Tewkesbury is considered to be the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Why?

THEOC is the original name for the town of Tewkesbury, which sits on the border of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.  There have been debates over the years as to whether Tewkesbury is part of the Cotswolds or not.  Some say yes and others say no.

Why, I hear you ask.  One of the main reasons is that Tewkesbury itself is a Tudor town with no golden Cotswold stone buildings.  However, part of the larger surrounding area of Tewkesbury includes villages of Overbury and Kemerton which are very much traditional picturesque Cotswold stone villages.  

However, they remain a local secret due to their distance from other well-known Cotswold villages and towns like Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water and Broadway.  They also do not have any shopping sights, but they are a beautiful place to stop for a pint in their local pub’s or a coffee stop before hiking through the surrounding bridal ways.

Whilst not strictly a Cotswold Town in the traditional respect, Tewkesbury is very much considered to be the Gateway to the Cotswolds and sits just 35 mins from Broadway, 30mins from Stow on the Wold and 45mins from Bourton on the Water. 

What Is There To See & Do In Tewkesbury, the ‘Gateway To The Cotswolds’?

Tewkesbury’s Medieval Festival

Sitting on the edge of the Cotswolds, Tewkesbury is steeped in history and is host to one of the countries largest medieval re-enactments which replays one of the last major battles of the English civil war involving over 2000 re-enactors.  

The war of the Rose in which the Yorks were triumphant against the Lancastrians after they pushed back their soldiers into the river and town, before slaying the Lancastrian heir Prince Edward.  

The medieval festival takes place every mid July, normally around the 2^nd week of the month and see the whole town go back in time.  The properties adorn the flags of the household flag of the time.  You can visit the medieval market with shops, exhibitors from throughout Europe and local pubs open up their beer gardens in celebration. Even if you are not into your history it is a wonderful day out for all the family and the weather is often spectacular.

Stop By The Tewkesbury Abbey

The Tewkesbury Abbey is a spectacular site that adorns the skyline of at the southern edge of the old town and is an enchanting opening to the Gateway to the Cotswolds. It often features in photo’s during times of flood as a surviving beacon during times of struggle.  

The abbey was founded in 1087 by a nobleman and in 1102 was developed to house Benedictine Monks.  Current developments to the interior of the Abbey reflect the Anglo-Catholic persuasion. To this day the Tewkesbury Abbey remains one of the largest Romanesque Towns in England.

From the Abbey you can take a leisurely stroll through the town, grabbing some chips or ice cream on the way and head and down to the Marina.  The Marina is situated on the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon (two of the largest rivers in the UK).  The river Severn at its tidal is up as far as the Upper Lode Lock near Tewkesbury.  

The tide is particularly present in the Spring periods in which the natural phenomenon known as the Severn Bore occurs that in some previous years has seen the water rise by 15 meters with the bore achieving 4 to 5 meter tidal waves and speeds of upto 21kph.  People have come from all over the world to ride the waves of the Severn Bore with the first documented surfer being in 1955.

Visit the Marina & Array of Historic Pubs in Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury is definitely not short of a pub or two and is home to what is considered to be one of the oldest pubs in Gloucestershire.  Ye Olde Black Bear in Tewkesbury located on the marina bridge at the end of the high street dates back to 1308 when it was a toll house, and then later believed to have been used as a hospital during the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.  

During the floods of 2007 the pub was significantly damaged and stood closed for some years.  However, since then has undergone a beautiful renovation and now hosts a large beer garden overlooking the marina. 

The Tudor House Hotel sits proudly in the high street, it is a timber framed building that was believed to have been built in 1546 as a private home, but has also been used as a court of justice and now a hotel. It has a quaint private beer garden and is well located within the town. It is a grade 2 listed building and is part of the National Heritage list for England. 

