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Culture · London and the Cotswolds

London & Cotswolds Adventure: 7 Days

A family suite by Big Ben and a Cotswold manor, with the Harry Potter studio, the Tower of London and a private village day as optional add-ons.

  • 7 days / 6 nights
  • Starts at Heathrow (LHR)
  • No car needed
Honey-stone cottages along the river in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds

Attractions

What you will see as you travel the route, day by day, and how to make the most of each stop.

5sights on the route
4nights in a London family suite
2nights in a Cotswold manor
1train to the Cotswolds
LondonMoreton-in-MarshCotswold villagesHeathrow
1Day 1

Arrive in London

Across the bridge

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

On your own

Why it is worth itThe Palace of Westminster and the Elizabeth Tower, home of the Big Ben bell, just across the bridge from your hotel.

Insider tipBig Ben strikes on the hour; time your walk to hear it.

2Day 2

A London day, or Harry Potter

A free day, or a day of wizardry

Optional add-on

Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Coach from London

A round-trip coach from central London to The Making of Harry Potter: the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express.

$205 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

3Day 3

The Tower and the Thames

Tower Bridge and the South Bank

On your own

Why it is worth itWalk across Tower Bridge and along the river path back toward your hotel.

Insider tipThe South Bank has street performers on most days, which kids love.

Optional add-on

Tower of London Tickets

The Crown Jewels, the White Tower and the Beefeaters at the Tower of London, on the Thames by Tower Bridge.

$80 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

5Day 5

Train to the Cotswolds

Into the Cotswolds

Moreton-in-Marsh

On your own

Why it is worth itA Cotswold market town of honey-colored stone, a short walk from the station.

Insider tipIt is a small town, easy to explore on foot from your hotel.

6Day 6

Cotswolds village day

Honey-stone villages

Bourton-on-the-Water

Why it is worth itA village known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, with low stone bridges over the River Windrush.

Insider tipLet the kids paddle in the shallow river on a warm day.

Stow-on-the-Wold and the Slaughters

Why it is worth itStow-on-the-Wold, a hilltop market town, and Upper and Lower Slaughter, two of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.

Insider tipAsk your guide to choose the farm or castle stop that suits your kids.

Optional add-on

Private Cotswolds Village Day

A private guide drives your family through the Cotswolds for up to 7 hours: Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and the Slaughters. One price for your group of up to 7.

$1,050 per booking

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

The order of stops can shift with the weather, and access to some sites can change with the season or local conditions. See Day by day for the full plan.

Why this trip

This is London the way kids love it, plus the English countryside. You stay in a family suite at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, across the river from Big Ben, with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (the Harry Potter sets) and the Crown Jewels at the Tower as optional add-ons. Then a train takes you out to Moreton-in-Marsh for two nights in an old Cotswold manor, with honey-stone villages like Bourton-on-the-Water a short bus ride away, or a private guide to drive you (optional add-on). A private car takes you back to Heathrow.

  • A London day, or Harry PotterA free day in London, or add the Harry Potter studio (optional add-on).
  • The Tower and the ThamesWalk Tower Bridge and the South Bank along the Thames. Add Tower of London tickets for the Crown Jewels and the Beefeaters if you want them (optional add-on).
  • A free day in LondonNothing booked on purpose. Ideas: the Natural History Museum (free), the London Eye next to the hotel, a boat on the Thames, or Hamleys toy store (all optional).
  • Train to the CotswoldsAn easy morning, then the train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (about 1.5 hours, tickets booked).

Trip at a glance

Length
7 days / 6 nights
Starts / ends
Starts at London Heathrow (LHR), ends at Heathrow
Getting around
No car needed; private transfers, a train and a local bus
Pace
Two bases, three easy London days, one Cotswolds village day, two free half days
Best time to go
Late May to early September
Great for
Families with kids
Accommodations
Comfort Plus
Flights
Not included. You book; timing tips in your pre-trip guide

Day by day

Day 1 and day 7 are travel days. The order of the days in between is flexible and can shift with the weather.

