Day trip by minibus to hiking & sightseeing in the Cotswolds. There are no trains to this place  so this is the best way to get there.

The Cotswolds is an area of England about the size of greater Tokyo.
Popular with both the English themselves and visitors from all over the world,the Cotswolds are well-known for gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), sleepy villages and for being so ‘typically English’.

http://www.cotswolds.com/

 It is easy to see why Bourton-on-the-Water is such a popular tourist spot. Lovely stone buildings line the wide main street through which flows the River Windrush, bordered by trees and lawns and crossed by a number of low bridges.

Then there is a bird sanctuary, the Cotswold Motor Museum and the Model Village - an exact replica of Bourton in minature. The Drangonfly Maze is great fun and The Perfumery Exhibition will stimulate your senses.

Itinerary:

We will leave London after gathering at the Starbucks Cafe in the main entrance of Hammersmith Tube Station. There is another Starbucks inside the shopping centre at the tube station so don't get confused by this one. You will see the group gathered at the one in the main entrance.

Then the minibus we have arranged for our trip will drive us to Bourton-on-the-Water in the heart of the Cotswolds. This is one of the finest Cotswolds villages to enjoy.

There are many other lovely little villages near Bourton-on-the-Water.

We will hike through two of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds: Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter. Lower Slaughter especially is much sought out by tourists eager to record the scenery with their camera's.

The name of Slaughter has no connection with blood. 

Lower and Upper Slaughter are two idyllic picturesque Cotswold villages set in quiet and beautiful countryside next to the River Eye located between the town of Stow-on-the-Wold and the village of Bourton-on-the-Water.

The name of the village of Lower Slaughter stems from the Old English name for a wet land 'slough' or 'slothre' (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies. This quaint village sits beside the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.

The stream running through the village is crossed by two small bridges and the local attraction is a converted mill with original water wheel selling craft type products and includes a cafe.

After the hike we will have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the many attractions http://www.bourtoninf... of Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as "The Venice of the Cotswolds". There is so much to do and you can choose to do the sights that interest you the most.

At 5-30 pm we will then depart in the minibus to get back to Hammersmith.

Costs: £26

This includes your transport to and from Hammermith by the minibus we have arranged for the day plus a guided hike through the countryside around Bourton-on-the-Water.

 It does NOT include your lunch, souvenirs or entrance fees to any attractions you wish to visit.

Here is some hike info, it always depends on the weather though.

Distance: 14,5 kms/9 miles

Hike level: easy to medium

Estimated return time to London: 7 PM  

Things to bring:
water
packed lunch
some cash for a pub
waterproof clothing
hiking boots
camera

change of shoes in case your feet get wet

IMPORTANT NOTE: to RSVP "yes" you will need to pay £26 using the PayPal link above.