Oxfordshire
Places in Oxfordshire
Coach tours visiting Oxfordshire
Hats On! Royal Ascot, Windsor and Oxford
by Shearings
Experience the excitement and sophistication of Royal Ascot, Britain's most celebrated racing event, and visit Windsor and historic Oxford.
Where you’ll stay
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Atrium Hotel Heathrow ★★★★
The 4-star Atrium Hotel Heathrow offers a fitness centre with a 20-metre swimming pool, sauna and a jacuzzi. It also has a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi available throughout the property. The 573 ultra-chic rooms include an LED TV, a fridge, a laptop safe, a work desk, iron and ironing board, a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. The rooms are also soundproofed for guest comfort. The orange tree restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and the bar area has Sky sports.
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🧳 Arrival
Windsor
Regional departure, then journey towards London.
We will stop at Royal Windsor this afternoon to give you some free time to explore. Stroll through the charming, cobbled streets and immerse yourself in the heritage of Britain’s royal past or enjoy the riverside setting along the River Thames. Browse the independent shops and cafés or enjoy a drink in one of Windsor's traditional pubs or riverside restaurants.
We then journey to our hotel for a two-night stay. Dinner this evening will be served in the restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Royal Ascot
Hats at the ready! After breakfast, we head to Royal Ascot.
Your included ticket is for the Windsor Enclosure, offering a front-row experience like no other! The trackside lawns offer an exhilarating first glimpse at the horses racing for victory as they thunder down the track. Get caught up in the atmosphere as you watch your favourite race to Royal Ascot glory.
Please note: whilst there is no official dress code for the Windsor Enclosure, guests are encouraged to dress in smart daywear. A hat, headpiece or fascinator is encouraged along with a jacket and collared shirt.
There are limited tickets to upgrade to the Queen Anne Enclosure on booking. It is the only public enclosure that grants access to the coveted Parade Ring, Bandstand and Grandstand. The Queen Anne Enclosure provides an unparalleled view of the world-class racing on offer. Dress code is applicable for this enclosure. Please see the Royal Ascot website for specific details on this.
After a memorable day, we return to the hotel and enjoy dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🏡 Departure
Oxford
We depart London this morning, enjoying an en route visit to historic Oxford.
Home of the prestigious University of Oxford and celebrated as the "City of Dreaming Spires, Oxford combines stunning architecture and charming streets lined with honey-colored stone buildings. You will have free time to explore, so why not visit one of the historic colleges, the Bodleian Library or the Ashmolean Museum?
We then journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Postcard-Perfect England: Windsor and the Cotswolds
by Shearings
Experience the perfect blend of royal heritage, charming countryside and quintessential English villages on this unforgettable Mini-Break.
Where you’ll stay
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Leonardo Hotel Swindon ★★★★
Leonardo Hotel Swindon, formerly a Jurys Inn, is a modern four-star hotel on Fleming Way in the centre of Swindon, Wiltshire. It sits within a short walk of Swindon railway station, the town-centre shops and the Wharf Green area, making it a convenient base for business travellers, shoppers and visitors exploring the surrounding Wiltshire countryside.
The hotel provides contemporary, well-equipped en-suite bedrooms along with an on-site restaurant and bar. It also offers meeting and conference facilities suited to corporate guests and events, with a straightforward, comfortable style that appeals to both business and leisure visitors.
Address: Fleming Way, Swindon, SN1 2NG
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🧳 Arrival
The Cotswolds
Regional departure, then we journey to the beautiful Cotswolds, a region renowned for its rolling hills and honey-coloured stone cottages. Your first stop is the historic market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. Enjoy time to explore its traditional high street, browse independent shops, and soak up the character of a town that has welcomed travellers for centuries.
Continue to the picturesque town of Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds and famous for its historic market square, antique shops, and quaint cafés. Wander through its atmospheric streets and discover the rich history that makes this one of the region's most beloved destinations.
We continue to Bourton-on-the-Water, often known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. Set along the banks of the River Windrush, this idyllic village is famous for its charming low stone bridges, beautiful riverside setting, and traditional Cotswold architecture. Enjoy free time to stroll along the river, visit local attractions, browse boutique shops, or simply relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere.
We then travel to Swindon and our hotel for two nights. Dinner is served this evening in the restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Windsor and Windsor Castle
Today, discover over 1,000 years of royal history on this memorable day out to the historic town of Windsor, including entry to the magnificent Windsor Castle.
Travel in comfort through the English countryside to Windsor, one of Britain's most charming and historic royal towns. Upon arrival, visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and an official residence of the British monarch. Explore the spectacular State Apartments, adorned with priceless works of art and royal treasures, and visit St George's Chapel, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the final resting place of many monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II. Learn about the castle's fascinating history as you discover its grand halls, stately rooms, and beautiful grounds.
After your castle visit, enjoy free time to explore the picturesque town of Windsor. Wander through its cobbled streets, browse traditional shops and boutiques, stop for lunch in one of the many cafés or restaurants, and take in views of the River Thames. The town's rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere make it one of England's most popular visitor destinations.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🏡 Departure
Oxford
Today we begin our journey home, stopping at historic Oxford on the way to give you some free time to explore another of England's charming cities. Known as the 'City of Dreaming Spires', Oxford is perfect for a stroll, its beautiful streets lined with stunning colleges, historic buildings, and picturesque courtyards.
We then continue on our way home.
Meals: Breakfast
Places of Interest
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a stately home in the Oxfordshire countryside. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, it features lavish Baroque state rooms and art. Visitors can explore the extensive estate designed by Capability Brown, which includes lakes, gardens, a rose garden, a maze and a miniature railway.
Located in the Oxfordshire countryside near Woodstock, Blenheim Palace is one of England's most impressive stately homes and the only non-royal residence to actually be called a palace. It was built in the early 1700s as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, after his win at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in a lavish English Baroque style, the palace is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Inside, grand state rooms are filled with stunning tapestries and art, and there is a dedicated exhibition on Churchill's life. The surrounding estate, landscaped by Capability Brown, features over two thousand acres of lakes and gardens, including a beautiful rose garden and water terrace. With a miniature railway and a maze, it's the perfect spot for a full day trip.
Stonor Park
Stonor Park is a historic family residence in the Chiltern Hills north of Henley-on-Thames. Visitors can explore a house featuring secret chambers and religious artifacts, alongside a deer park, gardens and an ancient stone circle. The site is a landmark of English Catholic history, once serving as a sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.
Tucked away in a fold of the Chiltern Hills just north of Henley-on-Thames, Stonor Park has been home to the Stonor family for over 850 years, making it one of the longest-running family residences in England. The house is a graceful mix of medieval, Tudor, and Georgian styles, with its warm brick exterior hiding much older foundations and a private chapel that has remained Catholic for centuries.
Stonor is a landmark of English Catholic history, having served as a sanctuary during the persecutions of Elizabeth I. In 1581, the Jesuit martyr Edmund Campion hid here, secretly printing his famous "Ten Reasons" pamphlet in the attic before he was caught and executed. Today, visitors can wander through rooms filled with family portraits and religious artifacts, discover the house's secret chambers, and explore the deer park, gardens, and an ancient stone circle nestled in the woods.
Image Attribution
- Oxfordshire — (Photo by Olivia Pedler on Unsplash )
- Burford — (Photo by Yuanzheng Xiang on Unsplash )
- Oxford — (Photo by Nils Lindner on Unsplash )
- Blenheim Palace — (Photo by Einar H. Reynis on Unsplash )
- Windsor — (Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash )
- Stow-on-the-Wold — (Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash )