Cotswolds Day Trip, Lunch Included

Christmas in Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford with Lunch. Rated 4.2 across 9 reviews. Runs 11 hours. From $264.

Overview

This Christmas Day outing is a coach trip out of London that strings together Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon in roughly 11 hours. A guide stays with the group for the whole trip, and the stops include a walking tour of Oxford that takes in views of the Bodleian Library and the college courtyards. The day also includes a three-course Christmas lunch with a glass of wine or a soft drink.

Oxford is covered on foot at a leisurely pace, through back alleys and old squares once walked by students such as Bill Clinton, Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis. No college interiors or library rooms are entered, since admission is not part of the ticket. Stratford works the same way: the group passes Shakespeare's birthplace and Anne Hathaway's cottage from the street while the guide fills in the history. Entry to either house is not included.

It suits anyone who wants a structured Christmas Day outside the capital, with transport, two guided walks and a sit-down lunch handled in one booking. The trade-off is a long day of coach travel between stops, and the commentary runs in English only. There is no hotel pickup; everyone gathers at Bulleid Way in London SW1W, and the departure date is fixed to Christmas Day itself.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Bulleid WayTravellers make their own way to Bulleid Way, London SW1W, with the e-ticket in hand. There is no hotel pickup.
2. Coach travel between stopsReturn transportation on a comfortable coach is included, with the guide travelling with the group. The listing does not fix the order in which the destinations are visited.
3. Oxford walking tourA guided walk through back alleys and old squares, taking in views of the Bodleian Library and the college courtyards. Entry to the colleges and the Bodleian is not included.
4. Cotswolds scenic driveThe coach passes through Cotswold villages and market towns. Passengers stay on board; there is no option to get off during this stretch.
5. Stratford-upon-Avon stopThe visit here includes a walking tour past Shakespeare's birthplace and Anne Hathaway's cottage, seen from outside, and a traditional three-course lunch with all the trimmings plus one glass of wine or a soft drink. The listing does not fix the order of the walk and the meal. Dietary requests must be pre-booked by email at least 72 hours ahead.
6. Return to LondonThe coach returns to the capital, with the full day running to about 11 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points to know before booking, drawn from the listing and from what travellers have reported afterwards.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup, so the day starts at Bulleid Way in London SW1W and everyone makes their own way to it. The e-ticket must be shown to board, so it pays to have it ready on the phone or printed.
• Pace and shoes. Two guided walks are included, one around Oxford and one around Stratford-upon-Avon. The listing describes the Oxford section as leisurely, but comfortable shoes still help after long stretches on the coach.
• Lunch and diets. The traditional lunch is three courses with all the trimmings and one glass of wine or a soft drink. Dietary needs, including vegetarian meals, must be emailed to reservations@goldentours.com at least 72 hours before travel. If no request is made, the standard meal is served, and the menu can change on the day.
• Outside, not inside. Entry to the Oxford colleges, the Bodleian, Shakespeare's house and Anne Hathaway's house is not included. The tour is built around exteriors and guided commentary rather than admissions.
• Bringing children. Children aged 0 to 2 travel free but do not occupy a seat and receive no meal. A child ticket buys an infant a seat and lunch. Factor in the length too: the full day runs about 11 hours with two walks.
• Guides and language. The tour runs in English only. A guide stays with the group for the whole day, from the Oxford walk through to the return to London.

Common issues. One reviewer reported that the coach never reached the Cotswolds at all and called the day badly organized. The Cotswolds leg is a drive only, with no chance to get off the coach in any case. Gratuities, extra drinks and all admissions, from the Oxford colleges to the Shakespeare houses, cost extra. The refund window is tight: full refunds require cancelling up to 7 days before departure, and that term applies only until 18th December.

What To Decide Before You Go