England · ROYAL PALACES IN THE COTSWOLDS

Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds: The 6 Best, Priced and Timed

6 tours  ·  from $110

This is the shortlist you would hand a friend flying in: 6 royal palaces in the Cotswolds that earn the money, each with its price, its verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London - Blenheim Palace and Churchill’s Oxfordshire home
1-Day Tours, Cotswolds Tours, Day Trips in the Cotswolds, Filming Location Tours, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews

Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London

1.Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,139 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109Our pick

Travel from Victoria to Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds, and Bampton, the village used in Downton Abbey. You’ll have a guide, audio headset, Wi-Fi coach, and time for photos, lunch, and a look inside the palace if your booking includes admission. Guides such as Kevin, Simon, Angela, and James have led this route.

“Research in advance if there is a themed event at the palace. Would not have gone had we known about the Wizard of Oz carnival.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London - Blenheim Palace: grand rooms and a Churchill connection
1-Day Tours, Cotswolds Tours, Day Trips in the Cotswolds, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews, Tours

Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London

2.Blenheim Palace Tour and The Cotswolds Day Trip from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 597 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109

Travel from Victoria Coach Station to Blenheim Palace, explore its grand State Rooms and gardens, then visit Bourton-on-the-Water and Downton Abbey’s Bampton. Expect a full 10-hour day, a comfortable coach with Wi-Fi and USB charging, and lively commentary from guides such as Manon, Phil, Angela, or Kevin, subject to availability.

“V less time given in Blenheim palace just one n half hr is too less time as from palace back to coach walk is complete 15 mins .so exactly one hr to see palace n 3 gardens is definitely v less time, saw everything just running around . In Cotswold there was 2 villages kept to be seen in itinery but 2nd village Bampton was not necessary as their was nothing to see . N so time was cut off everywhere. Viator tours are good but v less time given to see any place.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Extended Cotswolds Visit and Blenheim Palace with Cream Tea - Bampton and the Downton Abbey connection
Afternoon Tea, Cotswolds Tours, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews

Extended Cotswolds Visit and Blenheim Palace with Cream Tea

3.Extended Cotswolds Visit and Blenheim Palace with Cream Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 118 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $149

Leave central London at 8:30 am for Bampton, the Downton Abbey filming village, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Blenheim Palace. You’ll see Churchill exhibits, State Rooms, Capability Brown gardens, and enjoy cream tea. Guides such as Eileen, Amanda, and Cedric have been praised for clear, friendly commentary, though palace time can feel short.

“It was a wonderful experience!! Venues and host were wonderful! Would highly recommend for couples!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Downton Abbey sites, Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace from London - The 7:30 a.m. departure from central London
Cotswolds Tours, Filming Location Tours, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews

Downton Abbey sites, Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace from London

4.Downton Abbey sites, Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · from $260

Spend 10 hours tracing Downton Abbey scenes through Cogges, Bampton, Shilton, and Swinbrook, with a guide such as Amber, Debbie, Andrew, or Tony. You’ll visit the church linked to Mary and Matthew, stop at filming locations, and tour Blenheim Palace. Expect an early start, plenty of walking, and a small group of up to eight.

“Great tour, one of the only to stay more time at Blenheim”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cotswolds, Oxford & Blenheim Palace Private Tour - Hotel pickup - Blenheim Palace, Churchill, and the lake
Cotswolds Tours, Private, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cotswolds, Oxford & Blenheim Palace Private Tour – Hotel pickup

5.Cotswolds, Oxford & Blenheim Palace Private Tour – Hotel pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $604

Travel from central London by private chauffeur-driven vehicle to Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, and Cotswold villages. You set the pace, and pickup and drop-off at many central London hotels make the long day simple. Confirm whether your driver is also your guide, and arrange palace and college tickets separately.

“We very much enjoyed seeing Oxford. The Cotswolds were a beautiful part of England and we had excellent weather to see the villages where we stopped.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Luxury Private Vehicle Day Hire: From-London Blenheim Palace & Cotswold Villages - Blenheim Palace and Churchill’s beginnings
Cotswolds Tours, Private, Royal Palaces, Royal Palaces in the Cotswolds, Tour Reviews, VIP

Luxury Private Vehicle Day Hire: From-London Blenheim Palace & Cotswold Villages

6.Luxury Private Vehicle Day Hire: From-London Blenheim Palace & Cotswold Villages

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) Top rated

Leave your London hotel at 8:30 a.m. in a private Mercedes V-Class with Wi-Fi, bottled water, and a chauffeur. Spend three hours at Blenheim Palace, then visit Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper Slaughter, and Lower Slaughter. The outing is self-guided, with room to adjust the day for your group.

“We had such a wonderful experience! Our driver greeted as in the baggage area and then took us to a perfectly curated drive around all the sites of London. We wanted something to do once we landed know our hotel room would not be ready until 3pm and knowing we would be jet lagged. He was beyond kind and thoughtful while giving us little tidbits of history along the way. Definitely recommend booking this service.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Where next in England

Start from a city, a castle or a pair of boots.