Cotswold Taster

Our best-selling half-day tour for those guests who don’t have time to do a full-day tour.

Our Cotswold Taster takes you through idyllic country lanes to Minster Lovell with its quaint thatched cottages, the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, Burford, picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water and quirky Stow-on-the-Wold. 

Delightful sleepy stone villages, hidden valleys and meandering rivers await you at every turn providing memorable highlights of some of the most enchanting villages and towns of the North Cotswolds.

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Itinerary

You start your unforgettable Cotswold journey from central Oxford, driving to Burford (the Gateway to the Cotswolds) through Minster Lovell, with its attractive thatched houses and ruined Hall.

We then continue to Burford, the Gateway to the Cotswolds via the beautiful villages of Asthall and Swinbrook (home to the Mitford sisters). You can enjoy browsing in the small shops and cafes.

Our drive then takes us through some beautiful countryside and some of the old quarrying villages of the North Cotswolds to Bourton-on-the-Water, the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. Bourton has many cafes and small souvenir shops to explore and there is also the picturesque River Windrush with its series of quaint stone bridges.

The tour continues on to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds.  Here you can window-shop in some of the unique antiques shops and boutiques in the pretty town square or visit St Edwards Church with its quirky wooden door, said to have inspired the writer J R R Tolkien.

Our route back to Oxford passes through the delightful towns of Chipping Norton and  Woodstock, the location of Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill).

Sundays at 1300 from April to October
Sundays at 0930 from November to March
Cost: £65.00 per person

Pick-up Point

Just outside the Taylorian Institute in Oxford City Centre

Please note

  • Public transportation nearby
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event

We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event

What Our Guests Say

Highly recommended!
5/5
"It was such a lovely day out! Thank you Isobel for your wonderful and informative guide, and thank you David for the safe and comfortable ride. The Cotswolds is really difficult to travel with public transport, so joining the tour was the best way to enjoy the quaint villages and hidden gems in the area. Also, it is rather impossible to get a ticket for the immensely popular Highclere Castle on your own; I am so glad to have found a perfect tour that saved my day."
Arisa N.
Best tour and great people
5/5
"We had an excellent tour with the most knowledgeable and friendly driver and guide. I would seek them out again if we are ever back in the area! Thank you so much for being accommodating. You went beyond expectations! All seven of us commented on how much we enjoyed our day."
229barbaraz

Small group tours with
maximum 12 guests:

£65 Per person

Private tailor-made tours
for up to 12 guests:

From £400

Experience type:

Day tour / activity

Booking in advance:

Cut off: 1 hour

Duration:

5 hours

Difficulty:

Easy

Supported accessibilty:

Stroller or pram

Know before you go:

Minimum age of passengers is: 12

Categories:

Cultural and theme tours, Day trips and excursions, Luxury and special occasions, Bus / minivan tour, Family friendly

Live tour guide:

English

Need help booking?

 

Call us on any of the numbers below and we will be happy to help you with booking a tour with us.

Landline: +44 (0)1869 340090

Mobile: +44 (0) 7976 246967

Mobile: +44 (0) 7860 222408

To make a booking, visit our Tours page

Explore the beautiful Cotswolds

Discover idyllic English villages, nestling in quiet valleys with picture-perfect thatched cottages, majestic castles and manors, fields and hedgerows.

Call:  +44 (0)1869 340090

email: info@cotswoldexploring.co.uk

Pick-up point

Cotswold Exploring are supporting the environment through our partnership with One Tree. £1.00 from each tour you book will help to plant more trees worldwide.

Related Tours

Cotswold Adventurer

The full-day Adventurer tour explores the quieter south side of the Cotswolds, taking you on a scenic route through a succession of quaint stone villages, hidden valleys, rolling hills and meandering rivers.

Explore Tour »

Call us on any of the numbers below and we will be happy to help you with booking a tour with us.

