About Activity
Escape the busy tourist routes and discover the charm of the Cotswolds with a private, tailor-made tour led by a professional local guide. Travelling in the comfort of a private car, you’ll explore postcard-perfect villages, hidden gems, and scenic spots that large tour groups can’t reach.
Create your own itinerary or follow my recommendations, blending famous sights with lesser-known treasures. Enjoy plenty of time to wander honey-stone streets, browse independent shops, or capture stunning landscapes through your lens. As a local photographer, I’ll guide you to the best photo stops.
With a flexible schedule and relaxed pace, you'll experience the Cotswolds through the eyes of someone who lives here. Each tour is crafted around your interests—be it history, scenery, local flavours, or a bit of everything.
* Hotel pick-up and drop-off is available if you're staying in the Cotswolds. Please ask, I'll do my best.
Includes
- Private tour with a licensed professional guide/driver
- Comfortable, air-conditioned car
- Souvenir map, booklet, or postcards to remember your visit
- Bottled water
- Stories and local insights throughout the tour
Excludes
- Lunch or refreshments (we’ll stop at recommended local pubs/cafés)
- Gratuities (optional)
Departure Point
- We'll pick you up from the car park just outside the Moreton-in-Marsh train station. For guests coming from London, the train from London Paddington arrives at 10.18 am. The tour will start after pick-up.
Hotel pick-up is also available if you're staying in Cotswolds. Please ask, we'll do our best.
Return
- We'll pick you up from the car park just outside the Moreton-in-Marsh train station. For guests coming from London, the train from London Paddington arrives at 10.18 am. The tour will start after pick-up.
Hotel pick-up is also available if you're staying in Cotswolds. Please ask, we'll do our best.
Stop At: Chipping Campden Chipping Campden -
Famed for its honey-coloured stone buildings, Chipping Campden is one of the loveliest market towns in the Cotswolds. We'll stroll along its elegant High Street, dating back to the 14th century, and soak in the charm of traditional English architecture.
Stop At: Broadway Tower Broadway Tower -
Perched on the second-highest point in the Cotswolds, Broadway Tower offers breathtaking panoramic views across 16 counties on a clear day. This iconic 18th-century folly has inspired artists, writers, and even served as a wartime lookout.
Stop At: Snowshill Snowshill -
This charming village is known for its postcard-perfect cottages and the delightful Snowshill Manor, filled with eclectic treasures collected by Charles Paget Wade. In summer, the nearby lavender fields create a sea of purple against the rolling hills.
Stop At: Naunton -
Tucked away in the Windrush Valley, Naunton is one of the Cotswolds’ quieter hidden gems. The River Windrush winds through the village, surrounded by honey-coloured cottages and rolling countryside. One of its most distinctive landmarks is a beautifully preserved 17th-century dovecote, which once provided meat and eggs for the local estate. Less visited than some of its famous neighbours, Naunton offers a peaceful glimpse of traditional Cotswold village life.
Stop At: Bourton-on-the-water Duration:
1 hour 30 minutes Bourton-on-the-Water -
Often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” Bourton-on-the-Water charms with its low stone bridges over the River Windrush. It’s a perfect spot to wander, shop, and enjoy traditional tea rooms by the water.
Stop At: Lower Slaughter Lower Slaughter -
With its tranquil river, charming stone cottages, and a historic water mill, Lower Slaughter feels frozen in time. It’s a serene escape that perfectly captures the peaceful essence of the Cotswolds.
Stop At: Stow-on-the-wold Stow-on-the-Wold -
Sitting proudly at the highest point in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold has a rich history as a bustling wool town. Today, it’s loved for its antique shops, cosy pubs, and the famous church door that looks like it leads straight into a fairytale.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Public transportation options are available nearby Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available Suitable for all physical fitness levels Operated by Secret Cotswolds For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Private Cotswolds tour with Setch - Amazing.3rebeccap
Absolutely magical two days in the Cotswolds with our guide, Setch. We had a wonderful private tour where we were picked up at our hotel and were able to guide our own itinerary to visit Blenheim Palace and Burford on day one and then go through the set Cotswolds itinerary on day, two. We loved every minute of the experience. Setch was so knowledgeable and obviously excited to share his love of this beautiful area. The places where he was able to bring us to share more intimate settings with less crowds, as well as seeing the larger must see sites was a perfect balance. I recommend this tour highly, you will not be disappointed!
