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Brief weekend from London - Cotswolds, cycling?

I travel to the UK for work and always try to fit in a bit of sight-seeing. This next trip, I will be going to London only, and don't have any vacation time to use after my work is done. So I will have to fly home on Sunday - the direct flight leaves Heathrow at 2:30pm.

My last trip I went to Avebury and Lacock with London Walks (highly recommended, btw). This time they are going to Chartwell and the Weald of Kent, which I know nothing about.

What I'd really like to do is see the Cotswolds, but is it worth it with so little time? On the flip side, I hate to wait for another trip. I know I can take the train from Paddington direct to Moreton-in-Marsh, so I could do that Friday evening. Then Saturday is it possible to rent a bike and see some of the different villages that way? Finally, Sunday I looked up train information, and trainline doesn't have my going back through Paddington, which I found surprising. Any advice on getting from Moreton to Heathrow on Sunday?

I know another option is Bath or Oxford and a day trip from there (have been to Oxford but haven't been to Bath yet), but that's a lot for one weekend since I'd like to see Bath, plus I like the idea of staying in the Cotswolds.

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Cyndi
St Paul, MN

Posted by
33852 posts

Cyndi

British trains don't climb out of bed until after breakfast on Sundays, and are often affected by engineering works on Sundays, too.

What day are you travelling. Most lines on August Bank Holiday weekend will be a mess.

I just looked at next Sunday, and the trains do go to Paddington. Times will be tight, though. First off MIM is at 0956, arriving Paddington 1152. Figure an hour to get to LHR and check in time I think you'll have a hard time making a 1430 flight.

Posted by
2804 posts

Cyndi, I just sah yur other post, I think that you will be traveling home on Sunday the 12th of Sept, if that is the date then there is a train leaving Moreton-in-Marsh at 9:56am arriving Paddington Station at 11:59am. On Friday evening there is a train from Paddington at 5:22pm, 5:50pm and 6:22pm and later.

I would suggest taking a tax to Bourton-on-the-Water (8 miles and staying there) is so beautiful there. You can rent a bike there from Hartwells Cotswold Cycle Hire,High Street, phone #01451820405. The Toy Shop in Moreton-in-Marsh rents bikes phone #01608650756.