In the present day I need to carry you my Cotswolds itinerary for 3 days within the English countryside. This Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence is a well-liked place to go to for its fairly villages and bucolic surroundings. From nation pubs to stunning walks, there are many thrilling issues to do and see. I’m right here now and I can’t wait to point out you how one can spend 3 days within the Cotswolds and not using a automobile. I’ve included a map, too.
Cotswolds Itinerary for 3 Days
My 3-day Cotswolds itinerary will present you the sightseeing highlights of the realm and provide the freedom to discover with out wheels. From thatched-roof cottages to native landmarks, it covers all of the issues I like about this a part of the UK.
3 days is an efficient period of time to go to the Cotswolds. It can help you see the principle sights and expertise a spread of issues to do within the space.
Whether or not you need to give attention to exploring villages, visiting Nationwide Belief properties, strolling, or one thing else, you’re positive to be entertained.
That’s as a result of there’s no proper or fallacious approach to spend your time within the Cotswolds. My itinerary has a mixture of the principle sights and the locations locals love (not least as a result of I’m assembly up with an area whereas I’m right here).
You may regulate my Cotswolds itinerary to suit your pursuits and journey fashion, however I hope it provides you a stable overview of how a lot you are able to do within the space when you have a couple of days.
I spent a LOT of time planning this itinerary, and I hope all of the work I put into it helps you propose an ideal journey of your individual. You may also do a guided tour with Rabbie’s. You may ebook their Cotswolds tour right here.
The place to Keep within the Cotswolds
There are many choices for lodging within the Cotswolds. Whether or not you need to keep in a lodge, self-catering cottage, B&B, or pub with rooms, the realm has all kinds of locations to select from.
On this journey I’ve booked a room at The Kingham Plough. This stunning property is in a reasonably village with direct rail entry from London. It’s my second time staying on the town, and I’m excited to be again.
I like the The Kingham Plough’s fashionable decor, buzzing pub, and exquisite visitor rooms. It’s the whole lot I’d hoped for, and it makes an important base for exploring the Cotswolds.
If you’d like extra concepts, you can too discover offers and ebook lodging within the space right here. With so many selections, you’re certain to seek out the proper match in your journey.
Day 1
I begin my Cotswolds itinerary for 3 days at Paddington station in London. From right here it’s lower than 1 hour and quarter-hour by rail to the primary cease on my journey: Charlbury.
Charlbury
This city within the Evenlode Valley in Oxfordshire was identified for being a glove-making hub in 18th and nineteenth centuries. In the present day it’s a peaceable place well-liked with guests who come to admire its magnificence and stroll within the surrounding space.
I alight at Charlbury station and stroll the brief distance into the middle of city. The Cotswold stone homes listed here are the stuff of English countryside goals, and I can’t wait to discover.
That’s not least as a result of an area good friend who lives in Moreton-in-Marsh has taken the prepare to fulfill me right here. He and I spend an hour wandering round and photographing the whole lot in sight.
From quintessential cottages to cozy pubs and a church, there’s lots to like about this place.
Lunch
We’ve booked lunch at an area pub known as The Bull on Sheep Road. It’s been round for the reason that early 1500s, and the inside highlights its historic roots whereas bringing the decor into the fashionable age. Add to {that a} attractive backyard, and I’m smitten.
My good friend and I tuck into heaping plates of roasted greens, native lamb, trout with inexperienced tomatoes, and potatoes. All of it goes down a deal with subsequent to the open hearth.
Charlbury Round Stroll
I’m glad I’ve eaten effectively, as a result of the following exercise on my Cotswolds itinerary for 3 days is a stroll within the countryside.
I say goodbye to my good friend, then set off by fields and over streams to burn off the energy and take within the countryside across the historic Wychwood Forest.
The stroll is formally known as “Round Stroll: Charlbury No.2 (Oxon Manner)“, nevertheless it’s far more thrilling than the slightly medical title suggests. Actually, it rapidly turns into one among my favourite Cotswolds walks.
