Getting around the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a beautiful area. There are lots of things to see and lots of activities to engage yourself in. If you are planning to explore the villages of the Cotswolds adequately, then you need to make sure that your transportation is covered. You can easily visit the Cotswolds in a day, but we highly advise you spend at least two days there for you to see all it has to offer.
Depending on how you arrived, you can either use private or public transport. If you have your car, exploring will be much easier, and you will have the freedom to visit the areas that you want. However, the heritage public transport is also an excellent means of exploring the villages of the Cotswolds.
By Rail
Fortunately, Cotswolds and Gloucestershire are located at the heart of the British rail network. This makes transport by rail very smooth. There are major rail lines that stretch to Cotswolds from all corners of England such as from North, South West of England and also London. Additionally, there are also rail stations in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Kemble and a couple of other locations in the Cotswolds.
Gloucestershire Steam Railway
Also known as the friendly line in the Cotswolds, it runs for about 13 miles from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse. It will take you through all the major villages of the Cotswolds. The railway itself is fantastic as a family-friendly day out, with many fun historical facts to learn.
The Dean Forest Railway
This train will give you an opportunity to explore the rural areas of the Cotswolds. It's based at Nochard near Lydney, in Gloucestershire. The heritage railway is only 4.5 miles long, however, each of its 5 stops are conveniently close to family-friendly attractions- even the train itself!
By Open-Top Tours
If it's your first time visiting the Cotswolds then opting for open tours is an excellent idea. The good thing about having a tour guide is that most tour guides often know the fantastic places that you may not know as a visitor. These tours can be personalised depending on your needs and the tour guide's policies. Some offer accommodation while others don't. Additionally, a tour guide can also brief you on the history of some of the villages of the Cotswolds. Examples of open top tours include Cotswolds Mystery Tour, Cotswolds Guided Tour, Cotswolds Exploring, Go Cotswolds amongst others.
Other than open-top tours, there are also cycling tours that give you the opportunity to explore more of the Cotswolds. You can also opt to explore the Cotswolds by bus using the National Express Network or the RailBus. The above are the ways on how you can explore the Cotswolds. Make sure that you choose transport means that will give you the best experience.
