Does it exist? Presuming we are traveling to the Cotswolds by train from Paddington Station in London, where should we alight to be near a car hire and close to Bourton on Water?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Sounds like you've already looked and found nothing. I think you're correct: it doesn't exist. The Cotswolds are not easily reached by rail, only a couple of stops and the only Cotswold town with a train station (I think) is Moreton-in-Marsh. It may be that the easiest thing for you to do is take the train to a bigger place southeast of the Cotswolds, perhaps Oxford, and pick up the car there.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32351 posts
Larry,
You might consider hiring a Car in Bath, as there are several agencies there. I used that approach last fall for a trip to Bath and the Cotswolds and it worked well. I used Stow-On-The-Wold as my "home base", and had a wonderful time.
You can return the Car either to Bath or another nearby location. I returned my rental at the Bristol airport, prior to my flight to Dublin.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Merritt Island, Florida, USA
122 posts
Cheltenham is probably the closest place to Bourton on the water to rent a car. Its reachable by train.
Also there are local buses running to place like Stow on the wold, Bourton on the water, Morton-in-marsh etc.
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1266 posts
Larry - We rented a car in Oxford. The car rental agency was close to the train station. Safe travels.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
3 posts
Thanks to all of you for your fine suggestions! Since we are departing from St Pancras station for Paris by the Chunnel, I am now considering renting a car from an agency near St Pancras and driving to and from the Cotswolds rather than taking the train. This would avoid many transfers en route but would require me to drive out of London and back into London. Perhaps a rental with a GPS would ease my concerns! Any thoughts or suggestions of a car hire near St Pancras?
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Before you leave London, telephone a travel agent and ask about a car hire and where you can find one. He is the expert on that area and will help you.
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
Larry,
I wouldn't recommend renting a car in London unless you're an expert at driving on the left and know your way around the city. On 3 different trips I have taken the train from London to Oxford and rented a car there for exploring the Cotswolds. Trains leave out from Paddington station at least every hour and a return ticket doesn't cost all that much. Right behind the Oxford station is an Avis car rental office and the city location is on the far west side, about 5 minutes to the 4-lane motorway. Bourton-on-the-Water is about a 45 minute easy drive from Oxford. Have a great trip!