Quintessential England

Upon arrival in London, pick up your car at the airport and make your way to your hotel in the Cotswolds area. This beautiful region is quintessentially English, with its picture postcard scenery and chocolate box cottages.

(Approximately 70 km)

Spend the day exploring the beautiful villages in the Cotswolds. The most famous ones include Broadway, Chipping Campden, and Bourton-on-the-Water, but you may also choose to explore Bibury, "the most beautiful village in England,"  or the cottages of Arlington Row, which are often referred to as the most photographed cottages in the country. Further north, the village of Blockley is a unique collection of golden stone cottages.

Drive through the southern parts of the Cotswolds near Bath. Stop to explore Bradford-on-Avon, known as Beautiful Bradford. Castle Combe has featured regularly as a film location, such as in Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse. Lacock has also made appearances in Downton Abbey, the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, and the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Continue to the Bath area to spend a little bit of time in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(Approximately 50 km)

Head south to Cornwall through Somerset and Devon. We recommend driving along the north coast and across Exmoor National Park, where you can choose to explore some villages: Dunster, one of the most popular places on Exmoor for visitors, is a medieval village with an ancient castle, priory, dovecote, and a mill. Close by, you will find Bossington, a peaceful coastal hamlet. Arrive in Cornwall and check in to your next hotel.

(Approximately 190 km)

Spend the day exploring Cornwall. Head to Fowey and you will find a beautiful small town on the west side of the river, with narrow medieval streets and Georgian buildings that are also known for their seafood. Polperro is a largely unspoilt fishing village with cottages clinging to steep hillsides around a small harbour with spectacular views of land and sea, an artist’s paradise. You could also visit St. Michael’s Mount.

Drive from Cornwall through south Devon to Dorset. Along the way, explore the Jurassic Coast and stop in villages such as Salcombe in Devon. Abbotsbury in Dorset is a pretty, picture postcard village steeped in history and surrounded by spectacular scenery. Here, you’ll be surrounded by delightful cottage architecture, traditional country tea rooms, and Old World pubs.

(Approximately 150 km)

Drive to Kent, along the Sussex coast. Stop to explore the vineyards along your route. See Shaftesbury, a quintessential Dorset village with thatched cottages, quaint tea rooms, and small shops. It’s also one of the oldest and highest towns in England, with Gold Hill being one of the most photographed streets in England.

Rye is a medieval gem with narrow cobbled streets and medieval, Tudor, and Georgian buildings.

(Approximately 155 km)

Kent is also known as the Garden of England. Visit one of the castles, world-famous gardens, or stop in Canterbury to see the cathedral. Discover the pretty villages in the region: Chilham’s historic square and the small lanes leading to it are lined with Tudor and Jacobean half-timbered houses. Sandwich is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England, dating back to the 7th century.

After breakfast, return your rental car before taking your return flight home.