Best Cotswolds Day Trips From London by Train & Car

The Cotswolds are home to honey-coloured stone villages, rolling green hills, and old school country pubs. It’s perfect for a day’s escape from the city. Here are the best day trips to the Cotswolds from London by train and car.

Everyone needs a little adventure every now and then, but not all adventures have to be adrenaline-fueled. Sometimes, all you need is a micro-break from the daily grind — a chance to breathe fresh air, slow down, and take in something new.

The Cotswolds is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covering around 800 square miles across six counties — Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Somerset.

It’s best known for its honey-coloured stone villages, rolling green hills, and a certain unhurried charm that feels genuinely rare in modern England.

From London, you can be in the heart of it in around 90 minutes by car, or just over an hour by train.

Paul and I have spent years living and working in both London and the Cotswolds — commuting the route, exploring the backroads, and quietly accumulating a long list of favourite villages, walks, pubs, and hidden corners.

This guide covers the best day trips to the Cotswolds.

Getting to and Around the Cotswolds

By Car

Driving gives you the most flexibility by far. From London, the M40 is the most direct route, bringing you into the southern Cotswolds in around 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Driving along the country lanes and between villages is a wonderful experience, but beware parking in the most popular villages — Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury in particular — can be tricky on summer weekends.

By Train

To be perfectly honest, public transport within the Cotswolds is limited. Buses between villages run infrequently, and many of the best spots aren’t served at all.

But you can visit parts of the Cotswolds on a day trip by train and bus.

The main train line from London Paddington has trains running to:

• Oxford (1 hr)
• Charlbury (1 hr 10 mins)
• Chippenham (1 hr 15 mins)
• Kingham (1 hr 20 mins)
• Moreton-in-Marsh (1 hr 30 mins)
• Cheltenham Spa (2 hrs)

From those stations, buses go to various places. Nevertheless, getting there, back, and around could take 3 to 4 hours, so probably a bit much for a day trip. If you decide to stay over, read our guide on the best places to stay in the Cotswolds.

We have put together all the best day trips by public transport below, including suggestions for when we think a weekend break is a better idea.

By Tour

Tours are another great way for exploring the Cotswolds on a day trip. They can pick you up and drop you off at the best villages without needing to wait for train and bus connections. We suggest some tour options in the details below.

Map: Best Cotswolds Day Trips

To help get your bearings, you can find all our favourite day trips marked on the map below. We have included the nearby train stations and car parks, as well as major points of interest for each day.

While all these excursions can be completed in a single day, you could combine two to create a great weekend break. You can find all our favourite hotels and guesthouses in Where to Stay in the Cotswolds.

Which Cotswolds Day Trip Is Right for You

Below is a rundown of all our favourite day trips to the Cotswolds. But if you have a specific interest, you might want to skip to the ones that interest you most.

• Best without a car – Charlbury, Bath.
• Best for pretty villages – Bourton & the Slaughters
• Best for country walk and pub lunch by train – Charlbury
• Best for foodies – Kingham
• Best for Roman ruins – Bath
• Best for grand palaces – Blenheim
• Best for picnic, walk, and wild swim – Burford & Minster Lovell
• Best for stunning film locations – Castle Combe & Lacock

Best Day Trips to the Cotswolds

1. Bourton on the Water & the Slaughters

• Best for: Quintessential Cotswolds villages.
• Highlights: Bourton-on-the-Water; Upper Slaughter; Lower Slaughter.

Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter, and Upper Slaughter are three of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, bursting with traditional English charm. Each is conveniently located just a few miles apart.

This day trip can easily be done by car, but with a bit of walking, it’s also possible to see all three villages by train, bus, and on foot.

Getting There:

• By car: 90 minutes from London (M40 then A40), 45 minutes from Oxford. Park at the main Bourton-on-the-Water car park on Moore Road (paid, well signposted on approach).
• By train: London Paddington to Kingham (1hr 20 mins), then a 10-minute taxi to Bourton. Alternatively, London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (1hr 30mins) then 801 bus to Bourton (45 mins).
• By Tour: Lower Slaughter and Bourton are included on this very well-rated small group tour of the best Cotswolds Villages, which also includes Minster Lovell, Burford, and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Bourton Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Start in Bourton-on-the-Water with coffee and a pastry at Bakery on the Water. Explore the village on foot. Named the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, honey coloured houses line the canal-like river that burbles through the town.

Pop into the Cotswolds Motoring Museum and visit the quirky Model Village.

Lunch – Drive (5 mins) or walk 1.5 miles (30 mins) on the Warden’s Way footpath across picturesque fields to Lower Slaughter. Often voted one of the most beautiful villages in England, a tiny stream burbles its way through picture-perfect cottages.

There’s an old mill with a shop to explore, and The Slaughters Country Inn serves pub grub throughout the day.

Afternoon – Drive (5 mins) or walk 1mile (20 mins) further along the Warden’s Way to Upper Slaughter. Another striking village, the highlight here is the Lords of the Manor. This grand English manor house, set across 8 acres of private gardens, serves a great Afternoon Tea in its country garden.

Evening – If you have a car, head to the Kings Head at Bledington for dinner (one of our favourite pubs in the Cotswolds). If not, walk or take a taxi back to Bourton-on-the-Water, sample the ales at Hawkstone Brewery, and begin the journey home.

2. Blenheim Palace

• Best for: Exploring one of England’s grandest stately homes.
• Highlights: Blenheim Palace; Formal Gardens; Woodstock; Great Tew.

Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1722 to thank the first duke of Marlborough for his many military victories over the French and Bavarians.

It stands today as one of the most extravagant stately houses in Britain, making it one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds.

This day trip can easily be done by car or a combination of train and bus.

Getting There:

• By car: 75 minutes from London (M40, exit at junction 9 for Woodstock). Parking is available on-site at Blenheim Palace (paid; included with some ticket types — check when booking).
• By train: London Paddington to Oxford (55 minutes), then the S3 bus from Oxford city centre directly to Woodstock (around 30 minutes). From there it’s a 15-minute walk to the palace. Alternatively, a taxi from Oxford takes around 20 minutes.
• By Tour: This coach tour runs from London to Blenheim and includes a visit to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Blenheim Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Drive to Blenheim Palace, or get the train and bus to Woodstock and walk ten minutes to the Palace. Try to arrive as early as possible — the palace and gardens get busy by mid-morning, especially in summer.

Begin with a guided tour of the State Rooms, taking in the gilded grand entrance hall, the Long Library, and the Churchill Exhibitions, which trace the life of Winston Churchill, who was born here in 1874.

Afternoon – After the palace, explore the Formal Gardens — the Water Terraces, the Italian Garden, and the tranquil Secret Garden are all worth taking your time over.

For lunch, the Orangery Restaurant serves a two-course menu in elegant surroundings; alternatively, pick up supplies from the palace café and picnic by the Great Lake.

Spend the rest of the afternoon in the Pleasure Gardens, which has a butterfly house, a miniature train, a maze, and a large adventure playground — particularly good if you’re visiting with children.

Evening – If you have a car, drive to the village of Great Tew (around 20 minutes) and have dinner at the Falkland Arms — one of the most atmospheric pubs in the Cotswolds.

If not, there are some excellent eateries in Woodstock. We usually opt for Brotherton’s Brasserie, just be sure not to miss the last bus and train home.

3. Charlbury

• Best for: A proper countryside walk, a Michelin-recognised pub lunch, and one of the easiest car-free day trips from London.
• Highlights: Charlbury town; Evenlode Valley; Wychwood Forest; The Bull.

This is one of the best car-free day trips to the Cotswolds. The train to Charlbury is direct and quick, the two walks through the Evenlode Valley are lovely, and the Bull in Charlbury is a stunning place for lunch.

Be sure to wear hiking boots or shoes as the paths can be muddy, and book lunch in the pub in advance – dogs are welcome.

Getting There:

• By train: Direct trains run from London Paddington to Charlbury (1 hr 10 mins). Charlbury station is an 8-minute walk from the town centre and the start of most walks.
• By car: From London, take the M40 and exit at junction 9 (A34 towards Woodstock), then the A44 west. Journey time is around 90 minutes. There is a small car park at Charlbury station and on-street parking in the town centre.

Charlbury Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Arrive in Charlbury and get your bearings over coffee and breakfast at The Old Shed at Banbury Hill Farm, a short walk up from the station — a relaxed café serving homemade cakes, brunch plates, and good coffee with views over the Evenlode Valley.

From there, take the Evenlode Valley Circular walk. This 4-mile route runs to the north-west of Charlbury, following the pretty Evenlode valley and using a section of the Oxfordshire Way.

The path crosses open fields and passes through pockets of ancient woodland, with the broad, unhurried river never far from view. It’s well-marked, relatively flat, and genuinely beautiful.

Lunch – Back in Charlbury, grab lunch at The Bull (dog-friendly). Standing on the corner of Sheep Street since the early 1500s, the space oozes character — flagged floors, timbered ceilings, plenty of exposed golden stone and twin open fires.

The pub is run by the duo behind London pub hits like The Pelican and The Hero. It holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and cooking has an understated quality that lets first-rate ingredients shine (reserve ahead).

Afternoon – After lunch, spend an hour exploring Charlbury itself, and if the legs are willing, take the walk south-east towards Finstock (around 5 miles return). It passes through Cornbury Deer Park, follows a section of the Oxfordshire Way and drops in on the village of Finstock. Once back in Charlbury, take the train home.

Extend It // If you want to make a full weekend of it, Charlbury is also an easy base for visiting Blenheim Palace (20 minutes by car or bus via Woodstock) — a natural pairing for a two-day trip. Stay at the Bull.

4. Bath 

• Best for: Roman history, Georgian architecture, and the chance to bathe in the same thermal spring waters as the Romans
• Highlights: Roman Baths; Bath Abbey; Royal Crescent; Pulteney Bridge; Thermae Bath Spa.

At the southern end of the Cotswolds, the golden glow of Bath’s stone-dominated architecture shimmers among the surrounding green countryside.

The city has the best Roman ruins in Britain, magnificent sweeping Georgian architecture and some quirky museums. It is one of the best day trips from London and is easy to do by train. You can find full details in our Bath Day Trip from London.

Getting There:

• By train: Direct GWR services from London Paddington to Bath Spa take around 1 hour 20 minutes, with trains running approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day. Bath Spa station is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of town.
• By car: From London, the journey time is around 2 hours, depending on traffic. Bath operates a Clean Air Zone in the city centre — check whether your vehicle is affected. Park & Ride services operate from several sites on the outskirts of the city and are by far the easiest option for drivers.

Bath Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Grab coffee at The Columbian Company on Abbey Gate Street. They do a mean brew with some good cakes.

Next, head straight to the Roman Baths. They open at 9 am, and the award-winning audio guide is included in the admission price.

Allow at least 90 minutes to do it justice, making sure to see the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bathhouse, and numerous artefacts (including the Gorgon Head).

Guided tours of the Roman Baths take place each day at 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 3 pm, and cost £8 per person in addition to the entrance ticket.

After the Baths, step next door into Bath Abbey. Look up, and the interior’s soaring fan vaulting is one of the finest in the country.

Lunch – From the Abbey, a grassy slope drops to the River Avon, providing a natural amphitheatre for a picnic on a sunny day. For something smarter, head to The Pump Room, a grand neoclassical restaurant with a resident pianist, ideal for a special occasion.

Or for a more traditional lunch, try Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House. Set in the oldest house in Bath, it serves sweet and savoury Bath Buns, High and Cream Teas, and set lunches. 

Afternoon – In the afternoon, stroll past Pulteney Bridge, the Circus. and the Royal Crescent before dipping into the Jane Austen Museum. End the day soaking in the waters at the Thermae Bath Spa, so that you are fully relaxed for the journey home.

Extend It // Bath is well worth spending a weekend, and it’s a good base from which to visit Castle Combe – often considered the most beautiful village in the UK. Make it a special weekend break and stay at the Royal Crescent Hotel.

5. Kingham, Daylesford & Bledington

• Best for: Foodies, walkers, and anyone who wants to combine outstanding countryside with two of the finest eating destinations in the Cotswolds
• Highlights: Kingham village · Daylesford Organic · Evenlode Valley walk · King’s Head Inn, Bledington

This is a great day trip for foodies. Kingham has two excellent restaurants – The Wild Rabbit and The Plough Inn. Daylesford is home to the eponymous Daylesford Organic, which has a great farm shop and restaurant serving brunch and lunch. In Bledington, one of the most atmospheric pubs in the Cotswolds, sits on the edge of the village green.

You can drive to each of the villages in turn, but it’s even better by public transport. Get the train to Kingham Station and follow a circular trail through stunning Cotswolds scenery to connect the three villages.

Getting There:

• By train: Direct GWR services run from London Paddington to Kingham Station, with the fastest trains taking around 1 hour 16 minutes. A 6.5 miles circular trail connects the three villages and takes just under 3 hours, making this one of the most satisfying car-free days in the guide.
• By car: From London, take the M40 to junction 8, then the A40 towards Burford and the A361 north to Kingham. Journey time is around 1 hour and 45 minutes. There is on-street parking in Kingham and Bledington and a car park at Daylesford Organic.

