Car rental pickup in the Cotswolds

"The Cotswolds" is a pretty big region and you're staying somewhere in it, but it's hard to help without knowing where. This map might help you find a station closer to where you're staying. But will there be a rental car office there? You might try Swindon or Bath, depending on where on the map your destination is. I believe Moreton-in-Marsh is the only town in "the Cotswolds" with a rail connection direct to London. It's not very big but there might be rental cars there, check on Auto Europe or the company websites.

I believe you can get a rental car in Banbury which is not far from Stow or Chipping Campden.

When renting a car , it is wise to be aware that automatic transmissions are not as common as in the States . If you don't drive a stick , this is not the time or place to learn . Reserving and picking up a car at a major location ( Heathrow , or perhaps Oxford ) greatly improves your chances of getting an automatic transmission .

Where in the Cotswold Hills area? It is a big place. Where do you mean by an hour from Oxford? North? West? South?

You won't find a car rental shop in every little village, but they do exist in and on the edges of the Cotswolds. And in places with train service from London. Go to sites of the usual suspects and search on the name of a town. (And try just "Cotswolds", too.) I've used Enterprise in Worchester, which admittedly is off to the west a bit. Cheltenham and Cirencester are likely targets. Gloucester, too.

You can also focus on the Cotswolds in a Google/Bing/Apple map and search for "car rental".

Sorry, it would help to specify where we were staying. It is in Winchcombe.

We took the train from Paddington to Banbury and rented from Enterprise. It was probably a half hour from where we stayed but I'm not sure how far that would be from where you are going.

Cheltenham is under 8 miles ( 15 minutes ) from Winchcoumbe but the trip from Heathrow ( assume that is where you are landing ) is longer and more complicated than Oxford. Gloucester ( on the same train line as Cheltenham ) is about 10 miles further away if you can't find the rental you want in Cheltenham.
Check out nationalrail.com to work out the various train options and costs.
Good luck

I stayed in Winchcombe last fall. No train service so I'm curious where exactly you are training to in the Cotswolds and how you are getting to Winchcombe.

I flew the red eye from LAX to LHR and got my rental there. It was a stick but that was fine. I'm of the generation that learned to drive with a clutch. Unfortunately the previous renter had done damage and once I got to Winchcombe ( 2 hour drive on major highway and small roads) I had to call Hertz and arrange to for another car. Next morning followed the very pleasant repair truck driver to Cheltenham and dropped off the car. Climbed into his truck and was driven to a very tiny rental car office somewhere. Honestly, no clue where it was located except somewhere between Cheltenham and Winchcombe. Place was so small had to wait an hour for another rental as one had to be returned, gassed up, washed and cleaned.

Not the most pleasant way to begin my Cotswold visit but staying in Winchcombe was a blessing. It was quiet and nary another tourist to be seen. Unlike Bourton on the Water where, even in late November, hordes jammed the walk way and paths.

Great Airbnb stay. 3 pubs, to rest weary feet after long days of hiking and I could walk from the AirBnB to Sudley Castle for the stellar Christmas light show. Great bakery, nice shops in Winchcombe and the fascinating St.Peter's church complete with cemetary.

Having a car is the smartest way to see the Cotswolds. So yes Heathrow into London and out to Oxford by train OR do what I intend to do next trip. Stay the night at the Premiere Inn out by the car rental agencies at Heathrow. Get the shuttle to Hertz and pick up my rental next morning for my drive towards Wales

Cheltenham is just over the hill from Winchcombe, although the train station is across the town.

If staying in Winchcombe, flying into Birmingham Airport would be more convenient than flying into London. Great selection of cars at BHX too.

We rented a car in Oxford and took the A40 to the Cotswolds. It wasn't a bad ride. In fact we are doing the same thing in 2 weeks. Just don't get lost in Oxford trying to find the A40! Also, be aware that many car rental agencies close at noon on Saturday and are closed all day Sunday.

We rented a car from Heathrow right off of a red-eye flight and drove to Winchcombe. The drive wasn't too bad, considering my husband had never driven on that side of the road. So it is possible. It's about an hour and 45 minutes.