Getting around the Cotswolds

One of the most frequently asked questions I get about the Cotswolds is whether it's possible to visit without a car. The short answer is yes, it's possible – but it's not easy.

If possible I'd really recommend taking or hiring a car to explore the Cotswolds. All the best gems in the Cotswolds are the pretty villages which often cannot be reached by public transport.

If you do have to travel by train then there are main line trains to the Cotswolds from London, the Midlands, the North, and the South West of England.

The main railway stations within the Cotswolds include Cam & Dursley, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stonehouse, Stroud, and Ashchurch. For more information, check the trains, times, and stations at National Rail, Great Western Railway, or Trainline.

Alternatively, the bus offers a more budget-friendly option, with the National Express running buses from London Victoria Coach Station.

The main bus stations in the Cotswolds are Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Stroud. For those without a car, the bus provides an easier way of getting around the Cotswolds, with various local bus services.