Getting to the Cotswolds by Train & Bus

Travelling to the Cotswolds by train and bus is a convenient and scenic option for visitors seeking to explore this picturesque region of England. With direct train services from major cities like London, Oxford, and Birmingham, travellers can reach Cotswold towns, such as Moreton-in-Marsh and Cheltenham, in just a couple of hours. Once there, local bus services provide easy access to the charming villages and stunning countryside. The region’s public transport network makes it simple to explore without the hassle of driving, while offering an eco-friendly and relaxed way to enjoy the beauty of the Cotswolds. 

By Rail 

The Cotswolds are at the heart of the British Rail network with main line trains to the Cotswolds from London, the Midlands and the North and the South West of England. There are main line railway stations at Cam and Dursley, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Kemble (serving Cirencester), Moreton-in-Marsh, Stonehouse, Stroud and Ashchurch (for Tewkesbury). 
 
For detailed rail information and prices for rail travel please look at the following sites: National Rail, Great Western Railway or Trainline 

By Coach & Bus 

The National Express network runs bus travel throughout England. It offers a range of discount fares and travel passes. The main route to the Cotswolds from London starts at Victoria Coach Station. 

The main bus stations in Gloucestershire & the Cotswolds are at Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud. The Cotswolds is easy to get around by bus with many local bus services linking main towns throughout the area, including the RailBus services linking to the Cotswolds & Malvern’s Line trains. 
 
For further information: 
 
Visit www.traveline.info or Gloucestershire County Council - transport and travel pages 

 

 

How to get to Cotswold Towns & Villages by Train and Bus

Lots of Cotswold towns and villages are easily accessible by public transport, making it quite simple to visit the area without a car. What’s more, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views as you travel through the area. 

Bourton on the Water 

If you’re planning on visiting Bourton on the Water for a short break without a car the easiest way to reach the village is to catch a train to Moreton in Marsh and then the Pulhams 801 bus, which picks up from outside the train station. Buses run hourly Mon-Sat and 2-hourly on Sundays. The bus journey takes approx. 30mins. 

You can also visit other Cotswold towns and villages by bus from Bourton on the Water including Cirencester, Northleach and Bibury by the Pulhams 855 bus and Cheltenham, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Norton using the Pulhams 801 bus. 
 

Burford 

To reach Burford by public transport you can catch a train to Oxford and link to a bus service. The Stagecoach S2 bus picks up from outside the station and from Magdalen Street in Oxford city centre. It takes approx. 1 hr, dropping off at the top of the town with a short walk down the hill into Burford. 

Burford is linked to other Cotswold towns and villages by buses including Witney and Northleach by the Stagecoach S2 and Witney by the Stagecoach 233, which stops in the centre of Burford. 

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Villager Bus connects Burford to various towns and villages including Bourton on the Water, Chipping Norton, Stow on the Wold and Kingham.  

 

Charlbury 

It's easy to reach Charlbury for a car-free Cotswolds break. Charlbury has a train station and is easily accessible from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington, Bath & Bristol (by changing at Reading), Birmingham (by changing at Worcester) and Manchester & Liverpool (by changing at Birmingham). 

Charlbury also has good bus connections with surrounding towns and villages. The Stagecoach S3 links Charlbury to Chipping Norton, Woodstock and Oxford, whilst the Pulhams X9 bus route includes Witney and Chipping Norton. 

 

Chipping Campden 

There are good transport links to Chipping Campden, if you don’t want to use a car. To reach the Cotswolds travel to Moreton in Marsh by train and then take either Stagecoach 1 or 2 buses from outside the station to the centre of Chipping Campden. The journey takes approx. 30 minutes. 

Chipping Campden also has good connections to other Cotswold towns and villages. The Pulhams 606 bus route links the town with Broadway, Winchcombe and Cheltenham, whilst the Stagecoach 1 or 2 buses can take you to Blockley, Broadway and Stratford Upon Avon. 


Chipping Norton 

To take a car-free short break in Chipping Norton catch the train to Moreton in Marsh station and then the Pulhams 801 bus from outside the station to the centre of Chipping Norton. The bus journey takes just 20 minutes. Alternatively, take the train to Charlbury train station, walk into the town centre and catch the Pulhams X9 bus, which takes approx. 25 minutes. 

Chipping Norton is well-connected to surrounding towns and villages by bus. The Pulhams X9 bus links Chipping Norton to Charlbury and Witney, whilst the Stagecoach S3 bus connects the town to Oxford in approx. 1hr. The Pulhams 801 bus route links Chipping Norton to Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold, Northleach and Cheltenham. 


