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Day trip to cotswolds

Will be in England this summer, would like to do a day trip from London to cotswolds (I realize it merits longer but this trip will just have to be a day). We are 2 couples, comfortable traveling on our own, either navigating public transportation or driving a car (do not need a guided tour). Am wondering best way to do a day trip.. fastest way to get there?
rent car in London?
Train to Oxford and rent car there?
Or a better option?

Also, what villages are must see, and any good walks between or around villages?

Thanks in advance

Posted by
6089 posts

Go Cotswolds is a really convenient option if you are ok with a small group tour. You can take an early train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh and they will pick you up at the station:
https://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/

I took this tour pre-pandemic and it was a great way to see a number of the villages in a single day. We also had time in several towns to explore on our own and a break for lunch.

Posted by
384 posts

A nice and easy day trip, which we have done, is take the train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, then get a bus to Bourton-on-the-Water. It's a very cute town and from there there is a very nice walk via the Slaughters into Stow-on-the-Wold which is another very cute town. From Stow-on-the-Wold you can get another bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh and train back to London. Good luck with your planning!

Link to an example walk: https://explorethecotswolds.com/stow-on-the-wold-to-bourton-on-the-water-walk-cotswolds/
It's just over 4 miles.

Posted by
437 posts

I took the train from Paddington to Morton And Went with GoCotswolds.com. they had quite a few options and I had specific towns that I wanted to see so I suggest you look on the website and see what they have to offer that you might like. Correspondence with them was quick, easy and kind. Guide was terrific. The Cotswolds was one of my goals on a 5 week trip to europe. Going with gocotswolds.com made it everything I wanted to be and more!