Do a Spot of Shopping at the Gateway to the Cotswolds

Only just recently opened the Cotswold Design Outlet Village is home to brand such as Tommy Hilfiger, Reiss, North Face, Boss, Levi, Rituals and many more.  Hosting over 100 stores and eateries it is a lovely location to walk around and get some last minute bargains.  Opposite the Designer outlet is a wonderful antique store called the Emporium where you can find beautiful furniture and trinkets.  It is one of my mum’s favourite places to go when she visits. 

Whilst Tewkesbury does have good public transport connections with nearby larger towns and a connecting train route from Birmingham New Street & London – the times may be restrictive.  So car is the best option. 

Tewkesbury’s train platform is ‘Ashchurch for Tewkesbury’ which is located approximately 10mins drive from Tewkesbury Town centre.  There is free parking at the station and has train routes from both Birmingham & London.  

However, you may have to change in nearby Cheltenham if travelling to/from London.  There is currently a free shuttle bus into Tewkesbury town centre from the train station which is supplied by the Cotswold Designer Outlet that opened during the summer 2025. 

Alternatively you can get from the train station to town using the Stagecoach Number 41 or 71 bus routes which will cost you approximately £2.10 for a single or £4.00 for a return.

If you live or are staying in the Gloucester or Cheltenham areas then there is a direct Stagecoach bus that travels every 30mins to 1hr from those locations to Tewkesbury.  The Gloucester City bus you want is the 71 and if travelled from the Cheltenham area you can catch any of the 41, 42 or 43 buses which all stop in the centre of Tewkesbury before diverting off to different locations within the town.

The bus will cost you between £2.50 and £3.50 for a single per person or £5.50 to £7.50 for return per person for a return depending on where you get on. 

You can access the ‘Gateway to the Cotswold’ via a chauffeured car service offers customers; flexibility, comfort, quality and customer focus.  A chauffeur is the highest level of private hire – with luxury cars and professional drivers you will receive the ultimate one to one experience.  

Chauffeurs rarely take back to back bookings because they need the flexibility should a customer wish to change their itinerary preferences om the day.  So you will have the benefit of a bespoke service tailored for you with high standard of driving and vehicle quality.  Notably not the cheapest – costing anything upwards of £150+VAT for a single journey in the Mercedes S-Class Saloon or for a £350+VAT for a bespoke sameday wait and return service.

If you are wanting to visit a number of Cotswold villages then you can book a Cotswold Tour through Valkyrie Chauffeurs Ltd.  Our Cotswold driven tours start from just £450+VAT. 

If you do not have access to your own personal car then you can access Tewkesbury, ‘The Gateway to the Cotswolds’ by booking a regular taxi or standard private hire car.  However, these are limited in numbers within Tewkesbury and surrounding Cotswold villages, so you will most likely need to book one in advance from Gloucester, Cheltenham or Worcester areas.  

A private hire or taxi will set you back around £25 to £35 per journey if starting from the within 10miles of Tewkesbury.  As a taxi / Private hire work on a model where they carry out multiple short distance journey’s a day you may want to secure your return journey in advance, especially if it clashes with school run travel times or is after 10pm to avoid disappointment. 

The other option would be to drive yourself.  Whilst this is the cheaper and most flexible means to travel to Tewkesbury via car.  You will need to consider parking options as traffic wardens are considerably ruthless in Tewkesbury. 

Travelling in the 21st century often involves airport travel.  Low flight prices and expanding flight routes has resulted in air travel being a more affordable and viable option for travellers both for business and pleasure, overseas or domestic.  

How to get to and from the airport itself?  Public transport can be encumber-some and after years of poor investment in the networks coupled with re-occurring strikes over employee rights.  I am sorry to say, but public transport has become an unreliable option for travellers who are beholden to timescales of a ‘check-in’ slot. 

Passenger car transport through Private Hire has become the most viable option for the majority of travellers to get to and from UK airports.  The highest performing service within the Private Hire industry for Airport Transfers is a Chauffeur.  Many travellers may have the impression that a chauffeur is exclusive and reserved for the famous, wealthy or business executives.  However, a chauffeur is in fact an available option to any, and all passengers seeking reliability, comfort, professionalism; and well, who doesn’t want a touch of luxury in their life!