A lot of the route follows the well-known Oxfordshire Manner, a long-distance stroll from Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire to the Thames in Henley. Alongside the best way it crosses over the River Evenlode and passes by wooded groves and copses.
The 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) stroll takes me 2 hours and quarter-hour to finish. On the finish I make my approach to the prepare station for the following leg of my Cotswolds itinerary: Kingham.
Kingham
The prepare journey from Charlbury to Kingham is lower than 10 minutes, and shortly I’m strolling into the village.
Like Charlbury, this place is within the Evenlode Valley in Oxfordshire. It’s identified for its Seventeenth and 18th-century Cotswold stone cottages, elegant motels, and nation pubs. It’s one among my favourite villages within the Cotswolds.
Once I attain the center of city, I verify into my room at The Kingham Plough. Stuffed with basic nation attraction, it has a ravishing view of the cottages throughout the road. It’s the proper base for my keep.
After getting settled in, I take a stroll across the village. The cottages, thatched roofs, and pub gardens are the stuff of my inside photographer’s goals, and I maintain snapping footage till the solar goes down.
When it does, I’m off to dinner at a spot down the highway known as The Wild Rabbit. I had an important meal on the restaurant right here on my final go to, and as quickly as I stroll in I do know this time goes to be simply pretty much as good.
An enthralling pub provides approach to a spacious eating room, and I sit down for a dinner of seasonal squash salad and miso cauliflower. It’s the proper approach to finish my the primary of my 3 days within the Cotswolds.
Day 2
The following morning my itinerary continues with breakfast within the eating room at The Kingham Plough. With darkish partitions and wood tables, it’s as atmospheric as nation pubs get. My dish of eggs Florentine goes down a deal with and units me up effectively for the day.
Daylesford Farm
Stated day begins with a 40-minute stroll down a broad path to Daylesford Farm. This well-known advanced within the Cotswolds is thought for its upscale retailers, which promote the whole lot from backyard provides to residence items, clothes, wine, and meals.
Add to {that a} luxurious spa, cafe, restaurant, and bar, and one might transfer proper in.
I spend half-hour exploring the grounds, looking the too-beautiful-for-words boutiques, and taking within the scene on the restaurant earlier than strolling again to Kingham to prepare for the day’s fundamental occasion: a giant Cotswolds stroll.
Round Stroll to Chipping Norton
I make a fast cease at The Kingham Plough earlier than heading off on a round stroll to Chipping Norton and again.
The stroll is my very own mixture of two separate routes. On the best way out I comply with the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s “Stroll Eight: Kingham and Churchill“.
After a 35-minute stroll by fields stuffed with sheep, I attain the village of Churchill. This hilltop quantity is thought for its fairly homes and the beautiful type of All Saints Church.
I’ve booked myself lunch at The Chequers, a beloved conventional pub with a menu providing fashionable British delicacies. It’s attractive inside, with excessive ceilings and old-meets-modern decor.
A heaping plate of risotto satisfies my urge for food, and shortly I’m off to Chipping Norton.
The route takes me up light hills, over culverts, by stiles, and previous ha-has as I wave hey to sheep and stroll in the direction of the excessive church steeple that guides me to my vacation spot.
Once I attain Chipping Norton, I spend an hour exploring. This market city had its heyday within the peak of the wool commerce centuries in the past, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price visiting right this moment.
From native retailers and pubs to a row of beautiful Seventeenth-century almshouses and a historic church, there’s loads to see.
On my approach again to Kingham, I comply with the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s “Stroll Eleven: Mills and Meadows” route backwards. It takes me previous the eye-catching Bliss Tweed Mill, a historic constructing that appears like a cross between a stately residence and a manufacturing unit.
I keep in mind it grabbing my consideration as soon as out the window of a bus whereas I used to be on a Cotswolds day tour, and I’m pleased to have the ability to see it up shut this time.
