The Cotswolds Without a Car: Itinerary, where to stay, and getting around

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If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, then you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to go without a car. While having a car can make getting around a lot easier, it’s actually not a necessity if you are going to the Cotswolds. We know firsthand that driving in England can be intimidating, especially if you’re not used to driving on the left side of the road.

So, if you’d rather avoid the hassle of renting a car and exploring unfamiliar roads, then there are a couple of things to keep in mind when planning your trip to the Cotswolds without a car. First of all, you’ll need to be more flexible with your schedule, as you won’t have the convenience of driving everywhere.

We also recommend bringing a good pair of walking shoes (you’ll likely have to spend some time outdoors waiting for buses or getting from one place to another!) But with some advance planning and good spirits, you can still enjoy a memorable vacation in the English countryside without needing to rent a car.

All our Cotswolds resources in one place:
We have a full Cotswolds Guide to orient you to the area.
In case you plan on spending more time here and need even more to do, we have you covered.
If you’re not totally sold on the Cotswolds, we can help you decide between the Cotswolds and Bath.

Where are the Cotswolds

Located in Southwest England, the Cotswolds captures the quintessential charm of the English countryside. It’s located inside the triangle between Oxford, Gloucester, and Bristol and is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), famous for rural landscapes and charming villages (some of which are just a few streets long!).

It’s roughly 25 miles wide and 90 miles long and covers six different counties. Because the Cotswolds is relatively large, most people divide it up into the northern Cotswolds and southern Cotswolds. This border is unofficially divided by the A40 – the main motorway that runs from London all the way to Wales.

How to Get from London to the Cotswolds Without a Car

London is the closest big city to the Cotswolds (depending on where you’re going, it’s only 80 to 120 miles away). By car, it’s around a 2 to 3-hour drive.

But even if you don’t have a car, you can still get from London to the Cotswolds using public transportation. The easiest way is to take the train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh in the northern part of the Cotswolds. The trip is direct and only takes 1.5 hours, making it an easy journey for those coming from central London. Learn more about pricing and getting around using the Tube.

Getting Around the Cotswolds Without a Car

Some of the most beautiful parts of the Cotswolds are the places that are more remote, which is why we recommend having a car. But we know that rentals can be expensive, and some people may be nervous about driving on the other side of the road. Thankfully, you can still get around without a car if you plan to spend a few days in the countryside.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is available in certain parts of the Cotswolds, but they aren’t as frequent as they would be in the big city. It’s also important to note that many of them don’t run on Sundays or public holidays either. With all of that in mind, it can be really tricky to base your trip around a bus schedule, especially if there are certain villages or attractions you want to see.

While the availability of public transportation depends on where you are and where you’re going, there are two popular routes we can suggest:

Option 1: Take the Stagecoach Bus from Moreton-in-Marsh to Broadway (27 minutes on Route 1) or Chipping Campden (27 minutes on Route 2 or 47 minutes on Route 1). These buses only run a few times a day, so it’s important you look at the schedule before heading to the bus stop.

Option 2: Take the Pullman Bus Route 801 from Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold (20 minutes) and Bourton-on-the-Water (30 minutes). This bus runs a bit more often, roughly once every hour.

Keep in mind that buses may not drop you off directly in town, which means you’ll need to walk to some of the sites. But it’s a great way to get some exercise and to see the beautiful Cotswold countryside!

We also recommend planning your day around the return time of the bus. Because of their infrequent schedules, you don’t want to get stuck after missing the last bus of the day!

Taxis

Taking a taxi from one place to another in the Cotswolds can be more convenient than relying on the infrequent schedules of public transportation. However, the villages are so small that there aren’t any taxi ranks, which makes it almost impossible to find them in town. Therefore, you’ll need to arrange any trips ahead of time with a private taxi company.

This can be a bit of a hassle if you want to play your trip by ear since you don’t have a lot of leeway. Taxis will also be more expensive than public transportation, so make sure to account for that in your budget.

Check out our video of things to do in the Cotswolds to help plan your must-see spots!

Guided Tours

If you’re not planning on renting a car, then taking a guided tour is an excellent way to see the Cotswolds. While some people might not like traveling with loads of people, most of these tours are small groups and will give you ample time to explore the villages on your own.

There are tons of tour companies and options out there, but here are a few we highly recommend.

Tour from Oxford: If you’re based in Oxford (which is right outside the Cotswolds), this small-group tour takes you to a handful of scenic towns and villages in just 7 hours. You’ll visit Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter, and more.
Tour from London: This full-day tour (9.5 hours) takes you to Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. They give you free time in each town, so you can explore at your leisure.
Tour from Bath: Explore Castle Combe Village, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Malmesbury Abbey on this 9.5-hour mini-coach tour from Bath. They also offer another tour that combines the villages of the Cotswolds with a trip to Stonehenge and the Avebury stone circles.
Tour from Moreton-in-Marsh: If you’re already in the Cotswolds area, then this small-group tour is an affordable option to visit different villages, including Dover’s Hill, Chipping Campden, Snowshill, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury, and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Cotswolds without a car - Snowshill Arms — The Snowshill Arms in Snowshill.

