Driving through the scenic countryside of England is an excellent way to escape the city and experience English culture and history. If you’re spending some time in London and looking to see some nearby attractions, this is the perfect itinerary for you!
This one week road trip from London runs in a loop and takes you through some of England’s most iconic landmarks and prettiest little villages.
You will spend a few days exploring the highlights of the stunning Cotswolds region, walk through the historic cities of Bath and Oxford, see the ancient site of Stonehenge and finish off the road trip with a visit to the incredible Salisbury Cathedral.
This will be an unforgettable week of discovering England’s most fascinating history while passing through some of the country’s most breath-taking landscapes.
The gorgeous Manor House in Castle Combe
This road trip from London can be done at any time of the year, we did it in November and we had a lovely time. Yes, it was a little chilly but nothing that a roaring fire inside of a medieval pub can’t fix! The spring and summer months will be much busier as the warmer weather naturally attracts more tourists.
No matter when you choose to go, this driving route is truly beautiful in every season. We had such an incredible time on this road trip and feel that it deserves a spot on everyone’s UK bucket list!
Table of Contents
Road Trip From London Overview
- Oxford
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- Stow-on-the-Wold
- Lower Slaughter
- Bourton-on-the-Water
- Bibury
- Castle Combe
- Bath
- Stonehenge
- Salisbury
Cute cottages in the charming village of Bibury
Recommended Itinerary
Day One – Depart London in the morning and drive to Oxford. Spend the rest of the day seeing the highlights of Oxford.
Night One – Oxford
Day Two – Depart Oxford and drive to Shakespeare’s birth town, Stratford-upon-Avon. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town.
Night Two – Stratford-upon-Avon
Day Three – Depart Stratford-upon-Avon in the morning and drive to the first Cotswolds village, Stow-on-the-Wold. Spend some time checking out the town before continuing to Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Night Three – Bourton-on-the-Water
Day Four – Start the day with a drive to the village of Bibury to see the famous Arlington Row and stop for tea at the lovely Swan Hotel. Continue your Cotswolds road trip to the gorgeous little village of Castle Combe. Spend the afternoon in the village before driving to Bath.
Exploring the city of Bath
Night Four – Bath
Day Five – Spend the full day seeing the highlights of Bath.
Night Five – Bath
Day Six – Depart Bath in the morning and make your way to Stonehenge, spend a few hours at the stones before continuing to Salisbury. See the Salisbury Cathedral and other attractions in the afternoon.
Night Six – Salisbury
Day Seven – Drive back to London
Total Driving Time / Distance Covered
7.5 – 8 hours / 323 miles – Give or take depending on traffic and chosen driving route
Road Trip From London Highlights
- Discover the history and amazing architecture in the famous university city of Oxford
- Visit the medieval village of Stratford-upon-Avon, known as Shakespeare’s birthplace
- Transport to another era as you wander through the fairy-tale Cotswolds villages
- See the incredible Roman Baths in the beautiful city of Bath
- Marvel at the mysterious ancient stone circle at Stonehenge
- Take a walk through the majestic Salisbury Cathedral
Taking in the wonder of Stonehenge
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The Ultimate One Week Road Trip From London
Car Rental In London
The first thing you should do before departing on this road trip from London is arrange your car rental. To book a car, we recommend using this comparison tool to easily search between all providers. We use this website for pretty much all car rentals in every country we visit as they have a large selection of providers with reasonable prices and no booking fees.
Pick up your car first thing in the morning and then begin the 1:15 hr drive from London to Oxford.
Oxford
The city of Oxford is packed full of amazing history and plenty of beautiful architecture. It’s home to the oldest university in the English speaking world, the University of Oxford which dates back to the 12th century. Oxford is often referred to as “the city of dreaming spires” because of the university’s many towers that dominate the city’s skyline.
Besides strolling along the high street of the medieval town centre and browsing a few of the shops along the way, there are a few things to do in Oxford that you shouldn’t miss on your visit!