4 Reasons Why A Chauffeur Is The Best Option for Your Airport Transfers? 

1. Reliability

A Chauffeur does not rely on short distance work or back to back bookings.  They specialise in more bespoke travel, often over the longer distances, tailored to a customer’s travel needs and will rarely have multiple bookings for the same vehicle within a 24hr period.  This means a chauffeur can adapt to time and itinerary changes, plan and prepare for traffic contingencies making them highly reliable and on time for your Airport Transfer. 

2. Professionalism & Discretion

It goes without saying that a Chauffeur is a highly professional service with absolute privacy and discretion. You can hold meetings and conference calls on the way to the airport or have family discussions without any concern that the information will leave the vehicle. Furthermore, true chauffeur vehicles will be approved for private hire plate exemption, meaning there is nothing on the external of the vehicle to identify that it is a licensed private hire vehicle.  

3. Driving Standards

Chauffeurs have extensive experience in driving large luxury vehicles over longer distances, and within a variety of environments, through busy cities and rural back roads. They are skilled drivers with focus on defensive and smooth driving skills. 

4. Comfort & Convenience

Luxury long wheelbase vehicles specific to the chauffeur industry make for the ultimate option in comfortable travel. The perfect way to travel after spending hours on a flight and in airports. Leaving you to sit back relax and maybe even take a well-deserved sleep in the electric reclining seats. 

How to Find The Right Chauffeur Airport Transfer Service?

Vehicle Quality

Vehicles synonymous with the Chauffeur Service within the UK are long wheelbase saloons like Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8L or BMW 7L and XL Wheelbase MPV’s of which there is only really one; The Mercedes V-Class although Lexus LM series may become a potential alternative to the V-Class which is due on the UK markets in 2024.  

However, not many vehicles can compete with the versatility of the V-Class when it comes to passenger numbers and luggage capacity.  So you want to make sure that the airport Transfer service you book has these vehicle types.  Smaller saloons like Mercedes E-Classes can be commonly seen promoted for Airport Transfers.  Strictly speaking these are executive vehicles that are still used by some chauffeurs.  However, they have become accessible to taxi’s and private hire companies who may present themselves as Chauffeurs.  So be mindful as you may end up paying the same price for a lesser vehicle and service when choosing executive vehicles or companies with no chauffeuring backgrounds.  

Flexibility

Airport travel comes hand in hand with flight reschedules and cancellations.  So you want to make sure that the chauffeur service you book will be able to accommodate those alterations through their own vehicle fleet, or will source you an alternate vehicle through their sub-contractor network.  A chauffeur should not pass a booking back to you or cancel your booking because you have alterations to your itinerary.  A Chauffeur should do the work and provide you with solution’s so your travel remains un-interrupted. 

Experienced Professional Drivers

Look for services that invest in their drivers and provide drivers who possess excellent driving standards and customer service skills. This may include drivers who are from emergency service or military backgrounds which have instilled a higher level of driving standards within their training.  Some drivers may hold additional skillset like SIA Close Protection or accreditation from the guild of chauffeurs.  Whilst still a very male orientated industry a chauffeur company that is able to provide options of both male and female drivers will undoubtable provide more choice for travellers who may feel more comfortable being driven by persons of the same or opposite sex. 

Minimum Chauffeur Standards

A Chauffeur Service for your airport transfer will include as a minimum; A suited driver, Meet & Greet inside terminal with nameboard, airport parking and drop charges, luggage assistance, in-car refreshments and charging cables. A Chauffeur will track your flight, review and plan the route in advance ensuring for the smoothest of pickups and effortless drop off door to door between airport and home, or office.  

