Cotswolds Traditional 'Famous 5' villages
Discover the Cotswolds beyond the guidebooks with flexible, locally-hosted options.
Tour Overview
Experience the quintessential beauty of the "Famous 5"- the most iconic and photographed villages in England - balanced with the "hidden gems" known only to locals. This tour is designed for those who want to see the landmarks they’ve dreamed of, without the typical "tour bus" rush.
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Authentic & Exclusive: We move at your pace, allowing for spontaneous photo stops and long, lazy lunches.
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Local Expertise: Hosted by Rom and the team, we use our local knowledge to navigate around the crowds and share stories you won't find in a brochure.
Cotswolds Traditional Tour - 'Famous 5' villages
TOUR 1
TOUR 1
Last updated: Jan 2026
Duration: ~10–11 hours
Pickup/Drop-off: Oxford Parkway Station (OXP) – main concourse by the ticket gates. London & Airports also an option
WHY THIS TOUR
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See the Cotswolds’ greatest hits in one balanced loop with time for photos, coffee, and a farm-shop bite.
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Hosted by local driver-guides who know the scenic back roads and crowd-free timings.
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Flexible pacing: extend favourite stops or keep some villages as drive-throughs to maximise daylight.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Oxford Parkway (pickup / return) – easy meet point with fast access to the A34.
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Blenheim Palace (exteriors & parkland) – Great Court and a lakeside photo walk (interiors optional with tickets).
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Burford (High Street) – hilltop views down to the medieval bridge; independent shops and cafés.
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Bibury (Arlington Row) – classic riverside cottages and the most photographed lane in the Cotswolds.
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Bourton-on-the-Water (drive-through / quick stop) – low stone bridges over the River Windrush;
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The Slaughters (Lower → Upper) – slow roll with brief photo pauses along the River Eye.
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Stow-on-the-Wold – historic market square and antique boutiques.
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Daylesford Farm (Kingham) – organic farm shop, deli counters, coffee / light bite (excellent “lunch window”).
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Great Tew (optional, if time allows) – honey-stone thatch and a timeless village green.
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Broadway – elegant golden-stone High Street; galleries and boutiques (The Man Cave optional).
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Chipping Campden – iconic Market Hall and handsome High Street; optional quick tea stop.
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Castle Combe (optional swap/add-on) – postcard village; best added by swapping out 1–2 stops (see “Good to Know”).
WHAT YOU SEE AND DO
Blenheim Palace - The birthplace of Winston Churchill, offering grand Baroque architecture - options for palace tours or parkland walks.
Burford - he historic "Gateway to the Cotswolds" featuring a famous high street and medieval bridge.
Bibury -Home to the iconic Arlington Row weavers' cottages; we visit at strategic times to avoid the main crowds.
Bourton-on-the-Water - known as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" for its charming low stone bridges over the River Windrush.
Slaughters - Tranquil twin villages where the River Eye flows past honey-coloured stone cottages and a historic watermill.
Stow-on-the-Wold - ancient hilltop market town featuring its "fairytale" church door framed by iconic twin yew trees.
Daylesford organic farm - the "Harrods of the Cotswolds," premier destination for luxury shopping and organic farm-to-table dining.
Chipping Campden - A refined tour favorite offering historic golden-stone architecture away from the main tourist crowds.
Broadway - known as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds," offering an elegant High Street of luxury boutiques and historic inns.
Castle Combe - A perfectly preserved medieval gem frequently voted England's prettiest village, untouched by modern life.
Great Tew - if time permits - a thatched estate village where timeless charm meets modern luxury near the iconic Falkland Arms.
Return to Oxford or London
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
“Rom met us at Oxford Parkway we were texting beforehand) in a Porsche Cayene. We saw all five villages without the stress of narrow lanes or parking. It felt like traveling with a knowledgeable friend rather than a tour guide.”
Sarah & James L., New York
“Seeing Bibury and Castle Combe in one day is impossible by train, but this tour made it easy. The SUV was incredibly comfortable and the priority lunch booking in Stow was a fantastic touch. Thanks again for making the day magic” David M., Toronto
“Timed to avoid the tour buses. From the 'Tolkien Door' to the best local cheese shops, every stop was curated. If you want a premium, private Cotswolds experience, this is it.”
Elena R., London
LUNCH & DINNER OPTIONS
Daylesford Farm , Kingham - Best for: quick, high-quality lunch + browsing the farm shop.
The Bull, CHarlbury - a Tour favourite and voted UK gastro pub of the year 2025
The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold
Best for: a sit-down lunch right in the middle of the route.
