Glorious Cotswolds & Heart Of England
4 days - by Coach

Thatched cottages and honey-coloured limestone, market towns and medieval castles, a palace and the glorious countryside of timeless centuries – join us on a fabulous 4 day break for sights which make time pass more peacefully.

The lovely market town of Warwick, with a magnificent castle, hidden gardens and beautiful fourteenth century  timber-framed homes; Cotswold Villages, with thatched ‘chocolate box’ cottages, sweet, climbing-roses and honey-coloured limestone; Oxford, the classical city of ‘dreaming spires’ and excellence in learning...and Blenheim, a stunning palace, fit for a king and given by a grateful queen to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. These are some of the treasures of the glorious Cotswolds, where the beautifully-preserved past helps us to leave the present behind! And to round off our superb break in the heart of England, there is no better place than beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, the greatest poet and playwright in England: some would say the greatest in the world...

• Return coach travel from your chosen departure point
• Three nights stay in a twin/double bedded room* at Midlands area hotel with dinner & full English breakfast from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the final morning
• Admission to Blenheim Palace
• All coach tours, as described
• Services of an Omega Holidays tour representative
• VAT at the government's prevailing rate at the date of travel

Day 1 - Join us on Friday morning and we will travel by coach to the historic market town of Warwick, set on the beautiful River Avon - with lovely riverside parkland, historic gardens and a fabulous medieval castle. Stroll down the picturesque streets, admire the beautiful half-timbered buildings and architectural treasures, or browse the town’s great shops. We’ll continue to our hotel in good time to relax before dinner.

Day 2 - After breakfast, we will travel to Oxford, the ‘city of dreaming spires’, which is world-famous for its stunning architecture and excellence in learning. Quaint and grand, picturesque and awesome, Oxford is graced by a rare individuality which gives it universal appeal. You may like to stroll its ancient streets, taking in the impressive architecture of the honey-coloured university buildings. You could take a relaxing walk along the beautiful River Thames, quaintly known as The Isis as it flows through the city, or browse the fabulous High Street shops and Covered Market (which dates from 1772) - all set among lovely historic buildings. In the afternoon, we will continue to glorious Blenheim Palace. Home to the Marlboroughs and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, the palace is set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland, landscaped by the eighteenth century horticultural genius Capability Brown. Inside the palace, you will see the wonderful craftsmanship of intricate carvings and delicately painted ceilings, with treasures collected over a span of 300 years; while the colourful, award-winning gardens, wide rolling-lawns and magnificent lake compliment the palace perfectly. With a picnic site, fine food outlets and gift shop, Blenheim offers an unforgettable experience for its visitors. We will return to our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 3 - After breakfast, we will begin our tour of some of the most picturesque Cotswold Villages, made enchanting by their pretty thatched cottages and ancient, honey-coloured limestone. We will travel to the ‘flower of English villages’, Chipping Campden, with its ‘picture postcard’ perfection, many beautiful buildings and lovely fifteenth century church. We will continue to Broadway, said to be one of the most beautiful villages in England. Then we travel to the quaintly-named Stow-on-the-Wold, famous for its ‘chocolate box’ prettiness and traditional market square, with ancient cross and elm-shaded stocks! We will continue to Bourton-on-the-Water, just a few miles away. This lovely little town is often called the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ because of its many pretty bridges over the Windrush River, which flows through the centre of the town.

Day 4 - After breakfast, we will travel to lovely Stratford-upon-Avon, the popular tourist location which is the birthplace and final resting place of England’s greatest poet and dramatist, William Shakespeare. On the way, we will pass through ‘Shakespeare Country’, so that you can see Anne Hathaway’s picturesque cottage, and the half-timbered Tudor farm of Mary Arden, his mother. In Stratford you may like to stroll the ancient, cobblestone streets; see the house where Shakespeare was born and Holy Trinity Church, his final resting place; admire the beauty of the town’s fabulous half-timbered Tudor buildings, or take a leisurely walk beside the lovely River Avon. With cafes, restaurants and choice shopping, Stratford is a wonderful location for a relaxing wander. We will begin our journey homewards in the afternoon.

Here are some example hotels or similar ones that we use for this break, actual availability may change with the travel date you choose.

Some hotels have an additional supplement per person, as shown below. Supplements are stated for the break (not per night)

Holiday Inn Leamington Spa, Leamington Spa
	Stay at Holiday Inn Leamington Spa-Warwick, a homely red-brick hotel situated in Tachbrook Business Park, just 10 minutes from the M40.