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Exploring the Cotswolds by Car

Posted by (Philadelphia, PA, USA) on

My wife and I will be renting a car while in England and are planning to spend a day exploring the Cotswolds. We will be departing from a B&B in Bath first thing in the morning and hope to see as much of the region as we can. I know a single day in the Cotswolds is not really enough time, but if we plan it right I am hoping we can visit a handful of villages. Does anyone have any reccomendations as far as planning a 1 day itinerary for the Cotswolds? We will be staying the night in a Cotswolds B&B before returning to London the next day. Which towns/villages should be high priorities? Any help would be great.

Thanks!

Posted by
354 posts

You should research Chipping Campden and Bibury to see if either of these Cotswold villages appeal to you. Picturesque thatched roofs, historic market hall, and strolling on High Street in Chipping Campden; creamy-colored stone houses with colorful gardens in Bibury.

Posted by
591 posts

Many choices, but mine would be: Start by driving about an hour up to Bourton-on-the-Water (couple hours there). Next, take a peek at Lower Slaughter and then on to Stow-on-the-Wold. Last village of the day to be Broadway or Chipping Campden (choose one for the B&B and visit the other the next morning). I've stayed at the Dormy House just outside of Broadway & it's quite nice. Heading on back toward London the next day you could stop at Woodstock & visit Blenheim Palace.

Posted by
214 posts

I would see Northleach, just down the road from Bourton. The drive from Bath to the Cotswolds is nice on the A-46, especially through Painswick.

Posted by
515 posts

I would go to Cheltenham, Cirencester, Northleach, Stow-on-the-Wold, The Tews, The Slaughters, Campden, Startford upon Avon and Norton

Posted by
14 posts

I would stay to the back roads. Chipping Camden is nice. Also, if you have a GPS, download the maps. This was a God send for us. I would also avoid driving in Stratford Upon Avon. Have a good time.

Posted by
33582 posts

... or if you drive in Stratford read the parking signs >>very<< carefully. You will even find streets where you pay on one side and can't park on the other until time changes where the other side is free but the one side still earns you a ticket for overstaying.

And the meter folks are fierce there.

Nice place though...

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