Oxfordshire

Downton Abbey, Oxford, and Highclere Castle from London

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, EnglandA walking tour of this beautiful city, home to universities since 1196.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Highclere Castle, Newbury, Berkshire, EnglandVisit the central location from the TV series Downton Abbey. Home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon and recieve a signed copy of Lady Carnarvon's book. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: St Mary's Church, Bampton, Oxfordshire, EnglandVisit the Old Grammar School Building and St Mary's Church both used as locations in the TV seriesDuration: 1 hour

Oxford University Walking Tour with Bodleian Library and Entry

This 2-hour Oxford University walking tour, starting in central Oxford at 2pm (departures at 11am and 2pm on weekends), is designed to show you the world behind the doors. Using Oxford University students as your guide, the walking tour unearths the drama behind this historic institution with a unique style. Small intimate groups enable the guides to concentrate on more diverse aspects of University life and you to ask more from them. Go inside one of oldest College of the University, as well as the Bodleian Library, experience a taste student life. Get an in-depth history of the University colleges, including All Souls College, Trinity College, Oriel College, Hertford College, Merton College, Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary and many more University sights.Also get an equally in-depth history of the town. Learn about ceremonies at Oxford, famous graduates, and their little known experiences at Oxford, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and also the famous "finishing story" which details how the most powerful Archbishop of Canterbury England has ever seen, came to be burnt at the stake in Oxford!

Blenheim Palace, the Cotswalds Custom Day Tour from London

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Englandhis awe-inspiring stately home, the current private residence of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, is perhaps best-known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Admire the stunning details behind the portraits, tapestry and furniture in the lavishly decorated State Rooms, which includes furniture ornate furniture by Boulle, Savonniere carpet and the iconic 'Victories' series of tapestries celebrating the Duke's victory over the French armies of 'The Sun King', Louis XIV, at the Battle of Blenheim.Enjoy a stroll through the beautifully landscaped formal gardens and more than 2,000 acres of parkland, or walk in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill; visit his most cherished outdoor places on the grounds of Blenheim Palace, including the spot where he proposed to Clementine Hozier.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesPass By: St. Mary's Church, Bibury, Cotswolds, EnglandA Grade I listed church in one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds. St Marys dates to the 12th century but a Saxon gravestone embedded in the church wall speaks of a much older heritage. There are wonderfully carved doorways, an unusual 13th century square font, and medieval glass. The attractive timber roof dates to the 15th century. The north Chancel wall of the Church is home to a stained glass window which was designed in 1927 by Karl Parsons and was featured in the 1992 Christmas stamp set issued by the Royal Mail.Stop At: Arlington Row, Bibury, Cotswolds, EnglandBibury is situated in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds on the River Coln 9 miles from the market town of Burford.The village was once described by William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds'.The village centre clusters around a square near St. Mary's, a Saxon church. Some of the Saxon remains inside the church are replicas as the originals are housed in the British Museum.One of the village's main tourist spots and overlooking a water meadow and the river is Arlington Row, a group of ancient cottages with steeply pitched roofs dating back to the 16th Century.Henry Ford thought Arlington Row was an icon of England. On a trip to the Cotswolds he tried to buy the entire row of houses to ship back to Michigan so that he could include them in Greenfield Village.Bibury has provided the backdrop for blockbuster films including Stardust and Bridget Jones's Diary.Duration: 30 minutesPass By: Evan Evans Tours, London, EnglandEvan Evans Tours is the oldest and largest sightseeing company in London and has been accompanying visitors on city tours and out-of-town excursions since 1930. Evan Evans Tours is owned by The Travel Corporation of 25 highly successful travel and tourism companies including Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, Contiki Holidays and Red Carnation Hotels. The Travel Corporation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and guest service and this this follows for each individual brand.Stop At: Bourton on the Water, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds, EnglandBourton-on-the-Water is only 4 miles fromStow-on-the-Wold and straddles the river Windrush with its series of elegant low bridges beside neat tree-shaded greens and tidy stone banks. Standing back from the river are traditional Cotswolds buildings, many of which are now tourist shops for the day-trippers and visitors.Bourton-on-the-Water has been described as the 'Little Venice' of the Cotswolds and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region being serviced by the many shops, cafe's, and attractions.Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

London to Highclere Castle, Downton Abbey Tour with Admission

Make your own way to Great Portland Street in central London to meet your expert guide. Then, hop inside your comfortable, air-conditioned coach and relax on the journey to Oxfordshire. As you travel, listen to your guide share entertaining tales and trivia about the British period drama TV series, Downton Abbey. Filmed mostly in and around Oxfordshire, the hit show follows the lives, dramas and scandals of the fictional Crawley family and their servants in the days before, during and after World War I. Hear insider gossip about characters such as Lady Edith and Dowager Countess of Grantham, and uncover little-known facts about the filming locations visited on your tour. Your first stop is at Cogges Manor Farm. Sip on a hot drink (own expense) in its rustic cafe before discovering a few of the farm’s shooting locations. Next, head to the Cotswold village of Bampton, a quintessentially English village that featured as Downton village. On a walking tour, see the church where Lady Mary married Matthew Crawley, and the house that was once used as the Crawley family home. Then, stroll along the main street, passing sights such as the fictional Grantham Arms pub. Continue on to Highclere Castle, one of the most famous Downton filming locations. With your guide leading the way, explore the grand estate that surrounds the castle including Monk’s Garden, White Border, Secret Garden and the Wood of Goodwill, and learn about Highclere Castle’s role as the Grantham family home. After free time for lunch or a snack in the on-site tea rooms (own expense), make your way into the castle to explore its lavish state rooms with your guide. Follow in the footsteps of the likes of Lady Sybil and Tom Branson as you wander through the dining, smoking and music rooms, and learn all about the Carnarvons, the real-life family who have owned Highclere Castle since the late 17th century. See other impressive filming sites, such as the Red Stairs, saloon, gallery and bedrooms, then return to your coach and relax on the journey back to London. Your day trip then concludes with a drop-off at London Victoria Station, which as excellent transport links to all parts of London and beyond.

Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle Small-Group Tour from London

Leave London’s Marble Arch by air-conditioned minivan, and travel west to the rolling limestone hills of Oxfordshire. On the journey, your guide will keep you entertained with tales and trivia about the Downton Abbey TV series that has a fan base spread all over the world.Filmed mostly in and around Oxfordshire, the British period drama of Downton Abbey documents the dramas and scandals of the fictional Crawley family and their servants in the days leading up to and after the First World War. Hear insider gossip about characters such as Lady Mary, and discover little-known facts about the shooting locations included on your tour. Stop at a farm nestled in the hills near Cogges and enjoy a hot drink (own expense) in the farm’s rustic cafe before discovering a few of the farm’s filming locations.Continue to Bampton in the Cotswolds, a quintessentially English village that was used extensively as Downton village throughout the entire series. On a walking tour, see the village church — the site of Lady Mary’s wedding to Matthew Crawley — and the house that was once used as the Crawley family home. Stroll along the main street, seeing shops used for filming as well as sights such as the fictional Grantham Arms pub. Travel onward to continue to Highclere Castle, one of the best-known Downton filming locations, to explore with your guide. Walk around the lavish estate that surrounds the castle, comprising Monk’s Garden, White Border, Secret Garden and the Wood of Goodwill, and hear all about Highclere Castle’s role as the Grantham family home. Enjoy free time for lunch or a snack in the onsite tea rooms that serves food from the castle’s kitchens, and then step inside Highclere Castle to explore each of its state rooms. See the dining, music and smoking rooms that the likes of Lady Sybil graced with their presence, and learn all about the real-life family who have owned Highclere Castle since the late 17th century: the Carnarvons.After exploring further areas of the impressive filming site such as the Red Stairs, saloon, gallery and bedrooms, return to your minivan with your guide. Relax on the journey back to London, and then finish your day trip with a drop-off at the Victoria Train Station.

Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds from London

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, EnglandThis awe-inspiring stately home, the current private residence of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, is perhaps best-known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Admire the stunning details behind the portraits, tapestry and furniture in the lavishly decorated State Rooms, which includes furniture ornate furniture by Boulle, Savonniere carpet and the iconic 'Victories' series of tapestries celebrating the Duke's victory over the French armies of 'The Sun King', Louis XIV, at the Battle of Blenheim.Enjoy a stroll through the beautifully landscaped formal gardens and more than 2,000 acres of parkland, or walk in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill; visit his most cherished outdoor places on the grounds of Blenheim Palace, including the spot where he proposed to Clementine Hozier.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesPass By: St. Mary's Church, Bibury, Cotswolds, EnglandA Grade I listed church in one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds. St Marys dates to the 12th century but a Saxon gravestone embedded in the church wall speaks of a much older heritage. There are wonderfully carved doorways, an unusual 13th century square font, and medieval glass. The attractive timber roof dates to the 15th century. The north Chancel wall of the Church is home to a stained glass window which was designed in 1927 by Karl Parsons and was featured in the 1992 Christmas stamp set issued by the Royal Mail.Stop At: Arlington Row, Bibury, Cotswolds, EnglandThe picturesque Arlington Row cottages were built in 1380 as a monastic wool store. This was converted into a row of cottages for weavers in the seventeenth century The cloth produced there was sent to Arlington Mill. Arlington Row is a popular visitor attraction, probably one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes, and was preserved by the Royal College of Arts. It has been used as a film and television location, most notably for the films Stardust and Bridget Jones's DiaryDuration: 15 minutesPass By: Evan Evans Tours, London, EnglandEvan Evans Tours is the oldest and largest sightseeing company in London and has been accompanying visitors on city tours and out-of-town excursions since 1930. Evan Evans Tours is owned by The Travel Corporation of 25 highly successful travel and tourism companies including Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, Contiki Holidays and Red Carnation Hotels. The Travel Corporation is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and guest service and this this follows for each individual brand.Stop At: Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre, Bampton, Devon, EnglandOur final stop of the day sees us visit the picturesque village of Bampton; the filming location for many of the famous landmarks featured on the popular period drama television series, Downton Abbey. You’ll see the buildings that played the part of the home of Isobel Crawley, the Downton Cottage Hospital, the church, and also the location for two fictional local pubs, The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Bourton on the Water, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds, EnglandLocated in a small valley amongst the gentle rolling hills of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a must-see village referred to as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' due to the number of attractive bridges that cross the gently flowing river at its centre.Duration: 1 hour