Cotswolds drive
 

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who helped me in fine tuning my UK itinerary posted earlier. One more question please...
I'm planning to substitute my trip to Hampton Court with a drive to Cotswolds area on Saturday (with my wife and two kids, 9 & 3). I have three choices to do this.

1) Take a train to Oxford (it is cheaper fare on Saturday) and take a tour with Cotswold Roaming (http://www.cotswold-roaming.co.uk/co...lenheim-palace Fare GBP 50/person + train fare)

2) Hire a car from LHR and drive to Cotswolds upto Chipping Campden and return (approx. 240km drive up and down).

3) Take a Cotswolds tour package with Evan Evans and board the bus 100 yards away from my stay place. Fare GBP 44/person.
Could someone tell me the possible challenges in driving from LHR? Am I too ambitious in going upto Chipping Campden or should I restrict visting only certain towns/ villages?

Thanks

The drive is easy just dull for the start and final finish as you are near Heathrow. Probably not a good idea if you have only just flown in, but otherwise ok.

None of the villages pose any problems accept Swindon. Swindon has a multiple roundabout experience which should be avoided.

If you want to actually include Oxford city centre then I would suggest a tour or use the park and ride from the city edge, again its easy just takes a bit of time. If Oxford is not your focus then drive to Blenheim and enjoy.

I would suggest that a long day out in the Cotswolds is not what the average 3 year and 8 year old would enjoy. I find Blenheim far too grandiose. If you must go then why not take the train to Oxford, pick up a hire car there and drive to Burford, a picturesque village. Get the children to find the native American Indians in the church, then on to Bourton on the Water (there's a model village there that the children would like) as well as the little stream that flows alongside the main village street with small bridges for little ones to run across. Chipping Campden is very picturesque but has nothing to engage small children.

Bourton-on-the-Water is great for children. You can picnic along the river banks, the children can paddle in the stream too. They love the model village, the dragonfly maze with a secret 'hidden' treasure at the end, and my children also enjoyed Birdland when they were young. More about B-O-T-W here...

http://www.bourtoninfo.com/default.aspx

Also in the area close to Burford and a great place to visit with kids is

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

The Cotswolds is a region with many lovely villages. You drive leisurely through rolling hills and stop in several of those towns and villages, enjoying their peculiarities.

Especially with children, I would avoid an organized tour. And Bourton-on-the-Water is great for children of all ages, indeed, especially on a sunny day (they can frolic in the water).

Maybe this trip report is useful for you:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...of-england.cfm