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The Cotswolds tour from Bath
1 day | Small-group tour

The Cotswolds tour from Bath

from £75

Join us for this charming day of honey-coloured cottages, rolling hills and quintessential English countryside.

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Highlights

Enjoy an intimate small-group tour with a local guide, with plenty of free time to explore:

Bourton-on-the-Water

Known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds,' Bourton-on-the-Water is famed for the River Windrush flowing through its heart, spanned by elegant low stone bridges.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Explore Stow-on-the-Wold, a historic market town. Discover its vast market square, antique shops, oldest pub in England, and an ancient church that inspired J.R.R. Tolkein.

Bibury

Discover Bibury, famously called 'the most beautiful village in England.' Stroll along its iconic Arlington Row, a line of charming 17th-century weavers' cottages.

Castle Combe

Discover Castle Combe, the 'prettiest village in England.' Its charming, honey-coloured cottages and babbling brook create a perfect picture-postcard scene in the Cotswolds.

Itinerary

Embark on this small-group tour and explore the timeless charm of the Cotswolds on this full-day adventure. Wander through storybook villages in Castle Combe and Bibury, enjoy lunch in historic Stow-on-the-Wold, and stroll along the tranquil river in Bourton-on-the-Water. A charming day of honey-coloured cottages, rolling hills and quintessential English countryside.

We'll step out of Bath and journey into the gentle hills of The Cotswolds, where honey-coloured cottages, winding rivers and storybook villages await. It won't be long before we find our first location Castle Combe, often called England’s prettiest village. Meander along its narrow streets lined with stone cottages, admire the quaint market cross, and watch the brook tumble over mossy stones — a scene that seems frozen in time.

Next, we travel north, through the heart of The Cotswolds towards Bourton-on-the-Water, affectionately known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds.' Criss-cross the quaint stone bridges spanning the River Windrush, watch the ducks drifting by, and explore the shops and gardens that line the banks. Here we'll also find the famous Model Village, an ornate miniature replica of Bourton village itself.

This afternoon we continue to Stow-on-the-Wold, a bustling market town with a rich wool-trading history. This town was the setting of the last battle of the English Civil War (1646) and was a source of inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien when creating Lord of the Rings. Stroll the broad marketplace and winding lanes to discover the charming character of this Cotswold hub. Whilst in Stow we'll time for lunch in one of the welcoming local cafés or traditional pubs - perhaps the Porch House, which claims to be the oldest pub in England.

Turning south back into the heart of the countryside we'll arrive in Bibury, celebrated as 'the most beautiful village in England.' Here, we'll find the iconic Arlington Row -14th-century weavers’ cottages that stretch along the river. Take time to wander the riverside paths, glimpse the swans gliding along the stream and breathe in the tranquil rural setting that has inspired artists and visitors for centuries. Then we'll continue back through the charming countryside towards Bath.

Return to Bath

Our Cotswolds Tour from Bath returns to the meeting point by late afternoon, concluding at the Abbey Hotel by approximately 5:30pm.

 

What's included?
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Local driver-guide
  • Flexible cancellation
  • Best price guarantee
  • Small-group guaranteed

Not included

  • Food and drink
  • Entrance to attractions
  • Gratuities

Meeting point

We meet outside the Abbey Hotel, Terrace Walk, 1-3 North Parade, Bath BA1 1LF. Please wait near the coach pick-up area.  

The tour departs at 8:25am, but please arrive to check-in by 8:15am.

View the meeting point on Google Maps 🐾

Please be aware that guests will need to enter and leave our mini-coaches via a step at the front of the vehicle

If you have specific needs or concerns please contact us so we can assist you.

Important Information
  • There is a maximum of 16 passengers per tour

NOT SUITABLE FOR

  • Minimum age is 7 years
  • Wheelchair users

WHAT TO BRING

  • Comfortable shoes

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

  • Establishments cater for various dietary requirements (e.g. gluten-free, vegetarian)
Peaceful canal scene with ducks, trees, and a bridge in a park-like setting.

Stunning scenic views

Experience the Cotswold's endless natural beauty.

Charming villages

Wander through charming, historic villages filled with quaint architecture, timeless character, and enchanting local traditions.

Rich historical and cultural heritage

Explore ancient landmarks and immerse in rich cultural heritage showcasing storied history of the Cotswolds.

Delightful local food & drink

Savour delightful local cuisine, experience traditional tea rooms and visit England's oldest pub.

