3-Day England Trip: Harry Potter in the Cotswolds

Begin a Muggle and emerge a Magician on an unforgettable journey from film sets to steam trains, medieval towns to magic stone circles and forests worthy of Centaurs. Do you want to tour movie locations from the "Harry Potter" series and explore the English countryside on a personalized, small group tour? Take the family on this special Harry Potter-themed three-day tour and you'll travel through some of England's loveliest countryside.

You'll see familiar locations from the Harry Potter movies, and introduce your youngsters to children's writers who paved the way for J. K. Rowling, including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll. On this special small group tour you will see medieval villages and historic cities, a fairytale castle and prehistoric stone temple, stunning scenery and wonderful architecture. There are plenty of activities to burn up energy, with a steam train to ride, castles to explore, woodland walking and family competitions to enter.

All accommodations are chosen on the basis of style, friendliness of welcome, location, historical interest and cooking. All are three star but may include 17th century working farm houses, 17th century coaching Inns, pubs, guest houses, small family run hotels and manor houses.

With a maximum group size of 11, and a university educated guide/driver to lead the way, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience on this special family vacation.

Schedule details

Departure Point:

• Royal National Hotel (nearest underground: Russell Square) - 8:15am
• Corus Hotel (nearest underground: Lancaster Gate) - 8:25am
• Grosvenor Thistle (nearest underground: Victoria Station) - 8:30am
• Holiday Inn Kensington Forum (nearest underground: Gloucester Road) - 8:40am
• Chiswick Hotel (nearest underground: Turnham Green) - 9:00am

Return Details:

Returns to Central London at approximately 7:00pm (Day 3)

Pricing information

Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Additional information

Inclusions:

• Entrance fees
• Professional driver/guide
• Transport (maximum 11 people)
• Hotel pickup and drop off (selected hotels only)
• 2 nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Child rates are available on request
• Not recommended for child aged 4 and under

Itinerary:

Day One:
Leave the "Muggles" of London behind and begin a magical journey at the newly opened Roald Dahl Museum. Here, young and old alike can discover the inspiration behind "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "James and the Giant Peach" and "The BFG". It's then a short hop to Oxford, home to Britain's oldest university. Have fun following in Harry, Ron and Hermonie's footsteps as you climb the stairs of "Hogwarts", see where Harry met Tom Riddle and see the locations of Hogwarts infirmary and library!

Let's not forget Christ Church College dining hall, used as the model for Hogwarts Hall and an interesting museum with an eclectic mix of oddities, including the shrunken heads seen on the Knight Bus. Oxford was also the setting for a magical book of another age but still managing to thrill today's generations.
You'll see where Alice wondered through the small door into Wonderland, find a dodo, and discover where Lewis Carroll took his inspiration for the white rabbit, elongated necks and Mad Hatter tea parties on an "Alice in Wonderland" walk. Other children's authors you can find here are CS Lewis ("The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") and JR Tolkein ("Lord of the Rings"). Your accommodation for the night is a charming 15th century coaching Inn in the Cotswolds.

Day Two:
Travel through the delightful Cotswolds region of honey-coloured stone villages, Tolkein's inspiration for the Shire in "The Hobbit". See if the locals have hairy feet! It's then on to a magical stone circle where you'll hear about the legend of the Witch, King and Fairies who live underground. It's then time to meet some of Harry's feathered friends - at a flying demonstration of birds of prey including an owl or two. What a hoot! Next, a "Hogwarts Express" style steam train ride takes you through the countryside to Cheltenham. The last visit of the day is to the old cathedral city of Gloucester, immortalized by Beatrix Potter in her tale "The Tailor of Gloucester". Visit the cathedral where you can follow a Harry Potter trail around the cathedral cloisters used in the films as the school corridors, location of the girls' bathroom scene and more. Your accommodation for the night is near Gloucester.

Day Three:
This morning you will venture into the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley. This was an area well-known to J K Rowling, creator of the boy-wizard, and places like the 12th century Chepstow Castle and Forest must have been a source of great inspiration. See her old family home, school, and weather and time permitting, take a stroll in the forest looking for Fairie spirits, Unicorns and perhaps "Firenze" the Cenatour. Drive into the country of Wales, hearing stories of Dragons and Merlin the Magician before exploring the battlements of the fairytale Chepstow Castle (where you can imagine defending the castle against the forces of darkness alongside Harry and gang, or learning to fly a broomstick).

Next, stop at a fantastic site, the perfectly preserved medieval village of Lacock - used extensively as a location in the Harry Potter films, including a house where "You Know Who" murdered Harry's parents! The final stop of the day before returning to London is where it all began. Visit the real street used as Privet Drive in the movies and maybe you will see Hagrid flying by on his motorbike!

Please note: depending on time of year, certain attractions may not be available (i.e. steam trains), so substitutes will be offered. Christ Church Hall is occasionally closed for College events and may not be visited.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.