Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds day trip

Step aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach and head north-west from London to discover the pretty area of the Cotswolds, with its rolling countryside and chocolate-box villages.

This guided tour also includes Blenheim Palace tickets, allowing you to explore the former home of Sir Winston Churchill, with lunch in a traditional British pub optional.

London to the Cotswolds

Begin the day travelling from London through some of the most charming villages and rural scenery of the Cotswolds.

This quaint area of western England is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and spans Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

What can you do in the Cotswolds on the tour?

On this tour, you get to explore two villages within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds which is rich in picturesque villages worth seeing.

The first stop is a unique village called Bourton-on-the-Water. It has lovely bridges and the river Windrush at its centre, giving it the nickname “the Venice of the Cotswolds”. It’s also home to plenty of shops and traditional tearooms.

The next stop is Bampton, prominent as the filming location for the television series Downton Abbey. It offers fans a immersive experience into the series. Whether you're a fan or not it is worth visiting and offers well-preserved historic architecture.

If you only have one day to explore the area, this is the best Cotswolds itinerary that includes transport back to London.

Lunch in a traditional British pub

As part of this day trip, you can enjoy an optional two-course lunch in a traditional British pub. Choose from chicken Milanese or a mushroom and truffle risotto, or if you're travelling on a Sunday, tuck into a delicious chicken or vegetarian roast served with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy. Complete your meal with ice cream or gelato.

Blenheim Palace tickets

In the afternoon, it’s time to visit Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, an 18th-century country house built in the English Baroque style. Your Blenheim Palace tickets allow you to explore the lavish State Rooms and a special Churchill exhibition, wander around the lake and discover gardens designed by famous landscape architect Capability Brown.

How long does it take to walk around Blenheim Palace?

This tour gives you around two hours to enjoy this Unesco World Heritage Site – plenty of time to wander through the State Rooms and special exhibition, and to explore the well-manicured gardens.

Who lives in Blenheim Palace?

Blenheim Palace is home to the Dukes of Marlborough, with the current occupier being the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Charles James Spencer-Churchill, and his wife Edla Griffiths, Duchess of Marlborough.

Among its former residents is Sir Winston Churchill, who grew up in the palace as a child.

You’ll find out more about Britain’s wartime leader in a special permanent exhibition at Blenheim Palace, as part of the tour. Learn about Churchill’s time at the palace, uncover cherished family items, plus see the room in which he was born and the exact spot he proposed to his wife.

How do I get tickets for the tour?

You can book tickets for the Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds day trip, with or without lunch, now.

What's included in the tour price?

Return transportation by luxury air-conditioned coach from London to the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace with a professional guide is included in your ticket. Entry to Blenheim Palace is also included. When booking tickets for the tour, you can also add a two-course pub lunch to make the most of your day trip to the countryside.

Where to meet the tour

The tour departs every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from Bus Stop 1, Bulleid Way, SW1W 9SH, near Victoria Station.

Always check your booking confirmation or ticket for pick-up point and timings.

What time does the tour leave?

Check in at 8am. The coach departs at 8.30am. Don’t forget your e-ticket!

What time does the coach get back to London?

The tour arrives back in London at approximately 7pm. You’ll be dropped off in Victoria.

If the tour arrives back later than 7.45pm, you’ll be dropped off at Gloucester Road Underground Station (Zone 1), which is three stops away from Victoria by Tube.