Map of The Cotswolds tour from Bath

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Guest reviews

Day tour offering comprehensive exploration of picturesque villages with knowledgeable, friendly guides. Customers praised the well-paced itinerary, comfortable transportation, and insightful historical commentary. "Perfect balance of information and time to relax," said one reviewer. Minor concerns included one instance of AC issues and seating confusion.

  • Great balance of information and time to relax. Quality experience I would highly recommend.
  • Fantastic experience made memorable by our guide. Clear, articulate, and easy to follow.
  • Friendly and helpful. Knowledgeable, giving us lots of information about each village.
Time (positive)Driver (positive)Scenery (positive)Villages (positive)Tour (positive)
  • 5 stars: 237 (96%)
  • 4 stars: 7 (3%)
  • 3 stars: 2 (1%)
  • 2 stars: 2 (1%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
M
MaryCl

We had a lovely day traveling and visiting several beautiful villages on this trip from Bath to the Cotswolds. Kevin was an excellent driver and we enjoyed his enthusiasm for the English countryside and his sense of humor. Highly recommend this day trip from Bath.

K
Kim G
A Wonderful Tour Through a Beautiful Area

We had a fantastic day with Andy. He was a great driver and gave us a lot of information about the region and villages.

Our tour was well run seeing so many beautiful spots while learning about all the different little towns.

While we covered a lot during the day we never felt rushed and had plenty of time to enjoy each of the villages.

We would recommend this small group tour for exploring the Cotswolds in a relaxed and efficient way

Hi Kim, we're pleased you enjoyed your day with Andy. I'm glad the pace of the day felt just right, giving you plenty of time to enjoy each of the villages. Best, Maya

J
Juliette P
Amazing tour with Jerry

Amazing tour in the Cotswolds, we 100% recommand it! Our guide Jerry was lovely and upbeat, he taught us a lot about British history, filling his explanations with plenty of funfacts. He even stopped in places that weren't on the list so that we discover more of the area. It was so nice, we really enjoyed the day, the villages were so pretty. So worth it!

Hi Juliette, it sounds like you had an amazing day with Jerry. We're glad you enjoyed discovering the Cotswolds and learning a bit more about British history along the way.
Best, Maya

F
Frittsmelissa

Thank you Bill for giving us a great tour of the Cotswold area and showing us around the prettiest villages we've ever seen. My mom and I had a great day! Bill was an excellent guide and driver. He also remained so professional and courteous when there was a booking conflict for another customer. He handled the situation delicately and worked hard to smooth things over for all the people involved. Bill you are a Rockstar! We highly recommend this tour it's the perfect day!

J
Jen F
A great day trip!

Bill was a great tour guide! He had lots of information to share including personal stories, history of the area, and interesting facts. The stops on the trip all had different feels and this trip was a great way to get a feel for the Cotswolds while not having to worry about renting a car and driving.

Dear Jen,

Bill mixing personal stories in with the history and facts is what makes his tours so memorable. Glad the tour gave you a proper feel for the Cotswolds without the hassle of driving yourself.

Thanks, Maya

A
Anonymous

Wa had a wonderful day with Bill during this Cotswolds Tour ! It was delightful to discover these wonderful villages. We highly recommend it !!

W
William Ryley

Wonderful tour conducted by our experienced professional and knowledgeable guide who communicated extremely well. Thanks Bill for making our day so enjoyable.

W
William R
Great day out

Len the driver was courteous, informative and a good driver on the country lanes and home trip in the rain and peak hour traffic.Recommend tour for those who don’t want to worry about directions, parking issues or lack of local knowledge of the roads which are quite daunting for the ill informed.

Dear William,

Sounds like Len did a great job at getting you home safely through rain and peak hour traffic on those country lanes. Couldn't agree more, those roads can be daunting if you don't know them, that's exactly why we're glad to take the wheel. Thanks for recommending us.

Best, Maya

G
Gcoltharp
Awesome tour and Kevin was an amazing guide!

Awesome tour & Kevin was an amazing guide! I typically shy away from structured tours when traveling but so glad I joined this one! I was traveling solo on this tour but thankfully had an amazing group on board the van. We stayed just ahead of the buses with herds of tourists so had time at Cotswolds all to ourselves. Kevin was hilarious (this really helped open the group up to share, crack jokes, etc), a great driver, and kept us informed throughout the drive & tour. He shared pics from movies/shows along the way which brought those locations to life even more. 10/10 recommend this tour & Kevin as the guide!

T
Terri N-C
Book this tour! Exceeded expectations!

