Heart of England car itinerary

Distance:
284 miles (456.7 km)
Airport:
Heathrow

Plan your route: VisitBritain Journey Planner

Oxford to Avebury offers everything quintessentially English. Towering cathedrals, charming villages, traditional architecture, golden meadows and of course delightful little tea rooms. This short excursion will fulfil your travel wish list and take you right into the heart of England.

Day 1: Oxford - Woodstock - Stratford

Oxford - Woodstock: 3 miles (4.8 km)
Woodstock - Stratford: 50½ miles (81 km)
Totals for Day: 53½ miles (85.8 km)

Oxford

From Heathrow, head north-west to the glorious medieval city of Oxford – by far one of England’s most picturesque towns. Soaring spires, magnificent churches and historic buildings fill the streets. Home to the most famous university in the world, Oxford is absolutely teeming with things to see and do.

Must see & do:

Carfax Tower | Christ Church Cathedral | Ashmolean Museum | Modern Art Oxford | University of Oxford Botanic Garden

Woodstock

Drive on towards Stratford-upon-Avon and if you've got time, stop off at Blenheim Palace near Woodstock. This is the birthplace of Winston Churchill and houses a fascinating exhibition on his life. The house is stuffed with priceless treasures and the park was landscaped by Capability Brown.

Must see & do:

Blenheim Palace

Stratford

Next stop, Stratford, an exquisite riverside town with scenic walks and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're a fan of the Bard, don't miss Shakespeare's birthplace, where you can discover what life was like in Shakespeare's Stratford. Why not take in a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to really get you in the mood?

Must see & do:

Shakespeare's Birthplace | Anne Hathaway's Cottage | Mary Arden's Farm | Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre | Compton Verney House | Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm | Avon Boating

Day 2: Stratford - Cotswolds - Bath

Stratford - Cotswolds: 21 miles (33.6 km)
Cotswolds - Bath: 53 miles (85.5 km)
Totals for Day: 74 miles (119.1 km)

The Cotswolds

Head south and you'll find yourself travelling through the glorious Cotswolds countryside - the largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. The Cotswolds are characterised by rolling hills and picturesque villages made up of distinctive stone cottages. There are many villages to stop off at. Why not take a scenic stroll around Stow-on-the-Wold or Cirencester and learn all about the timeless English tradition of 'afternoon tea'?

Must see & do:

Sudeley Castle | Westonbirt Arboretum | Cotswold Farm Park | Hidcote Manor Gardens | Snowshill Manor | Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust | Berkeley Castle | Tewkesbury Abbey | North Gloucestershire Railway

Bath

The regency spa town of Bath is one of the most important sites of Roman antiquities in Europe, famous for its perfectly preserved Roman baths, exquisite Georgian architecture and endless cultural events. With its exceptional wealth of attractions, Bath is a fascinating town begging to be explored.

Must see & do:

Roman Baths | Bath Abbey | No 1 Royal Crescent | Assembly Rooms | Jane Austen Centre | American Museum | Fashion Museum | Sally Lunn's House | Prior Park Landscape Garden | Holburne Museum of Art

Day 3: Bath - Windsor - Avebury

Bath - Windsor: 93 miles (149.6 km)
Windsor - Avebury: 63½ miles (102.2 km)
Totals for Day: 156½ (251.8 km)

Windsor

The Royal Borough of Windsor is intimately connected to the Royal Family. Windsor Castle is the Queen’s favourite residence and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. It is the largest inhabited castle in England and within the complex there are numerous interesting visitor attractions.

Must see & do:

Windsor Castle | LEGOLAND | The Savill Garden | Eton College | French Brothers Ltd | Stanley Spencer Gallery

Avebury

Credit: www.simonbarrowphotography.co.uk

Your final destination is Avebury, home to some of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world, including the largest stone circle in Europe. There are literally hundreds of sites to discover, and the unique atmosphere in the mysterious village of Avebury will captivate and intrigue you.

Must see & do:

Avebury Stone Circle | Avebury Village