Want to visit the Cotswolds but don’t know how to get around without a car? No worries! Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to visit the Cotswolds without a car. This 3 day itinerary provides plenty of variety and doesn’t require any driving whatsoever – just your feet and public transport!
Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Cotswolds Without a Car
This post specifically outlines the perfect 3 day itinerary for visiting The Cotswolds without a car. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to plan your own route, however, I’ve written a complete guide to help you. You can check it out here. This blogpost runs through:
- the best places to stay if you don’t have a car
- the different methods of transportation available once you arrive
- how to get to The Cotswolds without a car
But if you’re looking for someone to do all the work for you – read on!
The Perfect No Car Cotswolds Itinerary
This itinerary will detail exactly how to travel the Cotswolds without a car, including bus routes, where to catch the bus, where to check timetables, what footpaths to take and more.
Everything’s been thought out for you. No stress. No dramas. Just a fabulous weekend in The Cotswolds.
- Day 1: Arrive in Moreton in Marsh and explore Broadway + Chipping Campden
- Day 2: Visit the prettiest villages in The Cotswolds: The Slaughters + Bibury, as well as a lovely afternoon in Bourton-on-the-Water
- Day 3: Explore Moreton in Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold
Where to Stay in the Cotswolds Without a Car
For the sake of this itinerary, I’ve designated Moreton in Marsh as the base where you’ll stay. This is because:
- It’s easily accessible from London with a direct train route
- It has great public transport connections across The Cotswolds
- There are a number of nice restaurants and pubs available for your stay
How to Get to The Cotswolds Without a Car
First things first, you’re going to need to get to The Cotswolds. This is actually much easier than you might think! For this itinerary, I’ve created a base in Moreton in Marsh.
This lovely town has a great train station, making it very accessible. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get there from various locations across the UK. I’d recommend purchasing tickets through the Trainline app, although you can also buy them at the station.
London: board the direct train from Paddington Station to Moreton in Marsh (1.5 hour journey)
Oxford: board the direct train from Oxford Station to Moreton in Marsh (35 minute journey)
Bath: board the train to Reading from Bath Spa station. Change at Reading for the direct train to Moreton in Marsh (2.5 hour journey)
Some Notes About Buses
- They generally only run Monday – Saturday, and don’t run on public holidays
- You can purchase both single and return tickets when you board the bus
- They don’t run as regularly as buses in big cities like London, so make sure to check the bus timetables to plan timings
- Get the number of a reputable taxi company from your hotel, just in case you do get stuck somewhere and need a lift – it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Day 1: Broadway + Chipping Campden
So you’ve arrived at the Moreton in Marsh train station. Now it’s time to find your hotel. The town isn’t large, so it shouldn’t be too far of a walk! Once you’ve checked in, it’s time to start exploring two of the most popular towns in the North Cotswolds: Broadway and Chipping Campden.
Broadway
How to Get To Broadway Without a Car
To get from Moreton in Marsh to Broadway, you need to use the Johnsons Number 1 Bus. You can board this from Moreton in Marsh train station and only need to ride two stops before you’ll arrive at the Lygon Arms in Broadway. You can purchase tickets when boarding the bus using cash. Tickets costs £4.20 each way.
To return to Moreton, board the same number 1 bus at the Lygon arms going in the opposite direction.
Important Note: bus services only run Monday – Saturday!
You can view the timetable here.
Broadway Tower
This beautiful Tower is set within a 50-acre estate of parkland, which includes a deer park! Built in classic Cotswold golden stone, it’s a beautiful piece of history. Grab a picnic and amble through the grounds before exploring the tower and learning about English heritage.
Address: Middle Hill, Broadway WR12 7LB
Website: https://broadwaytower.co.uk
Old Fashioned Sweet Shop
Hidden down a side street is Hamilton’s, an old-fashioned sweet shop. Seeing row upon row of boiled sweets, toffees and fudges lining the windows will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. My personal favourites: rhubarb and custards.
Address: Cotswold Court, Broadway WR12 7AA
Where to Eat in Broadway
- Broadway Deli – the coolest deli you’ll ever see
- The Swan – offers good pub grub
- Russells of Broadway – perfect for a special meal
Chipping Campden
How to Get To Chipping Campden Without a Car
Once you’ve had your fill of Broadway, it’s time to hop back on the number 1 bus and carry on to Chipping Campden. Board at the Lygon Arms and get off 2 stops later at the Chipping Campden Town Hall.
Hart Gold and Silversmiths
The Hart family have been working here for over 100 years. You can visit their workshop and watch them make one-of-a-kind silver pieces. Chipping Campden is know for its arts and crafts.
Address: The guild of handicraft, Sheep Street, Chipping Campden GL55 6DS
Website: https://hartsilversmiths.co.uk
Where to Eat in Chipping Campden
- Badgers Hall Tea Room – this is definitely the best location for afternoon tea (a must-do to keep you energised for all that exploring!)
- The Bakers Arms – another great pub option in The Cotswolds.