Clear & Transparent Terms

Any reputable chauffeur service should be providing clear and precise pricing and terms in advance.  They should include details of VAT, parking, tolls etc along with clear information about cancellation policies.  Most chauffeur services price by the hour or based on itinerary.  Be wary of any Services that have multiple add-ons or extras.  Where a Service accepts card payments for their airport transfers, transactions should be exempt of any surcharges, except when:

• International Cards
• Business to Business

Conclusion: For Finding The Right Chauffeur Service For Your Airport Transfer

When looking for airport transfers services, choosing the right chauffeur service can truly enhance your travel experience. Reduce your stress and let you take time to relax, sleep or catch up on work in transit.  By considering the factors outlined in the blog you can Truely improve the way you travel and find a service that you can use time and time again for all your travel needs, not just airport transfers.  Chauffeurs provide a valuable and truly unparallel level of service for all aspects of passenger transport.  Whether for business or pleasure, airport transfers, business meetings, event attendance, family visits and more once you travel with the right chauffeur, you will never look back. 

At Valkyrie Chauffeurs Ltd we have been providing luxury chauffeured airport transfers since 2014. Based in the Cotswolds we provide airport transfers to major and private airports throughout the UK for customers within the Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire areas.

The Vintage Car 

When you think of a wedding car, vintage is where the mind automatically takes you. Rolls Royce, in particular, is probably the most thought of. While there is no denying they have the look; do they have the reliability? As time passes, so does the age of the cars along with the accessibility of parts. Choosing a truly vintage vehicle will date your ride to pre-21st century, meaning it is also worth bearing in mind that some of these vehicles were produced before certain road laws came into play. 

So, you might find that some have restrictions on times of day and road conditions they are able to drive in. 

These sit in the middle of a modern car and a vintage wedding car. They do have kerb appeal and will carry their own against the vintage models. They are often more reliable than a vintage wedding car as they are younger, and parts are still accessible. However, often they may be sports cars such as a Jaguar E-Type or they will have limited room in the rear which is not ideal for larger bridal dresses. 

Modern wedding cars are certainly the most practical, tidy and reliable. They are smart looking, and you have a variety of price ranges for vehicles to suit all needs. At the top end you have the Rolls Royce Phantom, Bentley Mulsanne or Bentley Flying Spur. These could set you back anything upwards of £500. 

At the upper to mid-range you have the luxury long wheelbase saloons such as the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8L. The Mercedes is perhaps the most thought of Luxury Moden vehicle within this range when it comes to wedding cars, due to brand’s impeccable history with luxury vehicles. The Long Wheelbase Luxury Saloons offer the best of both look and finesse as well as ample legroom for those larger dresses. These normally cost upwards of £300.   

Then, at the lowest-end of the modern car scale you have the more budget friendly vehicles; The Executive Small Saloons. These vehicles cost anything upwards of £160.   

Modern vehicles will undoubtably feature smoother rides and passenger comfort. They will also have ambient lighting and climate control for passengers to enjoy and help add those finishing touches to their makeup and outfit. 

How Many Passengers? 

Are all the groomsmen travelling together as a band of brothers? Do the bridesmaids need that extra bit of leg room for their stunning dresses? Consider a larger, long-wheel based vehicle to accommodate large groups of attendees. 

Refreshments 

Having your wedding in the blistering summer months or need a little something to calm those nerves? Think about how good it will be to have refreshments on your way to your wedding or reception. Modern cars are best for this as they will have features like drinks holders and cooling compartments to keep your drinks and refreshments in top condition. 

A Tailored Suit For The Vehicle 

Weddings often have themes and certain colours on display, with all the bridesmaids matching and only the bride wearing white. Your wedding car can complement your big day’s theme with a rosette, adding to that luxurious element that should be a part of every wedding. 

End of Evening Chauffeured Car Service 

Often, the bride and groom will travel back to a hotel after the wedding concludes. A luxury chauffeur car is the perfect option. However, whilst wedding cars are exempt from Private Hire Licencing, that exemption ends at the conclusion of the Wedding Services. So, if you are wanting something special to transport you back to your hotel at the end of the evening, be sure to ask the company if their vehicles are licenced for Private Hire use.  

Champagne in the Vehicle – Yes or No?  

