The Cotswolds are lovely -- people recommend them all the time for a reason. But they aren't a good fit for your plans :( I honestly wouldn't do them as a day trip from London. I used to live not far from there and probably did 80-100+ day trips into the area in the 5 years I lived in NE Oxfordshire. They are one of my favorite regions in the entire country. There are really only a couple of train stations in the area -- Moreton-in-Marsh being the major one. Trains from Paddington take 90 minutes and then you are only in M-i-M. To get to any of the more scenic villages requires either inconvenient bus services or an expensive driver for the day. The Cotswold really aren't 'day trip territory' if based in London - Sure lots of people have done it as a day trip and even enjoyed it -- but so many other places are easier/more practical in your situation. It would be easy peasy if one is staying over in Oxford . . . and has a car.

Now there are commercial coach tours that do the Cotswolds from London -- but you'd be spending more time on the bus than anything else.

Yes, have done day trips in the Cotswolds several times, but you need a car, preferably a rental you drive yourself, if you’re comfortable with that. It’s easy from London. If not, then it’s a difficult place to get to & to get around by public transport, so would not recommend it unless you can spend a night or two there.

@janisj @balthy —thanks —kinda what I thought and we wouldn’t rent a car for day. Appreciate the confirmation—it’s on the list for the future but I figured it’s an area where a car is a must so one of the other responses confused me a little bit.

Does anyone have any input on Eastbourne/Beachy Head? Obviously in good weather…looks beautiful and doable by train.