and worked great as a team! Highly recommend!!!
Dear Guest, Thank you for your outstanding and detailed review. We're delighted to hear that Saul and Corey made your day trip such a memorable and enjoyable experience. It's wonderful to know that Saul's knowledge, communication skills, and thoughtful approach helped you feel comfortable and well looked after throughout the tour, while his ability to guide in both Spanish and English enhanced the experience for all guests. We're also pleased to hear your kind comments about Corey's safe and professional driving. Navigating unexpected challenges while ensuring a smooth journey requires great skill, and we're glad he helped make your trip comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you for recognising the teamwork and dedication of Saul and Corey. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans tour in the future. Kind regards, Evan Evans Team
Great Experience!!! Our Second trip today after yesterday with Evan Evans and it started with the banger most detailed yet easy to understand, informative yet simple by our favorite guide Cameron(The Midland boy) today he made sure we were not left behind and also took us around different colleges in Oxford in no time and then to Stratford upon Avon to legend's birthplace on very balanced informative yet not over exhausting tour of Stratford and gave us enough time to rest and then the mind boggling Warwick Castle. Today's itinerary was well balanced got enough time to rest and see around places experience them and feel them. Thanks Evan Evans but do significantly need improvements on the. Windsor Castle and Bath Stonehenge trip it feels like a hustle. I understand they are far away from each other but rushing the guest won't help to grow though it's an popular one. Last but not the least Prabhy the lovely driver drove us safely to the destination, greeted us well and nice communicated and answered all the question asked by us.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had another enjoyable Evan Evans Tours experience and that Cameron’s knowledge, clear explanations, and engaging style helped make your day memorable. It’s wonderful to know that he helped you explore Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Warwick Castle in a balanced and enjoyable way. We’re also pleased to hear that Prabhy provided a safe and welcoming journey with excellent service throughout the day. We truly appreciate your kind words and will be sure to share your compliments with Cameron and Prabhy. Thank you as well for your constructive feedback regarding the Windsor Castle, Bath & Stonehenge tour. We value your comments about the pace and will share your suggestions with our team as we continue to improve the guest experience. We hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans Tours adventure soon. Kind regards, Evan Evans Tours Team
Cameron and prabhy are amazing! Just the right amount of info — not too much, not too little but also entertaining and informative for all age levels. Traveling with three teenagers a 21 year old and myself, all were entertained and learned something too. highly recommend this tour.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Cameron and Prabhy made your tour such an enjoyable experience. It’s fantastic to know that Cameron’s balance of entertaining and informative commentary kept everyone engaged, from teenagers to adults, while Prabhy helped provide a safe and comfortable journey. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to share your kind words with Cameron and Prabhy. We hope to welcome you and your family on another Evan Evans Tours adventure soon. Kind regards, Evan Evans Tours Team
Cameron was an amazing and informative guide! Prabhy was an excellent driver, safe and got us around quickly.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Cameron and Prabhy helped make your tour experience so enjoyable. It’s wonderful to know that Cameron’s informative guidance and Prabhy’s safe and efficient driving contributed to a great day. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Cameron and Prabhy. We hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans Tours adventure soon. Kind regards, Evan Evans Tours Team
Well organized tour with 3 stops for 1.5 hours each. Nice amount of time for each and good variation. The guide Cameron was knowledgeable and perfect for my teenager. He kept him paying attention the whole time with his delivery of information. Would def recommend !
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the organisation and pacing of the tour, with the variety of stops and time available at each destination. It’s fantastic to know that Cameron’s knowledge and engaging delivery made the experience enjoyable for both you and your teenager. We truly appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to share your kind words with Cameron. We hope to welcome you on another Evan Evans Tours adventure soon. Kind regards, Evan Evans Tours Team
