Overview
London to North Wales is five hours of motorway. Spread over a full day, the same road takes in Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon.
You walk among Oxford's colleges, where teaching has gone on since the 12th century and Lewis Carroll and Tolkien both taught. In Stratford you see the house where Shakespeare was born and the church by the Avon where he is buried.
Then the road runs on into Wales, and you reach your hotel in the evening, the journey spent rather than lost.
This tour is an example: every trip is planned around the people taking it. How your tour comes together
- Duration
- 1 day
- Group size
- Up to 7 guests
- Vehicle
- Mercedes V-Class
Includes
- Expert bilingual local guide
- Travel in a Mercedes V-Class
- Daily pick-ups & drop offs
- Fully customisable
Excludes
- Food and drink
- Entry fees to attractions
- Heritage & culture
Itinerary
Oxford and Stratford
Out of London to Oxford, where the Radcliffe Camera, the Bodleian and Christ Church are a few minutes' walk apart. Then Stratford-upon-Avon, its Tudor streets and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre beside the river. From Stratford the road runs north-west to the Welsh border.
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The UK capital, from the Tower and Big Ben to world-class museums
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, which is a combination of a great history of centuries and contemporary life, from such historical sights as Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to the City and Canary Wharf skyscrapers. Located on the Thames River, London is renowned for its monuments like Big Ben, the London Eye, world-famous museums (mostly free to visit), as well as its cultural districts, theatrical performances, and culinary diversity. As one of the top destinations in the world, it combines finance, culture, and history together. -
City of dreaming spires, ancient colleges and famous libraries
Oxford is an ancient city of universities situated in England, famous for being the site where the University of Oxford was founded – the most ancient university in the world, speaking English, since the 12th century. The "dreaming spires" and honey-coloured colleges create the architectural picture that includes such buildings as the Bodleian Library, Christ Church and the Radcliffe Camera. Nevertheless, Oxford is not only a city of learning but also the one full of various museums, riverside walking along the Cherwell and Thames, and literature associated with Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien. -
Shakespeare's birthplace, with Tudor streets beside the Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is an old market town located in Warwickshire, England, where William Shakespeare was born and is buried. The town features various Shakespearean landmarks such as his birthplace, New Place garden, and Holy Trinity Church. These landmarks are located in the same Tudor half-timbered streets which feature the Royal Shakespeare Theatre along the River Avon. It is a great place to take a walk by the river, including punting and swans.
Frequently asked questions
- Can we do this the other way round?
Yes. At the end of a tour it runs from your hotel in North Wales back to London, or to an airport hotel at Heathrow for a flight the next day.
- Can we see Snowdonia on the way instead?
Yes. Instead of Oxford and Stratford, the day can go straight to Llangollen and follow Telford's road into Snowdonia, by Betws-y-Coed, Swallow Falls and Cwm Idwal, reaching your hotel by the evening.
- Can we change the itinerary?
Yes. Every tour we run is customised, so treat this itinerary as a starting point. Tell us what interests you and we will build the days around it.
- How many of us can come?
Up to 7 guests, travelling together in our Mercedes V-Class. Seven can be tight, so we usually recommend no more than 6. For a party of 8 or more, get in touch and we will make special arrangements.
- How far ahead should we get in touch?
Whenever suits you. Some guests write eight months ahead, some a few weeks before. It's best to confirm availability as soon as possible.
- Can children come?
Children are welcome. Not every tour suits every age, so tell us their ages when you get in touch and we will plan the day around them. We are not able to accommodate infants and babies.
- Can this tour be combined with other tours, or made longer or shorter?
Yes. A day tour can be built into a multi-day tour, and a multi-day tour can be shortened, extended or joined to another. Tell us how many days you have and we will plan around them.
- Are admission fees included?
No. Entry to castles, gardens and other attractions is paid on the day, where a fee applies. Most of the castles are maintained by Cadw, part of the Welsh Government. Please visit cadw.gov.wales. We can advise you on the best deals when you book your tour with us.
- Is food included?
No. As we tour we will suggest eating places that our guests have enjoyed.
- What should we wear and bring?
Sensible footwear for some light walking, and a rain jacket, just in case.
- How much walking is involved?
Some, and none of it strenuous: the walk from the car to a castle gate or a viewpoint. If walking is a concern, tell us and we will plan the stops accordingly.
