Explore the beautiful countryside of the South Western Cotswolds and the Gloucestershire Golden Valleys with visits to Tetbury, Painswick and The Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, where tea and cake in the garden is included in the tour price.

We begin our day in the charming Elizabethan market town of Tetbury for morning refreshments. Well-heeled Tetbury is famous for its Royal connections. The three-feathered crest adorns the windows of stores patronised by the Prince of Wales whose Highbury estate we glimpse a mile or so out of town.

From Tetbury sit back to enjoy a scenic drive through the steep Golden Valleys of Gloucestershire. This is Laurie Lee country, the inspiration for his childhood memoir Cider with Rosie. The way of life has changed but the beauty of the countryside remains untouched. We’ll drive up to Minchinhampton Common for the stunning landscape views as we chart a course towards Painswick – Queen of the Cotswolds.

Genteel, dignified and beautifully turned out in a pale Dove grey, Painswick is a gem. Join the guide to visit the churchyard where ninety-nine ornamentally clipped yews form a maze effect around the Georgian tabletop tombs. There’s a choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants for lunch.

In the afternoon we drive to Malmesbury, England’s oldest Borough where the Cotswolds meet the West Country. We are here to visit a spectacular garden with the dramatic backdrop of the town’s ruined Benedictine Abbey. Abbey House Gardens is a compact five acres so you don’t have to walk too far to enjoy its splendour. A feast of colour for summer from double herbaceous borders often compared to Monet to more than 2000 different roses. To round off a great day out tea and homemade cake is included before heading home.

 

Price includes: travel by coach, driver’s gratuity, entry to Abbey House Gardens and tea and homemade cake in the afternoon. 

The coach leaves Virgin Active at 7.15am and leaves Malmesbury at 4.45pm.

 

£48