An award-winning group tour operator has launched a new Oxford-to-Stratford-upon-Avon experience connecting two of England’s great literary destinations.
Go Cotswolds, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, has launched its new Cotswolds & Stratford-upon-Avon Tour, which links the historic university city of Oxford – once home to literary greats such as C.S Lewis, J.R.R Tolkein, Lewis Carroll and Philip Pullman – with William Shakespeare’s hometown via the Cotswolds.
Launching in January 2026, the full-day guided experience, operated in comfortable 16-seat minibuses, offers visitors staying in Oxford the chance to explore the Cotswolds and visit Stratford-upon-Avon in a single day trip.
The tour departs from central Oxford and travels through the northern Cotswolds, stopping in Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold before reaching Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Guests can enjoy more than two hours of free time in Stratford-upon-Avon, offering opportunities to visit attractions such as Shakespeare's Birthplace, Holy Trinity Church, and the riverside, or simply enjoy the town’s shops, cafes and historic streets. Visitors can then choose to return to Oxford or stay in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The tour is led by Go Cotswolds’ expert guides, all of whom live in Stratford-upon-Avon or the Cotswolds, ensuring guests benefit from genuine local insight, personal stories, and a warm welcome to the region.
Lisa Benjamin, Director of Go Cotswolds, said: “Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the UK’s untapped day routes which has a corridor of picturesque Cotswold villages, which until now, has perhaps been under appreciated as there isn’t a direct train route between the two destinations; and our new day tour is helping to solve this in a fun and informative way.
“People can also use the tour to stay in Stratford rather than return to Oxford, where they can then connect to other in-depth tours of the Cotswolds that we run from Shakespeare’s hometown.
“Our small-group day tours continue to grow in popularity among UK and international visitors alike - particularly as they are a great way to travel sustainably and responsibly - so to be adding another experience that encourages locals to explore their doorstep while encouraging tourists to stay in the region for longer is really exciting.”
Darren Tosh, Operations and Marketing Director at Shakespeare’s England, added: “Oxford is a major gateway for international visitors, and this new tour from Go Cotswolds provides a high‑quality option for people to travel on to Stratford‑upon‑Avon.
“It gives visitors the opportunity to spend longer in the town, explore its world‑class literary heritage and attractions, and helps strengthen connectivity across the region and we’re excited to see it being rolled out in 2026.”
Alongside the Oxford–Stratford route, Go Cotswolds is also launching a Cotswolds Day Tour from Oxford, visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Burford, and Bampton.