Landline: +44 (0)1869 340 090

Mobile: +44 (0) 7976 246 967

Mobile: +44 (0) 7860 222 408

Partners & Awards

Blue and Green guides certificate

Google Reviews

Cotswold Exploring
5.0
Based on 15 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
Joyce Zhang
14:07 11 Nov 22
What a lovely day we had in the Cotswolds! We went in early November and were very lucky to be the only ones, so we had an unexpected private tour. The weather was lovely, and the bus was exceptionally comfortable.Our guide, Isobel, had a considerable amount of information about each town/village, and we appreciated her information during the drive while giving us time in each location to explore freely. We were also able to drive through some lovely villages that were more off the beaten track and probably would not have visited otehrwise. Looking back, I am really glad we chose this tour rather than self-driving.For those considering a trip to the Cotswolds, I cannot recommend this tour more!
Chris Prince
18:47 20 Oct 22
It was a long day, but never boring or tedious. Isabelle and David were spectacular hosts. They exhibit tremendous knowledge of their immediate surroundings, and English history/tradition/custom on the whole. In addition to more "regular" stops, they put great effort - and empathy - into providing off-the-path diversions as well. We made frequent stops at legitimate sights, never having to sit too long. The group size was less than a dozen. Isabelle and David were also personally engaging, taking time to talk with all their guests to insure everyone was having a good time. We heard lots, saw more, had a great lunch, and enjoyed ourselves royally. If an 8 hour day is too much for you, they have other options that fit your interest and schedule. Do not book anyone else's tour, this is the one you want.
Derek G
03:57 29 Aug 22
Highest recommendation! This is the tour operator to choose for experiencing the Cotswolds. We did the Cotswold Explorer tour on a lovely August day. The full-day outing was packed with stops and drive by sights, but it was not at all exhausting. Isobel and David are amazing tour guides and they seem to love their work. Both are kind and pleasant; Isobel's commentary is delightful to listen to, while David is an excellent driver with a reassuring presence. Their van is clean, comfortable, and provides great views of the breathtaking countryside. Thank you, Cotswold Exploring, for an experience we will treasure always.
Pamela S
16:29 10 Jun 22
We took the Cotswold Explorer summer tour and it was a lovely day exploring the area.The tour took us through the variety of Cotswold area with lots of stories and information shared. At each stop, restaurant and coffee shop recommendations were made that didn’t disappoint.Highly recommend booking a tour with Cotswold Exploring. A wonderful experience.
Stefane Desmond
07:32 31 May 22
This was a great trip, that picked up from an easy location to get to in Oxford. The guide, was wonderful and knowledgeable. It was 5.5 hours but it didn’t feel too long at all. The drive to and through the Cotswolds was adorable. They picked great stops for us to walk around and shop at. They brought us to the best places to take pictures, as well for a memorable trip. The driver and guide went above and beyond when my mum asked where she could get a Sunday dinner back in Oxford. They called a bunch of restaurants to check. Would definitely recommend! It is such a charming area!
Morgan C
17:22 12 Apr 22
My husband and I did the Cotswold Explorer full day tour, and we had a blast! Isobel and David have lived in the area for years and are incredibly knowledgeable. We probably passed through 10 towns/villages, and stopped in 4 or 5. Isobel shared history about each and every one of the places. David was an excellent driver and carefully navigated the narrow roads for a comfortable riding experience. This tour is well worth your time and money! We would love to return and do the Downton Abbey tour.
Arisa Nakagoe
22:08 11 Sep 21
I am so glad to have found this perfect tour! It was a lovely day out, exploring the beautiful castle and quaint villages. Thank you Isobel for the fun and informative guide and thank you David for the safe and comfortable ride!
Aswin shyam
17:52 14 Jul 21
Isobel was our guide and David was our Tour driver. Isobel was very knowledgeable and helped us get around the beautiful Cotswold villages. The tour was well planned and we had ample time at every village to explore with Isobel highlighting the history and significance of each place. David and Isobel were both kind and even helped us to choose the best place to have our lunch and shopping. The tour even included stops at the eccentric lavender, poppy and wild flower fields. The tour along with Isobel and David made our day special.
Arun Michael Dsouza
14:11 08 Jun 21
The Cotswold Taster Tour was absolutely lovely. Both Isobel and David were extremely nice and knowledgeable, we had a wonderful experience with them. Isobel's commentary was excellent - full of interesting facts and David was very careful throughout the trip, driving through some of the narrow lanes of the countryside while we were enjoying the scenic views. We got to visit some of the most beautiful little villages in the area and got the chance to wander around and explore. This is the best half-day tour of the Cotswolds in my opinion. I would definitely recommend it!
Mary Anne Dooley
10:54 23 Jul 19
Had a wonderful day with Isabel and David. Couldn’t rate the tour and them any higher! The commentary was delightful, very informative and timely. Amazing local knowledge. Isabel and David were able to answer any question and they were both very flexible for the needs of the passengers. David’s driving was expertly handled, especially on the narrow roads. Because of the small bus, they are able to use the more interesting roads and visit towns and villages off the beaten track and often prettier and much less crowded than the the well known. If you want a day tour to the Cotswolds don’t go past this one.
Yulia A.
23:14 23 Jan 19
I've just had an incredible day with Isobel and David. Breathtaking beauty of rural countryside on a winter day combined with excellent commentary made this tour absolutely amazing. Seeing all these rural villages, rows of thatched cottages with lovely gardens, rolling hills with farms, animals and rare birds gives such a therapeutic effect! And Isobel is so interesting to listen! Highly recommended!
