Hi,
My husband and I will be in Bath for 4 days in October. We would like to spend 2-3 days in the Cotswolds, but we've read (in posts that are 5 years old) that it is difficult to visit using public transportation. We are in our 70s and in good health for our age. We did book two tours with MadMax (Stonehenge and Cotswolds) so at least we'll see a little of the Cotswolds, but we would love to be able to take some walks. We would appreciate any advice.
Thanks!
Ellie
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2066 posts
Train taking 2 hours from Bath Spa to Moreton-in-Marsh. From Moreton-in-Marsh buses go to a good base town, Stow-on-the-Wold in 15 minutes; Chipping Campden in 30 minutes. You can see bus timetables through links at www.Rome2Rio.com and train schedules at www.TheTrainline.com
Cheers!
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
14 posts
My husband and I recently spent 3 nights in Moreton-in-Marsh at the Manor House Hotel. From the center of Moreton, we took a circular walk of about 5 miles to the Batsford Arboretum or there is a shorter walk directly to the Arboretum. We picked up a free map from the local Tourist Information Center. Probably not as pretty as some of the other villages, but easy to do. As already mentioned, there are buses from Moreton to other villages as well. This might give you some ideas for traveling by public transportation: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/cotswold-way/route/
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9022 posts
Since you're spending hardly any time in Bath, why not just stay somewhere in the Cotswolds? We took that Mad Max tour, and it was worth it, but you dont get to spend much time at any of the places you stop.
Posted by
8325 posts
Better to rent a car. We stayed in Chipping Campden at the Volunteer Inn (it has the best pub in town and a great Indian restaurant).
Based on what I found in the Cotswolds, the walks were quite lengthy. You would waste a lot of time walking. It takes a couple of days to fully see the Cotswolds.
Posted by
Winchester, UK
142 posts
The Cotswold Way is a great way to see the Cotswolds. It goes from Bath to Chipping Campden. The views are lovely and you can pick it up for a day's walk if you like.
Be aware the hills are steeper than they present themselves!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Sorry, I don’t understand the last but one post “you waste a lot of time walking”. You say you want to walk! You can’t see all the Cotswolds in 2 days as it’s 90 x 25 miles.
Are you happy renting a car? Do you want to just visit the Cotswolds for the day from Bath?
Castle Combe is close to Bath and can be reached via train and bus and has good walks from the village. Many of the popular villages such as Bourton on the Water and Stow on the Wold are easier to visit from Oxford than Bath.
Posted by
St. Louis
59 posts
We enjoyed the small group day tour offered by Ian with https://undiscoveredcotswolds.com/, from Oxford, and he also offers private tours. Given that October is a less busy time of year, you might be able to arrange for private transportation to and from some villages, with walks in between.