Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace Private Day Tour from Oxford

You set the pace through four Cotswolds villages, then explore Blenheim Palace on the same day.

A private day tour from Oxford through the Cotswolds with a local driver-guide, visiting Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter and Stow-on-the-Wold before spending two hours at Blenheim Palace. The itinerary is flexible: you choose how long to spend in each village and which stops matter most. Pickup and dropoff are included within Oxford and the North Cotswolds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace

• Depart Oxford at 9am
• Visit Burford and ancient church
• Drive through Cotswold villages
• Stop at Bourton-on-the-Water
• Visit Lower Slaughter village
• Explore Stow-on-the-Wold and lunch
• Travel to Blenheim Palace
• Explore Blenheim Palace for 2 hours
• Drive back to Oxford

The experience

How do you see the Cotswolds without renting a car or following a fixed schedule? This tour leaves Oxford at 9am and starts in Burford, the gateway to the region, where a local guide shows you one of the oldest churches in the area. From there the route moves through honey-coloured villages: Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds and regularly voted one of England's prettiest villages; Lower Slaughter, set deep in the countryside; and Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the region. You have time to walk the narrow streets, browse shops and tea rooms, and eat lunch in one of the pubs. The whole morning and early afternoon is yours to linger where you want.

After lunch you travel to Blenheim Palace for two hours exploring the grounds and the history of the estate before the driver takes you back to your starting point in Oxford. Because this is a private tour, not a group one, you can ask to spend longer in a village that grabs you or skip a stop altogether. The driver is a local who knows the area well and can suggest alternatives if something else interests you more than the recommended route.

What’s included

• Full control over the itinerary and route.
• a modern comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and dropoff within the North Cotswolds including Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon.
• a knowledgeable local driver-guide for the full eight-hour tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Undiscovered Cotswolds

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see multiple Cotswolds villages and Blenheim Palace in one day without driving yourself or following a fixed group schedule. The private format means you choose which stops matter most and how long to spend in each one.

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Top questions

What is Bourton-on-the-Water like when we get there?

Bourton-on-the-Water is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds because a shallow river runs through the village centre, lined with stone cottages and bridges. It's regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England and has shops, pubs and tea rooms along the main street where you'll have time to walk and eat.

How much time do we spend at Blenheim Palace?

You have two hours at Blenheim Palace to explore the grounds and the palace itself before the drive back to Oxford.

Can we skip a village or stay longer in one place?

Yes. The tour has a recommended route, but the itinerary is completely flexible. If you want to spend more time in a village you like or add a different attraction, the driver can accommodate that.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes pickup and dropoff within Oxford and the North Cotswolds, a modern air-conditioned vehicle, and a knowledgeable local driver-guide for the full eight hours. Lunch is not included. You eat at a pub or tea room during the stop in Stow-on-the-Wold.

Do we need to arrange our own transport to the starting point?

No. Pickup is included if you're staying in Oxford or elsewhere in the North Cotswolds, including Stratford-upon-Avon. The driver will collect you and drop you back at the same location.