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Two Weeks in Moreton-in-Marsh Without A Car

Recently spent a week in London, followed by a two week cottage stay in Moreton. Not a trip report, more about pointers for some things to do and places to visit in part of the Cotswolds and further without a car.

Slow paced, 13 full days, in no particular order, using the train or bus:

Stratford, including a play (bus)

Oxford – The Kilns, New College, general walkabout (train + bus to Kilns)

Oxford – Bodleian Library, Botanical Gardens, Magdelen College, more walkabout (train)

Blenheim Palace and St Martin's Church in Bladen (train and free shuttle)

Woodstock then Blenheim again for flower show and more trails (train and free shuttle).

The Slaughters walk then walk to Bourton-on-the-Water (bus)

Winchester – met up with my cousin and his wife. Splendid cathedral and nice downtown (train)

Broadway and Broadway Tower (bus)

Falconry Centre and Batsford Arboretum (walk)

Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle (Robin service)

Moreton market day and Stow-on-The-Wold (bus)

Chipping Campden and hike (bus)

Northleach and Burford (Robin service x 2)

Per person. Oxford and Blenheim train about £13.00 return, off peak. Winchester about £50 (2 hours). Buses and The Robin £2 each leg.

Places on our initial list which we did not manage to visit, some of which we had visited on a previous trip 20 odd years ago. Bourton House, Sezincote, Hidcote Gardens and Kiftsgate (the latter two would have involved taking a taxi at some point).

Could have fit in two more days in Oxford (museums, walk by the river to Wolvercote and onto Tolkien's grave, a couple more of the colleges we wanted to see). Cirencester, Worcester, Cheltenham, Severn Valley Railway.

Favourite day, Sudeley Castle. The Kilns visit was excellent and informative.

Favourite village, Broadway.

Food very good overall, though expensive. Best meal, The Back Lane Tavern in Woodstock.

Most attractive pub, Wykeham Arms in Winchester.

Lots of great cask ale, Brakspear top of the list.

Weather was fantastic, around 20º most days and no rain.

Off for a while now. Bye-bye.

Posted by
149 posts

OMG that sounds utterly idyllic!!! I am swooning just thinking about this experience. Thanks for the details/prices/transport info. How wonderful. :-)

Posted by
207 posts

Love that you were able to do all of these adventures without a car! And agree that Sudeley Castle is really cool. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

Posted by
508 posts

What a fantastic list! We have been traveling without a car recently and so this is of great interest!
Did you run into mud on the Slaughters/Bourton walk? We were knee deep in mud there last year!

Posted by
1677 posts

mlstimetotravel, no mud on our Slaughters walk. It rained heavily overnight our first or second night in Moreton. Apart from that, no rain at all. The couple of beers I had at the Country Inn were excellent.

Nigel, I had saved your previous comments re the Severn Valley and we were all in for a long day out, including an on-train dining experience. I had a bad case of bronchitis leading up to our departure date, so held off on making a booking; ended up being too late to book for our desired slot. Same thing happened with Christ Church in Oxford.

Posted by
1677 posts

Yes, Saturday matinee, Merry Wives of Windsor. Good fun, finished about 15 minutes before before the 16:30 or so return Pulham bus. Stagecoach also runs a service (more stops).

The Robin is a great value and little used service offered by the Gloucestereshire Council. I hope it lasts. Small bus (16 to 20 seats?). You have to create an account before booking a trip:

https://gcc-old.pplprojects.co.uk/transport/the-robin/

Posted by
9 posts

Undertone,
What excellent detailed information & suggestions love the fact you included your favorites! Thank you!
My husband & I chose to celebrate our 50th in the Cotswolds, coming up in a few weeks.
Right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get from Highclere Castle on Aug 6th to Blockley where we have a cottage rented.

Posted by
54 posts

Where did you stay while in Moreton in Marsh? Thank you so much for this information, by the way. Very helpful for planning an upcoming trip to the Cotswolds with no car!

Posted by
508 posts

This is fantastic! I am wondering how you liked Morton. I know it works well for transportation without a car, but just wondering if Morton had much traffic or what it was like to stay there.