Our driver Andy was knowledgeable and so much fun. He shared history and stories along the ride and even added a couple bonus stops, Malmesbury and Tetbury, which were both excellent. Loved his stories and music selection. We didn't want the day to end! We are grateful to Andy for the best day!

S
S David B
Great trip to Cotswold region

Bill was a great tour guide. Very informative and friendly.
We really enjoyed our trip

A
Anonymous

We toured with Andy, he was very knowledgeable and engaging. The villages were as beautiful as described. I especially enjoyed the Bibury trout farm and gardens, never seen anything like it.

L
Lynn B
Beautiful Cotswolds Expertly Showcased

Today’s full day tour of the Cotswolds was fantastic! Commencing at 8.15am, we met our friendly and informative guide, Kevin, and were transported in a luxe Mercedes coach throughout the Cotswolds to
Castle Combe, Bourton on the Water, Stow and Bilbury. We had not heard of any of these villages but we were given full histories, places to see, tips on where to go and regular stops for those needing coffee, food and bathroom breaks.
The tour gave us an excellent overview of these pockets of the Cotswolds along with Kevin’s funny anecdotes and points of interest. I highly recommend this tour and are lucky to have had Kevin as our guide.

G
Gerry R
Exceptional guide

Shaun, our guide was exceptional. He was entertaining and very knowledgeable. Kathy and I had a wonderful Cotswold experience.
Gerry Ryan

R
Rodrigo Nicolás M
Highly recommended

From the moment we started planning our trip to the UK, we said: we have to visit the Cotswolds. That’s how we found Mad Max, who offered a tour covering the villages we wanted to see—and it truly exceeded our expectations.

Bill picked us up in Bath and took us around those magnificent villages that, otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to visit—or it would have taken us much longer than just one day. Everything was fantastic.

And Bill really made the difference. Even though there was a language barrier—he spoke English and we spoke Spanish—he made himself perfectly understood and also understood us.

I highly recommend Mad Max, and I strongly recommend Bill.

We would like to give special recognition to Bill, who brought great energy and passion to the trip, sharing all the details about the villages and the history of England. We also ended the journey with some great music in the van.

V
Veronika L
Great tour of Costwolds

I really enjoyed the Cotswolds tour with the guide Andy! He was very informative and fun. The itinerary was great and the mini bus was very comfortable. The Cotswolds area is beautiful and we had enough time to explore everything. I was staying in Bristol but it was easy to take a train to Bath to take the tour with Mad Max company. I'm Czech and I had a great day as a solo traveller.

M
Marsha1973
Great day out with Kevin in the beautiful Cotswolds.

We had a fabulous day exploring Cotswolds villages with Kevin. He’s an excellent driver, shares history and knowledge of the local area, has a great personality and really looks after you. The Mercedes van is comfy and has good windows for enjoying the countryside. We went to Castlecomb, Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water and Bibury. Each village has its own charm and personality. Castlecomb & Bibury are smaller and quieter, esp Castlecomb. Stow on the Wold (which we learned means hill/high ground) and Bourton on the Water are pleasantly busier with lots of shops, tea rooms, inns, etc. The churches are all beautiful and have interesting old cemeteries and history. If you’re considering going in March - lots of daffodils, some cherry trees blooming, some Tulip trees, forsythia - Spring is just beginning. It’s not crowded. It’s cool and at times drizzly. Wear a puffer and long pants for sure but it wasn’t uncomfortable. And the overcast kind of gave the area an old, charming, cozy feel. Someday, when we make our way back, we’ll tour with Kevin again. We didn’t return to Bath at the end of the tour as we had reservations to stay in the Cotswolds for a couple of nights. Kevin was helpful in advising us how to make that work to get to our next village on our own when we parted ways. Was a great day out for mother/ daughter. Would be great for friends or couples also.

What a lovely way to spend a mother/daughter day out. March in the Cotswolds with the daffodils just coming through and a bit of drizzle really does add to the charm doesn't it! Pleased Kevin looked after you so well and helped sort the onward journey to your accommodation. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review!
Best, Max

M
Meredith C
Beautiful Tour

If you are considering touring the Cotswolds- do it!! We loved our tour! 100% recommend going on the tour instead of just doing the trip on your own. Kevin was our guide and he provided so much valuable information and entertainment. He kept things interesting with his humor. We ate at the Hive for lunch at the Stowe-in-the-Wold stop and it was delicious, thr restaurant of course came recommended by Kevin.

