Lunch in the Cotswolds

Visit the finest countryside of middle England on this Cotswolds day trip! Heading out of the big smoke you soon leave the skyscrapers behind for the rolling Gloucestershire greenery that is a true picture-postcard scene.

The first 'forever England' spot you'll come to is Burford. A lovely place for a wander, it's the ideal tour pit-stop with tea rooms and shops aplenty, so you can start your day in the Cotswolds with a nice cuppa before getting back on the coach.

There is nowhere more lovely than Bibury, the second stop on your Cotswolds day trip. The traditional stone walled and thatched roof cottages line the banks of the crystal River Coln as it winds its way through the very heart of the village. Look closely and you might think that the little lane of cottages on Arlington Row look familiar - that's because there is a intricate image of them on the inside cover of every single British passport - go on, dig yours out and take a look!

After walking around this picturesque village you will naturally come to a halt at the Swan Hotel, right next to the stone bridge. This 17th century coaching inn is just so idyllic from the outside - right down to the lavender growing in the walled garden to the ivy climbing the walls. So you'll be delighted to hear this is where you'll be eating lunch on this Cotswolds trip.

And it's a truly lovely place for a meal. The brasserie is light and airy with a design that is modern, but with lots of respect for the period features in this vibrant hotel that is at the heart of the village. The menu has everything from bar snacks to modern European cuisine, but if you get the choice of trout we can highly recommend it, as it comes from the trout farm literally around the corner.

After your meal the rest of the day-trip is spent touring the more northern area of the Cotswolds, including Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water. Stow was an still is an important market town at the axe of several routes including the Roman-built Fosse Way. Bourton on the Water is a quite a large village that occupies a large flat vale designated a Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At both locations your Cotswolds trip leader for the day will take you on a short guided walk at each stop.

If you're looking for a lovely day out from London and want to discover some of England's most classically beautiful countryside, a Cotswolds day trip is the perfect choice and is the perfect combination of walking, eating and watching from the coach window!

• From April to October tours run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays
• From November December and March tours run on Tuesdays and Sundays
• From January to February tours run on Sundays