Central and Southern Cotswold Tours

Central and Southern Cotswolds Tour
Explore the beauty of the Cotswolds with our Classic Cotswold Tour, starting and ending in the historic city of Bath.
This scenic journey takes you to iconic destinations like Lacock Village and Lacock Abbey—a magical filming location for Harry Potter.

Continue on to Bibury, known for the picturesque Arlington Row cottages, then discover Painswick, often called the “Queen of the Cotswolds.”

You’ll also visit the ancient charm of Castle Combe (despite the name, there’s no castle!) before returning to Bath. 

Burford

Burford High Street

Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’  You will understand this when you turn off the A40 and look down the historic high street and over to the hills in the distance. There is lots of history to take in here.  Its a great town to take a little time out for a bit of shopping and maybe a coffee.

Bibury

Bibury

Another very popular site on the main tourist route.  A picturesque village on the river Coln. Possibly, best known for Arlington Row – depicted on the inside cover of British Passports – built in 1380 as a wool store before being converted to cottages in the 17th century.

Cirencester

Cirencester Stock

Cirencester is the largest market town in the Cotswolds with historic links to the Romans.  St John the Baptist Church dominates the classic market square.  It was an important trading town on the Fosseway Roman Road and signs of the amphitheatre can still be seen in the park.

 

Tetbury

Tetbury

The history of Tetbury is dominated by its links to the wool trade. A market town that dates back to a hill fort and an Anglo-Saxon monastery around 681.  But now it is better known for its independent shops, the home of the Prince of Wales and its annual Wool-Sack Race.

Painswick

Hale Lane in Painswick

This has to be another of my favourite Cotswold villages.  It has a such a peaceful atmosphere and it’s lovely just to wander around and soak it up.  With many places for refreshments it’s a great place to visit.  Not far from the village is Painswick Beacon with amazing Cotswold views.

Things to see and do

Painswick Church Yard

Malmesbury

Malmesbury Abbey

Malmesbury is rightly called the “Queen of Hilltop Towns” being England’s oldest borough with a rich history of over 1000 years.
As well as the dramatic Abbey, Malmesbury is also home to England’s oldest hotel, the Old Bell, which has been offering bed and board since 1220.