Itinerary

 Mon -  Travel south arrive at the hotel. Settle into your room before enjoying your evening meal.

Tue - This morning we have some free time to explore Cheltenham at leisure. As you stroll along the promenade, it’s easy to see why it became a favourite amongst 18th century aristocrats. Cheltenham is also famous for its festival and the Gold Cup, so it is fitting that we head to Cheltenham Racecourse to board the Gloucester-Warwickshire train to the nearby town of Broadway. Here, we have time to browse this interesting Cotswold town before returning to our hotel.

Wed - We spend this morning in Gloucester with time to explore at leisure. We can visit the medieval Cathedral (used in most of the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts), and the recently restored historic Victorian Docks that now buzz with museums, shops, boats and restaurants. In the afternoon we make our way to the delightful Cotswold village of Painswick, famous for its churchyard with 99 yew trees. While here, we visit the Rococo Garden, designed in the 1740s for the owner to use as his ‘playground’. Positioned in a hidden valley offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, it features intriguing garden buildings, magical follies and flowers and colours that transform by the seasons.

Thu - Today we take an excursion by coach around the Cotwolds, visiting Bourton on the Water, known as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds. We then head to the market town of Stow on the Wold before returning to our hotel.

Fri - After breakfast we bid farewell to the hotel and start to make our homeward journey.