I will be staying 3 nights in Winchcombe and I am coming by train/bus to our AirBnB. I'm now looking at maps online and worry things might be more spread out than I thought. How easy is it to get an Uber in that area? Is it safe to use Uber in a more rural area like the Cotswolds? Is there a taxi company that anyone can recommend? I wanted to stay more in the countryside but now wonder how realistic that is without a car. I am not going to rent a car and have already booked our lodging.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Have you asked your AirBnB host about Uber?
I stayed in Winchcombe two years ago but had a rental. I hiked part of the Cotswolds way but to see Burton on the Water, the Broadway Tower, dine at The Plough in Ford the car was essential.
What do you intend to do and see in the Cotswolds?
Posted by
USA
423 posts
If you can rent a car, you should as it is very spread out. But I would ask where you booked your lodging for their recommendations. I do remember seeing buses as we drove, but not many taxis.
Happy Travels✨💫
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
You could get Line 606 bus from Winchcombe to Chipping Campden....55 minute ride
Taxi......20 minute ride. From Chipping Campden you can get buses for Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold.
From Winchcombe......Line 801 bus goes to Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold
From Winchcombe......Line 606 bus goes to Broadway
A taxi would be a lot faster, but of course would cost a lot more.
Posted by
OP
45 posts
How much do buses generally cost? What website can I use to find out more about bus routes?
I don't have huge plans for Winchecombe. We will be doing a tour of the Cotswolds while in Bath. We will be in Winchcombe for just three nights and it will just be me and my 5 yr old. So far I have these things planned:
July 6: Travel to Winchcombe
Sudely Castle
July 7: Cheltenham (music festival?)/Stratford Upon Avon...other day trip?
July 8: Winchcombe rest day
Take steam train
10:30am Mass at St. Peter’s church
Posted by
2599 posts
Public transport in Britain is usually very good. Unfortunately, I don’t think that the operators are making the best use of resources in parts of The Cotswolds. I would, for example, have thought that a through bus service would have linked Cheltenham Railway Station with Stratford-upon-Avon via Winchcombe, Broadway, Chipping Campden and to Stratford u - Avon. Not so! I have just done a check for a weekday and you could leave Winchcombe at 8.35am on bus 606 (Marchants Coaches) going to Chipping Campden are 9.10.
You could then depart CC at 9.53 on H3 (Hedgehog Community Bus) to arrive Stratford-upon-Avon at 10.22am.
You can find buses at www.traveline.info
I have another suggestion that you may like to consider for a day trip from Winchcombe = Chepstow & Tintern Abbey - which are on the Wales/England border. You would firstly leave Winchcombe for Cheltenham Railway station. (It is a good mile from the centre of town to the rail station and I think the bus from Winchcombe only goes into the town centre - where you can change to a local bus for the 1 mile to the station (ask the drivers). On arrival at Cheltenham station, you ask for an Anytime day return to Chepstow. = £12.50 adult fare. Go to www.nationalrail.co.uk & you will see frequent trains on this route - some direct, some requiring a change at Gloucester. Anyway, it is around a 40 minute trip on the train.
On arrival in Chepstow, note the time. The 69 Bus for Tintern leaves Chepstow bus station (for Monmouth) at x19 minutes hourly on weekdays. It is about a 13 minute walk from the station. Ask the driver for a return to Tintern = £5 for the 15 minute trip. From Tintern, the bus will be at x40 minute hourly on weekdays. Use this site for finding these buses as they are in Wales. Put from Chepstow Rail Station & click Map & it will show you the walk from the rail station to the bus station in Chepstow.
https://www.traveline.cymru
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/tinternabbey/?lang=en
On returning to Chepstow - walk down to the old river bridge to view the Castle and perhaps pay to go inside. (Make sure you have noted the times of the trains back to Cheltenham). You can travel on any of the trains that call - which might be Arriva Trains Wales or Cross Country Express.http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en
Should you do this & have time on the return, you may like to consider hopping off the train at Gloucester (show tickets to staff & say you are having a break of journey). Then walk to the cathedral - the shopping area is not up to much.http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
You might also like to have a look at Cheltenham:>https://www.visitcheltenham.com/things-to-do/montpellier-gardens-p1596033
Posted by
OP
45 posts
Is there a bus pass like the Britrail pass that allows you to use all buses at all times?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Is there a bus pass like the Britrail pass that allows you to use all buses at all times?
Yes, sometimes, but not nationally. There are various schemes that are limited to one operator or one area.
A quick google for "bus pass Cotswolds" yielded this: http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/visiting-and-exploring/cotswolds-train-station/discoverer-one-day-pass/