Lord of the Rings Cotswolds Tour: In Tolkien’s Footsteps

Duration 10 hours Languages Available Human tour guide - English Points of Interest Stop At: Swinbrook Swinbrook A beautiful Cotswolds village surrounded by rolling hills that conjure up images of the Shire. Duration: Not Available Stop At: Stow-on-the-Wold Stow-on-the-Wold A quintessential Cotswolds market town steeped in old-world charm. Here we’ll discover the curious ‘Hobbit Door’ — a hidden gem said to have inspired Tolkien’s vision of the Doors of Durin the secret western entrance to Moria. Duration: 45 minutes Stop At: Snowshill Snowshill A scenic drive through the Cotswold Hills said to be the inspiration for 'The Wold' - the windy upland plain in the 'Kingdom of Rohan'. Duration: Not Available Stop At: Broadway Tower Middle Hill Broadway Walk through a shadowy mysterious woodland to Broadway Tower an 18th-century folly rising dramatically above the Cotswold hills. Did this striking landmark inspire Tolkien’s vision of Amon Hen the ‘Seat of Seeing’? Standing here with sweeping views in every direction it’s easy to imagine how such a place could have stirred his imagination. Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Stop At: Moreton-in-Marsh Moreton-in-Marsh In the heart of Moreton-in-Marsh a traditional Cotswold market town with a history stretching back to the Saxons stands the historic Bell Inn. Once a bustling coaching inn on the old London–Worcester road it was here that Tolkien often met with his brother. Many believe this welcoming hostelry inspired the Prancing Pony the famous inn at Bree in Middle-earth. Step inside for a drink at Tolkien’s old haunt and you’ll find a vast map of Middle-earth celebrating its literary connection. Beyond the inn itself Moreton bears more than a passing resemblance to Bree: Tolkien described the village as having ‘some hundred stone houses of the Big Folk’ — a picture that perfectly matches Moreton’s stone-built cottages clustered around its broad market square. Duration: 40 minutes Stop At: Great Wolford Great Wolford Alongside a leafy country lane stands the Four Shire Stone an 18th-century marker that once signified the meeting point of four counties — Gloucestershire Oxfordshire Warwickshire and Worcestershire. For centuries it served as a waymarker for travellers moving through the Cotswolds. Many Lord of the Rings enthusiasts believe it inspired the Three-Farthings Stone in the Shire — the symbolic centre of hobbit country. In Tolkien’s tale it is here that Samwise Gamgee scatters the dust of Lothlórien Galadriel’s gift to restore a Shire left scarred by Sharkey and his men. Standing beside this weathered stone it’s easy to imagine Tolkien blending real English landmarks with the deep history and myth that shaped Middle-earth. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Rollright Stones Rollright This mysterious collection of prehistoric monuments is believed to have inspired Tolkien’s eerie Barrow-downs the haunted resting place of the Dúnedain. As you wander among the ancient weather-worn stones it’s easy to imagine Barrow-wights stirring in the shadows. In Tolkien’s words “stone rings grinned out of the ground like broken teeth in the moonlight.” This haunting image perfectly fits the Rollright Stones. Duration: 1 hour Additional Information Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Service animals allowed Specialized infant seats are available Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness Traveler Pickup Information We pick up from any hotel or accommodation in West Central and City of London. We will contact you ahead of the tour to share your guide's contact details and field any last minute questions. Your guide will then contact you on arrival at your chosen pickup point. Other pickup areas can be accommodated but might require a change of timing and additional fee. Voucher Info Mobile or paper ticket accepted The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Tour Britannia in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon. This offer is not eligible for promo codes.