Take a day trip to the Cotswolds from London - Go Cotswolds (2024)

Living in the big city can be great, but I’ll bet there are many people who can’t wait to escape London after lockdown! Fortunately, taking a day trip to the Cotswolds from London is really easy.

Why not make the most of your day by taking a guided tour? You can let someone else do the driving, and see all the best spots with a friendly, local guide who will enhance your experience.

Ways to get to the Cotswolds from London

By car

Of course, if you have your own car, you can drive yourself. This is a great way to see the sights at your own pace, but driving in the Cotswolds is quite a different experience to city driving. There may be less traffic, but stress levels can be high – especially if you find yourself face-to-face with a tractor on a single-track lane!

By coach

There are lots of big coach operators who provide day trips to the Cotswolds from London. But be aware that these trips can feel rushed. They often try to pack far too much in one day.

If you see a day trip itinerary for something like ‘Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, The Cotswolds and Oxford in a day from London’: STOP! Take it from us, it’s too much! And the ‘Cotswolds’ part of the trip is often just a drive-through-without-stopping deal.

By train

The easiest, and most scenic way to get to the Cotswolds from London is to take the train. There are regular services from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, so you can arrive in the heart of the Cotswolds in 1.5 hours.

The problem is, if you don’t have your own transport, then you can get stuck.

The bus and tube network in London is fantastic – but things are a bit different out here in the countryside! There are some public buses, but services are not frequent and only tend to connect a handful of the larger towns in the Cotswolds. To visit smaller, prettier villages, you’re going to need a taxi – and that can get expensive. There’s no Uber here!

The solution? Combine a train from London with a Go Cotswolds guided tour

Tours that pick you up and drop you off directly from central London might sound convenient. But, unless you particularly like busy motorways, you’ll find the journey to and from London very long and boring. And all that time spent stuck in traffic reduces the time you have to explore the Cotswolds!

Take the train to the Cotswolds from London instead. Within minutes of leaving London Paddington station, you’ll be whizzing through the beautiful English countryside. Book a Go Cotswolds tour and, when you arrive at Moreton-in-Marsh station, our comfortable, luxury minibus will pick you up. No need to navigate the rural public transport system!

Small-group tours versus private tours

A big advantage of choosing a small group tour is the price. Private tours with a guide can cost upwards of £400 per day, so if you’re a solo traveller, a couple or a small family group, this can be expensive.

A small group tour shared with other people can be much more affordable – especially if you book train tickets in advance. Plus, you’ll get to meet other travellers just like you, which makes for a fun, memorable day! Go Cotswolds day tours start from just £58.30 per adult (2023 prices).

Side note: If you would prefer a private tour, then we can certainly offer these! Our minibuses are ideal for larger groups of up to 16 people, but we can also charter smaller cars and larger coaches if necessary.

Choose from our two fantastic tours for a day trip to remember!

Start with our Cotswolds in a Daytour to get an overview of the best spots in the Cotswolds. Then, get out of the minibus and on to the trails with our.

Ready to book your tour of the Cotswolds from London? Click here!

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