The only thing I think could have made it a bit better was I wish we could have spent a bit more time in Castle Combe on the first stop, since it was just so gorgeous and there was a lot to see. Overall, it was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Thank you for taking the time to review your day with Kevin and Mad Max Tours, exploring the beautiful Cotswolds. We are lucky to have such a great team of local driver guides who just love sharing the area with them as well as their little additional gems of information sprinkled with their own personal sense of humour.
Joining a guided tour with us does add value to the beautiful places we visit, which you may miss if travelling independently. Thank you for your thoughts on the length of time spent at Castle Combe. It is always good to have feed back and then we can look at how we adjust things to improve everyones experience. We do hope that the rest of your vacation was as enjoyable as your day with Mad Max Tours and that you may join us again sometime.

E
Emily V
A Perfect Day in the Cotswolds Mad Max Tours

We signed up for this tour after reading about it in Rick Steves' guide to England. The experience was everything we hoped for and more. If you're looking for a relaxing, well-organized, and scenic way to see the English countryside, this is it. Our guide, Jerry, was truly exceptional.

Jerry was warm, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable. He shared fascinating insights about the villages we visited, local history, and traditions, all delivered with charm and humor. We even got some classical and pop music to accompany the drive at different points! He also gave great recommendations based on what people wanted to do. We certainly never would have found the gorgeous Windrush Trail without him!

The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, giving us just the right amount of time in each spot to explore, take photos, shop, or grab a snack or a beverage. For my husband, a big Tolkien fan, finding the Doors of Durin in Stow-on-the-Wold was a major highlight!

The mini-coach was comfortable, and the group size was small enough to feel personal. It was such a stress-free way to take in the beauty of the region without worrying about navigating narrow roads or trying to choose which village to visit.

If you're staying in Bath and want to make the most of your time in the area, definitely consider Mad Max tours!

Thank you for such a comprehensive and descriptive review.
We all love sharing the amazing area with all its hidden gems with our guest. As you found one of the benefits of joining us in the comfortable Mercedes mini coach with panoramic windows, is not having to negotiate the narrow winding roads. This does mean that that all members of the party are able to take in the incredible views and information that is provided.
We have a fabulous team of local driver guides who know many hidden secrets than the more corporate tours are not aware of. Jerry will be pleased to hear you had such a great time and we are glad you found us through the fabulous Mr Rick Steves's book. We would love to share more of the area with you on another occasion.

Frequently asked questions

What's special about Castle Combe?

Widely regarded as the prettiest village in England, this idyllic Cotswold village is nestled in a wooded valley and has been featured in numerous films and historical dramas, including Stardust, Warhorse, Poirot, and the original Dr. Dolittle. Take time to explore the cobbled streets, admire the medieval market cross, and relax by the stream in front of the charming weaver’s cottages. Don't miss St. Andrew’s Church, home to a medieval clock and the 13th-century tomb of Sir Walter de Dunstanville. Time to wander around the cobbled streets and take in the view from the medieval market cross. Relax by the stream in front of the picture postcard weaver’s cottages. Discover the medieval clock in St Andrews church and the 13th Century tomb of Sir Walter de Dunstanville.

Why should I visit Bibury?

Once praised by renowned Arts and Crafts designer William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, Bibury showcases classic Cotswold architecture at its finest. A highlight is the picturesque Arlington Row, dating back to the 14th century.

What is the 'Venice of the Cotswolds?'

Often called the "Venice of the Cotswolds," this charming village is known for its five quaint stone bridges spanning the tranquil River Windrush.

Where is Tolkein's door in Stow-on-the-Wold?

"Tolkien's Door" refers to the north door of St. Edward's Church in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, which is rumoured to be J.R.R. Tolkien's inspiration for the Doors of Durin from The Lord of the Rings.

Is the Porch House the oldest pub in England?

The primary evidence for the Porch House's claim to be the oldest is based on scientific dating. Timbers within the Grade II listed building have been carbon-dated to 947 AD. The pub's sign proudly displays "c. 947AD," and it was once authenticated as England's oldest inn by the Guinness Book of Records.

Why is the Cotswolds worth visiting?

The Cotswolds is renowned for its enchanting, quintessentially English countryside. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it boasts rolling hills (wolds), lush green meadows, and ancient woodlands. The villages are famous for their charming, honey-colored stone cottages (some with thatched roofs), winding lanes, and babbling brooks. Many visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time or into the pages of a storybook.

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Guest stories

The perfect day in the Cotswolds

Ella Williams journeys from Georgian Bath into the storybook charm of the Cotswolds, on a relaxing small-group day tour with Mad Max Tours

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