William Morris Oxford 2025

Day 1

Arrive at the Doubletree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. This afternoon, our coach will meet us at the hotel to take us to Christ Church Oxford, one of oldest and most famous of the University houses in Oxford, to meet our guide. Enjoy the full and informative audio tour, during the visit see the stained glass windows in the Cathedral by Edward Burne-Jones and the Pre-Raphealite friends of William Morris.

Day 2

Morning visit to Court Barn located in Chipping Campden which celebrates the Arts and Crafts artists of the Cotswolds. Enjoy a village walking tour with an optional visit to a traditional working Silversmith. Free time for lunch before travelling to the romantic Cotswold village of Broadway, where we visit to the Gordon Russell Design Museum which celebrates his innovative designs and tells the unique story of his furniture company.
Next we visit the Broadway Museum which has a room devoted to the Colony of Artists and Writers who made the village their home over a hundred years ago. Optional visit to National Trust’s Hidecote Gardens. An Arts and Crafts-inspired garden with intricately designed outdoor spaces (supplement on request).

Day 3

Today we enjoy a private tour of Kelmscott Manor, this was the Morris family’s country retreat. This Grade I listed farmhouse borders the River Thames and homes a celebrated collection of the work of Morris and Rossetti. Enjoy a buffet lunch or Cream Tea in the tearooms. In the afternoon, we visit Buscot Park and Gardens with its spectacular artworks by Burne-Jones and Rossetti. If time permits, continue to The Great Coxwell Barn, a huge monastic 13th century barn considered as beautiful as a cathedral by William Morris

Day 4

Private tour of Rodmarton Manor with tea and cake, this is a supreme example of a house built and all its furniture made according to Arts and Crafts ideals and was one of the last country houses to be built and furnished in the old traditional style where everything was done by hand with local stone, local timber and local craftsmen. In the afternoon we enjoy free time in Cheltenham, famous for its Regency buildings. Visit The Wilson Museum with its collection of fine art and changing displays in its designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection.

In the afternoon we enjoy free time in Cheltenham, famous for its Regency buildings, including the Pittville Pump Room, a remnant of Cheltenham’s past as a spa town. Visit The Wilson Museum with its collection of fine art and changing displays in its designated Arts and Crafts Movement collection.

Day 5

Our coach will collect us after breakfast as we set off to visit to the Ashmolean Museum to see the Pre-Raphaelite gallery. Next, we visit The Oxford Museum of Natural History, a huge stunning Arts and Crafts style building with a striking glass and iron roof. We then call into Harris Manchester College Chapel with stained glass by Morris and Burne-Jones. Lastly we visit The Oxford Union Library and debating chamber including Pre-Raphaelite murals. The coach will return you to the hotel, where you can start making your journey home.

D=Dinner Included, EB=English Breakfast