Hidden Cotswolds Day Trip, Bath

Leave the crowds behind with this small-group day trip through the rolling chalk downlands and river valleys of northwest Wiltshire. Setting off from Bath, your driver-guide will take you on a scenic route toward the medieval villages and ancient Roman roads of the quieter southern Cotswolds, pausing at little-known highlights and historic sites along the way. See the tomb of England's first king in the hilltop town of Malmesbury, step into a period piece at the medieval church featured in the BBC's Pride & Prejudice, and take a guided stroll around the chocolate-box cottages of Castle Combe.

This eight-hour small-group excursion takes you north of Bath for a day spent exploring quieter, lesser-visited corners of the southern Cotswolds. After a pickup in your air-conditioned van, you'll set off through rolling chalk downlands, following Roman roads and lush river valleys as your driver-guide leads you to little-known ancient sites and some of Wiltshire's most perfectly preserved villages.

The route may vary, but highlights include a stop in Malmesbury, a hilltop town built upon the remains of an Iron Age fort. Despite it's off-the-beaten-track feel, the town is rich with history and home to the remains of a seventh-century CE Benedictine abbey. It's also the final resting place of Athelstan, and you'll grab a coffee at a 13th-century hotel (said to be the country's oldest) as your guide shares the story of how England's first king united the Anglo-Saxon and Viking kingdoms. 

Other stops include a break for lunch (not included) at an atmospheric country inn, a visit to the medieval church that played a key role in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, and a guided walk around Castle Combe, widely considered England's prettiest village. After a stroll along the River Bybrook, which winds past the village's stone cottages and medieval market square, your day ends with a return drive to Bath.