Are you wondering if you can really see the Cotswolds in just one day from London? We did it, and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful days of our entire Paris and London trip. If you have been dreaming about rolling green hills, honey-colored stone cottages, and a countryside that looks straight out of a BBC period drama, then a Cotswolds day trip belongs on your itinerary!
This guide covers everything you need to plan your own day trip from London to the Cotswolds, including how to get there, the best Cotswolds villages to visit, what to wear, what to eat, and how to make the most of every single hour. Let’s get into it!
What Are the Cotswolds?
When I started looking into my first trip to the Cotswolds, this was my first question. A lot of people (like myself) wonder what exactly a “Cotswold” is when they first hear the name. The Cotswolds are a region located in central to southwest England, just a couple of hours outside of London. It is not a single attraction or one landmark. It is an entire region made up of over 100 charming, beautiful English villages.
The name itself comes from two old words. “Cote” referred to livestock, and “wold” means gentle rolling hills. The area made its wealth from sheep and wool, and that pastoral history is still written into the landscape everywhere you look.
What Makes the Cotswolds So Special?
The Cotswolds, England is famous for its rolling hills, quaint villages, historic sites, and storybook landscapes. If you have ever watched Downton Abbey, Poldark, The Crown, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, or Bridget Jones’s Diaryhttps://amzn.to/4kQKVPh, then you have already had a glimpse of what the Cotswolds looks like. It is straight out of a movie.
The region has also become a favorite spot for celebrities. David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, and Kate Winslet all have homes in the Cotswolds. You will quickly understand why the moment you arrive.
For a one day trip, you will want to focus on just a few of the best Cotswold villages rather than trying to cover everything. We chose four of the most popular and most loved: Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Even the names are adorable.
Getting from London to the Cotswolds: Your Three Options
There are three main ways to make the London to Cotswolds journey. Each has its pros and cons, so here is what you need to know.
Drive Yourself
Driving gives you the most flexibility of any option. The trip is about 75 miles and takes roughly two hours from London. A car also gives you access to smaller villages that larger tour buses simply cannot reach due to size restrictions. You can linger as long as you like in each spot.
That said, parking in the Cotswolds can be scarce and the roads are narrow. Some spots charge for parking, and even after you find a space you may still have a good walk ahead of you to reach the village center. Take the first spot you find and go from there.
Take Public Transportation
You can hop on the Great Western Railway from London’s Paddington Station. The train takes about an hour to an hour and a half and drops you in towns like Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, or Moreton-in-Marsh. Trains are actually faster than driving because you skip the congestion on those famously narrow two-lane country roads.
You can also take the National Express bus to Cirencester London Road for around 20 pounds each way, with a journey of about 2.5 hours. The downside of public transportation is that not every Cotswolds village is accessible this way, and the schedules do not run very frequently. If you go this route, base yourself in a well-connected village like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, or Moreton-in-Marsh and explore from there.
Book a Guided Tour
This is exactly what we did, and for a Cotswolds day trip, it is hard to beat! A guided tour offers the most convenient, efficient, and educational experience with the least amount of stress. We chose the Small Group Cotswolds Tour from London about 3-5 months before our trip (tours sell out quickly!) On the day of the tour, we met at a central London location, climbed into a small van, and were whisked off to the countryside.
Your time in each village is typically limited to about an hour or two, but that is usually enough to explore, eat, and shop. The biggest bonus? You never have to think about parking. Your driver handles all of that while you just enjoy the day.
One important tip: choose a small group tour over a large bus tour if you can. Larger buses are actually restricted from entering some of the smaller, more charming Cotswolds villages. A small van gets you in everywhere.
There are also cycling tours and bike tours available if you want a more active Cotswolds day trip.
Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds
For a Cotswolds England trip, spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) are the sweet spots. We visited at the end of May and the weather was beautiful, crisp but clear and easy to enjoy. That said, this is England, so pack layers no matter when you go.
The Cotswolds gets busy on weekends, especially in peak summer. If you can visit on a weekday, you will have a much more peaceful and crowd-free experience. For a true Cotswolds hidden gems experience, a quiet Tuesday or Wednesday morning in the villages is pure magic.
What to Wear and Bring
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. Bonus points if they are water resistant and can handle cobblestones, grass, mud, and concrete, because you will walk on all of them in a single day. The Cotswolds villages are made for wandering, but they are not always smooth underfoot.
Dress in layers. England in any season can be chilly, warm, rainy, and sunny all in the same afternoon. A lightweight water resistant jacket is your best friend. Bring a tote or reusable shopping bag too, because the shopping in the Cotswolds villages is genuinely wonderful and you will want room to carry things home.
The Best Cotswolds Villages to Visit in One Day
With over 100 Cotswolds villages to choose from, it helps to have a shortlist. Here are the four we visited and loved.
Burford
Burford is often the first stop on a Cotswolds day trip and it is a perfect introduction to the region. The vibe here is relaxed and idyllic, with a long main street lined with independent shops, bakeries, and restaurants. The smell of fresh bread wafting out of the local bakeries alone is worth the trip.
One thing that really stood out is the commitment to preserving the architecture. Many of the houses are built from limestone and strict rules mean you cannot change the exterior or interior structure. If you build something new in the Cotswolds, it must be made of limestone too. It is that dedication to keeping things beautiful that makes the whole region feel so special.
Bibury Cotswolds
Bibury is about ten minutes from Burford and is one of the most photographed spots in all of the Cotswolds. There is a lovely 15-minute walking loop around the river where you can spot trout swimming through crystal clear water. The scenery is so charming that there is really no other way to describe it than just impossibly cute.