Don’t see a tour with an itinerary that fits your interests? You always have the option to hire a private tour guide to take you to the exact villages or attractions that you want to see in the Cotswolds. It may not be the most budget-friendly option, but it is worth it if you have limited time or must-see sights on your list.

Bike Hire

When the weather is nice, hiring a bike to cycle the Cotswold countryside is a memorable way to explore the area. And unlike a guided tour or bus route, it also gives you the flexibility to see what you want when you want. Plus, it’s just so peaceful to spend the day riding through the fields and pastures!

One of the prettiest routes in the Cotswolds is the Moreton-in-Marsh Circular (you can rent a Hybrid or E-Bike from Cotswolds Cycles in Moreton-in-Marsh). From there, this 35-mile journey takes you to the quaint towns of Chipping Camden, Broadway, Snowshill, Kineton, the Slaughters, and Stow-on-the-Wold. We like this route because you get to see a lot of the northern area, including quite a few of the most popular towns.

Cotswolds without a car - Lower Slaughter — A beautiful day in the Lower Slaughters in June, perfect for a bike ride.

Where to Stay in The Cotswolds Without a Car

If you’re staying in the Cotswolds without a car, then you’ll probably want to stay in a town where you’ll have access to cafes, shops, restaurants, etc. We love Moreton-in-Marsh because it’s easy to reach from London and ticks all our boxes when it comes to amenities.

The Manor House Hotel and the White Hart Royal Hotel are two excellent accommodation options right on the High Street (the main street that runs through town). It can get busy during the summer (just like all the popular towns in the Cotswolds), but if you stay a few blocks away from the High Street, you’ll find that it’s significantly less crowded and, therefore, a bit more relaxing.

The Cotswolds Without a Car Itinerary

Planning a trip to the Cotswolds can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re not going to drive yourself. There are so many places to visit and lots of beautiful sights to see! But we have a fun 3-day itinerary that includes a couple of small towns as well as a few must-see sights that you can do easily from London.

If London is your home base, you won’t want to miss these:
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Day 1

To get to the Cotswolds, you’ll need to take the train from London to Moreton-in-Marsh (it’s a direct 1.5-hour trip from Paddington Station). Check into your hotel and use the rest of the day to explore the town.

If you arrive in town early enough, you can go to Rixy’s Cotswold Tearoom for afternoon tea, which is available every day except Tuesday. But if you are in town on Tuesday, then you can visit the weekly Tuesday Market on the High Street (9:00am-3:00pm). As the largest market in all of the Cotswolds, it sells everything from fresh produce and handicrafts to leather goods and clothing.

On a nice day, you can go for a walk to the Batsford Arboretum (it’s 1.7 miles from town, so approximately a 40-minute walk). We also love the Bourton House Gardens, which is 2 miles away. You can take a taxi or hop on the Stagecoach Bus 1 to Fenhill Close (if the timing lines up with your schedule).

In the evening, grab dinner at one of the local pubs in town. The Black Bear Inn Pub is one of our favorites, as it has classic English dishes, local ales, and an impressive wine list.

Cotswolds without a car - the Porch House — Stopping into a pub for a meal is a must. This is the Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold.

Day 2

Wake up, have breakfast, and take the Route 1 bus from Moreton-in-Marsh to Broadway (it runs three times a day – once in the morning, once around lunchtime, and once in the evening).

You can explore the town and visit the cute shops along Broadway High Street. If you have the time, make sure to take the historic Gloucestershire Warwickshire Heritage Railway from Broadway Station (it’s less than a mile walk). We absolutely loved the train because the scenery is gorgeous, and the volunteers who work here are so knowledgeable and passionate about what they do.

Another option is to visit Snowshill Manor, which is a National Trust Property. It’s a long walk from the town center (roughly 1 hour), but it’s one of the highlights in the area. From here, you can go another 25 minutes to the Lavender Farm, although you’ll want to keep in mind that it’s only open in the summer. Both of these activities are more than enough to keep you occupied for the day, especially since you have to catch the bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh (the last one leaves around 6:00 pm).

Cotswolds without a car - Snowshill Manor visit. — Exploring Snowshill Manor during one of our trips to the Cotswolds.

Day 3

On your last day in the Cotswolds, we recommend taking the Pullman Bus Route 801 to Bourton-on-the-Water. Affectionately known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, this charming village is one of the most popular due to its flowing canals and stone bridges. The buses run roughly every hour and take only 30 minutes.

If you’re up for a walk, then there is a trail that goes from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters. The entire thing is a 6-mile loop, so plan at least 2.5 to 3 hours if you want to complete the full route. But if you’re short on time, then you can go to Lower Slaughter and cut out Upper Slaughter.

Lower Slaughter is our favorite place in the Cotswolds, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you have the time! You can grab lunch or afternoon tea at the Slaughters Country Inn before returning back to Bourton-on-the-Water to catch your bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh.