Secret Cotswolds
Peaceful. Scenic. Unspoilt.
Discover the places the social media algorithms don’t show you… On this unique Go Cotswolds tour, you’ll explore a hidden, authentic side to the Cotswolds.
- Departures from Stratford-upon-Avon (08:50) and Moreton-in-Marsh (09:30)
- Price: £70 adults, £60 children aged 3-15 (sorry, no under 3s)
- Free time in Broadway, one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful villages, and the historic market town of Burford
- Scenic drives along quiet backroads, past rolling fields and into authentic villages like Guiting Power and Stanton – real villages our guides love!
- A visit to the mysterious Rollright Stones – the Cotswolds’ very own stone circle, older than Stonehenge!
tour itinerary
After picking you up from either Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-in-Marsh (see below), you’ll visit the following locations:
- The Rollright Stones (45 minutes). The Cotswolds’ very own ancient stone circle – a ‘mini Stonehenge’ – is a fascinating place to start your tour. Discover Olde English myths and legends, and drink in panoramic views across the Cotswolds countryside.
- En route to our next stop, enjoy a scenic drive (approx 40 minutes) through the picturesque countryside made famous by the TV show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’* and discover tiny Cotswold villages far off the beaten track.
- Burford (1 hour). This vibrant, authentic Cotswold market town is a wonderful place for you to learn about the history of the area, photograph classic Cotswold cottages, and seek out delicious homemade cake.
- Guiting Power (30 minutes). Shhh… don’t tell anyone, otherwise this will become the next tourist trap! Gorgeous, remote and unspoilt, Guiting Power provides you with a slice of genuine Cotswolds countryside life. Have a pint in the local pub, or try one of David Beckham’s favourite sausage rolls!
- Broadway (1 hour 10 minutes). Perhaps not-so-secret, but the ‘Jewel in the Cotswolds Crown’ is not to be missed! Browse art galleries, support independent retailers, and admire gorgeous traditional cottages.
- Stanton (30 minutes). Fall in love with the quiet, charming village of Stanton, which is regularly voted as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt villages in the Cotswolds.
In between stops, you’ll travel the scenic back roads in our comfy minibus, while our friendly local guides tell you all about this beautiful area we call home.
*Please note that while this tour passes through farmland owned by Jeremy Clarkson, you won’t pass or stop at Diddly Squat Farm Shop on this tour (try our Half-Day Clarkson’s Farm tour for that!). You can, however, purchase Diddly Squat merchandise at shops in Broadway and Guiting Power 🙂
Pick-up & drop-off times & locations
stratford-upon-avon
- Departure time: 08.50
- Return time: 17.30
- Location: Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
- Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/kyq8upDKhZnbdwpF8
- What3Words: ///evenly.blur.ending
moreton-in-marsh
- Departure time: 09.30
- Return time: 17.00
- Location: Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station (wait in the car park outside the ticket office)
- Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/RkMYSdNizneTnzRGA
- What3Words: ///retain.incurring.processes
- Please note: we collect our first passengers from Stratford-upon-Avon at 08.50, then travel to Moreton-in-Marsh to collect remaining passengers at 09.30. Your booking may show a tour ‘start time’ of 08.50 regardless of which pick up point you have selected. However, if you selected Moreton-in-Marsh, the departure time is 09.30.
- Travelling from London, Reading, Oxford or Birmingham? Arriving by train, bus or car? Click here for more information about how to reach our pick up points.
- If you would like to change your pick up point after booking, you can do so using the ‘Manage this booking’ link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Go Cotswolds. If you’re not sure which pick up point to choose, please ask!
On request:
- We can pick you up in Stratford-upon-Avon and drop you off at Moreton-in-Marsh station (or vice versa). No problem! Please let us know in advance.
What’s included?
- Transport in a comfy, spacious, air-conditioned 16-passenger seat Mercedes minibus with USB chargers and panoramic windows so everyone gets a great view!
- Plenty of free time in each location - you're free to do as much or as little as you like at each stop
- Entry to The Rollright Stones
- Souvenir booklets containing maps, photographs and information. We’ve highlighted our recommended things to see and do at each stop, so you can make the most of your free time.
- Expert insights from one of our fun, friendly driver-guides. All of our guides are locals, so we’ll bring the story of the Cotswolds to life.
What’s not included?
- Lunch and refreshments – bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks at the stops on the tour.
- Village walking tours - practically and logistically,our guides can't accompany you at every stop, but we find our guests really value this flexibility!
- Tips - always welcome, but never expected
What to wear?
- Please dress in comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather conditions. Bring a raincoat or umbrella if it’s raining, and a hat, water and sunscreen if it’s hot.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
tips for travel by public transport
- From London (Paddington station), Reading, Oxford, Charlbury and Kingham, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. The train arriving at approx. 09.20 is perfect! We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
- From Honeybourne, Evesham or Worcester, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
- From Birmingham, take a direct train to Stratford-upon-Avon – our pick up point is just a 5-10 minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon train station. (See this Google Map for walking directions.) Not on Sundays.
We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The times stated above are usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off points – we are often a few minutes earlier, but we can never 100% guarantee this. If you have a flexible ticket, then you can take an earlier train and won’t have to wait around.
However, if you wish to book a particular train to take advantage of cheaper ‘advance single’ tickets, then we recommend you plan to depart after the drop-off times stated above.
We recommend The Trainline* for online train ticket bookings. Book train tickets 6-8 weeks ahead of the travel date for the best prices.
more travel tips
- Please see our webpage here for more information on accommodation and getting to our pick up points by local bus, car or taxi.
package offers
Our Secret Cotswolds tour is fantastic as a stand-alone tour. However, if you have more time, combine it with our other tours to create a 1-4 day itinerary.
- Get 10% off when you book more than one tour at the same time
- Top tip: it doesn’t matter which way around you take our tours!
- Need accommodation? Accommodation is not included in our packages. Try our recommendations in Stratford-upon-Avon or Moreton-Marsh.
cancellation policy, terms & Conditions
- Our Secret Cotswolds tour may be amended, or cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure.
- No refunds, credit or transfers are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
- We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour.
- With the exception of registered assistance animals (who are highly trained to assist a person with activities of daily living), we do not allow pets on our tours.
- Click here for our Terms and Conditions – you will need to agree to these at checkout if you make a booking