Farmland & Flavors of the Cotswolds
Experience Tour
Autumn 2026 - September 10 - 18
Day 1 - Welcome Dinner in Oxford
Your heritage farmland and flavors tour in Oxford begins with a warm welcome dinner at The Store Hotel, where seasonal dishes showcase the region’s rich agricultural traditions. Afterward, the group heads to one of Oxford’s historic pubs to enjoy local ales and stories that bring the city’s past to life. It’s a relaxed and flavorful start to a journey rooted in culture, community, and the countryside.
Day 2 - Oxford University & Blenheim Palace Formal Gardens
We will start the day with a walking tour of Oxford University. Then a visit to Blenheim Palace immerses you in magnificent Baroque architecture and sweeping history while offering stunning views across its vast estate. Beyond exploring the grand state rooms, you can take a buggy tour of the Formal Gardens, gliding past ornate fountains, sculpted hedges, and beautifully designed landscapes. It’s a relaxing and picturesque way to experience the palace’s most elegant outdoor spaces.
Day 3 - Historic Brewery Tour, Meet Shire Draft Horses and Visit a Sheep Farm Dairy
We will start the day at a 176 year old brewery where we take a tour of their ale making process and guests will learn how the historic Shire draft horses continue to play an active role in brewery life—a rare and memorable tradition. Afterwards, we’ll head to sheep farm dairy for an immersive distillery tour capped off with a delicious signature cocktail.
Day 4 - Old Cotswold Way & Broadway Food Festival
We’ll wake up at the charming Lygon Arms Hotel in the heart of beautiful Broadway, surrounded by classic Cotswold stone and quiet morning streets. After breakfast, we’ll set out on the old Cotswold Way, following the rolling hillside path up to the iconic Broadway Tower for sweeping views of the countryside. Once we’ve taken in the scenery, after lunch in the Tower Barn we’ll wander back into the village and head to the lively Broadway Food Festival. There, we can sample local specialties, meet artisan producers, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Day 6 - Visit a Famous English Cheesemaker and Shop in Stow-on-the-Wold
At Charles Martell & Sons, we’ll explore the craft behind their famous Stinking Bishop cheese and then enjoy a relaxed picnic on the farm, surrounded by peaceful Gloucestershire countryside. Afterwards, we’ll head to nearby Stow-on-the-Wold to admire the ancient yew trees framing St. Edward’s Church, rumored to have inspired Tolkien’s Doors of Durin. We’ll finish the visit with some leisurely shopping in Stow, where independent boutiques and classic Cotswold charm line the historic market square.
Day 5 - Jersey Cow Dairy & Ice Cream Maker and Suffolk Sheep Farm
On our Cotswolds farm tour, we’ll visit a sustainable dairy where contented Jersey cows graze on lush pastures, producing rich milk that’s turned into small-batch, house-made ice cream. We’ll learn how the farm prioritizes regenerative practices, from soil health to low-impact energy use. Afterwards, we’ll head to an award-winning Suffolk sheep farm, known for exceptional husbandry and beautifully maintained flocks. There, we’ll meet the sheep, explore the fields, and hear how thoughtful breeding and land stewardship have earned the farm its accolades.
Day 8 - Helen Brownings Farm & Spa Day
At Helen Browning’s organic farm, we’ll explore wide-open orchards and meet the free-range pigs that roam and root as nature intended, gaining a firsthand look at truly regenerative farming. After the visit, we’ll retreat to the elegant Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, where you will spend the rest of the day on the relaxing grounds and a tranquil spa provide the perfect contrast to a day on the farm. It’s a blend of wholesome countryside experience and luxurious comfort.
Day 7 - Tetbury Westonbirt Arboretum & Highgrove Royal Gardens
We’ll take a break from fields and livestock to wander through the breathtaking Westonbirt Arboretum, where thousands of tree species create a canopy of color and texture in every season. The peaceful walking paths offer a chance to slow down and absorb the beauty of one of the world’s finest curated woodlands. We’ll then continue to the Highgrove Royal Gardens, where meticulously designed landscapes, organic principles, and creative garden rooms reflect decades of vision and care. Exploring both places adds a rich layer of natural artistry to the agricultural experience.
Your Host: Mary Maranville
Mary Maranville is from an eleventh-generation dairy farming family. Mary was born and raised in upstate NY, her Irish family’s dairy farming roots started in County Cork, Ireland. In 2008, she started Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) a 501c-3 non-profit, that educates thousands of students annually about the farm origins for their food and agricultural journey from soil to consumption.
Mary founded Heritage Farmland Touring Company, a woman-owned business, in 2023. Her passion is connecting travelers with remarkable farms and the delicious, authentic flavors that make life worth savoring.
