The Cotswalds

Assume you mean the Cotswolds.

I would recommend Bourton on the Water with a walk through the countryside from Bourton to Upper and Lower Slaughter and back.

Driving from Oxford is 45 minutes. I imagine public transportation would take longer. This trip may take up your entire free day, but you'll remember Bourton on the Water, Lower and Upper Slaughter for the rest of your life. Stop in for tea and scones in one of the villages.

Have a great day in the Cotswolds.

Thanks so much. I appreciate it.

If I only had one day in Oxford, I'd spend it in Oxford.

Bourton on the Water, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter are very easy by car.

By train and bus, not particularly easy. Train to Moreton-in-Marsh and then bus to Stow-on-the-Wold (where the wind blows cold, as I was always reminded as a kiddo when we went to visit my auntie who lived there) , and then onward by bus to Bourton on the Water.

It is a pretty good hike from Bourton on the Water back to the Slaughters, or I think the Cheltenham bus stops on the Fosse Way relatively nearby.

I've usually found that trying to get a lot out of the Cotswolds is pretty tough only using bus and train. The smaller villages have either no service or perhaps only once or twice a week, for the shopping rounds, and usually the shopping loop is opposite direction that tourists would want.

Luckily we have three days in Oxford. I really appreciate your input. We may just spend all three there, and hope to come again and visits those smaller villages at a later date. I will be sure to check out those train and bus times. The pictures of that area are very enticing. And one is never sure that later opportunities will come. Thanks again.

I would consider visiting Blenheim Palace - which is near Woodstock - about 7 miles NW of Oxford. Go to this site & it will tell you what bus to use.http://www.blenheimpalace.com

While in Oxford, I do hope you've got the time to visit Blenheim, as well as some of the museums Oxford has to offer, including the Pitt Rivers Museum and the smaller Bates Collection of Musical Instruments.

Another choice would be Chipping Campden. It is a larger village with many historic sights, interesting center of town, several amazing thatched houses at the end of Sheep St. and good restaurants. Walk from St James Church to St Catherine's Church down High Street with a detour up Sheep St - perhaps 1/2 mile. Recommend eating at 8 Bells. Check out bus routes from Oxford.

I would suggest Bourton-on-the-Water, it's a beatufil village. The is a model of the village behind the Old New Inn, it's replica on the village, it looks exactly like the village. It took five years to make it, it was officially opened on the Coronation Day of King George VI in 1937. It is so beautiful, well worth a visit, you won't be disappointed.