The Cotswolds: you know them, even if you don’t realize it.
Harry Potter. Pride & Prejudice. Bridget Jones’s Diary. Downton Abbey — they all feature the Cotswolds, and for good reason.
The Cotswolds in England are every adjective under the sun: stunning, charming, serene, you name it. Throw the book of travel clichés at the Cotswolds and every word will stick to a town, a village, or countryside in the area.
Painswick? Pleasant.
Bibury? Beautiful.
Winchcombe? Welcoming (especially for walkers).
You won’t regret taking a break from London or Birmingham and spending a few nights in the Cotswolds UK.
But first…
Image Credit: Getty Images, miksov. Image Location: Gloucester, United Kingdom
Where are the Cotswolds?
And what are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is a hilly region running through west-central and southwestern England. Think of it sort of like the Poconos of Pennsylvania or the Ozarks in Missouri: a lovely slice of geography.
You’ll see maps that say Cotswolds AONB, which means it’s an Area of Natural Beauty that is legally protected under conservation laws. The Cotswolds is one of 34 ANOBs in England and an absolutely great choice to check off first.
There are dozens of towns and villages in the Cotswolds and every Brit will tell you which one holds a special place in their hearts. Let’s start small with three towns to visit in the Cotswolds by train that will give you a good sense of what this AONB is all about.
Top 3 towns to visit in the Cotswolds by train
Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Cirencester; three Cotswold towns where cheese, racing, and cheese roll racing are among the draws.
1. Gloucester
Train station: Gloucester
Getting to Gloucester by train is straightforward. You’ll leave the English capital from London Paddington, either via a direct train, single-connection via Bristol Parkway, or double-connection adding Cheltenham Spa into the mix. Travel times for all three options only add or subtract roughly 30 minutes from your journey, so if you’re keen to explore Cheltenham — another great Cotswolds town — enjoy the platform pauses.
What to do in Gloucester
You won’t have trouble getting your blood pumping in Gloucester. See the city on the water while stand-up paddle boarding; ride down the longest outdoor dry slope in England at the Gloucester Ski and Snowboarding Centre; get high scaling the indoor Warehouse Climbing and Caving Center; and test your ninja skills at Gloucester’s Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park.
Best time to visit Gloucester
Gloucester is great in the cooler months, thanks to its collection of museums concentrated in the center of town. The Museum of Gloucester, National Waterways Museum, and Gloucester Prison are great places to duck out of the wind and rain brought by late-autumn, winter, and early-spring.
🚆 Trainline tip for Gloucester
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake takes place annually near Gloucester. It’s as absurdly entertaining as it sounds: a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill, a hill filled with brave souls racing to catch it without completely wrecking their bodies.
It’s not the only cheesy reason to go to Gloucester, but it certainly is the most extreme.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Eduardo Fonseca Arraes. Image Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom
2. Cheltenham
Train station: Cheltenham Spa
Following the Gloucester UK line above, you can get to Cheltenham from London Paddington. If you happen to be in Birmingham, Birmingham New Street train station will take you to Cheltenham Spa in less than an hour.
What to do in Cheltenham
Naturally, we’re going to recommend a ride on the old school stream GWSR (Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway) train. However, we will take no offense if you’d rather schedule ample retail therapy in the town’s shopping districts. Local art, theatre, and live entertainment are always on at The Cheltenham Racecourse and the town’s other venues.
Best time to visit Cheltenham
Cheltenham is courteous to pedestrians and cyclists, so guided tours on two wheels and two feet are available throughout the spring and summer. Parks, gardens, historic architecture, and peace and quiet are there for you to explore under sunny skies.
🚆 Trainline tip for Cheltenham
Cheltenham is a town with over 30 annual festivals filling its calendar. As you plan your trip, look out for events like the Cheltenham Music Festival, The Cheltenham Literature Festival, and, simply, The Cheltenham Festival.
BTW: During festival weeks, trains get packed — so purchase your train tickets for cheap ahead of time on the Trainline app.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Eduardo Fonseca Arraes. Image Location: Cirencester, United Kingdom
3. Cirencester
Train station: Kemble
The good news? An hour-long train from London Paddington gets you to Kemble. The catch? Kemble is a 6-mile cab or bus ride from Cirencester’s center. No bother: have a pint at the Tavern Inn, see the source of the Thames River, then catch a ride to Cirencester.
What to do in Cirencester
Known as the Capital of the Cotswolds, Cirencester shows up for its visitors. It boasts Roman ruins, vast greenspaces on centuries-old estates, and markets that have drawn in shoppers for over a millennium — you won’t be left without things to see and do in Cirencester.
Best time to visit Cirencester
Speaking of markets, Cirencester’s Christmas markets add a touch of magic to your visit. The holiday festivities aren’t the only reason to visit in winter; afternoon tea, traditional pub grub, and international cuisine give you cozy spaces to warm up to while exploring the Cotswolds in the cold.
🚆 Trainline tip for Cirencester
Since you’re already keen to hitch a lift to Cirencester from Kemble, consider finding your way to nearby Somerford Keynes where you’ll find the Cotswold Country Park & Beach. Swimming, fishing, and lakeside walking trails equal a great time outdoors in the Cotswolds.
You down with AONB?
A day trip to the Cotswolds from London is possible, but why not stay awhile and explore the region from A to ONB? We’ve got a list of the best hotels in the Cotswolds to catch some Z’s, some of which are home to the best restaurants and pubs in the Cotswolds.
So, what are you waiting for? The Cotswolds await. Book your trip with the Trainline app today. See you there!
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Raylipscombe. Image Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire
