Base yourself in the elegant town of Woodstock and spend three days exploring some of the Cotswolds' finest towns, grandest estates and most beautiful riverside landscapes, from Blenheim Palace to the Thames in Lechlade.

Sitting at the edge of the Cotswolds, Woodstock is one of the region's most refined and rewarding bases. With Blenheim Palace on its doorstep, a handsome Georgian high street lined with independent shops and restaurants, and easy access to some of the area's most beautiful countryside, it is the perfect launchpad for three days of exploration.

From here, you can venture west into the rolling Cotswold landscape, follow rivers through ancient market towns and discover grand houses, wildlife parks and hidden gems that most visitors never find.

Your Base: Woodstock

Woodstock is one of those towns that rewards those who take the time to slow down and explore properly. Its wide, handsome high street is lined with warm Cotswold stone buildings, independent boutiques, antique shops, galleries and some excellent restaurants and pubs. It has a quiet confidence about it, well-heeled without being showy, historic without feeling frozen in time.

Don't miss the Oxfordshire Museum, tucked away on Park Street, which tells the story of the county from prehistoric times to the present day, free to enter and surprisingly absorbing. The town's parish church of St Mary Magdalene is also well worth a visit, and the town itself has strong royal connections stretching back to medieval times when it was a favourite retreat of English monarchs.

In the evenings, Woodstock comes into its own. The town has an excellent selection of places to eat and drink, from cosy traditional pubs to more contemporary dining, making it a genuinely enjoyable place to spend several nights.

Day 1: Woodstock & Blenheim Palace

Dedicate your first day entirely to Woodstock and its world-famous neighbour, there is more than enough here to fill a full and deeply satisfying day.

Morning: Exploring Woodstock Town

Start with a leisurely morning in Woodstock itself. Stroll the High Street and browse the independent shops, there are some excellent delis, gift shops and clothing boutiques well worth exploring. Stop for a coffee and take in the atmosphere before making your way to Blenheim.

Afternoon: Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is one of England's greatest country houses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. Allow a generous stretch of the afternoon to do it justice. Beyond the magnificent baroque palace itself, the estate offers formal gardens, a butterfly house, a lavender garden, a miniature train and miles of parkland designed by the legendary Capability Brown.

The parkland alone is worth the visit, a walk around the Great Lake with views back to the palace is one of the finest things you can do in the Cotswolds.

Top Tip: Book your Blenheim Palace tickets in advance, especially in summer. Arriving early gives you the best of the palace and gardens before the crowds build.

Where to stay in Woodstock

St Mary's Church in the distance with blue sky and the Church Green in the foreground.

Day 2: Witney, Bampton & Burford

Witney

Head west from Woodstock to Witney, a town that consistently surprises first-time visitors. Beyond its fine selection of shops, pubs and restaurants lies a hidden riverside meadow just out of view of the centre, perfect for a morning wander. History lovers should seek out the Blanket Hall, a fascinating relic of the town's storied woollen industry dating back to the Middle Ages. Nearby Cogges is a historic manor house and farmstead with beautiful grounds, well worth an hour of your time.

Bampton: Downton Abbey Country

From Witney, make your way to the village of Bampton, one of the principal filming locations for the hit TV drama Downton Abbey. It is a charming and photogenic spot that fans of the show will find instantly recognisable, and even those who have never watched an episode will enjoy its quiet beauty. Stop for lunch at The Market Tavern or The Swan Inn at Swinbrook, nearby, another Downton connection with a lovely riverside setting.

Burford

Spend the afternoon in Burford, one of the most quintessential of all Cotswold towns. Stone houses, narrow alleyways and courtyards tumble down a steep, characterful High Street lined with independent shops, galleries and tea rooms. Take time to seek out the medieval Tolsey and the magnificent wool church of St John the Baptist before heading back to Woodstock for the evening.

Top Tip: Book a Burford walking tour to uncover the town's fascinating past, a great way to round off your afternoon before the drive back.

Swans and ducks swim on the river by a bridge and a Cotswold stone house in Fairford

Day 3: Fairford, Lechlade & the River Thames

Fairford

Begin your final day in Fairford, a delightful small town sitting on the River Coln. The highlight here is St Mary's Church, which boasts one of the most remarkable sights in the Cotswolds, a complete set of original medieval stained glass windows. It is a genuinely awe-inspiring experience and the perfect way to start the day.

Lechlade on Thames

A short drive brings you to Lechlade, the highest navigable point on the River Thames. Stroll along Shelley's Walk, where the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was said to have been inspired to write A Summer Evening Churchyard. For something more active, hire a boat at Cotswold Canoe Hire and spend a peaceful hour on the water exploring this beautiful stretch of the Thames at your own pace.

Kelmscott, Filkins & the Cotswold Wildlife Park

History lovers will relish a visit to Kelmscott Manor, the summer retreat of Arts and Crafts pioneer William Morris, set in a beautiful Thames-side village. Continue to the pretty village of Filkins, home to the Cotswold Woollen Weavers, where traditional craft is still very much alive.

Families will not want to miss the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, where lions, rhinos and giraffes roam amid beautifully maintained grounds, a brilliant and unexpected treat in the heart of the countryside.

Top Tip: Lechlade's Christmas Shop is open all year round, unusual but wonderful, and well worth a browse whatever the season.

 

Ready to Explore?

From the grandeur of Blenheim to the tranquillity of the Thames at Lechlade, this three-day itinerary takes in the very best of the Cotswolds, with Woodstock as the perfect elegant base from which to enjoy it all. And if three days isn't enough? It never is.

Start planning your visit and let the Cotswolds surprise you.