Would you rather? Itinerary help in Bath/Cotswolds/possibly Oxford

Posted by hale_mj on 07/31/24 08:24 PM

Hi, we have 5 nights/6 days to fill in September. Flying into Heathrow and plan to take the bus initially, stay a night then rent a car.

1-Is Oxford a 1 or 2 day city? Is it worth it if you've never been? What are some must-do's off the beaten track? And would you stay in Oxford for 1 night or 2? I'm looking for insider tips or off the beaten path tips of must see's in the city.

2-Staying in Bath the rest of the nights to see: Stonehenge, Avebury, Glastonbury, and hopefully more. Open to suggestions. Are most of the must see Cotswolds cities within driving distance from Bath? I'm looking for insider tips or off the beaten path tips of must see's in the area.

3-Would you skip Oxford totally and add something else? Not London. Thanks

Posted by Johnew52

Preston UK

07/31/24 08:31 PM

1079 posts

There are no cities at all in the Cotswolds - Bath and Oxford are the closest and they are on the edge. There are a number of small towns and lots of small villages.

If I had 5/6 days to fill I would be travelling further to more impressive countryside than the Cotswolds. Devon, Dorset or Cornwall, Shropshire and Herefordshire, the Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales or Moors National Parks. Or almost anywhere in Wales. Scotland as well of course but that requires further travel.

Posted by BillS719

Buckinghamshire

07/31/24 08:33 PM

128 posts

I really like Oxford and there’s a lot to see in a single day. Parking in Oxford is a nightmare (or worse) and I wouldn’t get a car until I leave.

Lots of threads on the forum about things to see in Oxford.

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

07/31/24 08:43 PM

7645 posts

Here’s what we did in 2023. We flew into Heathrow and took the Airport Bus to Oxford to get over jet lag before renting a car the next day to head to the Cotswolds, etc. if you only have 6 days total for your trip, I wouldn’t spend more than one in Oxford. But, it really depends on what you’re wanting to do. We could have filled a second day there with activities, but we were covering a lot in two weeks.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/june-2023-england-wales-trip-report

Posted by markcw

Los Angeles

08/01/24 07:33 AM

1035 posts

1-Is Oxford a 1 or 2 day city?

Based on my experience, at least two days. Not off the beaten path, but many consider Blenheim Palace a must see - requires at least a half day, factoring in transportation.

The Pitt Rivers museum is not on everyone's radar - it's like a gigantic managerie.

See a show at the New Theatre. Take a walk along the canal.

You need to spend time to soak up the ambience of being amidst the ancient colleges while slowly making your way through the town.

Posted by wasleys

Lincolnshire, UK

08/01/24 03:17 PM

2204 posts

The Pitt Rivers Museum is WONDERFUL and completely unlike anywhere else. You coul easily spend a day wandering Oxford, absorbing its ambience, visiting some of the less well known colleges and punting.... Another day to visit Blenheim Palace. It isn't called one of the Great Treasure Houses of Britain for nothing!

A lot depends on which Cotswold villages you are wanting to see as you could find yourselves spending quite a bit of time driving to and from them from Bath. You might be better off basing yourselves in one of the villages for 1-2 nights exploring from there.

Then end up in Bath.

What have you planned after this - are you heading on anywhere else or back to Heathrow to fly home?

However, a lot depends on what your priorities are and teh kind of thinmgs you enjoy doing/seeing.