Take into account the offer of free champagne as part of the wedding car service when comparing quotes. This is a factor that we would urge you to not take lightly in your consideration. Why?  The provision of alcohol of any kind in the vehicle (including a “gift” or “complimentary”) requires an alcohol licence, as it is part of the overall service that is paid for. It is very rare for a company offering chauffeured services to be able to obtain an alcohol licence due to the costs involved and legalities. But this does not deter many companies from using this as a ruse to win over customers. 

However, if you wish to have a glass of bubbly in the vehicle that is often permitted, but you must provide the alcohol. Not the company offering the service.  

At Valkyrie Chauffeurs Ltd we know a thing or two about luxury wedding vehicles and supply a range of modern cars to whisk members of your big day to the altar and reception in style and comfort. We drive the latest-gen models of Mecedes S-Class and V-Class that offer pristine interiors and smooth riding experiences, with spacious seating and modern features to accommodate all – no matter how big the wedding dress is! Get in touch with our team to discover the perfect luxury vehicle for your wedding, driven by our friendly, professional team to make your day truly spectacular. 

For most people, their commute is time wasted, but these are valuable hours you could be using to help you keep up with your workload or even buy more time at the end of the day. All you need to do is find the right means of travel.

We’re going to break down some of the most common ways to work while you travel and weigh up which one is best for you, including a taxi, the train, the bus and a private chauffeur.

01 – A Chauffeur

Our first pick here is arguably the best option for working on the go: a chauffeur, The only place that offers exceptional comfort of travel with discretion

Pros:

• Availability to suit your schedule
• Door to Door with no additional onward travel necessary

Single journeys or Return journey with waiting for onsite meetings

• Comfortable, modern cars for a smooth, work-friendly ride
• Polite, professional drivers
• Excellent knowledge of local routes
• Quiet, private workspace
• In-car charging devices and connectivity
• Cost effective for longer distance travel or ad-hoc itineraries

Cons:

• Not the most expensive on this list, but more costly than public transport

02 – Taxi

Taxis can be an ideal way to get around for many especially for short distance travel, offering flexibility and local route knowledge, but let’s weigh up the pros and cons when it comes to working while you travel:

Pros:

• Easy to book
• Usually friendly
• Relatively quick
• Private travel

Cons:

• Not always available when you need one
• Can sometimes be rude or unprofessional
• Might be too focused on small talk to let you work
• Often using economy vehicles with rough suspension – not ideal for concentrated work
• Target short distance work, can be more expensive than a Chauffeur for longer distance travel
• Focused on moving from booking to booking – which can reflect in the driving standards

03 – Train

Trains are a perfect economy choice for your commute, but are they the right working environment?

Pros:

• Affordable
• No traffic
• Often have tables, Wi-Fi and plug sockets

Cons:

• Unreliable
• Often crowded and offer no privacy
• Don’t always have seats available

04 – Bus

Buses might not be your traditional choice for working on the move, but modern buses offer features that make it perfectly feasible.

Pros:

• Arguably the most economical choice
• Usually regular services
• Most now equipped with Wi-Fi and USB ports

Cons:

• Can also be unreliable
• Easily stuck in traffic
• Slow
• Often crowded and also offers no privacy
• No tables and small seats

How Valkyrie Chauffeurs Can Help You Work Smarter, Not Harder

At Valkyrie Chauffeurs, we offer a comfortable, work-friendly commute so you can get more done and claim back some of that wasted time.

To book your private chauffeur, just reach out to our friendly team today using our contact form, by calling us on 01684 355012 or emailing enquiries@valkyriechauffeurs.co.uk.

First established in 1819 as a flat race that ran over 3 miles on Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham. The race has since developed and grown and was first run as a jump race in 1924 with a prize fund of £685 for the winning horse. Now the Timico sponsored Cheltenham Gold Cup is the blue ribbon event of the Cheltenham Festival and attracts the sports finest staying steeplechasers. The prize fund of £625,000 makes the Gold Cup the richest non-handicap chase in Britain with only the Randox Health Grand National’s £1m worth more. 

