How To Plan a Trip to England's Cotswolds

If you live in England, or are planning a trip to England, I highly recommend you visit the Cotswolds. It is my favourite place on the planet, and everyone I’ve brought to visit this area has fallen in love with it too.
In this video I’ll share with you my advice on how to plan your OWN trip to the Cotswolds. My hope is that with some inspiration and explanation, you can develop an itinerary that is customized to your interests and travel parameters.
Feel free to ask questions in the comments section and share YOUR Cotswold travel advice! See below for loads of links to videos and helpful websites.
Cheers! Dara (and Ian)
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:52 How Long to Stay
1:14 How to Get Around
2:24 Where to Stay Overnight
4:22 What to Do in the Cotswolds
8:10 Food
8:58 Surprises
9:49 Outro

IMPORTANT VIDEO LINKS:

VIDEOS OF COTSWOLD THINGS TO SEE AND DO -

VIDEOS OF COTSWOLD DESTINATIONS
Popular Tourist Spots -

Quiet Uncrowded Villages –

IMPORTANT LINKS FOR PLANNING YOUR VISIT TO THE COTSWOLDS
To get to the Cotswolds by TRAIN –

For planning travel by BUS -

For trips integrating TRAINS, BUSES and WALKING:

Details on HIKING the Cotswolds Way are here:

Fancy DRIVING through the Cotswolds in a posh Morgan car rental?

[pershorefoodbanktrusselltr]

I’m lucky enough to have lived and worked within the edge of the Cotswolds for 38 years now and I would never leave, I feel blessed to have been born here, Tewksbury to be exact, but live in the Wychavon district (Worcestershire) I’ve traveled to some really nice places in Europe, but nothing compares to the Cotswolds especially in the summer months.

[mehitabel]

As someone who lives in the Cotswolds, and has been here for the last 38 years, these are all excellent tips. Jolly good video. You've even managed to highlight a few places even I've not been. One tip is to try to take at least one walk (we take circular walks centred around pubs), to really slow the pace down and appreciate the slowtime of the place.

[FlourEggsYeast]

Now THIS is what I need Dara!!! We’re trying to decide what our next trip will be in 2024. Excited to see how you lay this out.

[ruthgoebel]

I LOVE the The footpath is something I would really like to do. Thanks so much for this info; what a great time saver! A week wouldn't be enough for me.😉😉😉😉❤️

[theresabigwideworld]

Excellent advice, it SO important that people consider what their interests are when planning on where to stay and what to see. During my young and fit years I had watched a travel show about renting bikes (regular ones no ebikes then!) and thought it would be a great way to experience the Cotswolds. It was, we were based in Moreton-on-Marsh where the bike hire place was and then cycled around to various villages on B roads. There was also a lot of stopping for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and could justify it all because of all the peddling we were doing. The Cotswolds aren't flat!

[IamaDutch-Kiwi]

Congratulations Cotswolds. Dara and Ian are your best advertisement ever to your area. I can't imagine anyone, after having watched this video, who isn't secretly planning or maybe even plotting a visit to the beautiful part of England. I know I would and maybe I will do just that. I'd definitely want a week Dara, or even ten days. This video is on my favorite video list now. Have a wonderful time this summer. 👌🇳🇱🙋‍♀🇳🇿🌷

[RhubarbAndCod]

The Cotswolds looks like such a magnificent area! I'd love to go just to see those beautiful gardens! Thank you for this Dara!

[The_Brit_Girls]

Hi Dara! This video was packed full of wonderful recommendations, tips, and advice. A must for people planning to visit this most beautiful part of England. Fantastic job! 👏👏❤

[NancyLasson]

I’m so glad I remembered your Magenta Otter vlog! My husband and I are traveling to London next week and will end with a couple days in the Cotswolds! It looks like everything I love! Your videos are so helpful. We will be staying close to Cheltenham and renting a car. But since we know nothing having your advice has been invaluable! Thank You so much Dara! Nancy (Peters) Lasson

[charlottecrawford]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, as I have only today learned about your YouTube videos on the very places my husband and I will hopefully be visiting in June.

We have been looking for an itinerary to spend for 10 days at the very places you mentioned lol 😂 really incredible, and we so much appreciate the time you spend in putting it together.

A lot of the places you mentioned hadn’t been in the itinerary from the travel agency here in Australia

[michaelbiggs]

Hey Magenta. Another great video. Its so great how you love England.

[christianoliver]

Another Morgan y'all!!
Don't tell my wife but this is what I'm giving myself as a retirement present.
I haven't traveled the Cotswolds extensively but I did make several weekend trips from London.
I would recommend taking the train from London to Bath or any other of the larger cities around the Cotswolds and renting a car from there.
I've both driven around that area and taken busses and believe me when I tell you that you will see so many places while you're on the road where you want to go and you just can't do that on a tour bus or a local bus.
So you'll really need to rent a car.
Don't worry about driving on the left as within an hour or two you'll be used to it.

[BlackCatKitchen]

The Cotswolds are such a beautiful area; we're hoping to move there in the future, although probably closer to Chipping Norton! Highly recommend anyone visiting the UK to see London, but then move onto the Cotswolds for the countryside! 💖

[MadameMinima]

This video is great, comprehensible, and well-structured for every Cotswold newbie. Everyone can start travel-planning with a checklist and this video 👌

[RichardWells]

Well said Dara! What an inspiration to get out and about in the beautiful Cotswolds! It's on our list for late spring - maybe some cycling. Thanks for such wise visiting tips.

[davidfuters]

Well you certainly put some thought into this
Iv lived in and around the Cotswolds most of my life ( I have a view of Broadway Tower from my front window ) and I am not sure I could have done any better
Well done and I hope you enjoy your summer

[GENerationXplorers]

Very well put together and informative Dara. A great guide to your local area. The otters and lavender were amongst some of your great videos last year! You certainly have top tier grub down there! 👍

[thefabulouswomanclub]

Thank you so much for all the info! I'm coming from Palm Springs California desert in a couple of weeks to escape the heat and be in the green. I can't wait

[WITYTRAVELS]

What a thorough and comprehensive guide. Great job!

[KarynBodden-kn]

I can’t wait to watch your other videos too. This is so helpful. Thank you!