Cotswolds Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

There are a number of ways to travel to the Cotswolds regardless of where in the United Kingdom you're traveling from. One of the main ways, and perhaps the easiest way, to travel to the Cotswolds is via the British Rail network. Trains run to the Cotswolds from London and other areas of England with rail stations in major towns in the Cotswolds including Moreton-in-Marsh and Cheltenham. You can also drive to the Cotswolds via the national motorway network or you can fly into either Birmingham or Bristol airports, rent a car and make the 1-1.5 hour drive to the Cotswolds. 

Getting around the Cotswolds is quite easy thanks to England's great public transportation network and infrastructure. If you've driven to the Cotswolds, then getting around the region is pretty straightforward with easy-to-navigate streets and clearly signed motorways. You can also make use of the British Rail network with numerous lines connecting major towns in the Cotswolds. The bus network is another form of transportation you can use with many local bus services traveling to and from various towns within the region. 

The weather in the United Kingdom is mostly rainy and overcast for the majority of the year and the weather in the Cotswolds is no different. That's not to say the weather in the Cotswolds never gets warm or particularly sunny because it does (especially in Summer), however, the region is more likely to experience cold temperatures. 

Read more about the weather in the Cotswolds

What to pack for your trip to the Cotswolds really depends on what season you're going in. It can get quite warm in the Summer months so items like t-shirts, dressed, shorts, skirts, pants are all suitable. However, you still want to pack a cardigan or a light jacket because the temperatures can be cooler in the evenings. If you're traveling in Winter, it's best to pack clothes that are going to keep you nice and warm - think scarves, gloves, coats and thick jackets. No matter what season you're travelling in, it's also smart to pack an umbrella as rainfall can occur at all times throughout the year. 

There are a number of great restaurants to enjoy a meal at in different towns across the Cotswolds. While the Cotswolds are known to have some of the best pubs, you can also feast on various other cuisines including restaurants that serve delicious seafood and Italian dishes. Here are some of our favourites:

• The Bell Inn, Langford 
• The Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote 
• Ox Barn at Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate 
• The Coconut Tree, Cheltenham
• The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold

Located in the Southcentral, West Midlands, and South West areas of England, the Cotswolds is a region that spans over 800 square miles encompassing several counties including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. There are various towns and villages situated within this region, all with the same characterising features of rolling hills and honey-coloured, stone architecture. The Cotswolds is a popular spot for travelers wanting a weekend away, perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs. 

Read more about the Cotswolds

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying nature in the Cotswolds. Not only are there numerous nature reserves and wildlife parks to explore but the Cotswolds is also home to a heap of walking trails so you can take in the English countryside on foot. Some of our favourites are:

• Rollright Stones Walk 
• The Blossom Trail 
• Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill 
• Otmoor Nature Reserve
• Windrush Way