It has been 15 years since a trip to this area and am wondering how traffic/tourist traffic has changed. June 1 -15 Itinerary includes week in Ireland, ferry to Hollyshead and 2 days in Northern Wales. Trying to decide whether to go south to Cotswolds, Oxford, Warwick or to head north to Glasgow/Edinburgh. Previous experience in April tourist traffic and traffic jams in Cotswolds not too bad. Does anyone have recent experience in the summer months -would we get totally bogged down in tourist buses and traffic on the Cotswold/Oxford roads. Appreciate anyone's experience.
Posted by
London
291 posts
You will get bogged down in tourist buses and crowds in the Cotswolds if you go to the places that the big tourist buses go to. e.g. Go to Bourton On Water and it could be a 'Cotswold Village in Disneyland' experience. Just a mile away in Lower Slaughter however where the roads are too narrow for the coaches its quite idyllic. In other words best self drive or do a small group tour and go places not on the coach tour itineraries. Bibury and Castle Coombe at the southen end for example.
The centre of Oxford where the tourists go is so vehicle hostile and closed off the crowds shouldn't make much impact. Its a bit of a plus in many ways as your choice of walking tours will probably be much enhanced. Similarly if you visit Blenheim there will be much more going on in the summer.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, CA, United States
2 posts
Thank you, Bob. Great information. My goal is to avoid the buses at all costs.