The Cotswolds.  Chavenage House and Berkeley Castle

After your doorstep service has brought you to our luxury coach we travel south with appropriate comfort stops to Wiltshire and the Blunsden House Hotel for dinner and a stay of 4 nights.

Today we have 2 included visits. The first one is Chavenage House near Tetbury. It is a grade one listed Elizabethan manor house, where we are given a guided tour of the property including its own chapel. It is owned by the Lowsley Williams family and it is Caroline who gives us a fascinating insight into its history. Many films have been shot here including Poldark, Agatha Christies The Pale Horse, Lark Rise to Candleford and more recently the drama ‘Rivals’. We also include tea and biscuits during the visit. Later we include a visit to the 12th century Berkley Castle, an historic fortress including rooms with a medieval kitchen and gardens with Butterfly House.

After breakfast our tour will take us into the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, but first we visit Stow-On-The-Wold which is the highest market town in the whole of the Cotswolds. At over 800 feet above sea level. It is situated on the historic Roman Fosse Way, having its own stocks, large market square and St Andrews church known for the north door framed by ancient yew trees. After time here we then cross the River Windrush to the historic market town of Burford with its picturesque high street, impressive church and medieval bridge. After our visit here we then return to our hotel via the beautiful village of Bibury, famous for its row of 14th century weavers’ cottages, interesting trout farm and scenic River Coln.

Today we visit Cheltenham renowned for its regency architecture, stylish shopping, colourful parks and floral displays. Later we drive over Winchcombe edge to Broadway. A picture postcard village often called “The jewel of the Cotswolds” famous for its tree-lined high street and honey coloured 16th century cottages.

After a leisurely breakfast we sadly have to leave our hotel and drive north to our door-to-door service and home areas, with appropriate comfort stops on the way.