Kingham Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – If you have a car, you can drive between the three villages in whichever order you want. If you are travelling by public transport, take the train to Kingham Station, then follow this circular walking route in an anti-clockwise direction.

It begins and ends at Kingham Station and connects Kingham, Daylesford and Bledington. It’s 6.5 miles long and takes just under 3 hours. But it goes very quickly, with three stops along the way.

The route follows a mix of roads and easy, well-marked footpaths through the Evenlode Valley. There are views over open fields, ancient hedgerows, quiet farmland, and the occasional glimpse of the river.

First stop is Kingham Village (25-minute walk from the station). Kingham was voted England’s Favourite Village in 2006, and the handsome stone streets and thatched cottages make a strong case for the title.

Pick up coffee and something to eat at The Wild Rabbit, which opens for breakfast. Then explore the village, before heading off to Daylesford (1.5 miles, 40 minutes)

Lunch – Second stop is Daylesford. Forty years ago, the family behind Daylesford Organic Farmhouse began turning their land to sustainable organic farming. It’s now a trendy enterprise with a café, restaurant, spa, and farm shop. 

The farmshop has award-winning bread and pastries, artisan cheeses made in the on-site creamery, and wines from their sister estate Château Léoube.

Grab lunch at the café (no booking required), which has held a Green Michelin Star for four consecutive years.

Afternoon – From Daylesford, the walk follows the Diamond Way to the village of Bledington (2.2 miles, 1 hour).

Set on the village green with a brook running through it and ducks wandering freely, the King’s Head is a classic English country pub with open fires in winter, and a sun-drenched courtyard in summer.

It was our go-to pub for afternoon drinks or dinner when we lived in the Cotswolds. Make sure you sit in the atmospheric bar area – rather than the more modern dining rooms. Book ahead if you plan on having dinner.

From the Kings Head, the trail passes the pretty village’s church and lovely stone cottages, before joining the road back to Kingham station (1 mile, 25 minutes) – ending a great day out.

6. Castle Combe & Lacock  

• Best for: Two of the most filmed and photographed villages in England, a countryside walk, and a proper pub lunch in a 12th-century inn
• Highlights: Chippenham market town; Castle Combe village; The Castle Inn; Lacock Abbey; Fox Talbot Museum.

This excellent day out is easiest by car, but can also be done by public transport (with a short taxi ride). It visits a lovely market town, and two of the most photographed villages in the UK.

Castle Combe is often ranked as the prettiest village in the country, and Lacock is largely owned and managed by the National Trust, making it one of the best preserved in the country. Together they make a great day out.

Getting There:

• By car: From London, take the M4 westbound to junction 17 (signposted Chippenham). Journey time is around 2 hours. Both villages have their own car parks — the Upper Castle Combe car park on Dunns Lane (SN14 7HH) and the National Trust Hither Way car park at Lacock (SN15 2RQ).
• By train: Direct GWR services from London Paddington to Chippenham take around 1 hour 15 minutes, with the fastest services taking just over an hour. Chippenham station is the gateway to both villages — Castle Combe and Lacock are each within 15–20 minutes of the town by bus or taxi, making this a very workable car-free day.
• By Tour: This new all-day tour combines Castle Combe with two other great Cotswolds Villages – Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Castle Combe Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Arrive into Chippenham and take a few minutes to explore the old market town itself, which is often bypassed entirely by visitors heading straight for the villages.

The covered market and the medieval church of St Andrew are both worth a quick look, and the high street has several decent independent cafés for a coffee before heading out.

Take the 95 bus that leaves from the station to Castle Combe (20 minutes). Timetables are infrequent, so a taxi (around £12–15 from the station) is sometimes a more practical option and gets you there in 10 minutes.

The 12th-century village of Castle Combe — often called the prettiest village in England — sits in the old market square with its stone Market Cross, honey-coloured cottages, and the By Brook running beneath a medieval bridge.

It has appeared in so many films that the feeling of stepping onto a film set is almost unavoidable. Potter around the village, and then head for lunch.

Lunch – The Castle Inn stands proud in the old market square and is easily the best food and drink option in Castle Combe.

It holds 2 AA Rosettes and the menu is built around seasonally inspired dishes made with local and homegrown ingredients. Be sure to book ahead, especially on weekends.

