Exploring the Cotswolds Car-free

While many visitors opt to explore the honey-hued Cotswold villages and surrounding rolling hills by car, there’s a quieter, greener, and more immersive way to experience it’s beauty, without ever turning a key in the ignition.

Whether you’re a traveller seeking a sustainable alternative, a visitor from abroad without a UK driving license, or someone who simply prefers a more relaxed pace, this guide will help you uncover the Cotswolds’ treasures without a car.

Why Base Yourself in Cheltenham?

If you’re planning to explore the Cotswolds car-free, Cheltenham is the ideal place to stay. As a larger regency town, with frequent public transport links, countryside within walking distance, and all of the comforts and convenience of a city, Cheltenham doesn’t ask you to compromise on anything. 

Here’s a breakdown of why Cheltenham is perfect for a car-free travel experience:

• Transport Hub: Cheltenham Spa Station has speedy, direct links to London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and the North, making your initial journey easy and stress-free. Once you arrive, Cheltenham is a significant transport interchange to access the rest of the Cotswolds, with regular buses and trains to nearby villages and market towns.
• Town Meets Country: Cheltenham enjoys both the perks of a buzzy town centre, with elegant Regency architecture and bustling cafes and bars, while benefiting from quick access to open countryside. 
  
• Walkable centre: Walking or cycling is by far the best way to get around in Cheltenham and take in its beautiful architecture. With such a compact town centre, you can walk from one side to the other in 20-25 minutes. 

Getting Started: Tips for Bus Travel

• Bus Companies: Stagecoach and Pulhams are the main operators connecting Cheltenham with the Cotswolds.

• Apps to Download: Stagecoach Bus, Traveline, or Google Maps for real-time updates.

• Tickets: Contactless payment accepted on most services. Day passes (like Stagecoach’s “Explorer”) offer unlimited travel and savings.

• Timing: Some routes have limited service on Sundays and evenings—plan your return trip accordingly.

Top Cotswolds Destinations Reachable by Bus from Cheltenham

1. Winchcombe

Bus: Stagecoach W (Cheltenham ↔ Winchcombe)
Journey Time: ~35 minutes
Frequency: Hourly, Mon–Sat
Why Go:

• Historic town with medieval charm

• Sudeley Castle & Gardens

• Access to Cotswold Way walking routes

• Great pubs and tearooms

🥾 Walk suggestion: Winchcombe to Belas Knap (Neolithic burial site) – scenic circular route.

2. Broadway

Bus: Pulhams 606 (Cheltenham ↔ Broadway)
Journey Time: ~50 minutes
Frequency: 5–6 times a day, Mon–Sat
Why Go:

• Picture-perfect high street lined with Cotswold stone buildings

• Gateway to Broadway Tower – a short hike with panoramic views

• Independent shops, galleries, and cafés

🎨 Don’t miss: The Gordon Russell Design Museum

3. Bourton-on-the-Water

Bus: Pulhams 801 (via Stow-on-the-Wold)
Journey Time: ~1 hr 15 mins (with a change)
Why Go:

• “The Venice of the Cotswolds” with low bridges and tranquil riverside spots

• Attractions: Model Village, Birdland, Cotswold Motoring Museum

• Family-friendly and walkable

☕ Tip: Arrive early—this is one of the Cotswolds’ most popular villages.

4. Stow-on-the-Wold

Bus: Pulhams 801 or 855 (Cheltenham ↔ Stow)
Journey Time: ~1 hour
Why Go:

• Hilltop market town known for antiques and historic pubs

• Visit St Edward’s Church with its Tolkien-esque doorway

• Gateway to walks toward Upper and Lower Slaughter

🛍️ Best for: Browsing art, books, and quirky shops.

6. Painswick (The “Queen of the Cotswolds”)

Bus: Stagecoach 66 (to Stroud), then 228 or 222 to Painswick
Journey Time: ~1 hr (with a change)
Why Go:

• Gorgeous hilltop village with a historic wool church

• Home to the Rococo Garden (best visited in spring)

• Walking trails to Slad Valley and Laurie Lee country

🌳 Ideal for: Garden lovers and literary explorers.

Top Cotswolds Destinations Reachable by Train from Cheltenham

1. Moreton-in-Marsh
Direct Train: Yes (GWR, ~35 mins from London)
Journey Time: 30–40 mins

Why Go:

• Classic market town on the northern edge of the Cotswolds

• Great base for walking or taking the bus to nearby villages: Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway

• Weekly Tuesday market, independent bookshops, traditional pubs

2. Stroud
Direct Train: Yes (GWR, ~25 mins)
Journey Time: 25 mins

Why Go:

• Bohemian market town with a strong arts scene and independent shops

• Home to the award-winning Stroud Farmers’ Market every Saturday

• Scenic canalside walks and access to the Slad Valley, made famous by author Laurie Lee

🚶 Walk suggestion: Stroud to Painswick via Laurie Lee Wildlife Way (~6 miles)

3. Bath Spa
Direct Train: Yes (CrossCountry, ~1 hr 15 mins)
Journey Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Why Go:

• Historic Roman Baths and stunning Georgian architecture

• Charming riverside city located at the southern edge of the Cotswolds

• Ideal for blending Cotswold countryside exploration with city elegance

🛁 Don’t miss: The Thermae Spa—enjoy a rooftop soak with panoramic views

🌳 Top Countryside Walks from Cheltenham Town Centre

1.) Leckhampton Hill & Devil’s Chimney

Distance from town centre: 2–3 miles to trailhead
Walk length (loop): ~5–7 miles
Why go:

• Dramatic limestone cliffs and an iconic rock pillar (“Devil’s Chimney”)

• Woodland trails, old quarry sites, and wide-open views

• Sunset and sunrise are particularly beautiful from the summit

Route:

• Walk up Bath Road → Daisybank Road → Leckhampton Hill path

• Ascend through the trees, reach Trig Point

• Return via Sandy Lane or make a loop using the Cotswold Way

2.) Cleeve Hill & Common

Distance from town centre: 4–5 miles to summit
Walk length (return): ~9 miles (or shorter with local bus return)
Why go:

• Highest point in the Cotswolds (330m / 1,083 ft)

• Incredible views over Cheltenham, the Severn Vale, and Wales on clear days

• Open common land, wild ponies, and Iron Age hillfort remains

Route:

• Walk up via Harp Hill or Aggs Hill

• Join the Cotswold Way at the top

• Optional loop across the golf course and back via Prestbury village

🚌 Shortcut option: Take the Stagecoach W bus to Southam or Woodmancote and walk up from there.

Cotswold Way (Southern Start)

Distance: Flexible — choose your own adventure
Why go:

• National Trail starts (or ends) in Cheltenham

• Well-marked paths through fields, commons, and wooded hills

• Possible to do short segments or full-day hikes

• Stunning bluebells in Lineover Wood (April–May)

Suggested route:

Route:

• Cheltenham → Dowdeswell → Lineover Wood (~6 miles return)

• Add a loop around Dowdeswell Reservoir

🍺 Tip: Stop at Dunkertons for a pint of local cider or ale 

So, should you find yourself without four wheels in the Cotswolds, don’t fret, exploring this beautiful region on foot, by bike, train, or bus may lead you to places you might otherwise have missed!