Explore the Cotswolds and the Royal County of Berkshire

London's top sights are on your "must-see" list and Buckingham Palace, the crown jewels, Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Westminster Abbey, The Shard and Big Ben will "wow" you. But a short train ride away is the idyllic English countryside of The Cotswolds and Berkshire County, so why not include them too?

The Cotswolds, named for the range of grassy hills, includes towns and villages with fetching names like Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold, to name a few. The area's spectacular cream to honey-colored stone churches, towers and cottages were built with local limestone. The lime in the soil and the climate are perfect for grazing the native "Cotswold Lions" sheep whose long, thick fleece made the Cotswolds wealthy from the 12th century. Not much has changed here since the middle of the 20th century, including the sheep, providing a backdrop for movies and period shows including Father Brown, Midsomer Murders and Miss Marple. For inspiration, visit the official Cotswolds planning guide with events, accommodations, restaurants and newsletters.

Train travel on the Great Western Railway (GWR) from London's Paddington Station to the Cotswolds is the best way to relax and take in the views on your journey. The comfortable GWR First-Class passenger lounge at London's Paddington Station offers refreshments, a concierge, showers and a business area. Trains are sparkling clean and run on time thanks to the friendly conductors. Online booking is simple and advisors can help. The snack and tea trolley rolls right down the aisle to your reserved First-Class seat. While most high-speed trains offer a first-class car, local trains usually don't have a first-class but are seldom crowded and have ample room for luggage. In under two hours, you'll arrive at Evesham Station where a pre-arranged ride with "Punctual Pat Shorey," owner of Evesham Taxis, will have you in the village of Broadway in 15 minutes.

The Lygon Arms has perched at the top of the High Street hill in Broadway since the 14th century. Traditionally a coaching inn, where travelers rested or coaches changed their team for fresh horses. The Lygon Arms is a Grade II listed historic property and part of England's storied past that hosted players on both sides of the 1649 English Civil War. Royals, politicians and prime ministers have plotted and slept here, including King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. And during their pre-marriage affair, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor did a lay-low at the Lygon in one of the stylish 86 cottages, suites and rooms. Lygon Bar & Grill is the main dining room in a large 16th-century hall which is at once grand and casually chic. Head Chef Ales Maurer's menu features seasonally fresh British fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to spend some time cuddling up in the other spaces; Italian-influenced Lygon Wine Bar; Afternoon Tea at the Terrace; brunch in the Lygon Lounges; cozy Cocktail Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. And don't miss the full-service spa with covered swimming pool.

David Keffler, The Cotswold Tour Guide, is an exceptional one-man show who organizes a bespoke tour based on your interests, picks you up in his immaculate BMW SUV and takes you around on a private tour. David has received the prestigious "Quality Assured Tours" designation from England's official tourist authority VisitEngland, and The Cotswold Tour Guide is the only one in the Cotswolds with this official badge.

A sampling of what he can arrange is an exclusive tour of the Stanway House, with an estate historian and possibly a glimpse of the Earl of Wemyss & March toddling around with his dog; a private clay shooting lesson at the U.K.'s Olympic team shooting coach Ian Cooley's Shooting School; lunch with award-winning chef Nik Chappell at the Rosette-rated restaurant in The Slaughters Manor; tour an organic farm called Daylesford Farm developed by Lady Bamford which has a retail destination beyond a foodie's wildest dreams; visit a working silversmith's studio in Chipping-Campden operated by one family for over 111 years; motor up to the village where Father Brown has "his" church.

The Fleece Inn has been a local treasure for pub fare, music, fun and libations through the centuries. The stone, timber and thatched roof buildings were constructed in the early 15th century and operated by generations of the same family until the death of the last owner in 1977 who bequeathed it to The National Trust. Today you can enjoy "landlord" Nigel Smith's traditional pub dishes like Steak and Ale Pie, Faggots and Mash, Fish and Chips or sausages. Try the locally distilled Cotswolds Dry Gin in your G and T, or some local cider and rotating "guest ales." Thirty percent of the food and drink comes from a 30-mile radius making this a Worcestershire, Cotswold culinary products showplace. Lifting a pint here and sitting by the fire is the real deal. If you' like to meet the ghosts, interesting sleeping rooms are also available including a Gypsy Caravan wagon.

Arriving on your Great Western Railroad train to Taplow station you'll find Taplow-based Riviera Cars, a 24-hour taxi service that will be your magic coach to the enchanting Cliveden House in the Royal County of Berkshire. Queen Elizabeth named it a Royal County because the royal residence of Windsor Castle is here. Cliveden House, a Grade I historic structure on 376 acres of woodland and gardens that wander down to the River Thames, is owned by the National Trust. Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a hunting lodge where he could entertain his mistress and friends; over the centuries and through several owners it burned down twice and was rebuilt. Queen Victoria visited, Lady Nancy Astor the first woman in parliament lived here, and a treasonous liaison called the Profumo Affair began here. Today, Cliveden House is a beautifully restored five-star hotel opulently furnished with period antiques, offering elegant dining options along with a luxurious full-service spa and swimming pools.

While you are in residence your name will be hand-written on a card along with the name of your room or suite and placed in plaque on your door-just as it has always been done. Relax and tour the house and gardens or take a ride in a restored wooden craft on the River Thames. The Cliveden Dining Room, crowned with 3 AA Rosettes, is the place to have an elegant Afternoon Tea with tabletop towers of sweet and savory delights served to you as you overlook the garden parterre. Dinner is spectacular as Paul O'Neil Executive Chef, a Roux Scholar who began his career at Claridge's in London, makes certain to captivate guests with his self-described "modern British fare."

Meghan Markle spent the eve of her wedding at Cliveden in one of the sumptuous suites. Television coverage showed her in the bridal Rolls-Royce as she began her ride to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle going down a long, grand driveway. It was Cliveden House, an Iconic Luxury Hotel where you too will feel like royalty.

Heathrow Airport is fifteen miles from Cliveden House. Reserve a ride with Riviera Cars or look into Cliveden's Heathrow Stop-Over Package and they will whisk you off to the airport. Another idea if you have an early flight departure is to check-out of Cliveden House the day before your flight and check in to Hilton London Heathrow Airport. With your Executive level room, unwind with a snack or libation in the staffed Executive Lounge. Winning "World's leading Airport Hotel" for the third time at the World Travel Awards; one reason is the food is outstanding. Try Executive Chef Phillip Clarke's authentic Mediterranean dishes like the "Lebanese Sharing Platter" at the highly-rated but casual Aromi restaurant, or go for his popular comfort-food menu and a pint at Oscar's.

Two more reasons are the engaging staff and chic hotel rooms with soundproof windows and black-out curtains to ensure a restful sleep. The location is also a factor-a walkway tunnel a few feet from the lobby takes you to Terminal 4 inside the airport or take the hotel's complimentary buggy service. Other terminals have options too so inquire with the hotel's concierge.