Getting There
Public Transport:
Rail From London
Our map shows the location of rail stations that serve the Cotswolds.
All services from London depart from Paddington Station which has its own London Underground station.
To travel to the Cotswolds from London by train takes about 1 1/2 hours and trains run every hour, 7days a week. There is a direct link from Heathrow Airport. Trains from London depart from Paddington Station.
Although services do not cover the whole of the Cotswolds it is possible to travel to and from Bath, Cheltenham, Stratford, Chippenham, Gloucester, Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham and Oxford.
Visitors exploring the Cotswolds by rail are recommended to plan accommodation within easy reach of these stations.
For timetable and fare information visit the following web sites:
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com
Coach from London
The National Express network runs coach travel throughout England.
It offers a range of discount fares and trail passes. The main route to the Cotswolds from London starts at Victoria Coach Station, takes about 3 - 4 hours. Coaches run regularly from London to the Cotswolds. National Express coaches do run on sundays, but only to cheltenham and cirencester. From may to September it possible to get local buses from Cheltenham to the Cotswolds.
The main coach stops in and around the Cotswolds are at Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, Chippenham, Gloucester , Moreton-in-Marsh, Northleach, Oxford , Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-upon-Avon , Stroud.
Further information is available from local Tourist Information Centres - they will be able to help you with printed timetables and advice.
Printable transport Map of the Cotswolds. |
Driving
Car Hire is available from Bath, Cheltenham and Oxford, or London. The cost is about £60 per day, and you will need to present an International Driving Licence to the car hire company.
To drive from London to the Cotswolds will take about 2 hours, using well sign-posted major roads: the M4 motorway provides easy access to Bath, Castle Combe and the South Cotswolds, the M40 motorway to Oxford and Stratford and the North Cotswolds.
The Stroud night bus provides a good link with many smaller villages and runs late on Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information visit
http://www.stroudnightbus.com/
Taxis
If you are travelling to the Cotswolds by train or coach you may need to use a taxi to get from the station to your accommodation and places of interest. There are local taxi companies in the Cotswolds and your accommodation will be able to help you with contact details. Unless you are catching a taxi from a train station or a large town, you will need to book one in advance. Some taxi companies are able to take you longer distances, such as from London Heathrow to the Cotswolds, although this is expensive compared with travelling by train or coach.
| Rail Station |
Best For |
Taxi Company |
| Bath |
Bath |
Bath Taxis
Tel:01225 484488 |
| Cheltenham |
Cheltenham |
Starline Taxis
Tel: 01225 484488
email: sales@starlinetaxis.com |
| Chippenham |
Castle Combe
Lacock |
Easys Taxis
Tel: 01249 655471 |
| Gloucester |
Gloucester |
Central Taxis
Tel: 01452 382020 |
| Hanborough |
Woodstock |
Angela's Taxis
Tel: 01993 771092 |
| Kemble |
Cirencester
Bibury, Tetbury |
A2B Taxis
based in Cirencester
Tel: 01285 655651 |
| Kingham |
Chipping Norton
Woodstock |
PH Taxi
based in Chipping Norton
Tel: 01608 643808 |
| Stroud |
Painswick |
AA Taxis
based at the station in Stroud
Tel: 01453 767777 |
| Moreton-in-Marsh |
Stow-on-the-Wold
Bourton-on-the-Water
Upper Slaughter |
E & S Cars
based at Bourton
Tel: 01451 822024 or 07976559272
email keith@keithsibbick.plus.com | All rail services depart from London Paddington.
There are other Taxi companies: those listed are usually the largest. |