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

Overview

Available languages

German

Korean

Chinese

Japanese

English

Spanish

10 hours

Mobile ticket

Discover the resplendent English county of Oxfordshire, an area renowned for its rolling green hills, spectacular stately homes and quintessentially English market towns. See beautiful Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born and raised, plus visit some iconic filming locations from the popular BBC TV series 'Downton Abbey'.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Please Note: this tour does not visit Highclere Castle

For a wheelchair user : Please inform us in advance if you intend to bring wheelchair.

Christmas at Blenheim Palace runs 14 November 2025 - 3 January 2026. During this period the inside of the palace is decorated for Christmas with the theme 'The Palace of Oz'.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace This awe-inspiring stately home, the current private residence of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, is perhaps best-known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Admire the stunning details behind the portraits, tapestry and furniture in the lavishly decorated State Rooms, which includes ornate furniture by Boulle, Savonniere carpet and the iconic 'Victories' series of tapestries celebrating the Duke's victory over the French armies of 'The Sun King', Louis XIV, at the Battle of Blenheim. Enjoy a stroll through the beautifully landscaped formal gardens designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and more than 2,000 acres of parkland, or walk in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill. Visit his most cherished outdoor places on the grounds of Blenheim Palace, including the spot where he proposed to Clementine Hozier.

2 hours • Admission Included

Cotswolds

The Cotswolds & Bourton-on-the-Water. After a brief journey through some of the most beautiful countryside in England, we will arrive at our next destination. Straddling the River Windrush is the lovely village of Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as the 'Venice of the Costwolds'. This quintessentially English village is a must-see for all visitors to the Cotswolds. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea experience in a riverside café, or take a stroll down the river banks and peruse the eclectic mix of local stores offering everything from homemade ice cream to charming gifts for friends and family back home.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Guided Tour of Bampton

Superior Coach with Wi-Fi and USB Charging

Visit Bourton-on-the-Water

Professional guide

Personal Audio Headset

Panoramic drive through the Cotswolds

Entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens (if option selected)

Optional gratuities

Food and beverages

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

English tour without entry

English without entry: Excludes entry to Blenheim Palace. English-speaking guide.

Chinese tour without entry

Chinese tour without entry: Excluding entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens

Christmas Season- English

With Blenheim Palace Entrance

English with Blenheim Palace

English incl. Blenheim Palace: Tour includes entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens. English-speaking guide.

Japanese tour without entry

Excludes entry to Blenheim Palace. Japanese-speaking guide.

Spanish Tour without entry

Spanish Tour without entry : Excluding entry to Blenheim Palace & Gardens

Japanese with Blenheim Palace

Japanese incl. Blenheim Palace: Tour includes entry to Blenheim Palace and Gardens. Japanese-speaking guide.

Chinese with Blenheim Palace

Chinese with Blenheim Palace: Chinese Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & The Cotswolds

Christmas Season - Japanese

With Blenheim Palace ticket

Spanish with Blenheim Palace

Spanish with Blenheim Palace: Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & The Cotswolds Spanish

Reviews

4.47

1,131 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

810

167

Research in advance if...
Alan M,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
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.
Good experience
W113NP ,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
So much fun and enjoyed. funny guide Simon. Thank u so much! I highly recommend!!!!! Good for family members who wanna visit cotswold
Simon was fantastic! Thanks
Sightseer35862997149,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Simon was brilliant Unique experience and joined the tour. Thanks Fascinated places. The right time to visit during Christmas
Fake experience
Sasareanu R,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00
Unfortunately i made a big mistake with this tour because for the “winter reasons “ the tour was shorter,the guide was in a great hurry,we couldn’t drink,eat, etc.Awful experience!
Wonderful Trip
Curious56584894841,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Andy Jackson is our guide in this trip. He is funny and good storyteller. We had a great trip. Evan Evans tour had a good coach.
Nice but little time in Bampton
Jeanpinfi,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
The tour is nice, but the stop in Bampton lasts very little, 40 minutes scarcely enough to take some pictures of the Downton Abbey film sets and enter the small shop. That's a shame, since it was my first interest. The appointment at Victoria Station is not very clear, as I was waiting at the Welcome Desk as written, but our guide was already at the gate. Kevin was great, helpful and nice. About his professionalism, nothing to say. It even helped me take some nice pictures! The palace was in a Christmas robe. I hadn't bought the ticket for the entrance, but thanks to the Christmas market and the open areas of the building, I still managed to spend 2 interesting hours. If it wasn't for the very short time in Bampton, I would have given it 5 stars.
If you want to see Blenheim Palace do not go during the Christmas period.
F4049KRlesleyb,,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I went on this tour to be able to see Blenheim Palace. Unfortunately between 14 November and early January the house has a Christmas installation in it. This means that it is full of Christmas decorations and light and you cannot actually see any of the rooms themselves, or any decorative elements. The installation is in the theme of the Wizard of Oz - a pathway through the rooms has been created to follow. I was also unable to see the Churchill Gallery or the formal garden as these closed at 4pm. As Blenheim was the last thing on our tour, we did not get there til 3.30 - by the time I got out of the house, it was too late to see these other things. My disappointment was mirrored by the vast majority of the tour group as they too had been looking forward to a very different experience. If you are interested in seeing a wonderful and magical Christmas installation I think Blenheim at this time of the year would be perfect. Especially if you have young children. However, if you actually want to see the house and all of its beautiful interiors - do not go at Christmas. I contacted the tour operator (Evan Evan’s Tours) so they could address this problem. They declined to do so. They did however advise me that there was a Christmas installation in the house. It would have been more helpful if this information had been provided at the time I booked the tour. I find it very disappointing that this company is continuing to sell this tour without advising that the current experience at Blenheim is quite unlike the one they advertise. I believe they should update the information they provide so as to avoid disappointing other people like I and the other people on my tour were disappointed. The rest of the tour was OK - but I was really interested in seeing Blenheim Palace.
James the tour guide and...
David O,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
James the tour guide and Mentor the driver were excellent. James was tour guide was engaging and anxious to share his knowledge.
Very fun day trip!
Travelmates729,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great day in the Cotswolds. James provided a lot of interesting information in a friendly style. We had the right amount of time in each area. Mentor was a good driver. We highly recommend this tour!
Great tour!
R8887MWderekm,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved the Cotswolds, especially the "Venice of England". Ate a great Sunday lunch at the Dial House and walked along the banks of the tiny river. The guide James was outstanding the whole way, very knowledgeable and great storyteller, and kept us on track. Mentor the driver was very personable and drove a steady bus including through very tight roads.