The Swan, Bibury (iconic setting, but can be busy). Best for: “Bibury lunch” convenience and atmosphere.
Broadway Deli / light lunch. Best for: keeping momentum (grab-and-go style) if you’d rather spend time
Falkland Arms, Great Tew - best for fish & chips, a pint and log fire
NOTABLE STOPS
Man Cave, Broadway - quirky and premier lifestyle boutique offering a curated selection of heritage apparel.
Lygon Arms, Broadway a historic luxury coaching inn offering 14th-century charm, roaring log fire.
The Bantam Tea Rooms is a quintessential 17th-century refuge in Chipping Campden, famous for serving traditional, homemade afternoon tea.
WHERE YOU DEPART FROM
Oxford, UK
London Notting Hill or Greater London
London Heathrow
HOW YOU TRAVEL
Porsche Cayene (SUV/4WD)
Landrover or BMW SUV (SUV/4WD)
Heathrow (SUV/4WD)
GOOD TO KNOW
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Timings are flexible on the day: we can extend a favourite stop or keep some villages as drive-throughs to maximise daylight.
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Read about coach bans and congestion in Bibury (Jan 2026) - Read More.
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Wet-weather plan available (covered areas at Blenheim; cafés/shops in Burford, Broadway, Campden).
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Accessibility and pace adjustments available - please tell us what you need.
BENEFITS OF BOOKING WITH US
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Insightful Local Expertise: We aren't just drivers; we are long-term locals who navigate around congestion and tourist traps using back roads only we know.
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Safety & Professionalism: Fully insured and compliant operations. Our luxury Porsche or BMW SUVs are maintained to the highest manufacturer standards for total reliability.
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Trusted, Discreet Hosting: We provide warm, attentive, and professional service tailored to your pace. Your privacy and comfort are our absolute priority.
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Bespoke Value for Money: Transparent day rates with no hidden fees. We maximize your time by customizing the route on the fly to suit the weather, crowds, and your interests.
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Family & Accessible Reliability: From providing child seats to managing minimal-walking routes, we handle the logistics so guests of all ages feel safe and included.
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Complete Door-to-Door Ease: Total convenience with pickups and drop-offs at your hotel, station, or dinner venue, including concierge help with lunch and ticket bookings.
Trusted and Discreet
A professional private host who prioritises your comfort and privacy. Popular with solo travellers and women travelling together who want a safe, relaxed day without crowds or group dynamics.
Expert Local Guides
Our local guides plan the day with care and stay attentive throughout. Expect smart timing, safe stops, and a calm pace with clear support, especially helpful for solo travellers and families.
Comfort & Cleanliness
Immaculate premium SUVs with space for luggage, pushchairs and shopping. Bottled water and phone charging included, with door to door pickup from London, Oxford and Heathrow.
2026 PRICING
Full Day (per luxury SUV, Porsche Cayenne, LandRover or BMW)
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Oxford pick up: £550 (8-10hr day)
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London, Notting Hill pick up: £750 (10-12 hr day)
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Central/East London pick up: £850 (10-12 hr day).
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Overtime (after 7pm): £70/hr per car.
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Airport transfer only: Heathrow £180 (2 hr). Gatwick £200 (2.5hr)
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Deposit: 30% to secure your booking; balance 1 week before tour date.
LUXURY ADD-ONS
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Premium Transfers: Upgrade your tour to include direct pick-up or drop-off from an airport. (Price on request).
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Luxury Hamper: an indulgent selection that features premium fizz and gourmet treats (£95).
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Little Treats Hamper: carefully selected nibbles for a mid-tour break. (£55).
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Concierge Dining: complementary booking service for Afternoon Tea, Hawkstone Brewery, or Michelin-starred eateries. (food/tickets charged by venue).
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Extend your trip: indulge in a longer day to explore further or treat yourself to dinner. (available at overtime rates £70/hr).
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CARDS, INCLUDING KLARMA
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Private luxury SUV (e.g., Porsche Cayenne) with local driver-guide.
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Door-to-door pickup/drop-off at Oxford Parkway (OXP).
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Route planning, fuel, parking, insurance, bottled water.
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Baby/child seat on request.
NOT INCLUDED
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Food and drink (e.g., Daylesford, tea rooms, pubs).
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Venue tickets (e.g., Blenheim Palace interiors).
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Gratuities (optional).
FURTHER READING
- Read about our village guides. Read More.
NEXT STEPS
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Secure your date with a 30% deposit; balance just before your tour date (Klarma available).Email: info@cotswoldsdaytours.co.uk | Phone/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7399-343069
