The Cotswolds are the stuff of English countryside dreams. Their thatched roofs and storybook cottages come straight out of a fairy tale. Given how much I love visiting this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), I’ve spent years gaining experience of how to visit the Cotswolds without a car. If you want to do the same, read on for my top picks for Cotswolds day trips by train. There’s a map, too.
Cotswolds by Train
Traveling to the Cotswolds without driving can feel daunting. Many of the most famous towns and villages aren’t easy to access by rail or bus. But some are amazingly simple to get to by train, and today I want to share my favorites with you.
While Cotswolds classics like Bibury aren’t served by rail, quintessential villages like Kingham are. In fact, you might be surprised by how many beautiful places there are in the Cotswolds you can get to on a train. They can be refreshingly less crowded than the iconic sites, too.
Visiting the region by rail will also allow you to travel faster and with less stress. I’ve spent countless trips sitting in heavy traffic getting out of and into London when visiting the Cotswolds. Those experiences have made me appreciate the train all the more.
I hope my guide helps you plan your visit to this famous area. Once you arrive, you can get around on foot, by bike, or on a local bus or a hop-on-hop-off bus. There are also taxi services you can pre-book.
If you prefer a guided tour, there are lots of great Cotswolds day tours you can take. I’ve done many myself over the years, from tours that go to the most famous towns and villages to tours that include Oxford and ones that will take you to Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle.
If you’re interested, you can see a range of options for guided tours and book one here. They’re great alternatives to traveling by train, and they can take you to some of the classic spots you can’t access by rail.
1. Moreton-in-Marsh
First on my list of Cotswolds day trips by train is Moreton-in-Marsh. A historic market town in the Evenlode Valley, this is a popular place to visit in the region.
Moreton-in-Marsh is easily accessible by train from London. There are direct rail services from Paddington, and they’ll transport you to the train station in the heart of town in just 90 minutes. The journey is a scenic one, too.
Situated near the meeting point of Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire, Moreton-in-Marsh is home to everything from famous pubs to a historic town hall. The Cotswold stone houses here are picture pretty, and there are delicious tearooms and bakeries in town.
While here you can get around on foot or via a seasonal hop-on-hop-off bus. On weekends and bank holidays during the warmer months, heritage Bus Service 11 takes passengers from Moreton-in-Marsh train station to local villages and towns like Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford.
Moreton-in-Marsh is also a popular place for country walks in the Cotswolds. You can find the route, map, photos, and video for one I’ve done on my blog post about a Moreton-in-Marsh walk. It will take you to local villages, a whimsical stately home, a famous arboretum, and other highlights of the surrounding countryside.
If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight stay, there are great places to call home-away-from-home in Moreton-in-Marsh. You can book one here. My top pick is The Bell Inn, a 19th-century pub with rooms that’s said to have inspired The Lord of the Rings. You can book a room here.
2. Kingham
Next on my list of Cotswolds day trips by rail is Kingham. From topiary hedges to thatched-roof cottages, this charming place is one of my favorite villages in the Cotswolds.
Kingham is easy to get to by train from London. Direct rail services depart from Paddington, and the journey takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Kingham station is a scenic 20-minute walk from the heart of the village, and you’ll pass over bridges and alongside pastures as you go.
Once here, there’s a local shop to browse, St Andrew’s Church to see, and idyllic pubs to enjoy (and stay in). You can even walk to Daylesford Organic Farm while you’re visiting. This upscale complex is replete with boutiques, restaurants, and a garden center.
If you’re interested in going for a walk in the countryside while you’re here, you can take a look at my blog post about a Kingham circular walk. This ramble is just the ticket if you want to see the English countryside and visit local towns and villages while you’re visiting.
If you want to extend your stay, you can book accommodation here. There are several options, including country hotels and pubs with rooms.
I’ve stayed at The Kingham Plough and I loved it. This historic property is a village pub with beautiful guest rooms. There’s great food and good atmosphere, and the staff is friendly. If that appeals, you can book your stay here.
3. Charlbury
Next on my list of day trips to the Cotswolds is Charlbury. Nestled in the Evenlode Valley in Oxfordshire, this historic town is another of my favorite places to visit in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
You can get to Charlbury on a direct train from London. The station is on the outskirts of town, and it’s less than 1 hour and 15 minutes from Paddington by rail. Once you arrive, you can walk to the heart of Charlbury in just 10 minutes.
Charlbury was a renowned glove-making hub in 18th and 19th centuries. Today the town is popular with visitors who come to soak up its classic Cotswold beauty and go for walks in the surrounding countryside.
From postcard-worthy cottages to stylish heritage pubs and a historic church, there’s a lot to love about this place. The Cotswold stone houses are the stuff of English countryside legends, and it’s a treat to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
Charlbury is also a popular place for country rambles and circular walks in the Cotswolds. If you’re interested, you can find the route, map, photos, and video for one I’ve done on my blog post about a Charlbury walk.
If you want to make a longer trip of it, there are beautiful places to stay in Charlbury. You can see options and book one here. My top pick is Browns Cottage. It has gorgeous decor and historic details. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
4. Stroud
Next on my list of Cotswolds day trips by train is Stroud. This market town in Gloucestershire is set against the stunning backdrop of the Five Valleys. Its sloping streets offer stunning views of the countryside.
You can easily get to Stroud by train from London. Rail services take less than 90 minutes, and the station is a few minutes’ walk from the heart of town.
Once you arrive, you’ll find plenty of independent shops, cafes, and art galleries. Stroud is home to a famous farmers’ market, too.
If you like walking, the Cotswold Way runs through town. You can also stroll along the Stroudwater Canal towpath.
If you want to explore local villages, you can walk or take a bus to a place like Painswick while you’re here. It’s one of my favorite spots in the Cotswolds, and it’s worth a special trip.
If you’d like to stay longer than a day, there are plenty of places to call home-away-from-home in Stroud. You can see options and book one here. My top pick is The Stroud Hotel. Right by the train station, it has historic charm and a great restaurant. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
5. Kemble
Next on my list of day trips to the Cotswolds is Kemble. Just 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) from Cirencester, this village in Gloucestershire is known for its location near the source of the River Thames.
Kemble is easy to get to by train from London. Direct rail services depart from Paddington and take just 70 minutes. Kemble station dates back to 1882 and is listed, so it’s worth admiring it when you arrive.
Once you start exploring, you’ll find All Saints’ Church Kemble and its towering spire. Also here are a village hall, shop, and local pub. If you’re into walking, you can visit the source of the Thames or walk all the way to Stroud if you’re feeling ambitious.
If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight stay, there are several choices for accommodation in Kemble. You can see options and book one here. My top pick is The Bothy. This place blends rustic charm with modern elegance. If that appeals, you can book a room here.
Other
There are train stations in larger towns and cities on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, too. Places like Bath, Gloucester, and Cheltenham can all be reached from London by rail.
Cotswolds Map
If you want to see all the towns and villages I mentioned in this blog post, you can find an interactive Google map I created here. You can use it to plan your own day trip to the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds Day Trips by Train
I hope this blog post has inspired you to travel to the Cotswolds by rail. Some of the places on my list are so close together you can combine them into one day trip. For example, Charlbury and Kingham are easy to do together. You can also add Moreton-in-Marsh to the itinerary if you’re up for a big day out.
If you want to stay longer, you can take a look at my blog post about how to visit the Cotswolds for 3 days without a car. It will show you how you can travel to some of the places on my list, plus famous desintations like Blenheim Palace and Oxford.
No matter where you go or how long you stay, it’s worth coming back again and again to see the region in different ways and in varying seasons.
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