Secret Villages of the Cotswolds Day Trip, Moreton-in-Marsh

Discover a quieter side of the Cotswolds with this scenic day trip through the region's rolling countryside, honey-colored villages, and ancient stone circles. With the help of a comfortable minibus and a local driver-guide, you'll set off along winding rural roads, pausing in charming (and crowd-free) villages like Burford, Guiting Power, and Stanton. Each stop includes plenty of time to explore—choose whether to join your guide for a stroll through the highlights or set off on your own—plus opportunities to refuel with a leisurely lunch or a traditional pint (not included) in between all the sightseeing.

This full-day exploration begins in the morning, when you meet your driver-guide and the rest of your small group at the pickup spot in Moreton-in-Marsh. Step aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus, and set off on a scenic loop through some of the northern Cotswolds' lesser-visited (and less-crowded) highlights. This protected National Landscape embodies the quintessential image of the English countryside, with more than 800 square miles (2,072 sq km) of rolling hills and bucolic farmland dotted with honey-colored villages built from the region's distinctive limestone. 

You'll likely begin with a stop at the Rollright Stones, where you can take your time wandering among the mysterious Neolithic stone circle known as the King's Men as your guide explains its origins and its role in local folklore. Other highlights include Burford (follow its charming High Street down to the River Windrush and refuel with a slice of homemade cake at the village bakery), and the little-known Guiting Power (linger over a pint in the pub with a few of the village's 300 residents, or stop by a local farm shop to sample some of David Beckham's favorite sausage rolls). 

Pause in Broadway to learn how this prosperous medieval wool-trading hub became a sanctuary for artists like John Singer Sargent and William Morris, then save the best for last with a final stop in Stanton, regularly voted as one of the most beautiful places in the Cotswolds. This lovingly preserved village dates back to the ninth century CE, and there's plenty to explore among its peaceful lanes—including Sheppey Corner, a 17th-century thatched cottage, and the medieval Church of St Michael and All Angels, where you can admire the 14th-century murals before the final scenic drive back to Moreton-in-Marsh.