Oxford University
Highlights of Oxford
University of Oxford – Take a 2-hr guided walking tour to see the famous sites of Oxford University. An experienced guide will take you through the university’s complex to see one of the Harry Potter filming sites, the Bodleian Library and the Divinity School. Find tour prices and availability.
Radcliffe Camera – No visit to Oxford is complete without seeing this iconic circular building. What was originally built as a library in the 18th century is now one of the most photographed buildings in all of Oxford. You are only permitted to enter the Radcliffe Camera on a guided tour, but it’s worth checking out even if you just admire from the outside.
Oxford Castle & Prison – Discover the rich and fascinating history of Oxford Castle & Prison on a guided tour lead by a costumed guide. The tour includes: climbing the oldest tower in Oxford to see panoramic views from the top, descending into the 900+ year old crypt, hearing the many stories of the crazy events that unfolded over the centuries from an informative guide and so much more! Find tour prices and availability.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace – A 20 minute drive from Oxford will take you to this gorgeous countryside manor surrounded by stunning gardens and beautiful landscapes. Blenheim Palace is known as the birthplace of Winston Churchill. It’s conveniently located along the drive from Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon, making it easy to stop in for a visit.
Medieval Pubs – Oxford has many historic pubs to check out around the town centre. We had lunch at the oldest pub in Oxford, The Bear Inn. The interior is very small and cosy but it’s full of medieval charm and definitely worth stopping at for lunch or drinks. Here are some more old pubs to check out: Turf Tavern, The Eagle and Child, The Trout Inn.
Where to stay in Oxford
Bear and Ragged Staff – If you’re hoping to stay somewhere with some character and history, you can’t go wrong here. Located just outside of the city, this charming old property offers free parking and delicious home-made food. There’s a cosy bar with a big fireplace which is perfect if you’re visiting during the cold months.
Malmaison Oxford – Once a Victorian prison and now a gorgeous boutique hotel in the heart of Oxford. This highly rated, unique property features tastefully decorated rooms, beautiful architecture, 2 bars and breakfast included. Parking is available on site at an extra cost.
Old Parsonage Hotel – A stunning building dating back to 1660, only a 5 minute walk from Oxford city centre. This lovely hotel features modern rooms in an old setting, free parking, a restaurant & bar and an excellent breakfast (which costs extra).
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Exploring Oxford’s High Street
The Bear Inn, Oxford
Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
Stratford-upon-Avon
Take a step back in time to the 16th century when Shakespeare himself once roamed these very streets. Stratford-upon-Avon is a charming English market town full of well-preserved Tudor style architecture located along the banks of the Avon River.
It’s most commonly known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, so naturally you can expect to find all things dedicated to the famous playwright around the town.
Highlights of Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare’s Birthplace – It wouldn’t be a trip to Stratford without a visit inside Shakespeare’s birth home, after all it is the most popular attraction in the town! This iconic half-timbered 16th century building has been preserved incredibly well both inside and out.
The home has been set up with furniture consistent to the time period as well as displays which tell the story of Shakespeare’s childhood and family life in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – A 20 minute walk from the town centre of Stratford is the adorable 600 year old thatched cottage that once belonged to Shakespeare’s wife. It features original furniture, timber framing that dates to the 15th century and is surrounded by the prettiest gardens.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre – Catch one of Shakespeare’s plays live at the riverside Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The layout of the theatre is consistent to Shakespeare’s time, providing an authentic play watching experience.
In addition to showing Shakespeare’s most famous plays, there is also a rooftop restaurant where you can dine with beautiful views over the Avon River. Click here to see upcoming plays and events.
Stratford Butterfly Farm – The UK’s largest tropical butterfly farm is a fun way to break up all of the Shakespeare attractions, especially for families travelling with children.
A few minutes walk from the town centre will take you to see hundreds of the world’s most beautiful butterflies, exotic birds, and various insects.
Tickets to Shakespeare’s family homes: If you plan to visit more than one of the homes associated with Shakespeare’s family, check out this ticket which gives you access to 5 different locations including his birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage.