Visiting the Cotswolds Without a Car: 4-Day Itinerary
Listen city girls… sometimes you need to embrace your nature-loving alter ego and let that inner mystical woodland fairy self free. The perfect place to do just that is in the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds, England is home to lush landscapes and charming villages that embody the quintessential coziness of the English countryside. This rural region spans multiple counties across England (Somerset, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire). It is a beautiful area that encompasses stone villages, quaint shops, old castles, and more. It’s truly the perfect country getaway.
The Cotswolds is approximately 100 miles away from London. The most popular way to get to the Cotswolds is by car. Don’t get me wrong— renting a car and taking a road trip through the countryside is delightful. But, if you’re a single girl like me craving a countryside holiday, renting a car is not always the most feasible or convenient option. While the Cotswolds is a countryside getaway, this area is still very accessible and connected by public transport.
If you’re embarking on a trip to the Cotswolds and only taking public transport as your vehicle, I’m here for you. I support you. I shall guide you!
This guide contains a 4-day itinerary for the Cotswolds if you’re traveling from London. I’ve also included tips on the trains and buses you’ll need to take along the way. Find everything you need to know as a solo traveler gallivanting through the Cotswolds like the woodland fairy you dream to be.
4-Day Itinerary: London to the Cotswolds
Day 1: London to Bath (1 Hour and 20 Minutes)
Day 2: Bath to Cheltenham (About 1 Hour and 20 Minutes)
Day 3: Cheltenham to Bourton-on-the-Water (1 Hour)
Day 4: Bourton-on-the-Water to London (About 2 Hours)
London to Bath, Somerset (1 Hour and 20 Minutes)
Take the Great Western Railway at London Paddington Station (PAD) to Bath Spa (BTH). These trains run frequently and the journey is direct, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
About Bath, Somerset
Your first rendezvous out of London will be to Bath, Somerset. Oh, Bath. It’s so freaking lovely here. Aside from being a great first stop on your Cotswolds journey, Bath is my favorite day trip out of London. You haven’t yet reached the cozy countryside, but this town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that must be experienced.
Back in the Regency period, Bath was known as a fashion capital of high society. The city is rich in history. After all, it’s known for its Roman baths dating back to 70 AD and Jane Austen set some of her novels in this romantic town.
One of my favorite activities to do in Bath is to sit for afternoon tea. Yes, you can have tea time in London. However, there is something about Bath’s quaintness and charm that makes sitting for a leisurely afternoon tea especially felicitous. I recommend booking a table at The Bath Priory Hotel for a picturesque tea on their garden terrace.
Bath makes you feel like a character in Bridgerton, so naturally I recommend you take a promenade around the city’s squares (unchaperoned because we’re crazy like that). Ditch the petticoat and admire all the lovely regency homes. While on your walk, you cannot miss the Royal Crescent. Aptly named, the Royal Crescent is a series of townhouses shaped like a crescent. These homes are a spectacular sight, along with the green gardens surrounding them.
If you’re a solo/ budget traveler like me, I recommend staying at The Z Hotel Bath. The Z Hotel Bath is centrally located and I felt very safe in this location. When I’m traveling solo, I like to stay in a central, lively area so that I don’t feel totally isolated and I’m able to walk everywhere.
Bath, Somerset to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (About 1 Hour and 20 Minutes)
Take the Great Western Railway at Bath Spa (BTH) to Cheltenham Spa (CNM).
The route from Bath to Cheltenham often involves a train transfer at Bristol Temple Meads Station. Don’t worry, the transfer is very simple and these train stations are small and are easy to navigate. The train from Bath to Bristol Temple Meads is 20 minutes. From Bristol Temple Meads, the train to Cheltenham is less than 40 minutes.
What to do in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
The next step of your journey into the Cotswolds leads you to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Cheltenham is home to one of the most famous horse races in the world. But, that’s not why we’re here. Regency townhouses lining the streets, a charming town center with lots of shops, and manicured gardens are what make Cheltenham stand out.
I highly recommend booking accommodation at No.38 The Park. My night at this boutique hotel was a standout superstar from my trip that I cannot recommend enough.
When booking my trip, I wanted to splurge on one night in a fabulous country hotel. No.38 The Park is THAT GIRL for a lavishly cozy getaway. This hotel is located in a Georgian townhouse that is equally beguiling as it is inviting. One of my favorite moments from my trip was eating takeaway in my hotel robe and watching movies in my king-size bed fit for a queen. Perfect night!
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to Bourton-on-the-Water (1 Hour)
The simplest, most direct way to Bourton-on-the-Water on public transportation is via bus. Hop on the 801 bus towards Chipping Norton and ride 39 stops to Edinburgh Wool Shop. The bus ride is one hour long (it goes by quickly— promise!)
About Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is a picture perfect village straight out of a storybook. This village is “on the water” due to the river that runs down the village center paired with cobblestone bridges and evergreen trees (or colorful leaves in the fall).
This village is quintessentially Cotswolds in the sense that it encapsulates so much British charm: tea shops, homey pubs, and quaint shops. The landscape is so beautiful and truly makes you feel at peace. It is the complete opposite of London’s hustle and bustle— time slows down and you take extra time to smell the roses and enjoy your tea.
I recommend booking a night at the Lansdowne Guest House. The Lansdowne is a cozy bed and breakfast that feels like your home away from home. It is located within the village center and is very easy to walk to from the bus stop.
Bourton-on-the-Water to London (About 2 Hours)
Getting back to London from Bourton-on-the-Water will be your longest journey at two hours. But, hopefully you’re so relaxed from your countryside getaway, that traveling is no bother.
To arrive back at London Paddington station, you’ll need to take the 801 bus towards Chipping Norton and stop at Moreton-in-Marsh to grab the train. The bus ride from Bourton-on-the-Water is 24 minutes long.
