Day 1: We make our way to our hotel stopping at Windsor along the way. Crowned by stunning Windsor Castle the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world and an official residence of His Majesty The King, and linked by the beautiful River Thames, the Royal Borough has a rich mix of history, culture and heritage. This Royal town offers great shopping, with some wonderful independent retailers as well as top high street names. Windsor also has a superb choice of places to eat and drink, and if you are feeling energetic, beautiful walks by the river. We will continue our journey to our hotel, arriving in plenty of time to freshen up before dinner.
Day 2: Our excursion today takes us to the beautiful city of Oxford, also known as The City of Dreaming Spires. The city has numerous major tourist attractions including the iconic Bodleian Library, Carfax Tower offering superb views over the city and the historic Covered Market with its many tourist shops. Explore Oxford’s wide streets, intricate network of smaller lanes lined with noble buildings and plenty of places to stop and relax for great food and drink. Whilst you are here, see if you can spot any familiar sights often used as the backdrop to many TV programmes and films, from Inspector Morse to Harry Potter.
Day 3: Today we enjoy a scenic tour through the Cotswolds to the beautiful town of Stow on the Wold. At nearly 800ft, Stow is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way. The Market Square is large and impressive and testifies to the town’s former importance. The Square is surrounded by town houses, independent shops, antique centres, cosy cafes and inns, all built in the mellow local stone. The Market Square has been the focus of town life over many centuries, and continues to be so to this day. We depart Stow around noon and head to our next destination, the fabulous Blenheim Palace. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and boasts of over 300 years of history to discover. One of England’s largest houses, it was built in the early 1700s and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. This beautiful house is set within more than 2000 acres of Parkland landscaped by ‘Capability Brown’ and the Palace itself houses some of the finest collections of antique furniture in Europe. You will have free time in this Baroque wonder, take time to explore the gilded State Rooms, visit the Churchill Exhibition and discover the formal gardens. The Palace is a family home, a mausoleum and national monument; it is Britain’s Greatest Palace and offers visitors a truly unforgettable experience.
Day 4: After breakfast, we travel to Bicester where you have a choice to visit either Bicester Avenue Garden Centre or Bicester Village Designer Outlet. Bicester Avenue Garden Centre is a popular shopping destination. It features a Blue Diamond garden centre, a World of Water tropical fish shop, and stores like Lakeland and Cotswold Outdoor. Their restaurant, Café Théâtre, won’t disappoint. They serve freshly cooked food using seasonal produce; they also have a wide selection of light bites and cakes. Alternatively, you may prefer to visit Bicester Village, the global shopping destination for luxury outlet shopping. Bicester is home to more than 150 boutiques of world-renowned fashion and lifestyle brands, all offering remarkable savings on the original retail price. You will also find an array of eateries serving seasonal fare and international cuisine. The choice will be yours, just tell your driver on the day. After our visits, we begin our journey home.