Lady’s 5 Easy Ways to Visit the Cotswolds without a Car

The villages of the Cotswolds are some of the most idyllic in England. Their storybook houses and thatched roofs are straight out of fairy tales, and they’re some of my favorite places to travel in the UK. Given I don’t drive, it used to be tricky to figure out how to get to and around the Cotswolds without a car. But over the last decade I’ve found some good strategies to avoid getting behind the wheel. If you’re wondering how to visit this part of England in the absence of your own vehicle, read on.

Cotswolds without a Car

I’ll admit that traveling to the Cotswolds without a car can seem tricky. There are some towns and villages that aren’t easily accessed by rail or bus, and others that require multiple connections.

But with a bit of time and planning, most places in the Cotswolds are pretty straightforward to get to without driving.

I’ve visited the Cotswolds countless times, some with a car and some without. On the latter occasions, I’ve found that the area is actually pretty simple to access and fairly well connected via public transport and footpaths.

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip if you want to see this beautiful region without your own wheels.

1. Cotswolds by Train

The fastest and easiest way to get to and around the Cotswolds without a car is to go by rail. Not only can you avoid traffic, but you can also get there faster and with less stress.

The number of times I’ve sat in gridlock getting out of and into London when visiting the Cotswolds makes me appreciate taking the train even more.

There are a few key towns and villages in the Cotswolds that are served by rail.

There are train stations in villages like Moreton-in-Marsh and Kemble, and larger towns and cities on the outskirts of the Cotswolds like Bath, Cheltenham, Stroud, Gloucester, and others.

I’ve personally spent two days in Kingham where I arrived by train from London and walked to neighboring villages and points of interest.

These are all great places to travel by rail and base yourself in. Once in town, you can get around on foot, bike, or bus. There are also taxi services if that’s easier or more comfortable for you.

2. Cotswolds by Bus

Speaking of which, getting around the Cotswolds by bus is a good option (there are also buses to the Cotswolds, but if you’re traveling from London the trains are usually faster and easier).

Once you’re in the area and have decided where to base yourself, there are a lot of public and private bus companies that can take you around the region.

One thing to note is that buses don’t always run frequently, so you’ll need to get your timings down before you set off for the day.

It’s not a problem as long as you plan ahead, so just make sure you know what time the buses run so you don’t end up waiting for long periods for the next one to arrive.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to check what time the last bus of the day runs so you don’t end up missing it by accident.

And as with many things in the UK, there are limited bus services on Sundays and public holidays. If possible, try to avoid traveling on those days.

There are also transport passes you can get if you’re going to be visiting the Cotswolds without a car. They can be purchased at UK train stations and on some buses in the Cotswolds.

They cover your bus and rail travel on many routes, so you can hop on and off public transport with ease.

3. Cotswolds by Foot

Another good option is to see the Cotswolds by foot. This is great if you want to get into nature and discover the region along the many walking paths that crisscross it.

From traversing the long-distance Cotswolds Way to strolling down the footpaths between villages, you can get as much or as little walking in as you want to.

I’ve spent great afternoons walking between Upper and Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water, and mornings exploring the trails around Painswick and Slad.

There’s a lot of information online about walking paths in the Cotswolds, and hotels like The Painswick have great walking maps and routes for guests to follow.

4. Cotswolds by Bike

If you like cycling, biking is a great way to get around the Cotswolds without a car. There are many cycle routes from the train stations in Kingham and Kemble, and parts of the National Cycle Network run through the region.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are off-road cycle rides you can do as well.

Routes between Aldsworth and Bibury, Brailes Hill and Ascott, and Northleach and Hazleton are just a few of the ones you can download maps for online.

5. Cotswolds by Tour

If going fully independent isn’t your thing but you still want to get around the Cotswolds without a car, a tour is a happy medium. There are plenty of companies that offer Cotswolds tours that provide transportation by bus or minibus.

I’ve done a tour with Rabbie’s that offered transportation to and around the region while giving me full freedom to do what I wanted while I was in each town or village.

It was a nice way to have someone else worry about getting me around and let me focus on exploring the Cotswolds my own way. If you’re interested, you can see their tour options on the Rabbie’s website.

Cotswolds without Driving

I hope this blog post has given you good ideas for how to get around the Cotswolds without a car.

There are a lot of options, so it’s worth going back again and again to see the region in different ways. However you choose to travel, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.

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