kinkajou007

First off, thanks muchly for the help [months ago] on my UK itinerary. Nearly the entirety of my trip is booked and I'm super excited!

One thing I haven’t settled is the best use of my planned time for Bath and Oxford. I'm booked to stay in Oxford from Wednesday thru Monday; from here, had imagined taking the train on a couple of successive days to Moreton (then, er, bus?) to do some Cotswold exploring. I’d like to walk some of the pathways between the towns a bit – what I believe flanner says is the proper way to ‘do’ the Cotswolds.

I'd figured on Bath from Monday to Saturday, renting a car for a couple of those days to visit Wilton House and Glastonbury/Stourhead.

But: Maybe I should rent a car for my last 2 days in Oxford (stash it at a periphery park and ride) and explore the Cotswolds with it, then hang onto it for a couple more days as I transition to Bath, where I'd deploy it for those day-trips. Or maybe use the car, add an overnight in a Cotswold town after Oxford, *then* head on to Bath?

And WHICH Cotswold towns to visit/walk between? I couldn’t find this specifically addressed when searching the forums. I saw mentioned in this thread...
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-questions.cfm
...that annhig had provided someone with “a good list of things to see and do in the Cotswolds” but I was sadly not able to located this coveted item… unless it was PMed to the user - ?

Can someone help me make this work neatly together?

janisj

I may be wrong but I don't think you can leave a car overnight in a park and ride (flanner hasn't posted in a few weeks -- hope everything is OK -- but he would know for sure)

IMO having a car in Bath but not in the Cotswolds makes no sense. I'd look to rearrange things just a bit. Stay in Oxford car-less Wed and Thurs and maybe Friday. Then pick up a car and move out to the Cotswolds and stay someplace Sat and Sunday nights and explore lots of the villages and do a few walks. Then drive down to Bath and the rest of your itinerary . . .

janisj

Meant to add -- You could stay in Oxford 2 nights and 3 in the Cotswolds (my choice) - or - Oxford for 3 nights and 2 nights in the Cotswolds.

kinkajou007

Thanks Janis! Yikes, I hope he is ok too. D:

Yes, originally I wanted to make do whenever possible with public transport (it's just me, so in a car there's not much looking-out-of-windows allowed!) but my resistance has been dwindling - am wanting to maximize time on the ground and not faff about with train connections. Thus, I'm only now having to examine 'where to stash the car' issues.

Just to clarify: I AM already booked in Ox Wednesday thru Monday a.m. I can look into change penalties, I suppose... The adjoining Monday to Saturday is completely un-nailed-down, though!

SheilaMarjorie

I'd say you should pick up a car as you leave Oxford and drive to Bath, stopping off at whatever Cotswold places appeal to you or are conveniently on your route. Don't try to "do" the whole Cotswold area, but stop off to walk or explore the towns and villages as the fancy takes you.

janisj

Ok -that works. You definitely do not want a car in Oxford. But w/ 6 days to play w/ after I'd do three days in the Cotswolds and three days in Bath. You can do a combo of driving around the villages and some lovely walks. 3 days is good for the Cotswolds and 3 days is enough for Bath and Wells/Glastonbury etc.

Collect your car in north Oxford if possible - then it is jump on the Woodstock Rd and be on the edge of the Cotswolds in 10 minutes.

kinkajou007

Marvelous, merci buckets! This sounds like a much better plan.

Must now start research afresh on which Cotswold towns to target, since I'll be wholly untethered from public transport...

janisj

I'd look in Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford. Mainly because they are nice towns - not too big but large enough to have a good variety of pubs/cafes/shops. Small/scenic villages are nice but there are often no/few services so one needs to drive to dinner. It is nice being able to leave the car at he end of the day and walk to once places to eat.

There are lots of other great options - but maybe start by looking in these three and then we can suggest others.

jamikins

Not sure what your budget is but loved our stay at the Lamb Inn in Burford. It's part of a chain do some of their other properties may also interest you.

http://www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.u...y/the_lamb_inn

kinkajou007

Oh, thanks very much!!

kinkajou007

whoops - didn't mean to just post that alone; had more to say, heh. To wit: appreciate tons the extra drilled-down suggestion levels to get me started on my next Cotswold research stage!

I know a lot of people find trip planning to be half the fun, but it's really become more of a race to make sure I get modest lodging secured that'll still allow me the privacy/connectivity to telecommute while I'm traveling. Meant to have everything reserved LONG before now (mindful of the fact that it's high season; the Commonweath Games are happening; all the various Edinburgh festivals, etc. etc.) Just got snowed under by work and other obligations, sigh. I'll have my research fun when I start looking into specific attractions, walks, pubs, and places to eat, I suppose.

jamikins

If you have an iPad or iPhone download the Good Pub Guide..,great recommendations across the UK and very user friendly!