Oxford

Food & Drinks

The first stop on this tour is Windsor Castle. With its sweeping landscaped gardens and turreted Round Tower, it is easy to see why the castle is the Queen’s favorite weekend residence. Enjoy a fascinating through-the-keyhole peek at the lavish State Apartments, home to priceless artworks by Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci. You can also visit Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St George’s Chapel - the final resting place of the monarchs of old, including Henry VIII. The tour then moves onto spectacular Stonehenge. You will never forget your first glimpse of the monolithic rock formation rising up against the skyline of the Salisbury Plain. Theories abound as to Stonehenge’s mysterious origin? Was it intended as a religious temple? An astronomical clock? A Bronze Age burial ground? Make up your own mind as you explore this unique landmark. Your final stop of the day is the charming university town of Oxford. Here you will enjoy a walking tour with free leisure time. Stroll the captivating college courtyards and cobbled lanes of this historic university town. The tour will finish at approximately 07:15 PM in London.

Traveling down the University Regatta course, the boat passes Christ Church Meadows, the University College Boat Houses, and other landmarks on your way to Iffley lock. This is often a busy and vibrant section of the river where training rowing crews, punts, and pleasure boats jostle for river space in a wonderful display of Oxford at play. Passing through the lock at Iffley is an experience in itself. The river scenery and fascinating buildings combine to form a picture perfect location. Beyond Iffley you will travel into the tranquil water meadows that surround Oxford and there are abundant opportunities to spot wildlife amongst the green banks and overhanging willows. The boat turns for home at Rose Island, a favourite destination of Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell on their river journeys. Aboard the boat an indulgent afternoon tea is provided by the renowned riverside restaurant, the Folly. The traditional menu typically includes: a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes, tarts, or petit fours, and tea.

Travel into Britain's past as you escape the hustle and bustle of London. Start off the day with a short walking tour of Oxford, home to one of the world’s most famous universities. The ivy-clad colleges that make up the university are seen as some of the finest architecture in Europe. There will be some free time to shop for souvenirs before heading through the Cotswolds towards Stratford. Private tour of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall Described as ‘one of the most atmospheric, magical and important buildings in the whole of Britain,’ Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall opened it’s doors to the public for the first time in 2016 to mark the 400th anniversary of the writer's death. Step back in time to the 1570’s when William Shakespeare was a pupil learning to read and write, and see the room where leading theater companies came to perform - a strong influence on the young playwright. You will be invited to enjoy a private tour before the school opens to the public in the morning, including the chance to take part in a Tudor lesson, write with a quill and ink, witness the rare medieval wall paintings, and much more.  Stratford-Upon-Avon The birthplace of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language and home to the theatres of the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England. A delightful river winds its way through the town, past the beautiful Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare lies buried. See some wonderful half-wooden buildings that date back to Shakespeare's time, including Shakespeare’s birthplace. Warwick Castle This is, quite simply, the greatest medieval castle in Britain. With a history that dates back over 1,000 years, Warwick Castle will take you back in time to a world of sumptuous banquets, bloody battles, and royal splendor. Enter over the footbridge and explore the castle's ramparts, towers, and gardens. Oxford and the Cotswolds Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, boasts one of the world’s greatest and oldest universities as well as some of the finest architecture in Europe. The colleges themselves, which make up the university, are amongst the architectural highlights, their ivy-clad stone walls protecting beautiful chapels, halls and libraries. Soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable town with a guided walking tour of the city or take tea in the shop where the real-life Alice (inspiration for Alice in Wonderland) bought her sweets! Your trip to Oxford promises an unforgettable experience for young and old alike. On the way to the remarkable city you will also enjoy a short drive through the scenic Cotswolds.

This cruise travels through the city past famous landmarks including Christchurch College and Meadows, the University boathouses and regatta course, the Head of the River and Folly Bridge . From the river passenegers take in a side of Oxford's heritage rarely seen by visitors to the city. Quaint Osney Island, well-loved allotments and gardens and majestic and ancient Port Meadow are off the tourist trail but represent some of Oxford's most beautiful and intriguing scenery. Port Meadow, a vast area of common land, has remained little changed since prehistoric times and supports plants and bird-life in abundance. At the top of Port Meadow is Godstow. Godstow was the ultimate destination of Alice Liddell and Lewis Carroll when they followed an identical route to this trip while composing 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'. It is also the site of Trout Island, an inspiration for another of Oxfords literary icons, C S Lewis, and his stories of the land of Narnia. Your picnic lunch is provided by riverside restaurant, The Folly, and typically includes: • An selection of finger sandwiches • Homemade quiche or tart of the day • Homemade scones with strawberry jam, clotted cream and fresh strawberries  • Elderflower presse Served in a traditional picnic basket with napkins, crockery and glasses (to be returned to the crew at the end of the cruise). Drinks to take aboard can be purchased at the departure point.

Your Oxford evening begins when you board an elegant Edwardian gentleman’s riverboat for a cruise to take in the highlights of river life in Oxford. See Folly Bridge, Christchurch Meadows, the university boat houses, and part of the regatta course while sipping a complimentary glass of Prosecco. This is the perfect time to be on the river as the light takes on a magical quality. Disembark at The Folly restaurant, where your dinner will be served in charming surroundings either inside the restaurant or, weather permitting, on the floating river terrace. The Folly's evening a la carte menu offers relaxed fine dining. You’ll find a comprehensive wine list if you’d like to purchase wine to complement your meal.

This small-group tour takes place in England's most outstandingly beautiful countryside, the region of the Cotswolds. The small, executive vehicles allow the tour to go off the beaten track through the valley of the River Windrush, and along single track roads to the town of Burford. Take a guided walk to the historic church, then after further exploration, continue to the Coln Valley and the charming Bibury, once described as the prettiest village in England. Stroll through the water meadows and see historic Arlington Row, a group of ancient weaver's cottages. It's then onwards to Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, all the while taking in the leafy, winding country lanes that big coaches cannot travel on.  After that, enjoy lunch at a traditional country pub. Menu choices include Pan Roast Chicken Breast, served with Potato Cake, Roast Carrots & Tarragon Cream, or Chef's vegetarian special of the day; examples are Caramelised polenta cake, served with aubergine caviar, confit shallots, rocket & Parmesan (v) OR Goats Cheese and Sun Blush Tomato Croquettes. Then explore the beautiful village before the tour departs for the final and perhaps most impressive stop, Blenheim Palace. Next, head over to Blenheim Palace, the largest privately-owned house in Britain, home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill in 1874. The house was designed by Sir John Vanburgh over 300 years ago, to rival the Palace of Versailles. You will be able to tour the magnificent rooms, stroll around the stunning gardens, see the Winston Churchill exhibition, all the while enjoying the sheer opulence and breathtaking beauty of the Palace before returning to Oxford.

Take a tour of some of England’s oldest pubs, and learn about their connection to world-famous scholars and writers. Visit the city’s best-known ale houses, and off-the-beaten-track pubs. Meet your guide in the city center to start your tour. As you walk between pubs, hear how beer was blessed by Catholic popes, how it helped build the pyramids in Egypt, and how it pushed technological developments. Discover the history of the pubs you stop at, learn about local ales, and hear explanations of Oxford drinking traditions. Admire the medieval architecture and decorative interiors of the places you visit. Choose from any of the drinks available to enjoy throughout the tour, at your own expense. Your guide will leave you with a drink at the final pub on the tour route.