Best Day in the Cotswolds!!Krisann_B
We had a fabulous time on our Secret Cotswolds Tour! Setch was so friendly and so accommodating from the time he picked us up from the train from London! His knowledge and history of all the villages we visited was amazing! We will never forget the fun facts he told us which made our trip so interesting . We loved all the seven villages and the photo opps were great! Setch is so friendly and down to earth and made our day so relaxing and comfortable! We are so happy we booked this tour!
Krisann, Emily and Rebecca
We spent a magical day...Ayesha_A
We spent a magical day exploring the villages in the Cotswold area . Our guide was knowledgeable and so lovely . He made this trip truly memorable. Thank you for such a perfect day
Perfect Cotswolds Daycush_jinks
Stunning Cotswolds day trip! Picturesque villages, excellent guide, highly recommended.
Setch was the perfect guide with great insights and attention to minor detail.
May 19, 2026, 11:00:09 AM It was a wonderful tour of the Cotswolds. Setch worked around places we had already seen and provided plenty of new background for us. Flexible about pickup and came to our hotel. Walked around, visited a couple churches, saw a gypsy caravan. Did not shop, but we weren't interested in that. He would have adjusted to any particular requests for time.
A Perfect Day Exploring Hidden Gems with SetchNihalak
I had an amazing day visiting six charming small towns. Along the way, Setch shared lots of interesting facts and insights that made the experience even more special.
It was the perfect mix of exploring new places and learning new things. Traveling with Setch was comfortable, relaxed, and really enjoyable. Highly recommended. I wish every day could be like this!
Perfect day in the Cotswolds with Setch!TBDC
Apr 21, 2026, 11:48:16 PM My daughter and I had a wonderful day with Setch touring the Cotswolds! He is a longtime resident of the area and knows a tremendous amount about the history and local customs. He was happy to collect us at our hotel, put together a customized tour based upon our interests, and even added a special destination at the end of the day. The vibe was warm and relaxed, as if we were being shown around by a new friend. We feel very fortunate that we chose Setch as our guide - we enjoyed every minute of our tour!
Amazing secret private tourSusan_B
This was so fun. Seith was so knowledgable about the area history. Great villages and safe driver. 9nly way to do the private tour with.
Sue
Perfect Day in the Cotswolds Cheryl_E
Nov 15, 2025, 10:53:23 AM We couldn't have asked for a better tour of the Cotswolds! Not only is the area beautiful and quaint but our guide was the absolute best! An old soul who exudes passion for people, place, and story, Setch took us to a wonderful mix of villages where he shared great information about the history and present day of each spot. He was always prompt and complete in answering my pre-trip questions and even researched a custom stop we requested. He went over and beyond when we boarded the wrong train. He expertly got us back on track (pun!, lol) and made sure we understood how to navigate our way back. Bonus: he's an excellent photographer who knows all the right photo opps and took some great pics of us. Our only regret is not snapping a pic with him in it. This tour was a highlight of our trip.
Amazing Cotswolds tour with our baby343pallavik
We had an amazing time on our tour with our 9-month-old baby. Everything was perfectly organised and wonderfully relaxed. Our guide Setch made the experience so enjoyable, showing us beautiful villages and hidden gems we would never have found on our own.
Perfect family dayF5637CNshelleyd
We had a wonderful time on the “Secret Cotswolds” private tour with our guide Setch. It was the perfect mix of famous sights and hidden gems. Travelling in comfort, we discovered beautiful villages we’d never have found on our own and learned so much along the way. The flexible pace made it ideal for our family, and we came home with stunning photos and lovely memories.
Fantastic private Cotswolds tour!tulink679
I had an absolutely wonderful experience on this private tour. Setch, the owner and guide, was amazing; polite, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. He was very flexible and happily adjusted the itinerary to suit me, even extending the tour by an extra hour at no additional cost. His car was spotless and comfortable, and his driving was excellent.
What really made the day special was how he mixed visits to the well-known Cotswolds towns and villages with hidden gems that big buses can’t reach. It felt like a truly personal and authentic experience. I couldn’t recommend this tour more highly!