Where to Shop in Chipping Campden
- Cotswold Luxe: for amazing homeware that fits that perfect Cotswolds vibe
- Frankie Doodle: the cutest little gift shop
- Humble: a beautiful gift shop filled with amazing (and gorgeous) eco-friendly products
How to Get Back to Moreton in Marsh
To get back to Moreton in Marsh, simply board the number 1 bus in the opposite direction from the Town Hall.
Important Note: bus services only run Monday – Saturday!
You can view the timetable here.
Day 2: Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water + The Slaughters
Now that you’ve seen some of the bigger towns in The Cotswolds, it’s time to visit a few of the beautiful villages the area is famed for. We’ll start however with another of the towns, which provides a jumping point from which to visit the villages.
Bourton-on-the-Water
How to Get To Bourton-on-the-Water Without a Car
Board the 801 Bus on the High Street opposite ‘Corn Exchange’ shop. Ride 6 stops until you arrive at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Important Note: bus services only run Monday – Saturday
Model Village
Pretend you’re a giant by exploring Bourton-on-the-Water at the Model Village. Here you’ll find a one-ninth replica of the lovely shop fronts and buildings. The detail that’s gone into creating it is completely mind-blowing, including the locally sourced limestone that’s been used to construct the buildings.
Address: Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2AF
Cotswold Motoring Museum
A must for motoring enthusiasts, The Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum includes an extensive collection of British cars. One such car is Brum. This little car had his own TV show in the UK years ago (and actually used to terrify me as a child!).
Address: The Old Mill, Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BY
Dragonfly Maze
The Dragonfly Maze is great fun, particularly on a sunny day. On your way through this warren, you’ll find 14 hidden clues that will help you solve the riddle at the centre of the maze! This activity is great for kids and adults alike!
Birdland Park and Gardens
Right next door to the Dragonfly Maze is the Birdland Parks and Gardens. Here you’ll find a whole host of different birds, including flamingoes, pelicans, and penguins!
Address: Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BN
Website: https://www.birdland.co.uk
Where to Eat in Bourton on the Water
- L’Anatra Italian: a lovely local Italian restaurant
- Bakery on the Water: the cutest bakery in The Cotswolds, make sure to pick up a cream tea!
- Rose Tree Restaurant: a lovely, cosy spot right on the river
- The Mousetrap Inn: the perfect place to get some hearty food to keep your full
Lower Slaughter
How to Get To Lower Slaughter Without a Car
It’s much more difficult to get to the smaller villages using public transport. However, they’re one of the biggest draws of visiting the Cotswolds, and you shouldn’t miss out just because you don’t have a car!
The walk from Bourton-on-the-Water to Lower Slaughter is only 1.5 miles and takes about half an hour. It’s a very simple route, following main roads, that is easy to find on Google Maps.
Go House Hunting
One of the best things to do in any Cotswolds village is to take a stroll around and take a look at the beautiful houses. Spend some time window shopping for the perfect cottage!
Lower Slaughter Museum
The main attraction in this tiny village is the 19th century flour mill with its big waterwheel. Today you can learn about the history of the mill and bread making. You’ll also find some award winning handmade ice cream here!
Address: 14 Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter, GL54 2HX
Price: £2.50 for an adult ticket
Website:
Upper Slaughter
If you want to experience more of village life, you could visit the neighbouring Upper Slaughter. The walk between the two villages only takes about 20 minutes.
There’s less to see in Upper Slaughter but it does make for a lovely place to spend an afternoon walking around.
You can then walk 40 minutes back to Bourton-on-the-Water, where you can catch the bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh or go to Bibury.
Bibury
How to Get To Bibury Without a Car
Bibury is one of, if not the, most popular destination in The Cotswolds. It has all the trappings of a quintessential English village and really delivers on the charm factor.
The best way to get to Bibury is to board the 855 bus opposite Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Bourton-on-the-Water. You’ll then need to ride 7 stops until you reach The Square in Bibury.
To get back to Moreton in Marsh, board the 855 bus in the same place you got off (The Square) and get off in Bourton on the Water. From here, board the 801 bus back to Moreton in Marsh.
Important Note: bus services only run Monday – Saturday!
You can view the timetable here.
Arlington Row
Bibury is home to the prettiest street in the UK, Arlington Row, making it a must visit for that perfect Cotswold photo! This road is so beautiful that it actually features in UK passports.
Address: Arlington Row, Awkward Hill, Cirencester GL7 5NJ
Bibury Trout Farm
The main attraction in Bibury is the Trout Farm. It’s quite a niche tourist site and, to be completely honest, not one that I’d particularly recommend. But if trout are what makes your heart sing, then be all means give it a go!
Address: Bibury, Cirencester GL7 5NL
Website: https://www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk
Food at the Swan Hotel
If you’re feeling hungry, definitely check out the Swan Hotel for a bite to eat. The building is beautiful, with ivy clambering up the front. I’ve actually stayed here before and loved it!
Address: Bibury, Cirencester GL7 5NW
Website: https://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-swan-hotel/
Day 3: Moreton in Marsh + Stow on the Wold
On your final day, it’s time to explore the place you’ve been calling home for the past couple of nights – Moreton-in-Marsh! I left this for the last day in case you were visiting on the weekend. If this is the case, then day 3 will likely fall on a Sunday, which is bad news for public transport. Most buses don’t run on Sundays! So spend the day enjoying Moreton in Marsh (maybe treat yourself to a traditional Sunday roast at one of the pubs!) before heading home.
