We are going to spend 3-4 days in the Cotswolds in mid July, and would appreciate suggestions on which town to use as a home base, and any B and B's or hotels that you recommend. Rick's guidebook suggests Stow-on-the-Wold or Chipping Campden as home base--what do you think? We will not rent a car, prefer to use bus lines, the occasional taxi, bike, or walk, so a relatively central location is important. Thanks for your input.
Posted by
USA
206 posts
Bourton on the Water may be good. Pretty but very touristy. It also fills fast, so I'd book ASAP. All the B&Bs I checked on were full for July even last month. We ultimately selected Broadway, but then again, we're using a guide and her vehicle.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1446 posts
Stow-on-the-Wold or Chipping Camden are both very charming. July is a very busy time in this area. If others have B & B suggestions you should think about making arrangements sooner than later. They do have walking tours that make accommodation arrangements so that you can walk the footpaths to your next destination while they porter your bags. There may be biking tours that do the same thing and will pick you and the bike when you are worn out for the day. When I tried the bus system it seemed to take forever. We really enjoyed the freedom of our own auto...but we are old softies. There are private escort tours that include a nice tea. If hiking is your thing there are less crowded and less expensive areas that are just as scenic.
Posted by
TX, USA
528 posts
Husband and I took train to Moreton- in- Marsh, then took taxi to Blockley, where we had rented a holiday cottage. From Blockley, it is very easy to walk to MIM, Broadway, Stanton, Stanway, and Chipping Campden. We did each of these without the car. We did, however, rent a car as we wanted to visit other towns further distances we were willing to walk. This coming May, we decided to use a company Cotswold Walks to provide maps and take our bags to each day's destination. This company has a walk, Cotswold Line. It can be customized from 3 nights to 5 nights, and utilizes the train for arrival and departure.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2775 posts
You can arrange a walk of the Cotswolds yourself. When my and I walked the Cotswold Way National Trail, I planned the whole thing myself. I booked the B&B's along trail, booked company to transfer our bags, it was so easy and saved £800.00.