Oxford and Bourton-on-the-Water (Cotswolds) Coach Trip - 2 places in 1 day

Join us on a private coach trip to both Oxford City and Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds (two places in one day). We've privately hired an executive coach just for our meetup group. This month my brother and I spent two separate days in both these locations to ensure the careful planning of this day trip.

Brief details of this Day Trip are included immediately below. However, you will need to scroll past the larger photographs of Oxford and Bourton-on-the-Water below to read the very detailed itinerary and what's included in the price.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/b/8/600_329564472.jpeg

An Introduction to Oxford:

The coach will collect us at 9:00 am from Central London and our first stop will be the historic University City of Oxford (approximately 90 minutes from London). The majority of our day will be spent in Oxford.

Oxford is commonly referred to as "the city of dreaming spires" - a reference to the gentle spires and harmonious architecture of the historic city buildings. The city contains some of the finest architecture in the UK. The oldest buildings are nearly 750 years old and are exceptionally well preserved.

Its charming scenery has been the inspiration for many, including Lewis Carroll and J.R.R Tolkien. There are also many recognisable scenes from popular films such as Harry Potter and TV series such as Inspector Morse. The city is mainly known for its world famous university encompassing 38 colleges. Oxford University is the oldest university in the English speaking world and is universally recognized as one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

Some of the world's most gifted individuals have studied or taught at Oxford. These include 26 British Prime Ministers, 30 international leaders, 12 Saints, 50 Nobel Peace Prize winners and 120 Olympic medalists.

However, there is so much more to see in Oxford aside from the university as the whole city is steeped in history and culture.

For those looking for a shopping experience, Oxford has so much to offer. There's a lively mix of small shops selling everything from handmade hats and gifts to Oxford sausages or antiquarian books. And the High Street offers a range of unique boutiques, antique shops, bookshops and gift shops set amongst beautiful historic buildings.

Oxford has a rich and generous variety of places to eat and drink - bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs and coffee-shops. Some of these establishments have historic connections dating back to the C17th.

We've already arranged a private guided walking tour of Oxford for our group when we arrive. We have booked two tour guides (so the group will then be divided in two - although only for the duration of the 90 minute guided tour).

We'll also be visiting the Ashmolean Art and Archaeology Museum. This world-famous location was established in 1683 and has a claim to being the oldest museum in the world. The art collections include works from Botticelli, Rembrandt, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Constable, Turner, Picasso and Monet. The archaeological and antique collections contain internationally renowned objects from all the major ancient civilizations. The main entrance to this museum will also be used as a convenient point for various meeting points throughout the day

An Introduction to Bourton-on-the-Water:

At 3:05 pm the coach will take us from Oxford to our second destination - Bourton-on-the-Water (approximately 1 hour from Oxford). This location is regularly voted as one of the prettiest villages in England. It's located in the Cotswolds - an area famous for its beautiful honey coloured stone architecture and idyllic village scenes

The River Windrush runs directly through the beautiful village high street. There are numerous low level, stone-arched bridges where the river can be crossed. This picturesque setting has led to the village being widely described by travel writers as the 'Little Venice Village of the Cotswolds'.

The high street contains a small number of quaint shops, tea rooms, places to eat and pubs. However, the main attraction here is taking in the architecture and natural beauty of the village itself rather than a shopping experience.

When we arrive in Bourton-on-the-Water the organisers will be taking everyone on a short 15-20 minute pre-planned stroll through the village. This will help members familiarise themselves with the location as we will only be staying here for a relatively brief visit.

Optional London Night-out when we arrive home at 8:00 pm:

We'll then leave Bourton-on-the-Water at 6:00 pm and arrive back in London at approximately 8:00pm. Then attendees have the option of joining us at a great Central London pub for a night-out. This will give everyone the chance to continue socialising, discuss their day trip experience and continue making friends over a few drinks.

Please scroll down past the beautiful photos of Oxford and Bourton-on-the-Water below to read the full plan, itinerary and what's included in the price:

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/4/4/600_328853572.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/6/2/600_328853602.jpeg

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/3/6/a/600_328854122.jpeg

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/1/8/0/600_328853632.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/2/0/2/600_328853762.jpeg

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/2/a/2/600_328853922.jpeg

Full Plan/Itinerary and what's included in the price:

9:00 am - Coach pick up point at Temple Place, Central London, WC2R 2PR. The pick-up-point is very near Temple Underground Station (see map link above and scroll down for a photograph of the exact location). We'll be travelling to both locations by an air-conditioned/heated executive coach (included in the price). Please can everyone arrive by 8:45 am. The coach will only wait for a few minutes and we will be on our way at 9:10 am.

10:40 am - Approximate arrival time in Oxford. The coach will drop us off at a relatively central point near the side of the Ashmolean Museum. The organisers will then walk everyone around to the front of the museum where we will have a short break before the guided walk begins

11:00 am - Guided Walking Tour of Oxford (included in the price). The tour will take approximately one hour and 40 minutes. The tour meeting point will be at the front of the Ashmolean Museum where we'll already be located.

12:45 am - This is free time for lunch and to continuing exploring Oxford. On past day trips the majority of members have spontaneously divided into small groups for lunch.