Afternoon – From Castle Combe, take a taxi to Lacock (around 15 minutes, £15–18). Alternatively, if you’re driving, it’s a straightforward 20-minute run via the B4039.

Lacock is 3 miles south of Chippenham and is largely owned and managed by the National Trust, who have ensured the village remains beautifully preserved.

Half-timber, half-stone cottages line wonky laneways; shops have maintained their original simple branding; and films such as Pride and Prejudice and Emma have been lured in by authentic facades.

The highlight is Lacock Abbey. Don’t miss the cloisters, unchanged since the 13th century; Harry Potter fans will recognise them as the corridors where Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised.

We always head to the George Inn on the High Street for a final drink before heading back. The X34 bus runs regularly between Lacock and Chippenham, departing from the George Inn stop and reaching Chippenham station in around 15 minutes.

Extend It // Combine this day trip with a visit to Bath for an excellent weekend break. Make it a special trip and stay at the Royal Crescent Hotel.

7. Burford & Minster Lovell  

• Best for: A quintessential Cotswolds market town, a picnic amongst atmospheric ruins, and a wild swim.
• Highlights: Burford High Street; Minster Lovell Hall ruins; River Windrush wild swim.

This day trip visits Burford, one of the Cotswolds’ best market towns. It then heads to the lovely ruins at Minster Lovell, which sit on the banks of the River Windrush.

The banks make a great spot for a picnic, and provide easy access for a wild swim in the Thames. An excellent 2-hour walk burns some calories which can be regained with a pint at the Swan Inn.

Getting There:

• By car: From London, take the M40 to junction 8, then the A40 westbound directly into Burford — around 90 minutes. Park at the Guildenford car park.
• By train: This day trip is not really doable by public transport.

Burford Day Trip Itinerary

Morning – Burford is one of the great Cotswolds towns — not a village but a proper market town with a steep High Street that sweeps down to a medieval bridge over the River Windrush.

Start with a coffee at Lynwood & Co at 134 High Street. From there, spend an hour exploring the independent shops and antique dealers in the town, making sure not to miss the Church of St. John the Baptist.

Now grab a picnic for later in the day. The Burford Farm shop has a great selection of local sandwich fillers, pastries, and snacks. Next door, the Cotswolds Cheese shop is wall-to-wall with local delicacies.

Match it all with some homemade chutney from Brumbles of Burford. The Cookshop will come in handy if you forgot to pack that corkscrew.

Lunch – Get back in the car and head to Minster Lovell (10 minutes). The best place for a picnic is next to the Minster Hall and Dovecote ruins on the banks of the River Windrush (see map above).

Afternoon – The banks also provide easy access to the river. It’s one of the best wild swimming spots in the Thames, so bring your swimmers and a towel. The river is relatively shallow — around one metre deep at the main spot by the ruins, with a deeper section above the weir further along the meadows

In the afternoon, follow this short hike (1 hr 45 mins) that meanders along the river, heads across flower-strewn fields, and explores the best the village has to offer.

End the day with a pint in the wooden-beamed Old Swan & Minster Mill.

Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is worth visiting in any season — each one brings something different to the landscape and the experience. That said, some times of year suit certain trips better than others.

Spring (March to May) is our favourite time to visit. The countryside is at its most dramatic — daffodils line the roadsides, wisteria tumbles over cottage walls, and the hills turn a vivid green almost overnight.

Summer (June to August) is peak season. Long days, warm evenings, and the countryside in full bloom make for an idyllic visit. We often head to the Cotswolds and go for a walk, cool off with wild swimming in the Thames, and then have a picnic on the riverbank.

Autumn (September to November) is quietly spectacular and underrated by most visitors. The turning leaves bring warm amber and copper tones to the wooded valleys, the summer crowds have thinned, and the pubs feel properly cosy again.

Winter (December to February) is a surprisingly good time to visit. Frosty morning walks, lunch in a cosy pub with a roaring fire, and just enough time to get home before it’s dark.

More Day Trips

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• Enjoy a medieval weekend break with our Rye day trip.
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• Explore the rich history on our Canterbury day trip from London.
• Scoff the freshest oysters with our Whitstable day trip.
• Enjoy the regal side of life with our Bath day trip itinerary.
• Pick from one of our 10 Cotswolds day trip ideas.
• Hike the white cliffs on our Seven Sisters day trip.