Sorry for any redundancy - I'm not finding the answer on this forum. We have one day to visit Oxford/Cotswolds from London. (2 adults, 18 yr, 16 yr, 12 yr) A car is perfect but my husband is nervous about navigation. Tube/buses would work but sound like a huge headache. Rick Steves suggests London Walks. Perfect but $400 for us all. I've searched a few other tour companies and they appear to be more money or only drive-thru the Cotswolds (we would like to walk around.) Question: Are there less expensive tours/options for this one day excursion?
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
Two years ago my husband and I took a Gray Line day tour to the Cotswolds. I forget what the company is that Gray Line subs out to, but you can find it on their website - Grayline.com. We totally enjoyed our day trip out to the Cotswolds and the other day trip with Gray Line. Some of the day tours we took with Gray Line, picked us up right by our hotel (Crowne Plaza, Kensington). Other times we got the tours at the Victoria station.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33708 posts
If husband is OK with driving but nervous of navigation, how are you or the 18 year old on navigation? How is hubby about accepting the navigation from you? With 5 folk I'd rent in London at an easy place to get out of London from like Heathrow, it drops you right onto the M4, and if you want more I and others can provide you a route. When is the trip? Bring your GPS from the USA. Make sure it has maps for the UK. Wander from village to village in the Cotswolds until you tire of it, and if you have energy left go on to Oxford on the way back to London. Most Oxford Colleges only open to the public in the afternoon. Parking in Oxford can be "interesting". If you decide to do it come back here for more hints.
Posted by
OP
Mercer Island, WA, USA
30 posts
OK, I'm convinced we should rent a car. We are staying in Fitzrovia with a 7 day travelcard in late June and have one day to explore Oxford and the Cotswolds. Should we rent a car in Oxford after we explore (perhaps Christ Church and Bodliean Library)? Drive into the Cotswolds perhaps Chipping Campden walk, Snowshill/Stanway/Stanton drive, Stow-on-the-Wold walk, Slaughters/Bourton-on-the-Water drive and back to Oxford then London. We would prefer to be more relaxed than comprehensive in our touring. What are your thoughts?
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2803 posts
I feel that trying to see Oxford and the Cotswolds in one day is really pushing it, and not able to spend much time in any location, that said this is what I would do. I would take the train from Paddington Station in London (early train) to Moreton-in-Marsh, there is a pick up and drop off for Avis rental cars at the White Hart Royal Hotel, it only a pick up/drop off so everything has to be paid prior to picking it up, they do not take money. After getting the car you could drive to the villages you want to see return the car, then walk back to the train station, take train to Oxford then from there return to London. It's a five minute walk from the train station to White Hart Royal Hotel. If it was me I wouldn't go to Oxford, the Cotswolds are to beautiful to rush them.
Posted by
OP
Mercer Island, WA, USA
30 posts
Thank you all for your wonderful advice! We will train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh. Pre-pay for an Avis car rental and pick up at White Hart Royal Hotel and then follow some of Rick's driving tour and return to London. Thank you again! Elicia
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33708 posts
Drive into the Cotswolds perhaps Chipping Campden walk, Snowshill/Stanway/Stanton drive, Stow-on-the-Wold walk, Slaughters/Bourton-on-the-Water drive and back to Oxford then London. Oh yes, yes, yes.... But for all the reasons in the last couple of posts is why I said previously to get your fill of the Cotswolds in the morning (leave London as early as you can) so that when you see how much (or if any) time you might have left for Oxford.