New Backpackers Tours Site Live May and June 2024
3rd May 2024
Join our intimate Small Group Tour, All Day Tour of the Cotswolds with Lunch Included
Embark on a journey through the enchanting village of Burford as our full-day excursion unfolds. Meander along its splendid high street, adorned with the distinctive hues of Cotswold stone, each building a testament to the region’s timeless beauty. Pause to explore the charming tea houses and quaint shops that line the thoroughfare, immersing yourself in the tranquil ambiance of this historic setting.
As our adventure continues, we set our sights southward to Bibury, revered as the ‘prettiest village in the Cotswolds’ according to William Morris. Here, amidst the idyllic scenery, indulge in a delightful two-course lunch at the Swan Hotel. Nestled in the heart of Bibury, this 17th-century former coaching inn offers a tantalizing array of traditional cuisine, complemented by fine wines and locally brewed ales. From the hotel’s vantage point, revel in enchanting views overlooking the meandering River Coln, adding to the charm of our culinary experience.
In the afternoon, our journey leads us on a leisurely drive through picturesque villages, each steeped in history and rustic allure. Our final stop brings us to Stow-on-the-Wold, a hidden gem nestled in the northern Cotswolds. Led by our knowledgeable guide, we embark on a brief exploration of each village, delving into their rich histories and captivating anecdotes.
As the day draws to a close, we bid farewell to the Cotswolds’ tranquil countryside and return to London aboard our coach, carrying with us cherished memories of a day filled with exploration, discovery, and the timeless charm of rural England.
New Backpackers Tours Site
We expect to be live late May/early June 2024 and to register an interest you can contact us at hello@backpackertours.co.uk now and we will send you full details when we go live.
You can also follow or message us on facebook www.facebook.com/BackpackerToursUK.
The new site will be offering a very wide-range of great value world wide hand picked Backpacking Tours from our 34 years of experience in this sector. Available for all ages 18+ and we have previously taken a 99 year old, so clearly you are never too old haha.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds, a region nestled in central South West England, is renowned for its breath-taking landscape of rolling hills that gently rise from the meadows of the upper River Thames to an escarpment overlooking the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. This captivating scenery owes its charm to the ancient bedrock of Jurassic limestone, shaping a unique grassland habitat and the famous golden-coloured Cotswold stone, prized for centuries.
Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966, the Cotswolds sprawl across an impressive 787 square miles (2,038 km2), making it England’s largest AONB. It ranks as the country’s third-largest protected landscape, after the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales national parks. Extending approximately 25 miles (40 km) across and 90 miles (140 km) in length, the Cotswolds stretch southwest from just south of Stratford-upon-Avon to near Radstock, south of Bath. Encompassing various English counties, notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, alongside parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire, the Cotswolds are a mosaic of diverse landscapes and charming towns. The highest point within the Cotswolds is Cleeve Hill, soaring to 1,083 ft (330 m) just east of Cheltenham.
Within Gloucestershire lies the Cotswold local government district, near the historic town of Cirencester. As of 2021, the district spans 450 square miles (1,200 km2) and hosts approximately 91,000 inhabitants. Yet, the broader Cotswolds region covers nearly 800 square miles (2,100 km2), home to around 139,000 people as of 2016. This expanse is peppered with charming stone-built villages, historic towns, stately homes, and meticulously manicured gardens, each showcasing the timeless allure of the Cotswolds’ distinctive local stone.
Bibury
Bibury, nestled within Gloucestershire, epitomizes the Cotswolds’ quintessential charm. Situated approximately 6 and a half miles (10.5 kilometres) northeast of Cirencester, Bibury boasts a tranquil ambiance, punctuated by the gentle flow of the River Coln, a tributary of the Thames. Its claim to fame is Arlington Row, a nationally renowned architectural conservation area whose beauty graces the inside cover of select British passports. Bibury beckons tourists seeking an authentic English countryside experience, with its traditional rural villages, quaint tea houses, and a wealth of historic buildings. Its allure is further heightened by its inclusion among the select locations featured in Mini-Europe, Brussels, solidifying Bibury’ s status as an unmissable gem for travellers exploring the Cotswolds.