Afterwards I’m going by fields and down an extended observe within the countryside to get again to Kingham. It begins to drizzle by the top, and I narrowly escape a downpour that erupts proper as I attain The Kingham Plough.
The ten.5-mile (17-kilometer) stroll has taken me simply over 5.5 hours, together with all my stops. It’s been a tremendous approach to see the countryside, go to the native space, and work up an urge for food for dinner.
Dinner
Conveniently, dinner is correct downstairs. I’ve a drink and a few olives within the energetic pub at The Kingham Plough, then head by to the eating room for my meal.
I tuck right into a warming squash pithivier with flaky puff pastry and scrumptious filling as I recount my day and all of the superb surroundings I’ve loved.
Day 3
The following morning my Cotswolds itinerary for 3 days sees me waving goodbye to Kingham.
After spending the early morning taking extra images within the village, I hop on a prepare to Hanborough. Simply over quarter-hour later, I alight on the station, stroll as much as the highway, and board a bus to Woodstock.
Blenheim Palace
After slightly greater than 20 minutes, the bus drops me off on the gates of Blenheim Palace. This UNESCO World Heritage Web site is an English Baroque nation home on the sting of the Cotswolds. It’s identified for its connections to Winston Churchill.
The seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace was constructed within the 18th century on royal land given to the first Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne after his victory within the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.
It’s the one non-royal, non-episcopal stately residence in England to carry the title of palace, and it’s a powerful sight to behold.
Winston Churchill was born right here (and obtained engaged to his spouse within the gardens), and guests come from all around the world to tour the State Rooms, discover the in depth grounds, and admire the views.
I present my pre-booked ticket on the entrance and spend 4 hours discovering the whole lot from the carriages to the finely adorned interiors and number of gardens.
It’s a powerful place, full with a hedge maze, world-class artwork, slightly prepare, and water options.
I might spend all day right here (this place is big), however my Cotswolds itinerary has extra in retailer for me.
Woodstock
I stroll from the palace grounds into the market city of Woodstock, which is correct subsequent door. On the jap fringe of the Cotswolds, this place obtained its begin as a coach cease close to the Royal Looking Lodge (now the positioning of Blenheim Palace).
I spend 45 minutes strolling by the gorgeous streets, admiring the historic church, and meandering down little lanes. With elegant Georgian structure, impartial retailers, and native pubs, there’s loads to see right here.
Once I’m achieved exploring, I head to the ultimate cease on my Cotswolds itinerary for 3 days: Oxford. I hop on a bus in Woodstock and journey it by the countryside earlier than alighting within the coronary heart of town round half-hour later.
Oxford
One of the vital well-known college cities within the UK, Oxford is stuffed with beautiful structure, buzzing markets, and enjoyable retailers.
I seize a late lunch on the town, then spend the following three hours following the route of my free self-guided strolling tour of Oxford.
From Christ Church school to the Coated Market, the Radcliffe Digicam to the colourful homes in Jericho, I discover town till the solar goes down.
Alongside the best way I take within the beautiful Bridge of Sighs, stroll down quiet lanes by Oriel School, and admire the facades that make this metropolis so stunning.
Because the setting solar begins to color the sky orange, I stroll to the prepare station for my journey again to London.
Cotswolds Itinerary for 3 Days
Slightly below an hour later, I arrive at Paddington station stuffed with recollections of all of the cities, walks, pubs, and locations I’ve visited throughout my 3 days within the Cotswolds.
It was a tremendous journey, and effectively price all the trouble it took to plan the itinerary. If you wish to comply with in my footsteps, I hope this weblog put up will assist you to get pleasure from visiting the Cotswolds as a lot as I’ve.
Cotswolds Itinerary Map
As promised, I created an interactive map of all of the locations I listed in my Cotswolds itinerary. Yow will discover it right here. I hope it helps you propose the proper 3-day journey!
If you’d like extra concepts, my broader Cotswolds map may help.
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