Oxford, Stratford & Warwick Castle Day Trip from London

Four centuries in one day: castle, birthplace, and university streets

You depart London early, spend the morning exploring Warwick Castle's hidden rooms with a medieval introduction, drive through the Cotswolds, visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford, then walk Oxford's university streets and enter St Mary the Virgin Church. Entry to the castle and birthplace, the coach, and a professional guide are all included. You're back in London by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Warwick Castle1h 30m · entry included
2. Shakespeare's Houses & Gardens1h · entry included

Warwick Castle, Stratford, Oxford tour

• Depart London Victoria at 8:30am
• Arrive Warwick Castle, meet medieval host
• Take private hidden gems tour at castle
• Explore Great Hall, State Rooms, gardens
• Drive through scenic Cotswolds countryside
• Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford
• Walk Oxford streets with guide
• Enter University Church of St Mary the Virgin
• Return to London around 7pm

The experience

The coach leaves Victoria at 8:30am sharp, and you're climbing out of London's noise into Warwick Castle within the hour. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, the place hits different when you walk through the Great Hall and State Rooms: the scale of it, the peacocks loose in the gardens, the towers you can actually climb. There's a medieval host who meets you at the gate, which sounds corny until you're standing there and it suddenly feels like stepping backward. The exclusive private hidden gems tour gets you into rooms most visitors never see, and the guide explains what you're looking at instead of just letting you guess.

After Warwick, the coach winds through the Cotswolds, and yeah, the views are the kind that make you understand why people move there. Sleepy villages, stone cottages, the whole postcard thing, except you're seeing it from a seat with air conditioning and a driver who knows the roads. Then Stratford-upon-Avon arrives, and you're walking into Shakespeare's actual birthplace, the house where he was born and grew up. It's smaller than you'd expect, more intimate. You get time to wander the rooms and read about his formative years before the coach moves on.

Oxford is the final stop, and it's a walking tour through cobbled streets with your guide pointing out the architecture and rattling off the alumni list: the weight of centuries in one university town. The University Church of St Mary the Virgin, built in the 13th century, is included in your entry, and the baroque design inside is genuinely striking. You're not rushed. There's time to actually look around and ask questions. The coach picks you up around 7pm for the drive back to London, and by then you've crossed four different worlds in a single day without arranging transport or timing yourself.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or central London pickup at Victoria (8:30am departure), luxury air-conditioned coach transport, entry to Warwick Castle with an exclusive private hidden gems tour and medieval meet-and-greet, a drive through the Cotswolds, entry to Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, a walking tour of Oxford, entry to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, and a professional guide throughout.
• Return to London is approximately 7pm.
• A premium signature option is available with reserved seating, a live guide on the coach, and a lunch pack.

Options for this experience

16 options

Italian tour with no entryAvailable from 8 Nov · 08:30Guided experience; entry fees are not part of the price.

Mandarin tour with no entryGuide in Chinese · Available from 11 Nov · 08:30Tour in Mandarin: flexible tour option without entries

English tour with no entry08:30Tour in English: flexible tour option without entries

See 13 more options

Spanish tour with no entry08:30Tour in Spanish: flexible tour option without entries

Italian tour with 1 entryAvailable from 8 Nov · 08:30Warwick Castle entry only (in Italian).

English tour with 1 entry08:30Tour in English, with Warwick Castle entry included

Spanish tour with 1 entry08:30Tour in Spanish, with Warwick Castle entry included

Mandarin tour with 1 entryGuide in Chinese · Available from 11 Nov · 08:30Tour in Mandarin, with Warwick Castle entry included

English tour with all entries08:30Tour in English, with entry to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace

Italian tour with all entriesAvailable from 8 Nov · 08:30Admission to all sites (in Italian).

Spanish tour with all entries08:30Tour in Spanish, with entry to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace

Mandarin tour with all entriesGuide in Chinese · Available from 11 Nov · 08:30Tour in Mandarin, with entry to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace

Signature - English08:30Signature (English): all entries plus premium seating and lunch pack

Signature - ChineseAvailable from 11 Nov · 08:30Signature: all entries plus premium seating and lunch pack (Chinese)

Signature - Spanish08:30Signature: all entries plus premium seating and lunch pack (Spanish)

Signature - ItalianAvailable from 8 Nov · 08:30Signature: all entries plus premium seating and lunch pack (Italian)

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and ThursdayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 53 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Golden Tours Gray Line London

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in London who want to see the Cotswolds, a working castle, and Shakespeare's world without renting a car or planning logistics. Expect a full day out: the early start and tight schedule are what fit four destinations and two entry fees into one trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What time does the tour depart from London?

The coach leaves Victoria at 8:30am. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in.

Is entry to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace included?

Yes, both are included in the tour price. The exclusive private hidden gems tour at Warwick Castle is also part of the experience.

How long is the full day?

The tour runs from 8:30am until approximately 7pm, when you return to London.

What is the exclusive private tour at Warwick Castle?

An expert guide leads you through rooms not generally open to the public, giving deeper insight into the castle's history.

Is the walking tour of Oxford included?

Yes, a professional guide leads the walking tour and includes entry to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

What happens if I need a premium seating option?

A signature tour option is available with premium seating on the coach, a live guide, and a lunch pack included.

Is the coach air-conditioned?

Yes, transportation is by luxury air-conditioned coach throughout the day.

What if Shakespeare's Birthplace is closed?

The birthplace is closed on Christmas Eve. Check the tour date before booking if you're traveling around that time.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, as there is walking involved in Oxford and around the castle grounds.

Can infants come on the tour?

Yes, infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during the coach journey.