Captivating Cotswolds Self-Drive: Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon & Bath

Upon arrival to London, pick up your rental vehicle and begin the trip toward Oxford. Known as The City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford is famous the world over for its university and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years. Nowadays, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town. Still with its ancient University, but home also to a growing hi-tech community. Many businesses are located in and around the town, whether on one of the Science and Business Parks or within one of several residential areas. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for both the tourist and resident to do. Whether visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, going out for a drink or a meal, taking in a show or shopping till you drop you won't be stuck for ideas in Oxford. Overnight in the Oxford area.

Start your day at Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a World Heritage Site. Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough following his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The gilded State Rooms, which house one of the finest collections in Europe, and the fascinating visitor experience, 'Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story'. The Churchill Exhibition includes the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874. Traveling north you can visit Warwick Castle, a medieval castle developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068. The original wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. Britain's ultimate castle, where you can immerse yourself in a thousand years of jaw-dropping history - come rain or shine. Experience the excitement of Merlin: The Dragon Tower an exhilarating and interactive experience, the Witches of Warwick arrive in the Castle Dungeon bringing morbid spells and the darkest witchcraft games that will create an atmosphere so malevolent and chilling, even seasoned scaremongers will be terrified. With a history stretching back over 1,000 years there's something for everyone at Warwick Castle. Travel south towards Stratford-upon-Avon where you will spend the next two nights.

Your third day begins with a visit to see Shakespeare's Birthplace, the half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564, and it is Stratford's most cherished historic place. Descendants of the dramatist lived there until the nineteenth century, and it has been a place of pilgrimage for over 250 years. You will discover the world that shaped the man and you'll find out what other famous writers thought when they visited here. Well-known visitors have included Charles Dickens, John Keats, Walter Scott, and Thomas Hardy. You can meet your favorite Shakespeare characters and watch some of his best-loved scenes brought to life by actors as you stroll through the house and grounds. Continue your day with a visit to Mary Arden's Cottage. The farmhouse at Wilmcote, just three miles outside Stratford-Upon-Avon, was the home of William Shakespeare's mother and is now a countryside museum devoted to showing country life from Tudor times to the present day. You can see rare breeds of sheep, cattle, and poultry. There are also daily displays of Falconry, a sport much enjoyed in Tudor times. The barns and outbuildings, together with the adjoining Glebe farm, now house the Shakespeare Countryside Museum. Return to your accommodation in Stratford-upon-Avon.

After breakfast, enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Cotswolds towards Bath. The Cotswold district is one of England's most famous and loved areas thanks to the recognizable villages set in beautiful rural locations. Visit the award-winning gardens in Cheltenham, take a stroll in one of the many pretty villages, enjoy the magnificent views from the hilltop location of Stow on the Wold or travel to Cirencester, the capital of the Cotswolds. With an incomparable mix of culture, history, and tradition you can't find anywhere else - The Cotswolds has so much to offer. Continue your journey south to Bath where you will spend your final two nights of your tour.

Bath and the stunning countryside surrounding it is one of England's most beautiful places to visit. Bath is a unique city; its hot springs, Roman Baths, impressive Abbey and Georgian stone crescents have attracted visitors for centuries. Set in rolling countryside, just over 100 miles west of London, it is a beautiful and unforgettable place to visit. Visit the beautifully restored Georgian townhouse No.1 Royal Crescent before moving onto the Roman Baths, where you will experience how the Romans liked to relax. The Bath Assembly Rooms are a set of elegant assembly rooms located in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath. Elegant public rooms at the heart of fashionable 18th-century Bath life. When completed in 1771, they were described as 'the noblest and elegant of any in the kingdom'. The Assembly Rooms is made up of three main rooms - The Ball Room, The Tea Room, and The Octagon - were used in the eighteenth century for dancing, music, and card-playing, tea-drinking, and conversation. Take some time to visit the Fashion Museum, which is housed in the impressive Georgian Assembly Rooms. The Fashion Museum is one of the world's great museum collections of historic and fashionable dress. Designated as a collection of outstanding national significance. Later, return to your hotel in the Bath region.

All good things must come to an end! You have now come to the end of your tour. Return to the airport, drop off your rental vehicle and join your flight home.