1:45 am - An optional meeting point for those who want to visit the world famous Oxford Ahmolean Art and Archaeology Museum (description contained above) . The museum has free entry. We will meet outside the main entrance of the museum. Visiting the museum will be a great choice but is not compulsory. Members can alternatively use this time to continue exploring Oxford as there is so much to see. The most popular alternative is likely to be exploring Christ Church College. Please scroll down to the section on 'Christ Church' if you plan to visit there instead.

2:45 am - Everyone must meet outside the main entrance of the Ashmolean Museum to be ready for the coach journey to Bourton-on-the-Water. After a maximum 5-10 minute wait we will then walk the short distance to the coach. The coach will depart at approximately 3:05 pm.

4:05 am - Approximate arrival time in Bourton-on-the-Water. After a short break we will then take everyone on a pre-planned stroll of the village. This will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Then everyone will have approximately an extra hour to explore the village. We anticipate that members will once again split into small groups. Please note that as this day trip is not during standard tourist season, many shops can occasionally close early, depending on the volume of tourists for that particular day. However, as already stated, the main attraction here is taking in the architecture and natural beauty of the village itself rather than a shopping experience.

5:35 am - We will meet by The Rainbow Shop in readiness for our return journey home (this location is in the village centre and will be pointed out to you on the earlier stroll). After a maximum 10 minute wait, we will walk the 10 minutes back to the coach park (coaches are not permitted to pick-up in the actual village). The same coach will leave for our return journey back to London at 6:00 pm

8:00 pm - Approximate arrival time in London. The coach will drop us off at Temple Place (the same location from where we were originally picked-up at the start of our journey).

8:00 pm - Optional night-out at a great pub near Whitehall in Central London (the Old Shades pub). Walking to the pub will take approximately 15 minutes from the drop-off point. Those who are coming can walk with us together as a group. It's a nice walk, mainly along the riverside of the Thames.

Please note that all attendees will receive a printed copy of the full plan/itinerary for this trip as soon as they arrive at the start of the day.

Included in the price:

• Privately-hired, executive return coach travel from London to two separate locations - Oxford and Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds

• One hour and 40 minutes Private Guided Walking Tour of Oxford

• Fully planned Day Trip with very detailed itinerary and numerous optional meeting points and activities throughout day. Also including an optional hosted night out at a great London pub when we return to London.

Christchurch College

There are so many places to see and attractions in Oxford that it would be impossible to see them all. However, the most popular paid attraction is Christ Church University College in the very centre of the city. Our itinerary is so full that we will not be visiting the interior of this college as part of our official itinerary. However, please feel free to tailor your own trip around our itinerary. Christ Church is the largest college at the University of Oxford. The exterior of the college will be pointed out to you on the guided tour. It has an exceptionally rich history and stunning buildings. It also contains the cathedral church of the diocese of Oxford, namely Christ Church Cathedral. It's received modern day fame as one of the main locations for the Harry Potter films. Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films are shot in various locations of the College and as you walk around the cloisters and quadrangles it is easy to see why. Standard rate entry into Christ Church is £7. However, please note that many parts of the college can close at various times and at short notice. Reduced rates are available to take this into account. If you are planning to visit Christ Church then please ensure you 'click-here' (http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/visiting/timesandprices) to read all the information on their official website.

Option of bringing Packed-Lunch to maximise sightseeing time:

As with any day trip, our time will inevitably be limited at our destinations. Many attendees will enjoy sampling the local restaurants/cafes etc. However, sitting down, ordering and enjoying a meal does take time. Therefore, some members alternatively prefer to use the time to see as many sights as possible. If this is the case, then attendees are more than welcome to bring a packed-lunch to maximise sightseeing time. Please note though that hot food and hot drinks can not be consumed on the actual coach.

Emergency mobile phone numbers to contact during the day :

Please take these two mobile phone numbers that you can ring during the day (please only ring if it is absolutely necessary). My number is 0757 8360117 (Martyn). My brother's number is 078466 39420 (Terry). We will also be unable to delay the coach arrival/departure time or other planned events as we have to adhere to a tight schedule.

Pick up Location Photograph Below - Temple Place, London

(Also see map link above)

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/6/event_231002342.jpeg

Payments:

All payments are to be made online via PayPal in full if you decide to RSVP (you will be taken to the payments page after you RSVP).

Please note you do not have to have a Paypal account to pay via Paypal. If you do not have a Paypal account, choose the option to 'pay with a debit or credit card' and fill in your card details, address, email etc as directed by the screen.

Please 'click here' (https://www.meetup.com/organize/pages/HOW_TO_PAY_ONLINE_WITHOUT_A_PAYPAL_ACCOUNT/) to view an organiser's meetup group set-up with instructions and screenshots on how to pay without a Paypal account.

Payments are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled or rescheduled. However, if you have booked on the trip and can no longer attend, we will refund your money only if the meetup is full and someone else takes your place (and pays for the place) from the waiting list. If you have booked and can no longer attend, please ensure you email me first before changing your RSVP to 'no'. Included in the price of £35 will be a contribution to my brother and I for organising this day trip.

Finally:

If you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact us. We'll be more than happy to answer any queries. You can contact us at any time via email (click on organiser photographs for the 'send email' option) or by mobile phone after 6pm (0757 8360117).

kind regards
Martyn and Terry