Oxford and the Cotswolds

4-day Incentive Itinerary Suggestion

Day 1

Enjoy the comfort of a chauffeur-driven limousine to whisk you away from the airport to your choice of hotel in the heart of the city of Oxford – it’s under an hour from Heathrow and even less from London Oxford Airport.

After settling into your hotel, you’ll be following Bill Spectre, a professional actor and guide through the darkening streets and alleyways on the Oxford Ghost Trail, to hear terrible tales of ancient Oxford and you may even see a spirit or two on your wanderings.

Your day will culminate with dinner at Quod Brasserie, a former banking hall on the famous High Street, now home to one of Oxford’s most successful restaurants.

Oxford has a vast range of hotels including the 5* star Randolph Hotel situated in the heart of Oxford and the 4* star Old Bank Hotel. Other accommodation options are the charming hotels The Feathers, and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in the Cotswolds countryside and a short distance from Oxford.

Following a leisurely start to the day with breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to London Oxford Airport for a scenic helicopter flight over Oxfordshire’s countryside and the city’s dreaming spires.

Back on the ground, your next stop will be lunch in the mellow stone-built town of Woodstock, known as the gateway to the Cotswolds where the historic Bear Hotel has been welcoming visitors for centuries.

During the afternoon you will be free to amble around the delights of Woodstock, and visit what is arguably ‘Britain’s greatest Palace’ and a World Heritage site – Blenheim Palace. At the sumptuous home to the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, you could take in the pleasure gardens or the butterfly house, complete the Blenheim Maze or simply enjoy the Palace itself.

Return to your hotel in time to change for dinner before being collected for the short drive to the renowned Manoir aux Quat Saisons. Nestled in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Great Milton, Raymond Blanc’s renowned restaurant can truly be said to be one of the most illustrious gastronomic experiences in Britain.

The day begins by the river at Cherwell Boathouse trying out the traditional Oxford pastime of punting – when you use a pole to push your flat-bottomed boat through the water. It’s a time-honoured way to experience the river’s delights.

On return to the mooring, your personal guide will be waiting to give you a tailor-made walking tour of Oxford’s rich past and present. Discover the architecture, history and lifestyle of this fascinating gity, whose colleges are not just beautiful monuments, some built 800 years ago, but which still form part of a thriving world class University today.

Following the tour you can take in lunch at one of the many chic cafés or tea rooms in the heart of the city.

A visit to Oxford is not complete without a visit to Blackwell’s bookshop. One of the most famous bookshops in the United Kingdom, Blackwell’s has traded in Oxford since 1879 when the original shop was only twelve foot square.

Alternatively you could visit the renowned Ashmolean Museum, the oldest public museum in Britain (founded 1683), with it’s wide variety of exhibits from ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman and prehistoric treasures to King Alfred’s jewels and pre-Raphaelite art. Or be intrigued by the unique Pitt Rivers Museum where you can uncover ethnological wonders and photographs from all over the world.

If shopping is more your style there’s the Covered Market, Alice in Wonderland’s shop or Oxford Castle to take your fancy – the choice is yours.

After a day discovering just some of Oxford’s jewels (and leaving some of it’s secrets to be uncovered during your next atmospheric trip to the city…), your driver will take you to your choice of country house hotel or Golf Club. Perhaps you will choose Studley Wood Golf Club, set in 177 acres of tranquil Oxfordshire countryside and only 6 miles from the centre of Oxford; Heythrop Park with it’s stunning setting in 440 acres of landscaped parkland or a more traditional country house hotel such as Fallowfields, a stunning hotel with over 300 years of history, once home of the Begum Aga Khan it now offers beautiful luxury accommodation where you will be looked after by a dedicated staff team.

Depending on your plans you may choose to play a round of golf or enjoy a chauffeur driven tour of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds prior to your journey home.

** For more information about this itinerary or other city of Oxford and the Cotswolds suggestions please contact us at meetengland@visitengland.org **