One important note for the Bibury Cotswolds: the village no longer allows tour buses. You can only arrive by car or small van. So if you are booking a guided Cotswolds day trip, make sure your tour uses a small vehicle. Otherwise, this gorgeous little stop gets skipped entirely, and you do not want to miss it.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Of all the towns and villages, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most beloved Cotswolds villages and it is easy to see why. Known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” it has a gentle river running right through the center of the village with low stone bridges crossing it. The green spaces along the river are perfect for a picnic.
We had fish and chips here and they were genuinely phenomenal. The fish was perfectly cooked and there is nothing quite like eating takeaway by the river in a Bourton-on-the-Water England afternoon. You can also grab food from local shops and settle in on the grass for a proper English outdoor lunch.
A quick note for Bourton-on-the-Water: some of the public restrooms in the Cotswolds villages charge a small fee. Keep a ten, twenty, or fifty pence coin in your pocket just in case.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Next on our trip was Stow-on-the-Wold, which rounds out a perfect one day Cotswolds itinerary. The town square here is classic English charm with a great market square, independent shops, and places to sit and soak it all in. If history is your thing, The Porch House here is considered the oldest inn in England, dating all the way back to 947 A.D. You can stop in for a pint and feel the weight of a thousand years of history under your feet.
Things to Do in the Cotswolds: What to See, Eat, and Do
So what exactly do you do in a Cotswolds day trip? Here is the breakdown.
Explore the Villages
Just walking through the Cotswolds villages is an experience in itself. From limestone cottages covered in climbing roses to lush gardens with small stone bridges, every corner is a photo opportunity. Just remember that real people live in these homes, so treat every property with respect. This is not a film set, even if it looks like one!
If you have time to explore beyond the villages, the Cotswolds also has stunning larger attractions like Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, Gloucester Cathedral, and the Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens. The Cotswolds also hosts festivals like the Wilderness Festival and the Cotswolds Beer Festival, so check the calendar around your visit.
One of the most unique Cotswolds hidden gems is a hot air balloon ride over the countryside. You catch the sunrise, float above the green fields and golden stone villages, and see the whole region from above. It is extraordinary.
Shop the Independent Stores
Shopping in the Cotswolds villages is genuinely delightful. You will find independent shops selling homewares, baked goods, scarves, hats, and beautiful wool items. Because of the region’s deep history with wool and sheep farming, quality knitwear and wool goods are a specialty. My husband and I picked up a wool hat for my father-in-law that we simply could not find back home in the Washington, D.C. area.
Pack a tote bag or reusable shopping bag so you have room to carry your finds without juggling too many bags around the cobblestones.
Eat and Drink Well
Do not sleep on the food in the Cotswolds. The region is a dream destination for foodies. Think farmers markets, fresh fish and chips, free range meats, local produce, freshly baked bread, charming tea rooms, and ice cream made right in the region.
Some standout restaurants in the area include The Lamb Inn in Burford, The Old Bell in Painswick, The Chequers at Church Hill, The Wild Rabbit, and The Double Red Duke. Reservations are recommended at most sit-down spots, but ordering takeaway and eating outdoors along the river or on the village green is one of the great pleasures of a Cotswolds day trip.
Walk, Relax, and Slow Down
Beyond shopping and eating, the Cotswolds invites you to simply slow down. Walk the longer hiking trails in the hills. Sit on a bench in a village garden and watch life go by. Have a pint in a cozy pub with wooden beams. The Cotswolds is peaceful and quiet, so be mindful of your volume when you are in the villages. This is a community, not a tourist park.
The region also has a wonderful way of inspiring creativity. Whether it is photography, sketching, journaling, or just sitting with a good book, the Cotswolds practically begs you to make something or reflect on something. It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave.
If You Have More Than One Day in the Cotswolds
A Cotswolds day trip is absolutely worth it, but if you can stay longer, the experience deepens enormously. Consider staying a few nights in one of the villages to truly live the pace of the countryside. The Cotswolds is also a wonderful destination for a girls’ trip, a romantic couple’s escape, a solo retreat, or even a group getaway like a book club or journaling group looking for inspiration in a stunning setting.
As stunning as a stay in the Cotswolds would be, you really need to book well in advance. Accommodation in the Cotswolds is limited and it books up months ahead, especially in spring and summer. The Porch House (5-star), The Wild Rabbit (5-star), and The Painswick (3-star) are the most sought-after and book far in advance, so don’t delay!
If coordinating a group Cotswolds trip feels like a lot, that is exactly what My Tailored Escape is here for. Through the premium travel agency, I help create curated, stress-free experiences from charming accommodations to private afternoon teas, guided village walks, and studio visits with local artisans, all with transportation arranged from London. Head to mytailoredescape.com to book a free consultation call and start planning your perfect English countryside escape!
Final Thoughts: Is the Cotswolds Worth It?
Yes. One hundred percent, yes. The Cotswolds is one of those places that lives up to every expectation and then exceeds them. It is peaceful, beautiful, full of incredible food and shops, and deeply different from the pace of London. Whether you drive, take the train, or book a guided Cotswolds day trip, you will not regret a single minute spent here.
Have you been to the Cotswolds, or is it on your bucket list? Drop your questions and tips in the comments below. And if you found this guide helpful, share it with someone who is planning their own London to Cotswolds adventure. Let’s help more people plan well, have fun, and travel the world.
Enjoy,
Antoinette | Frolic & Courage
