Last year I finally visited one of my greatest England travel oversights: the Cotswolds. This beautiful area in southwest England is known for its charming chocolate-box villages, pretty honeycomb cottages, and picturesque scenery. And when I ended up housesitting in Oxford for three weeks, I knew I had to go!
As I didn’t have a car, I planned an epic hike through five of the prettiest villages to see as much as possible in a single day using public transport. If you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car and you love hiking, this is the perfect walk for you. Here’s everything you need to know about doing this point-to-point hike from Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold, the Slaughters, and ending in Bourton-on-the-Water!
Cotswolds Hike Overview: Route Information
Start: Moreton-in-Marsh
End: Bourton-on-the-Water
Distance: 13.3 miles
Time: 6 to 8 hours
Elevation Gain: 206 meters
What to Pack for the Cotswolds Hike
This is a relatively long hike that will take most of the day – as you’ll want to spend time exploring the villages! The terrain is fairly easy, but I still recommend sturdy hiking boots with ankle support. I used my hiking poles on this walk – although there weren’t any major ascents/descents, they helped my knees over the distance. Warm, waterproof layers are essential, and bring a hat and sunscreen, food and snacks, and water. Some of the paths are well-signposted, others aren’t – I ended up lost in a field outside Longborough at one point! I use the OS Maps app on every hike I do, and highly recommend a subscription so you can download routes offline. A power bank and waterproof phone case are always good to have when hiking.
Hiking the Route Via Public Transport
I did this Cotswolds hike as a day trip from Oxford using public transport. A car will make it easier to explore more of the area and maximize your time, but you can visit the Cotswolds using buses and trains, without taking a tour! I took the train from Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh, leaving at 9:45 and arriving at 10:18. Then, I walked the route and enjoyed time in Bourton-on-the-Water at the end. I then took Bus 801 from Bourton-on-the-Water back to Moreton-in-Marsh, departing at 17:20 and arriving at 17:45. Back at the station, I caught the train from Moreton-in-Marsh back to Oxford, departing at 18:19 and arriving at 19:00 (although I was delayed on this journey). It worked out really well to do this linear hike from Oxford using public transport!
Route times were from 2025, check train routes and Pulham buses for current schedules.
Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold via Longborough
Leaving the station in Moreton-in-Marsh, I immediately felt like I was in the Cotswolds! The buildings here are just gorgeous, especially on the main street with its shops, cafes, pubs, and hotels – all with that pretty honeycomb-yellow stone. I left town on the Monarch’s Way to reach Longborough, which took about 1 hour.
Longborough was maybe my favorite village out of the five that I visited on this Cotswolds hike! Maybe because it wasn’t one of the “popular” villages and I seemed to be the only tourist/walker there. There are some stunning homes here – the wisteria in bloom made it even more beautiful – and there’s a cute village square and lovely village shop. From there I set off for Donington and then Stow-on-the-Wold. It took me 45 minutes of hiking from leaving Longborough to get into Stow-on-the-Wold.
What to See in Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is a busy market town in the Cotswolds – it’s much bigger than some of the other small villages in the area! The market square is the main attraction, with a number of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and hotels located on the surrounding streets and side streets. I loved finally getting to see the yew tree door at St. Edward’s Church – the historic church was built between the 11th and 15th centuries, and the north porch door is perfectly located between two ancient yew trees. It’s a stunning sight and a real highlight of any trip to Stow-on-the-Wold! Supposedly, this door was JRR Tolkien’s inspiration for Durin’s Door (the entrance to the Mines of Moria) in Lord of the Rings – but this has never been confirmed.
Visiting Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter
After a lovely lunch stop wandering the pretty streets of Stow-on-the-Wold, I set off on the Monarch’s Way to Upper Slaughter. There was a superb view over the rolling green hills leaving Stow-in-the-Wold, and 1 hour later I was in Upper Slaughter. There isn’t much to see here, besides more quaint honeycomb cottages, a babbling brook running through the village, a historic church, and a grand country hotel. From there, it was a short 15-minute stroll on a popular footpath to Lower Slaughter.
Lower Slaughter is bigger than Upper Slaughter, and was definitely busier on the day I visited. The trail brings you right to Lower Slaughter Mill, a 19th-century mill that was last used commercially in 1958 – although a mill was recorded on this site in the Domesday Book in 1086. The best thing to do is just wander around the pretty streets, cross the scenic stone footbridge over the River Eye, and see some of the lovely houses and buildings here. I loved visiting in spring with the daffodils blooming!
What to See in Bourton-on-the-Water
It took me half an hour to walk from Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-Water. Bourton-on-the-Water is much bigger than either of the Slaughters, with a lot more to see and do. One thing I do recommend visiting is the Model Village, a perfect replica of the town’s buildings and structures, which was first built in the 1930s. There’s also the Cotswolds Motoring and Toy Museum, and Birdland Park and Gardens. But probably the best thing to do is wander the canals – Bourton-on-the-Water is called the “Venice of the Cotswolds” for a reason!
There are so many shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants around Bourton-on-the-Water, you’ll be spoiled for choice! I was happy to relax along the canals, although it was very busy when I was there around 4pm. If nothing else, it’ll be great people watching. It was easy to then get the bus back to Moreton-in-Marsh and my train back to Oxford.
For me, Bourton-on-the-Water will always be a special place. I was sat by the canal here, feet cooling off in the water, when I turned my phone off airplane mode, and received an email that I’d been selected for a major freelance writing gig – the start of my dream career as a freelance travel writer!
Planning Your Trip to the Cotswolds
Although it’s definitely easier to visit the Cotswolds with a car, you can get around the area using public transport. This walking route is the perfect itinerary for exploring the Cotswolds without a car! Bristol or Birmingham airports are probably the closest, although London Heathrow is the most convenient option for a major airport. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
If you’d prefer a guided tour of the Cotswolds, check out the options below!
Where to Stay in Oxford
Oxford is a great spot to base yourself for exploring the city and surrounding countryside. I was housesitting here, so didn’t stay in accommodation on this trip. But here are a few suggestions on where to stay!
- Budget: Central Backpackers – this hostel has dorm rooms, a communal kitchen, and an excellent location in the center of Oxford
- Mid-range: Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Center – this conveniently located property has modern rooms with amenities like work desks and fridges, plus an on-site restaurant
- Boutique: The Galaxie – this hotel is full of character, with unique room designs, sleek interiors, and a gorgeous garden
- Luxury: Old Bank Hotel – a luxurious five-star property with modern rooms, super-friendly staff, and superb views over the city of Oxford
I loved this walk in the Cotswolds. It was such a wonderful way to experience one of the most beautiful parts of England! I lucked out with great weather and blue skies on the day I did this hike. I’m so glad I worked out this route to make the most of a day in the Cotswolds, exploring some of the prettiest villages in the area on a linear hike. If you’re wanting to do a hike in the Cotswolds using public transport from Oxford, this is a fantastic option! I hope this post helps planning your trip to the Cotswolds.
Have you been to the Cotswolds? What were your favorite places?
You might also like my posts:
The Prettiest Villages to See in Swaledale
39 Unbelievable Places You Must Visit in Cornwall
All of my hiking posts!
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