The festival itself is split across the four days which are Champions Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and the Gold Cup. 

Day 1: Champions Day

Full of nerves and anticipation for the greatest racing week, day 1 features the most important hurdle race of the season, The Unibet Champions Hurdle. It features the most ever-competitive OLBG Mares Hurdle Race and the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. 

Day 2: Ladies Day

Giving the ladies a chance to enjoy the very best in jump racing as well as dressing up in their finest outfits with the fashionable crowd of racegoers. This day is all about adding a splash of colour, whether its hats, shoes, gloves or scarves, so longs as there is colour you can be entered into the #ColourMeMarch competition for a brand new Mini One from W.O Lewis and Sytner Solihull (sorry gentlemen, this is exclusive for the ladies). 

Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday

To celebrate St Patrick’s Day the Thursday is a real Irish affair with an atmosphere to boot. The day is kicked off with the JLT Novice Chase as well as the Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. 

Day 4: Gold Cup Day

The ultimate climax of the festival and arguably the best days racing of the year. One of the most sought after titles in racing is decided on this final day and always promises to provide a wonderful spectacle to behold. The Timico Gold Cup is associated with the most elite of the sport and the roar of the crowd as the horses charge up the famous hill to the finish is immense.

Across the four days it is believed that over 62,000 visitors will come to Cheltenham specifically for the festival. It is thought that the local economic impact of the festival each year is in the millions. The airlines facilitate additional flights from Ireland just to meet the demands of the festival. The festival itself is a spectacular event to be a part of, but visitors can experience so much more whilst here. Being situated in the heart of the Cotswolds there are beautiful towns and villages to visit which have some of the best boutique shops, bars, cafes and restaurants the country has to offer.

During the festival, Cheltenham town itself is transformed from a spa town to the hustle and bustle of a major city. The bars, clubs, hotels, shops and restaurants welcome visitors with open arms and provide a top quality service throughout the event. The Jockey Club put on additional transport for the visitors, in particular over 50 additional coach services throughout the UK come to Cheltenham to meet the demands of the racegoers. 

However, if you don’t want to stand in line waiting for a bus, or get up in the crowds ,then why not use a chauffeur. A chauffeur will meet and greet you in their luxury vehicle and take you where you want to go in total relaxation. Collecting you from your hotel, home or the airport, why not really make this weekend even more of a special event!
Many chauffeurs also offer day rates, so they will be at your demand for the entire day to take you to the races, shopping or out for a meal at the end of the evening. They can even provide airport transfers so all you have to do is just sit back and enjoy stress-free travel.

Why not get your transport booked for next years Gold Cup? Contact us here

So much more than a taxi….

When considering the options available, many potential customers often inquire about the cost of a Chauffeur Service to ensure they make an informed decision.

Unlike a taxi company that has a fleet of cheap to run vehicles travelling short distances around the clock, a chauffeur service will have fewer vehicles that are higher in value, travel longer distances, and offer a more customer focused service. To a taxi firm it is about the number of jobs vs cheap running costs that is of the greatest importance, which is why you will find little difference in price between taxi companies. 

However, you may find that chauffeur companies vary much more on price, this is because no one chauffeur company will have the same vehicle, service or overheads and there are fewer of them.

For a chauffeur the standard of vehicle is important and, as you can imagine running a Mercedes S-Class is a lot more costly than a Ford Mondeo. Chauffeur companies also have an additional costs which they have to consider – licensing, private hire plate exemptions, PAYE, insurance and other maintenance and running costs which all bear an impact on the pricing. This too varies from county to county, as do the restrictions on use and costs involved.

All of these factors will have an impact on the pricing of services offered by chauffeurs. In order to stay competitive chauffeurs will often tailor their price based on the type of service requested. This allows them to remain competitive, but without undervaluing the service offered. 

How much does a chauffeur service cost for an Airport Transfer?

