I planned for an entire year how I was going to stay in the Cotswolds for a week, wear a long dress and stroll through each village like I was in a movie. Wrong. So wrong! We jumped on a train to the Cotswolds, I rented a car, and it all went downhill from there.
For me, driving on the other side and on country roads was terrifying.
My biggest mistake was just not getting on a guided tour with someone who knows how to drive the English way, and just sit back and relax.
However, I will be back and I will have someone else drive, Haha.
If you are looking for the best day trip to the Cotswolds from London, I suggest these four.
Below are four tried-and-true tours you can book today, from small-group village-hopping to a Downton Abbey special. I’ve included who each tour is best for, standout stops, timing, and what’s included, plus a quick FAQ on travel time (because “how far is Cotswolds from London?” is the #1 question).
Full-Day Cotswolds Small-Group Tour (Best All-Round Choice)
Most Beautiful Villages in the Cotswolds: Explore the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds HERE.
If you’re after an “all-around” day tour to the Cotswolds from London, this small-group minibus trip ticks the boxes: four headline villages, a relaxed schedule, and a guide who knows the tiny lanes.
Trade city streets for the English countryside on a relaxed day trip from London. Travel through the Chiltern Hills to the university city of Oxford, where you can wander historic colleges, climb a tower for skyline views, or visit the Ashmolean.
Continue into the Cotswolds, stopping in Burford for its café-lined high street before heading to Bibury to stroll past the honey-stone cottages of Arlington Row.
After a full day of spires and storybook villages, sit back for a comfortable return to London.
This London Cotswolds tour runs about 9.5 hours, caps group size (around 15–16), and departs near South Kensington (Urban Baristas).
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Who it’s for: First-timers who want the “greatest hits” on a compact route without rushing.
Book the Full-Day Cotswolds Small-Group Tour
“7 Unmissable Stops” Small-Group Tour (Best for Variety)
Travel in a small group aboard a 16-seat mini-coach with an expert guide, taking scenic back roads to famous villages and quieter corners of the Cotswolds. Departing and returning at London Paddington, this full-day trip to the Cotswolds from London runs at a relaxed pace with plenty of local insight and photo time along the way.
This Cotswolds tour route blends headline stops with hidden gems:
Stratford-upon-Avon for a dose of literary history;
Chipping Campden’s golden-stone high street and 17th-century Market Hall;
the hilltop views from Broadway Tower;
the tranquil lanes of Snowshill;
Stow-on-the-Wold with antique shops and its yew-framed church door;
Riverside Bourton-on-the-Water;
Bibury’s postcard-perfect Arlington Row—plus a handful of lesser-known villages away from the crowds.
Expect ample free time, narration, and even supporting videos to help you find key photo spots once you hop off. Meeting point is outside Paddington Station (look for the clearly marked minibus). Free cancellation up to 24 hours. GetYourGuide+1
Who it’s for: Travelers who want a “see more” day—bigger range of villages, lookouts like Broadway Tower, and an early start to maximize daylight.
Book the Unmissable Cotswolds Stops Small-Group Tour
Downton Abbey, Cotswolds & Highclere Castle (Best for TV Fans)
Highclere Castle: Take a peek at our day trip to Highclere Castle, or you may know it as “Downton Abbey. The state was absolutely beautiful and amazing HERE
Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) was the highlight of our trip to England. It’s gorgeous. If you can add in the castle and some adorable Cotswolds Village, that’s perfect!
Step into Downton Abbey country on a Cotswolds-and-Highclere day out. Begin at Cogges Manor Farm on the River Windrush—on screen as Yew Tree Farm—to see the kitchens, Mr. Drewe’s living room, the farmyard, and a short behind-the-scenes video.
After a coffee stop, continue to Shilton (its shallow ford and stone bridges) and Swinbrook (linked to Lady Sybil and Tom), then on to Bampton for a guided walk past St Mary’s Church, the cottage hospital (Bampton Library, entry included), Mrs. Crawley’s house, the village green, post office, Mrs. Patmore’s B&B, and The Grantham Arms.
Finish in Hampshire at Highclere Castle—Downton Abbey itself—where you’ll explore grand interiors like the library, dining room, and staircase, plus stroll the grounds.
There’s time for lunch on site and a visit to the basement Egyptology exhibition celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s discoveries. Spend about three hours at Highclere before returning to London.
Who it’s for: Fans who want immersive filming locations and a scenic storybook Cotswolds spin without organizing tickets or driving.
Book the Downton Abbey, Cotswolds & Highclere Castle Tour
Cotswolds from London: Blenheim Palace & Downton Abbey’s Bampton
Cover southern England’s highlights on a guided coach day trip from London—Blenheim Palace plus classic Cotswolds villages, including Bampton of Downton Abbey fame.
Start at UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace, a baroque showpiece and Sir Winston Churchill’s birthplace.
If you choose entry, explore the State Rooms and Long Library, browse Churchill exhibits and family portraits, and take in the Great Hall’s grandeur; outside, wander the Water Terraces and Capability Brown–designed parkland with lakes and the Grand Bridge.
Continue to Bourton-on-the-Water for riverside bridges and village charm before a final stop in Bampton to spot filming sites like Isobel Crawley’s house, the Downton Cottage Hospital, St Mary’s Church, and the pubs that doubled as The Grantham Arms and The Dog & Duck.
Who this is for: Travelers who want a mix of grand history and English countryside—think stately rooms and landscaped gardens at Blenheim, plus riverside bridges in Bourton and Downton Abbey locations in Bampton.
Ideal for first-time visitors, history and TV buffs, photographers, and anyone who prefers a guided coach day over self-driving, with light walking and easy logistics.
Book the Blenheim Palace & Downton Abbey’s Bampton
DIY One-Day Loop (If You’re Not Booking a Tour)
Going independent for your day trip to Cotswolds from London?
Consider this flow to minimize backtracking:
Morning: Burford coffee + high street → Bibury for Arlington Row
Lunch: Bourton-on-the-Water by the river Windrush
Afternoon: Stow-on-the-Wold (antiques, market square)
Optional add-on if time allows: Broadway Tower for big-sky views before the return drive.
Driving and parking vary by village, and traffic can add time—another reason many visitors prefer a guided one day trip to the Cotswolds from London on a mini-coach.
FAQ
Is one day enough for the Cotswolds?
Yes—for highlights. A guided day trip to the Cotswolds from London typically fits 3–5 stops with built-in free time. If it steals your heart (it will), plan a weekend return.
Do I need to rent a car?
No. Small-group tours handle the driving, parking, and routing—exactly why day tours to the Cotswolds from London are so popular with non-drivers.
What about trains?
DIY works, too: London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh is about 1.5 hours. You’ll then use local buses or taxis to reach villages—factor that into your one-day trip to Cotswolds from London.
How far is Cotswolds from London by car?
Roughly 80–100 miles, or ~1h45–2.5h depending on the village and traffic. As a benchmark, London to Bourton-on-the-Water is about 83 miles (often ~1h45 in good conditions). If you’d rather skip navigation entirely, a day tour to the Cotswolds from London is the simplest option.
This post may contain affiliate links. Additionally, I am an Amazon Affiliate Partner. If a link is used (at no cost to you) I will receive a small commission.
Comments are closed.