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2-Day Best Of Southern England From London: Oxford, Stonehenge, Windsor And Bath Including 'Downton Abbey' Filming Sites
Day 1: London – Windsor Castle – Stonehenge – Bath
Leave central London, and travel west to Runnymede to see where the Magna Carta — the 13th-century document that paved the way for modern-day democracy — was signed by King John. Visit the John F Kennedy Memorial, and then continue to Windsor, the royal market town that's home to Windsor Castle.
An official residence of the Queen, the castle covers some 13 acres (5 hectares) with some impressive sights. See the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Doll House and more while hearing about its history. Dating to the days of William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle is thought to be the world’s oldest continually occupied fortress.
After exploring a break for lunch (own expense), travel west to Stonehenge, England’s UNESCO-listed stone circle. Millions of years old, the circle is shrouded in mystery with many theories circulating as to how or why it appeared. Walk around the stones with your guide, listening to the speculation, and make your own mind up about the site’s reason for being.
Continue to the city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the highest concentration of ‘listed’ (historically significant) buildings in Britain. Admire the 18th-century crescents and architecture as well as the Roman Baths — the city’s premier attraction. Leave Bath and travel the short distance to Swindon to check into your hotel.
Overnight: 3-star Jurys Inn Hotel in Swindon
Day 2: Bath – Downton Abbey filming locations – London (B)
Check out of your hotel after breakfast, and travel to the limestone hills of Oxfordshire where much of the filming for Downton Abbey was shot. As you travel, listen to your guide’s tales about the hit British period drama and of the scandal-hit Crawley family, around whom the series is based.
Stop at a farm in the hills near Cogges and enjoy a hot drink (own expense) in its rustic cafe before discovering a few of the farm’s filming locations. Continue to the Cotswold village of Bampton that featured as Downton village. On a walking tour, see the village church, where Lady Mary married Matthew Crawley, and the fictional Grantham Arms pub.
Travel to the village of Shilton with its stone footbridges and wells, and learn how the Old Ford was transformed into the Red Lion pub where Mr Bates once worked. Stop for lunch (own expense) at the Swan Inn in nearby Swinbrook where Lady Sybil eloped with the Crawley family’s chauffeur Branson, and then continue to Oxford.
Explore the famous University City with your guide, admiring its honey-colored buildings and towering spires. Pose for photos outside Christ Church College and learn about its Great Hall that featured in several of the famous Harry Potter films. After exploring the center, enjoy free time to perhaps visit the college independently (own expense). Then, meet back up with your guide and return to the start point in London.