This is a core part of a Chauffeurs business and they may often have to compete strongly for corporate work and with other private hire or taxi firms. So the cost is often at a fixed rate for customers within a county area. For example a Cheltenham to Birmingham Airport transfer in a small chauffeured saloon ( S-Class Luxury Long Wheelbase Saloon) could cost around £200.00 + VAT, for a Cheltenham to London Heathrow airport transfer it would be £260.00 + VAT including ALL airport charges .

This is just £60 more than you would expect to pay for a basic taxi or private hire. Which is not quite as much as some may think when comparing all the extras you may get like additional leg room and in car comforts, such as premium water as standard.

How much does a chauffeur service cost for a Wedding?

Whilst there is an array of wedding vehicles to choose from (vintage, classic & modern), most chauffeurs will specialise in modern. This is because many of the older vehicles would not meet the requirements for private hire licencing and so a chauffeur would be limited on the vehicles use.

A wedding car service offered by chauffeurs can be calculated a number of ways. They can be as a set price, a hourly rate, a mileage rate or a mixture of all. Whilst some executive private hire companies may offer the smaller saloons (Mercedes E-Class) for wedding hire, you may find them a little cramped inside for the brides dress. Having said that, the size of vehicle should be reflected in the price and a smaller executive saloon may suit those on a budget or those in need of a support vehicle.

However for a touch of luxury you can book a long wheelbase luxury chauffeured saloon (Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series or similar) you can expect to pay around £300.00 to £350.00. A Modern Bentley can cost £650.00 to £700.00 and a modern Rolls Royce is likely to set you back between £850.00 and £950.00. 

Be mindful when booking wedding car services that unless the vehicle and driver are licensed for private hire and operating under a licensed private hire operator licence they many councils legally prohibited providing any transport outside of the religious ceremony unless they hold a private hire licence. So if you are looking for “end of evening” transport home, or to a hotel you must ensure the company and associated vehicles/drivers are licensed for private hire in accordance with their registered council.

How much does a chauffeur service cost for a bespoke itinerary?

For any other chauffeured services the cost is often based on a minimum hire rate of 2 or 3 hours with a mileage allowance incorporated into that price. Any additional miles are then calculated which can vary between £1.00 per mile and £1.50 per mile depending on the vehicle. However, another method for calculating the cost of a chauffeur hire is an hourly rate for driving time and a reduced hourly rate for waiting. E.g.

Travel from Worcester to Birmingham Bull Ring for a shopping day could cost around £450.00 for a Mercedes S-Class (based on up to 3 hours waiting). However, some chauffeur companies offer day hire rates which can start from £600.00 for a large saloon vehicle. Often this may work out more cost effective than a taxi or public transport, especially when considering days out in London. So how much does a chauffeur service cost is not as straight forward to answer due to the bespoke nature of the services that chauffeurs provide customers.

It is important to note that for a chauffeur you are paying for the drivers time, the service and the vehicle which is why a mixture of all price calculations are taking into consideration. Whilst some may feel these prices seem costly, we would encourage you to ask yourself how much would it cost for a taxi to drop you in Birmingham and then return to pick you up?

Then ask yourself, what if your plans changed and you wanted to leave earlier – would you have the flexibility to change your plans easily without spending time phoning around or paying out in cancellation fees? 

We hope this blog ‘How much does a chauffeur service cost?’ has helped you understand the various elements that a Chauffeur has to consider and why pricing may vary from one company to another. What ever your travel plan we would urge you to consider the following before booking any transport:

What is more important; transport from A to B, the quality of service with flexibility or both?
Also be sure to ask the company you choose whether there are any hidden costs like parking…and think, should price be your only consideration?

Here at Valkyrie Chauffeurs Ltd we are fully transparent on costs, we ensure there are no hidden extras. If you would like to know more , or want to book our chauffeur services, please do not hesitate to call us on 01684 355012

*prices were correct at time of writing this blog ‘How much does a chauffeur service cost?’ -Contact us for any further information