Day 1Arrive in London
Land at Heathrow. Your private driver meets you in arrivals and takes you to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (about an hour). Walk across the bridge to Big Ben and Parliament before dinner.
Stay: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (night 1 of 4).
Day 2A London day, or Harry Potter
A free day in London. Or add a round-trip coach from central London to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter: the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express, back in London for dinner (optional add-on).
Stay: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (night 2 of 4).
Day 3The Tower and the Thames
Walk Tower Bridge and the South Bank along the Thames. Add Tower of London tickets for the Crown Jewels and the Beefeaters if you want them (optional add-on).
Stay: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (night 3 of 4).
Day 4A free day in London
Nothing booked on purpose. Ideas: the Natural History Museum (free), the London Eye next to the hotel, a boat on the Thames, or Hamleys toy store (all optional).
Stay: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (night 4 of 4).
Day 5Train to the Cotswolds
An easy morning, then the train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (about 1.5 hours, tickets booked). The hotel is a short walk from the station. Explore the market town in the afternoon.
Stay: The Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh (night 1 of 2).
Day 6Cotswolds village day
Take the local bus from Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, and walk the footpath to the Slaughters. Or add a private guide to drive your family through the Cotswolds for up to 7 hours, with a farm or castle stop that suits your kids (optional add-on).
Stay: The Manor House Hotel (night 2 of 2).
Day 7Back to Heathrow
Your private driver takes you from Moreton-in-Marsh to Heathrow (about 1.5 hours) for your flight home.

What’s included

Included

  • 6 hotel nights: 4 in a one-bedroom family suite at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, 2 at The Manor House Hotel in the Cotswolds
  • A private driver from Heathrow to your London hotel
  • Train tickets from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh
  • A private driver from the Cotswolds to Heathrow
  • A day-by-day plan, and one point of contact from booking to landing

Not included

  • International flights
  • Meals
  • London transport (Tube and buses) and the Cotswolds local bus
  • Optional extras (London Eye, museums with fees)
  • Tips for your drivers, and for a guide if you add one
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending

Optional add-ons: Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Coach from London ($205 per person), Private Cotswolds Village Day ($1,050 per booking), Tower of London Tickets ($80 per person). Add them in the booking box or in Attractions.

Your hotels, experiences, transfers and guides are booked for you. Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips.

Questions

What if I need to cancel?
Plans change. If you need to cancel, you'll receive trip credit toward another itsTripEasy trip: within 24 hours of payment, 100% trip credit, so you can swap to a different destination; 90 or more days before your trip start date, 100% trip credit; less than 90 days before, no trip credit, unless you added Flexible Cancellation: with it, you get 100% trip credit if you cancel at least 10 days before your trip start date, for a trip you take within 12 months. Other trip credits never expire. To cancel or change your dates, use the cancellation request form. For a date change, choose the reason "I'd like to change my dates".
How many people can share a room?
Online booking is for 1 or 2 people per room, so a group of 3 or 4 is booked into 2 rooms. The family suite sleeps 2 adults and up to 2 children; to book it for a family, use Plan My Trip. For a bigger family, use Plan My Trip.
Do I need a car?
No. A private driver meets you at Heathrow, a train takes you from London Paddington to the Cotswolds, a local bus (or a private guide, an optional add-on) takes you around the villages, and a private car takes you back to Heathrow.
Are flights included?
Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips so your arrival and departure fit the plan.
Can the trip be customized?
Yes, right in the booking box: add up to 3 extra nights at the start or end of your trip and choose how many travelers share each room. You can also add optional extras like the Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Coach from London, the Private Cotswolds Village Day or Tower of London Tickets.

Good to know

  • Weather and nature. Weather, road and natural conditions are outside anyone’s control and can change quickly. They may change the plan, close roads, or delay, shorten or cancel tours and activities, and the order of days may shift.
  • Your choices. You are responsible for your own decisions, safety and choices while traveling, including which activities you take part in, and following local guidance, posted warnings and your guides’ instructions.
  • Photos. Photos on this page are for inspiration. They may not show the exact location, hotel, season or conditions of your trip.
  • Not included. Flights aren’t included; you book those yourself.
$12,518
2 travelers · 7 days / 6 nights
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