Blenheim Palace & the Cotswolds (Select)

Full Description

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The stunning State Rooms are brimming with priceless works of art and magnificent tapestries. The Palace is still inhabited today by the Duke of Marlborough. The Gardens are set in over 754 hectares of land with an exquisite water garden.

• Optional: Purchase an entrance ticket to Blenheim Palace, where their own guide will bring the history of this fabulous palace to life.*

The Cotswolds

This region of outstanding natural beauty is characterised by attractive small towns and thatched villages of yellow Cotswold stone made prosperous by the historic wool trade.

We'll make a short stop in the village of Bibury, once described by William Morris as "the most beautiful village in England" and see Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages built of local stone. Then on to Bourton-on-the-Water, the "Little Venice" of the Cotswolds. Its picturesque High Street is flanked by shaded greens, and the River Windrush, spanned by several arched stone bridges, runs alongside.

Downton Abbey Village

In the village of Bampton, we visit the street where many scenes from the "Downton Abbey" TV series were filmed. You can see the Church where a number of "Downton" events were hosted, from weddings and funerals to the Downton Fair. Next to the church is Churchgate House which was used as the Crawley family home, and the old Grammar School which now houses the Bampton Library and Community Archive and served as the Downton Cottage Hospital. The street is also the location for two local pubs, "The Grantham Arms" and "The Dog & Duck".

VOX Radioguide®

The state of the art VOX Radioguide® system is used during the walking sections of this tour: guests are issued with a personal headset ensuring they never miss a word of the guide's commentary.

Video

What's Included?

• Attraction entrances are not included within the tour price, giving you more choice as to how you wish to enjoy your day. This option is perfect for those wanting to explore the historic towns rather than attractions. Entrances can be purchased from your guide on the day.

Additional Information

This tour is booked and operated by Evan Evans Tours.

Days of operation:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (April-October)
Monday, Friday and Sunday (November-March)
Tour Starts: 9.00am Victoria Coach Station (boarding commences 8.30am)
Tour Finishes: approx 7.00pm Victoria Train Station

*The Evan Evans Tours check-in desk is at Victoria Coach Station, opposite Gate 2.

Duration: 10 hours

Tour operates in English.

Victoria Coach Station: Is a 10-15 minute walk from Victoria Train Station. Boarding: Commences 30 minutes prior to departure and the gates close 2 minutes in advance of departure. On Board Our Coaches: There are no toilets and no hot drinks or hot food are allowed (cold drinks & odourless food are allowed).

This tour does not visit Highclere Castle.

Please note, you do NOT require a printed copy of your eticket. On booking, you'll recieve an email confirmation with your eticket. If you don't have access to a printer, an electronic copy on your phone is sufficient to join the tour.

Disclaimer: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Downton Abbey' produced by Carnival Film and Television and NBCUniversal International Limited. Evan Evans Tours Limited and this tour does not have any association with, connection to, sponsorship by or endorsement of, the television series 'Downton Abbey', Carnival Film and Television or NBCUniversal International Limited.