Cirencester 

If you’re staying in Cirencester for a short break without a car you have multiple travel options available. The closest train station is Kemble, which is easily accessible from London Paddington, Oxford (by changing at Didcot), Reading (by changing at Swindon), Bristol (by changing at Gloucester), Bath (by changing at Swindon), Birmingham (with one change), Manchester (by changing at Cheltenham or Birmingham), and Liverpool (with two changes). 

Once you’ve arrived at Kemble station you can catch the Stagecoach 882 bus from outside the station, which gets to Cirencester in 20-30 minutes. Buses run several times a day, check the Stagecoach website for service times. 

Although slightly further away, you can also reach Cirencester via Cheltenham. The Cheltenham Spa railway station is on direct routes from London Paddington (direct and via Bristol), Oxford (with one change), Reading (direct and via Bristol), Bristol, Bath (via Bristol), Birmingham, Manchester (via Birmingham) and Liverpool (with one change). There is a regular bus service from outside the train station to Cirencester town centre (with one change in Cheltenham), which takes approx. 1 hr.  

Cirencester has great bus links to many surrounding towns and villages including Bourton on the Water, Northleach and Bibury by the Pulhams 855 and Fairford, Lechlade and Highworth on the Stagecoach 77 route. Cheltenham and South Cerney (for the Cotswold Lakes) can be reached via Stagecoach 51 buses, Stroud and Minchinhampton by Stagecoach C59 buses, Tetbury, Rodmarton and Gloucester via Stagecoach 882 buses and Malmesbury by Coachstyle 93 bus route. 


Hanborough 

If you’re wanting to visit Blenheim Palace and Woodstock without a car, travel by train to Hanborough station. Hanborough is easily accessible from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington, Bath & Bristol (by changing at Reading), Birmingham (by changing at Worcester) and Manchester & Liverpool (by changing at Birmingham). 

From Hanborough station take the regular Stagecoach S7 bus to Blenheim Palace or Woodstock, which takes just 10 minutes. 

Alternatively, why not walk to Blenheim Palace from the train station? There’s an entrance to the Blenheim Community Walk across the road from the entrance to the station car park, which takes you on a 1.5-mile walk to the main Palace grounds. The path is accessible for buggies and bikes, and passes through picturesque woodland, beside rivers and alongside fields. 

Hanborough has good bus links to surrounding towns and villages including Witney by the Stagecoach S7 bus route and Witney, Minster Lovell (stop a short walk from the village centre) and Burford via the Stagecoach 234. Witney to Burford takes approx. 20 minutes on the bus. 


Kingham 

Although only a small village, Kingham has a train station, which is easily accessible from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington, Bath & Bristol (by changing at Reading), Birmingham (by changing at Worcester) and Manchester & Liverpool (by changing at Birmingham). 

Kingham station also has bus connections to Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold and the Rissingtons via the Pulhams 802. On Wednesdays, the Villager Bus V25 also connects Kingham to Witney, Burford, the Wychwoods and other villages. 

Cycle hire and tour companies will meet you at Kingham station, such as Cotswold Electric Bike Tours. 

Kingham station is approximately 1 mile from the village. If you are planning on walking to the village please note that there are narrow pavements and, at times, no pavement on the walking route. 


Moreton in Marsh 

Moreton is a great choice for a car-free Cotswolds break. Not only does it have a train station, which is easily accessible from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington, Bath & Bristol (by changing at Reading), Birmingham (by changing at Worcester) and Manchester & Liverpool (by changing at Birmingham), it also has good bus links to surrounding towns and villages. 

Pulhams 801 bus route links Moreton to Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham and Chipping Norton, whilst the Pulhams 803 buses visit Longborough, Upper Oddington and Bourton on the Water. The Stagecoach 3 bus route links the town with Stratford Upon Avon, Blockley, Broadway and Chipping Campden. 


Stow on the Wold 

If you’re staying in Stow on the Wold for a car-free short break the easiest way to reach the village is to catch a train to Moreton in Marsh and then the Pulhams 801 bus, which picks up from outside the train station. Buses run hourly Mon-Sat and 2-hourly on Sundays. The bus journey takes approx. 20mins. 

Stow on the Wold has good bus links to other Cotswold towns and villages including Cheltenham, Bourton on the Water, Northleach and Chipping Norton using the Pulhams 801 bus. The Rissingtons, Kingham station, and Bourton on the Water are also accessible via the Pulhams 802 bus route. 

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Villager Bus connects Stow on the Wold to various towns and villages including Bourton on the Water, Chipping Norton, Burford and Kingham.