What To Expect With Cotswolds Guided Tours

With so much scenery and history to be absorbed there is sure to be something for everyone on a day tour of the picturesque hidden villages of the Cotswolds, it is just the thing for those looking for a truly unique break away from the maddening mainstream crowds. The name 'Cotswolds' is a combination of two old English words, and most experts and historians agree that 'Wolds' means gentle hills, and that the word 'Cots' means sheep enclosures. Therefore, the 'Cotswolds' get their name because this is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with gentle, rolling hills and plenty of sheep.

The hills are crisscrossed by dry stone walls which make up the picturesque landscape and are completed by hidden valleys full of bubbling streams and rivers, and distinctive villages and market towns crafted from famous Cotswold gold stone. In the Middle Ages the Cotswolds were well known throughout Europe as a rich source of fine wool, and at that time around 50% of England's economy was due to wool.

The native sheep were big animals with long golden fleeces which made local merchants rich, and they spent a lot of money on building 'wool churches' and fine houses, Abbeys, monasteries, and cottages which are still around today and hide many treasures and historical secrets. Every tour is distinctive because of the changing seasons and weather.

A bespoke memorable tour is guaranteed to please the tastes of everybody, and there are also plenty of surprises. During the tour there's the chance to see amazing honey coloured limestone houses and cottages, as well as stunning landscapes on a drive through amazing scenery which lifts the mood. There are also National Trust houses, gardens, wells, farms, fords, streams, barns, ponds, dovecotes, wildlife and village greens to be seen in picturesque towns and villages most tourists never get the chance to experience.

Cotswolds guided tours are experiences not to be missed. Secret cottage for example is a private residence opened daily by owner Jenny, and the property is a hidden gem tucked away in the sleepy market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, and includes cream tea or coffee, pastries, and a traditional buffet lunch.

Whether day tripping from London, or staying here on holiday, there is no better place to explore and relax, and Secret Cottage will exceed expectations. The height of the six-hour guided tour of the villages of the North Cotswolds is this beautiful thatched cottage, and it runs throughout the year. The Secret Cottage team offer a Mercedes minibus tour because many of places these are not accessible by public transport.

All the villages selected by the tour guides are unspoilt and picturesque, and offer a glimpse of the past, and a taste of what it would have been like living in the area in the 16th century. This really is a truly unique and memorable day which perfectly encapsulates a feeling of old England, and secret cottage itself is stunning. Start the Cotswold Tour from the pickup point in Moreton-in-Marsh and be a guest at 'Secret Cottage' for the day where a relaxing log fire is lit on cold days. There is also the chance to sit out in the wild garden and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of a truly inspiring part of England.

Inside the cottage is quaint and old with three inglenook log fires used for heating. There are winding stairs and floors made from original elm planks, and the listed 500-year-old cottage has a beamed ceiling and an Aga in the kitchen where all the food is cooked. Cream tea is served in the finest Spode bone china, and the whole experience has guests returning time and again, with many visitors from abroad saying the trip to Secret cottage was the highlight of their time in England.

Guests are overwhelmed by the experience of being invited into Jenny's private home, and TripAdvisor ranks Secret Cottage number 1 out of 44 Cotswolds tours and activities. The pickup point is at the ticket office in Moreton-in-Marsh railway station, and the cost for the day is £95, which includes all food and drink served at Secret Cottage. A day never to forget is guaranteed, and visitors won't go away feeling hungry!

Cotswold Tourism Tours offers tours around the Cotswolds, giving tourists and sightseers alike a very special and unique glimpse into life here.