Moreton in Marsh
Where to Shop in Moreton in Marsh
- Cotswold Grey: a beautiful home decor shop
- Cotswold Storehouse: the perfect place to pick up some unique gifts
- The Toy Shop: you guessed it! Full of every toy you can think of
- Cotswold Cheese Company: take some of The Cotswolds home with you by treating yourself to some local cheese!
Where to Eat in Moreton in Marsh
- Marshmallow Tearooms: I’ll be completely honest. I love the look of this tea room. The ivy clad sandstone is beautiful. That being said, whilst it’s my favourite place for a picture, it’s not my favourite place for afternoon tea. Instead, I’d recommend the Cotswold Tearoom!
- The Cotswold Tearoom: the perfect place for a cup of tea and a delicious scone. Here you’ll find plenty of traditional English baked goods. Be warned that it can get busy in the summer though!
- The Horse and Groom: is a popular local pub that has retained an authentic feel. The perfect place for a traditional pub lunch to keep you going on your adventures.
- The Bell Inn: this traditional pub was frequented by ‘Lord of the Rings’ author, J. R. R. Tolkien. In fact, its considered to be the inspiration for the ‘Prancing Pony’ pub in Middle Earth.
Batsford Arboretum
30 minutes walk outside of Moreton in Marsh is Batsford Arboretum. To get there simply follow Bourton Road off the main High Street. Here you’ll find 56 acres of gardens with species from around the world. It’s truly beautiful, especially on a summer’s day, and there’ll be a lovely slice of cake waiting for you in the cafe. Fun Fact: Batsford was the former home of the famous Mitford family!
Address: Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9AT
Website: http://www.batsarb.co.uk
Ticket Prices: £8.95 for adults
Stow-on-the-Wold
If day 3 doesn’t fall on a Sunday, I’d recommend hopping on a bus to Stow-on-the-Wold. This lovely town is one of my personal favourites and is very easily accessible. I’ve written a whole blogpost about the best things to do in Stow on the Wold, which you can check out here.
How to Get To Stow-on-the-Wold Without a Car
To get to Stow-on-the-Wold from Moreton in Marsh, you need to catch that 801 bus. The best places to catch it from are the train station or outside a shop called ‘The Corn Exchange’ on the High Street.
Get off the bus at Market Square in Stow-on-the-Wold. This will be 3 stops after boarding from The Corn Exchange, or 4 stops after boarding from the train station.
When you’re finished in Stow-on-the-Wold, simply board the 801 bus in the opposite direction, back to Moreton-in-Marsh.
Important Note: Buses only run Monday – Saturday
You can check the bus timetable here
Doors of Durin
One of the primary reasons why Stow is such a popular tourist destination is a small, unassuming Church in the town centre. If you walk its parameters, you’ll find a large wooden door on one side of the building. This beautiful arched doorway with its stained glass windows and tree trunks looks like the entrance to some far-off, magical land. In fact, it’s said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkein’s Doors of Durin – so a must visit for any Lord of the Rings fans!
Address: St. Edward’s Church, 2 Crossways House the Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1AB
Where to Eat in Stow on the Wold:
- Lucy’s Tea Room: another great afternoon tea location and one of the most photographed spots in the town thanks to it’s lovely exterior
- The Hive: a great lunch spot or place to grab a cup of coffee to keep you energised
- The Porch House: a lovely old-fashioned pub perfect for something hearty
- The Sheep on Sheep Street: restaurant serving British and Italian cuisine
Where to Shop in Stow on the Wold:
- Cutter Brooks: a gorgeous upmarket clothing and homeware store. The store is beautifully curated – from the French napkins to the Scanlon Apparati letter holders.
- Jaffe & Neale: Another gorgeous independent bookshop. This lovely little place has a particularly good selection of children’s books and also has a cafe attached to it
- Borzoi Bookshop: This independent book shop is an absolute joy to visit. Despite being small, it’s very well stocked and you’ll find a number of books from smaller publishers that might be difficult to source elsewhere! The staff in here are both friendly and knowledgeable
- The Organic Shop: the place to go for your organic produce! This might not be exactly what you’re interested in when visiting the Cotswolds but I wanted to include it because the store-front is so lovely.
- Cotswold Chocolate Company: the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a sweet treat, the Cotswold Chocolate Company chocolates and truffles are handmade without preservatives, artificial flavours or colours.
Where to Stay in Moreton in Marsh
Love the look of this itinerary but not sure where to stay in Moreton in Marsh? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Here are my top recommendations:
Manor House Hotel: this 4 star hotel is only 5 minutes walk from the train station and dates back to 1545. It also has an aware winning restaurant!
Walnut Cottage: if you prefer to have your own space, Walnut Cottage has everything you need for a relaxing stay.
The Bell Inn: this pub has a range of lovely rooms on offer and boasts a central location
