Enjoy a private luxury driving tour of Cotswolds and Lake District, two of England’s most iconic locations, for some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. During this 8-day private driving tour of Cotswolds and Lake District, you will be exposed to the true beauty this land has to offer. From majestic hillsides and mountaintops to spectacular countryside, these two areas compete for the title of the most beautiful escape in England. Whether you are planning a Cotswolds and Lake District driving tour as a family getaway or are coming to explore on your own, Hammond Tours will customize the tour to your specifications. We will take you to places with some of the most picture-perfect views where you will capture the very best memories. If you are a fan of the great outdoors, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Transportation, breakfast and of course nightly accommodations are included. This is a Chauffeur-Driven private guided tour of Britain.
Your Distinguished Chauffeur-Driven Tour Includes:
Your land tour does not include:
For information or reservations contact Janice Snider.
Day 1 Arrive in London
Transfer from London Heathrow to your hotel. Your accommodation is The Rubens at the Palace, a majestic luxury hotel that gives you the best of both worlds. On the one hand, it recalls the magnificence and splendour of a bygone age; on the other, it gives you the latest in modern comforts and technology and is of course nearest to Buckingham Palace. Overnight The Rubens Palace Hotel, London.
Day 2 London
Today you spend on your own and you will have the choice of visiting some of the most famous landmarks of the city using the easiest form of transport around the city – the hop-on hop-off bus. See Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards, The London Eye, The Tower of London or somewhere else that is on your wish list. Overnight The Rubens Palace Hotel, London.
Day 3 London-Cotswolds-Stratford
You will be joined by your Professional British Driver Guide with Deluxe Vehicle on departure London. Today’s first destination is Oxford to have a chance to visit the world famous university. Most of the colleges and university buildings are located in the centre of Oxford, within easy walking distance of each other. Visit the Bodleian Library which has its own shop and the nearby Radcliffe Camera which is not open to the public but is well worth a view from the outside. Nearby in Broad Street is the Sheldonian Theatre, a venue for official university functions as well as a variety of concerts, the Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street, Britain’s oldest public museum and if you climb the stairs you are treated to a view from Carfax Tower. You may wish to take a stroll in the Oxford Botanic Gardens or visit one of the other numerous Oxford Museums. Leaving Oxford you will travel a short distance to St Martin’s Church in Bladon near Woodstock. It is also the mother church of St Mary Magdalene at Woodstock which was originally a chapel of ease and is best known for the grave of Sir Winston Churchill in its churchyard.
Continue north to Blenheim Palace, home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the magnificent Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and the great Lake.
Stratford-upon-Avon, small in size, but large in history and interest. Architecturally stunning and famous for William Shakespeare’s significance to the town. You may wish to visit some of the historical sites or just take a stroll along the banks of the Avon. Overnight Arden Hotel Stratford.
Day 4 Stratford-Windermere (Lake District)
After a hearty breakfast you will depart the Cotswolds for the Lake District. On reaching Windermere you have the option of enjoying the Lakeland scenery at its best. You will travel through Troutbeck village with stunning views of the mountain High Street with its Roman Road on our right to reach Kirkstone Pass, the highest road pass in the Lake District and passing Ullswater often acclaimed as England’s most beautiful lake.
We follow the shoreline with stops for photos before reaching the Aira Force Waterfalls where you can take the half hour to walk through the woodland and complete a circuit below and above the impressive falls. The landscape changes to sweeping moorland as we drive north and then east towards Keswick with far reaching views of the northern Lake District and the mighty mountain of Skiddaw.
We stop at the ancient Castlerigg Stone Circle with a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding fells. Alternatively, if you are interested you may wish to explore the favorite places associated with Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Rydal Mount, Wordsworth’s home from 1813 until his death in 1850. Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s home from 1799 to 1808 is open to the public as a museum. St. Oswald’s Church is where you will find the graves Of Wordsworth and his family.
Your overnight accommodation is Storrs Hall, a grade II Georgian Mansion which offers an idyllic setting to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Windermere. Storrs Hall with its National Trust-owned folly the “Temple” and its unrivaled position has for years been a landmark to sigh over. Overnight Storrs Hall, Windermere.
Day 5 Lake District & English Countryside
This morning we continue our tour of the Lake District. On your way to Coniston Water, pass through Ambleside, Yew Tree farm and Skelwith Bridge. At Coniston you may wish to board The Gondola. This graceful Victorian Steam Yacht glides across the water on a 45 minute journey where you have a chance to appreciate the lake and surrounding Coniston Fells.
Leaving Coniston, drive through the renowned beauty spot of Tarn Hows where you top for a photo and a chance to stretch your legs. Returning to Windermere stop at Hawkshead, a fascinating medieval village where Wordsworth attended school and Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top Farm. Take the 20 minute Windermere ferry to complete this enjoyable day with an optional cream tea at Lindeth Howe Hotel, former home of Beatrix Potter’s mother. Overnight Storrs Hall, Windermere.
Day 6 Windemere-Wales-Cotswolds
We depart and travel south. We continue into Northern Wales where you can visit Conwy Castle, a gritty, dark stoned fortress with an authentic medieval atmosphere. It was constructed by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of the key fortresses in his ‘iron ring’ of castles to contain the Welsh and the views from the battlements are breathtaking.
Not far from here on Conwy Quay you will find the Smallest House in Great Britain measuring just over 3m by 1.8m. We continue through the Cotswolds. Overnight Buckland Manor nr Broadway.
Day 7 Cotswolds-Warwick-Windsor
Warwick Castle sits on a bend on the River Avon. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 within or adjacent to the Anglo-Saxon burgh of Warwick. It was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. Windsor is a town on the River Thames in southeast England, just west of London. It is home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family. Built by William The Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle was extensively remodelled by subsequent monarchs.
Public tours take in the State Apartments which contain opulent furnishings, and paintings from the royal art collection. Windsor Castle, a royal stronghold built above the River Thames on the site of an Anglo-Saxon fort. The castle, one of England’s largest and most historic Royal residences, is still lived in by the Queen. See the magnificent State Apartments containing many great works of art; St. George’s Chapel – the burial place of Kings and Queens and the irresistible Queen Mary’s Dolls House exquisitely perfect to the tiniest detail. Your Professional British Driver Guide with Deluxe Vehicle will leave once you arrive at your hotel. Overnight Runnymeade Hotel.
Day 8 Transfer to London Heathrow Airport
B = breakfast L= lunch D= dinner