My husband and I are planning to take the train from London to Chippenham on Saturday September 5 and then visit Castle Combe, Tetbury, and Calne. We will return to London the next afternoon. We don't want to drive. Is there any way to get to these places without hiring a driver? Would taxis be available in these areas? I also would like some advice on where we should spend the night. We would like to stay somewhere where we would be able to walk to dinner and shopping venues.
Posted by
2599 posts
Castle Combe is a very small village - you won't find shopping or taxis hanging about. If you wish to stay in Castle Combe, you could travel by train to Chippenham & then by bus - but they are not that frequent. See www.traveline.info
A very upmarket hotel exists in CC =http://www.manorhouse.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/the_hotel.aspx
You could stay in the Castle Inn =http://www.castle-inn.info
It is not easy to travel from CC to Tetbury by public transport. Although Tetbury may look quaint in photos, you should be aware that main 'A' roads run through the centre - not my idea of a peaceful Cotswold village. (CC certainly is).
I can't see why any tourist would wish to visit Calne.
It would be possible for you to travel within 1 hour by bus to Lacock - with 1 change in Chippenham.http://www.cotswolds.info/places/lacock.shtml
Alternatively, consider travelling (via Chipppenham) to Malmesbury to visit the Abbey House Gardens.:> http://www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk
It would also be possible for you to travel by bus to Chippenham & then to Bath - probably by train.
www.nationalrail.co.uk will have details. (Note that checking for now - August - you will find this line is shut for electrification work. It should be open when you plan to take your vacation).
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you for the reply. Is it possible to travel from London to Chippenham by train and then rent a car to visit Castle Combe and Tetbury? We want to go to a boot sale in Castle Combe and there is a vintage car show in Tetbury that we want to see. I know that it sounds like a strange itenerary but I visited the area ten years ago and it is beautiful..just difficult to get around without a car.
Posted by
2599 posts
Yes, you can travel to Chippenham by train from Paddington. www.nationalrail.co.uk - at the moment we have disruption caused by electrification work. This will work will end (for time being) on 1 Sept 2015. First Great Western is the train company and you should pre-book ahead to get cheapest prices as paying on day can be expensive. (This company has been strike prone lately but even on strike days, they have maintained perhaps a 50% service).
I suspect that the car boot sale will be at the racing circuit just east of the village. Be sure to actually visit the village. Try this site for car hire:>http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/cheap-car-hire/
If you can't get a car from Chippenham, try Swindon (the previous stop on railway).