Arts and Crafts in the Cotswolds
3 Days Starting and ending in Swindon, United Kingdom
Visiting: Swindon, Cotswolds, Cheltenham
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 40
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Arts and Crafts movement with our "Arts and Crafts in the Cotswolds" tour. Stay at the charming Blunsdon House Hotel in Swindon, where you'll enjoy a welcome reception, private dinners, and insightful talks by Prof. Anne Anderson. Explore the stunning Rodmarton Manor, All Saints in Selsley, and Sapperton Church, each showcasing remarkable architecture and stained glass windows. Visit The Wilson, Cheltenham’s superb Art Gallery, and enjoy a private tour of Cotswold Farm, guided by its owners. This cultural journey includes guided tours, light lunches, and a coach touring itinerary, ensuring a memorable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Swindon
Accommodation Name: Blunsdon House Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by Prof. Anne Anderson - ‘Arts and Crafts in the Cotswolds’.
Day 2:Cotswold Farm And The Wilson, Cheltenham
Location: Cotswolds
Accommodation Name: Blunsdon House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The first visit of the day is to Cotswold Farm, privately owned by John and Sarch Birchill who will guide you around their beautiful Arts & Crafts home and gardens, which was extended by architect Sidney Barnsley. We enjoy a light lunch here (included), then we head to the very impressive The Wilson, Cheltenham’s Art Gallery and Museum which houses a superb Arts & Crafts collection. This evening there will be a second talk from Prof. Anne Anderson - ‘Inventing the Cotswold Style: Gimson and the Barnsleys’ and buffet dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3:Rodmarton Manor, All Saints Selsley And Sapperton Church
Location: Cheltenham
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we will visit the Arts & Crafts Rodmarton Manor where we will have a guided tour. Rodmarton was completed in 1929 and was one of the last great country houses to be built using traditional methods of construction – one of the Arts & Crafts movements’ ideals. After a light lunch (included) we will visit All Saints in Selsley, a church designed by GF Bodley . Whilst here we will have a short talk on the Gothic Revival style of the church and a look at its remarkable stained glass windows that were supplied by Morris, Marshall, Faulkner and Co., the predecessor of Morris and Co. in the 1860s and to Sapperton Church, burial place of many leading Arts & Crafts protagonists. R eturn to the hotel for approximately 16.30.
What's Included
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Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Blunsdon House Hotel, Swindon
Includes shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception
A welcome reception is included.
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First night private three-course dinner with wine
Enjoy a private three-course dinner with wine on the first night.
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Second night dinner at the hotel restaurant
Dinner at the hotel restaurant is included on the second night.
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Two light lunches
Two light lunches are included during the tour.
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All talks, guided tours and admissions
All talks, guided tours, and admissions are included.
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Coach touring itinerary and tour manager throughout
A coach touring itinerary and tour manager are provided throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
Double for sole use supplement - £105
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included. The tour includes a coach touring itinerary and a tour manager throughout.
Accommodation
Located on the edge of the Cotswolds in the village of Broad Blunsdon near Swindon, the four-star family owned Blunsdon House Hotel offers comfortable, individually decorated and tastefully furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, TV, mini bar, safe and tea & coffee making facilities in the room. Other facilities at the hotel include two restaurants, bar, and a health and leisure club including gym and swimming pool. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
MORE INFO
Your Lecturers
Prof. Anne Anderson
Prof. Anne Anderson author, broadcaster, Lecturer and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, was a senior lecturer at Southampton Solent University for 14 years, specialising in the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Modernism.Anne's career as an international speaker has taken her all over the world and her TV credits include the BBC'sFlog It!. Anne has received a rapturous response from or customers at the many Travel Editions UK lectures and tours as well as a host of tours overseas and her knowledge, wit and enthusiasm bring her beloved subjects to life in whatever location she finds them.Dr Scott Anderson MA, PhD, FNAVA, ASFAV (Associate of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers)
Scott is a University Senior Lecturer in the History of Art and Design and is an Honorary Fellow of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers. He is a specialist in Victorian and Edwardian art, architecture and antiques and is a consultant expert for the BBC2 'Flog It!'programme. Scott is an Accredited Lecturer of The Arts Society and has lectured extensively to various societies, special interest groups and educational groups throughout Britain. He has extensive tour guiding experience in Britain, European locations such as Paris, Berlin, Vienna and New York.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The accommodation is at the four-star family-owned Blunsdon House Hotel in the village of Broad Blunsdon near Swindon. The hotel offers comfortable, individually decorated and tastefully furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, TV, mini bar, safe, and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel also features two restaurants, a bar, and a health and leisure club including a gym and swimming pool. Complimentary car parking is available.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes two nights' bed and breakfast, a welcome reception, a private three-course dinner with wine on the first night, dinner at the hotel restaurant on the second night, and two light lunches during the tour.
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What kind of transport is provided during the tour?
The tour includes a coach touring itinerary and a tour manager throughout. However, transport to the hotel is not included and needs to be arranged independently.
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What activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes guided tours of Rodmarton Manor, All Saints in Selsley, Sapperton Church, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham, and Cotswold Farm. There are also talks by Prof. Anne Anderson on 'Arts and Crafts in the Cotswolds' and 'Inventing the Cotswold Style: Gimson and the Barnsleys'.
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Who are the lecturers for the tour?
The lecturers for the tour are Prof. Anne Anderson and Dr. Scott Anderson. Prof. Anne Anderson is an author, broadcaster, and lecturer specializing in the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Modernism. Dr. Scott Anderson is a University Senior Lecturer in the History of Art and Design, specializing in Victorian and Edwardian art, architecture, and antiques.
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What is the check-in and check-out time at the hotel?
You can check in at the Blunsdon House Hotel from 3pm onwards. The hotel will be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day. The tour ends with a return to the hotel at approximately 16:30 on the last day.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour package?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour package are transport to the hotel, holiday insurance, a supplement for double rooms used for sole occupancy, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, meals other than those specifically mentioned, personal items such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls, and porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Thursday - Saturday
Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.