coswolds

The “Cotswolds,” meaning gentle hills with sheep, is quite a large area with dozens of towns and quaint English villages with honey-colored limestone buildings. Because the area is so large— extending 65 miles northeastward from outside Bath up to Chipping Campden, It’s best seen by car and even with wheels it takes two or three days to stop off in the many towns and villages.

Agreed - you need several days and a car. Its worth asking why you want to visit the Cotswolds - if you're looking for attractive rural areas there are many of them in England - the Yorkshire Dales, the Pennines, the Lake District, the Peak District- I could go on an on.

Last weekend we visited Petworth in West Sussex. A short train ride and a short bus trip from London, but the town is beautiful and landscape is stunning. Next time we'll hire a car and explore the South Downs. Just an idea...

When we visited we had a rental cottage for a week, and a rental car. We were out and about every day and still didn't see everything on our list. So my answer would be no.

it all depends on what you want to do and see, and the amount of time you have available.

You can do a one day visit and hit the high spots and get a general feel of the area. Many people do this and are quite happy with the experience. Alternatively you can slow down and spend a week there... It all depends on your expectations...

(Being pedantic - there are no cities in the Cotswolds. There are a few large towns, quite a lot of smaller towns and loads of small villages... )

You do not need a car!! The Cotswolds look like any other hilly countryside from a car. Ideally and if you're able to, walk!

There are several trip reports on this forum for this year from people who have quite happily visited the Cotswolds for week or so long trips using public transport.
I say this year because public transport in the area has been undergoing a big step change during the year.
So no a car is not essential now. Whether it was before is more of a moot point.

If only there for a day then you may well find that one of the many van tours of the area is the most practical and efficient way to do the visit.

The short answer is no, a day isn’t enough. As stated, the Cotswolds encompasses a large area.

Depending on the villages you want to visit, where you’re coming from, where you’re going to afterwards, time of year, and your total amount of time in the area, a car might be a more efficient use of time. During the main tourist season parking can be difficult to find and the most popular villages’ roads can be very congested.

As always, it depends on what you like to do and want to see. I took a day-long tour to the Cotswolds from Bath and found the day pleasant, but the tour more than met my needs. Had I spent more than a day in the area, I would have been bored. However, as evidenced from the responses above, others feel different about how much time should be spent there. I will say that I was glad I was not driving.

Just to demonstrate that I'm a contrarian, one day in the Cotswolds was plenty for my wife and me. We loved the walk from town up to the Broadway tower, and the views were lovely, but the towns are much of a muchness in the Cotswolds IMO. Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold did not charm us.

I will admit that, if country walks are one's reason for visiting England, the Cotswolds would be a good destination. Just not our cup of tea.

Where are you coming from? London Walks does a one day tour that would give you a little taste. Great Western runs trains to a couple towns. You could pick one for a day trip. Otherwise, I’d agree that one day isn’t enough time.