More reviews
Cotswold Exploring
5.0
Based on 15 reviews
powered by Google
review us on
Joyce Zhang
14:07 11 Nov 22
What a lovely day we had in the Cotswolds! We went in early November and were very lucky to be the only ones, so we had an unexpected private tour. The weather was lovely, and the bus was exceptionally comfortable.Our guide, Isobel, had a considerable amount of information about each town/village, and we appreciated her information during the drive while giving us time in each location to explore freely. We were also able to drive through some lovely villages that were more off the beaten track and probably would not have visited otehrwise. Looking back, I am really glad we chose this tour rather than self-driving.For those considering a trip to the Cotswolds, I cannot recommend this tour more!
Chris Prince
18:47 20 Oct 22
It was a long day, but never boring or tedious. Isabelle and David were spectacular hosts. They exhibit tremendous knowledge of their immediate surroundings, and English history/tradition/custom on the whole. In addition to more "regular" stops, they put great effort - and empathy - into providing off-the-path diversions as well. We made frequent stops at legitimate sights, never having to sit too long. The group size was less than a dozen. Isabelle and David were also personally engaging, taking time to talk with all their guests to insure everyone was having a good time. We heard lots, saw more, had a great lunch, and enjoyed ourselves royally. If an 8 hour day is too much for you, they have other options that fit your interest and schedule. Do not book anyone else's tour, this is the one you want.
Derek G
03:57 29 Aug 22
Highest recommendation! This is the tour operator to choose for experiencing the Cotswolds. We did the Cotswold Explorer tour on a lovely August day. The full-day outing was packed with stops and drive by sights, but it was not at all exhausting. Isobel and David are amazing tour guides and they seem to love their work. Both are kind and pleasant; Isobel's commentary is delightful to listen to, while David is an excellent driver with a reassuring presence. Their van is clean, comfortable, and provides great views of the breathtaking countryside. Thank you, Cotswold Exploring, for an experience we will treasure always.
Pamela S
16:29 10 Jun 22
We took the Cotswold Explorer summer tour and it was a lovely day exploring the area.The tour took us through the variety of Cotswold area with lots of stories and information shared. At each stop, restaurant and coffee shop recommendations were made that didn’t disappoint.Highly recommend booking a tour with Cotswold Exploring. A wonderful experience.
Stefane Desmond
07:32 31 May 22
This was a great trip, that picked up from an easy location to get to in Oxford. The guide, was wonderful and knowledgeable. It was 5.5 hours but it didn’t feel too long at all. The drive to and through the Cotswolds was adorable. They picked great stops for us to walk around and shop at. They brought us to the best places to take pictures, as well for a memorable trip. The driver and guide went above and beyond when my mum asked where she could get a Sunday dinner back in Oxford. They called a bunch of restaurants to check. Would definitely recommend! It is such a charming area!
Morgan C
17:22 12 Apr 22
My husband and I did the Cotswold Explorer full day tour, and we had a blast! Isobel and David have lived in the area for years and are incredibly knowledgeable. We probably passed through 10 towns/villages, and stopped in 4 or 5. Isobel shared history about each and every one of the places. David was an excellent driver and carefully navigated the narrow roads for a comfortable riding experience. This tour is well worth your time and money! We would love to return and do the Downton Abbey tour.
Arisa Nakagoe
22:08 11 Sep 21
I am so glad to have found this perfect tour! It was a lovely day out, exploring the beautiful castle and quaint villages. Thank you Isobel for the fun and informative guide and thank you David for the safe and comfortable ride!
Aswin shyam
17:52 14 Jul 21
Isobel was our guide and David was our Tour driver. Isobel was very knowledgeable and helped us get around the beautiful Cotswold villages. The tour was well planned and we had ample time at every village to explore with Isobel highlighting the history and significance of each place. David and Isobel were both kind and even helped us to choose the best place to have our lunch and shopping. The tour even included stops at the eccentric lavender, poppy and wild flower fields. The tour along with Isobel and David made our day special.
Arun Michael Dsouza
14:11 08 Jun 21
The Cotswold Taster Tour was absolutely lovely. Both Isobel and David were extremely nice and knowledgeable, we had a wonderful experience with them. Isobel's commentary was excellent - full of interesting facts and David was very careful throughout the trip, driving through some of the narrow lanes of the countryside while we were enjoying the scenic views. We got to visit some of the most beautiful little villages in the area and got the chance to wander around and explore. This is the best half-day tour of the Cotswolds in my opinion. I would definitely recommend it!
Mary Anne Dooley
10:54 23 Jul 19
Had a wonderful day with Isabel and David. Couldn’t rate the tour and them any higher! The commentary was delightful, very informative and timely. Amazing local knowledge. Isabel and David were able to answer any question and they were both very flexible for the needs of the passengers. David’s driving was expertly handled, especially on the narrow roads. Because of the small bus, they are able to use the more interesting roads and visit towns and villages off the beaten track and often prettier and much less crowded than the the well known. If you want a day tour to the Cotswolds don’t go past this one.
Yulia A.
23:14 23 Jan 19
I've just had an incredible day with Isobel and David. Breathtaking beauty of rural countryside on a winter day combined with excellent commentary made this tour absolutely amazing. Seeing all these rural villages, rows of thatched cottages with lovely gardens, rolling hills with farms, animals and rare birds gives such a therapeutic effect! And Isobel is so interesting to listen! Highly recommended!
More reviews
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