Visiting the Cotswolds by Train: A First-Timer’s Guide (No Car Needed)
There’s a persistent myth that you need a car to visit the Cotswolds. Narrow lanes, rolling hills, villages scattered across the countryside, it all sounds very car-dependent right?
Wrong. I just spent a long weeked in the Cotswolds and did it all by public transport (train and bus). I can safely say: not only is it possible, it’s actually a really enjoyable way to travel.
There was no white-knuckle reversing down country lanes. No arguing with Google Maps when it decides a tractor track is a “road”. Just trains, buses, pretty villages, good pubs, and countryside walks that sum up the Cotswolds perfectly.
This guide is for anyone planning their own Cotswolds itinerary without a car, especially first-timers, and especially Americans who love the look of the villages but have absolutely no interest in driving on the left.
Why Visit the Cotswolds Without a Car?
Travelling the Cotswolds by public transport forces you to slow down, and that’s no bad thing here, you can look out the window rather than firmly fixating on the road.
First, there’s the practical side. If you go off piste, the lanes can get really narrow, parking in villages can be a headache, and congestion around places like Bourton-on-the-Water can be relentless in peak season. Without a car, you skip all of that.
Then there’s the enjoyment factor. You can:
Sit back and actually enjoy the scenery
Walk straight out into the countryside from villages
Have that second glass of wine at the pub without thinking twice
Travel more sustainably
And finally, it’s surprisingly easy, as long as you base yourself in the right places.
When Is the Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is a year-round destination, but some seasons are better than others depending on the type of trip you want.
Spring (April–May): Gardens starting coming bloom, walking paths are especially beautiful, and if you avoid the Easter weekend, you can catch beautiful weather without it being too busy (or expensive).
Summer (June–September): Summer in the Cotswolds is beautiful, but it gets very busy, especially in July and August. I find June to be the sweet spot, it's outside the school holidays and the flowers are at their best, especially the roses! Take a mid-week break if you really want to take it at a relaxing pace. The longer days lend themselves well to evenings in the pub garden, and days exploring far and wide.
Autumn (October and November): The Cotswolds in Autumn quietens down again, especially in October and early November. It's surprising really, England turns into a storybook in Autumn, thanks to the golden leaves and carpets of orange. October can still be quite warm, if you want the peak autumn leaves then I recommend the last week of October and the first week of November
Winter (December–March): Other than the Christmas period, winter is the quiest and cheapest time to visit the Cotswolds. Despite this, winter in the Cotswolds can be so beautiful, especially if you catch your visit during a frosty period... think bright blue skies, glorious sunshine, and fields covered in a layer of frost. It can snow in the Cotswolds, but it's rare. This is the perfect time to cosy up in a cosy Cotswolds cottage and catch up on that list of books you've been ignoring.
Cotswolds Villages With Train Stations
These are the Cotswold villages with their own train station,
Charlbury: A tiny but beautiful village, with two great pubs and endless countryside walks.
Moreton-in-Marsh: Moreton-in-Marsh is a town rather than a village, but it's small and beautiful. The town is an excellent transport hub for buses, it has a brilliant market every Tuesday, and is a brilliant stop for people watching from a cafe (a hot cup of tea in hand of course).
Kingham: Small and quiet, Kingham is home to lots of gorgeous cottages you can stay in if that's you're vibe, it's also home to the Wild Rabbit, a very well regarded pub and hotel. It's another great spot for walking, and even better, you can walk to Daylesford Farm which arguably has one of the best farm shops in the Cotswolds (as well as a beautiful spa!).
Kemble: This is your best option for exploring the southern Cotswold villages.
For a first trip to the Cotswolds without a car, the Northern Cotswolds is far easier. More villages are connected by bus, distances are shorter, and there are better train links.
My 4-Day Car-Free Cotswolds Itinerary (Train + Bus)
This is the exact route I followed, and it worked beautifully, I never once had to grab a taxi!
Day 1: London → Hanborough → Woodstock
I took the train from London Padding to Hanborough Station which takes just over one hour with Great Western Railway.
From Hanborough Station, take the S7 bus to Woodstock, I recommend disembarking at the Marlborough Arms. Woodstock is a stunning, historic village and famously home to Blenheim Palace.
I spent the afternoon wandering the high street, popping into independent shops, and settling in for a proper pub roast at The Back Lane Tavern.
I stayed at The Bear Hotel, which I loved, I felt like I had walked into a room fit for Elizabeth I, not to mention it's very central to the village so you can walk everywhere.
Day 2: Blenheim Palace & Afternoon Tea → Charlbury
Woodstock is your entry point to Blenheim Palace, making it one of the easiest major Cotswolds sights to visit without a car.
Spend the morning exploring the palace and gardens, then settle in for afternoon tea in The Orangery, an indulgent but very fitting pause in the day.
That afternoon, take the S3 bus onwards to Charlbury. Try and grab a seat on the upper deck and sit at the front, the countryside views along this route are breathtaking.
You can view the S3 bus timetable here.
On arrival, head to The Bell at Charlbury, a beautiful pub with rooms and a great place to stay in the village.
Spend the evening by the fire with some delicious pub grub. If it's summer, you can take your drinks into the pub garden and enjoy the late sunsets.
Check availability or book your stay here
Day 3: Charlbury → Moreton-in-Marsh → Bourton-on-the-Water
From Charlbury, it’s a straightforward train to Moreton-in-Marsh, then the 801 Pulhams Bus onwards to Bourton-on-the-Water.
Moreton-in-Marsh is a lovely market town if you fancy a quick wander, or you can head straight to Bourton.
Check the bus timetable here.
This is one place where I do recommend staying overnight. So many people only do a day trip to Bourton-on-the-Water, but there’s far more to do than a quick wander (especially nice in the evening when the daytrippers have gone home):
Cotswold Motoring Museum
Greystones Farm Nature Reserve
Cotswolds Distillery
The model village
Day 5: Stow-on-the-Wold & Back to London
From Bourton, buses run easily to Stow-on-the-Wold, in fact, this is also the 801 bus, and takes just 16 minutes.
This is a brilliant place to linger:
Have brunch or afternoon tea at Huffkins
Visit the famous church doors (rumoured to have sparked JRR Tolkien's inspiration for the “Doors of Durin).
Hop between the various interiors shops and antiques stores.
Finish with a hot chocolate (or ice cream, depending on the season) from Alfonso Gelateria
From Stow, it’s an easy bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh (the 801), then the train straight to London Paddington. The trains take between 1 hr 30 and 1 hr 45.
Why the Northern Cotswolds Works Better Without a Car
Quite simply:
More train stations
Better bus links
Shorter distances between villages
Easier logistics overall
The southern Cotswolds is beautiful, but far more spread out and harder to navigate without driving.
The north and central Cotswolds have some really beautiful towns as well as large villages (Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-March, Woodstock, Stown-on-the-Wold, Broadway) that are connected by public transport and contain all the amenities you need.
FAQs: Visiting the Cotswolds Without a Car
1. Can you visit the Cotswolds without a car?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to visit the Cotswolds without a car, especially in the Northern Cotswolds where train and bus connections are strongest.
2. Can you visit the Cotswolds by train?
Yes, several Cotswolds towns have direct train stations, including Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury, Kingham and Kemble, all easily reached from London.
3. Is the Cotswolds easy to get around using public transport?
Public transport works well between key towns and villages, but planning is essential as buses don’t run frequently late in the evening.
4. Which Cotswolds villages are best without a car?
Charlbury, Woodstock, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold are some of the easiest villages to visit without a car thanks to train and bus links.
5. Is the Northern or Southern Cotswolds better without a car?
The Northern Cotswolds is better without a car because it has more train stations, shorter distances between villages and more reliable bus routes.
6. How long do you need in the Cotswolds without a car?
Three or four days is ideal for a first visit without a car, if you have longer, a week in the Cotswolds is ideal!
7. Are buses reliable in the Cotswolds?
Buses are reliable on main routes, particularly between Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, but services can be limited on Sundays and later in the evenings
8. Is visiting the Cotswolds without a car better for first-time visitors?
For many first-time visitors, travelling without a car is less stressful as it avoids narrow lanes, parking issues and busy summer congestion.
I can attest if it’s not easy. driving those narrow little roads. I’ve had the good luck to visit the Cotswolds in the summer, which was delightful. I was also able to visit early December one year. We lucked out with fabulous weather. I would recommend that time because it is so much less crowded.
Seeing it without the crowds is brilliant isn't it?!