We'll be travelling to UK in July and plan to move about the country by train. I very much want to visit the Cotswolds, especially Chipping Campden as a part of our trip. <BR>Can we find acceptable transportation (taxi or bus)if we arrive in Moreton-on-Marsh which is 7 miles from Chipping Campden?<BR>I also will want to find transportation to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle and Hidcote Manor.<BR>Will this work?<BR>

Yes, it will work, except on Sundays. Take a train from Paddington station in London to Moreton in Mash. There walk to the bus stop and take a bus to Chipping Camden. Stay a night or two. I haven?t found how you cover the few miles to Hidecote Manor, north of Chipping Camden. The same bus from Moreton in Marsh to Chipping Camden carries on to Stratford upon Avon. From there busses run in forty minutes to Warwick (trains, too, but the railway stations are not central in either town). From Warwick trains at least every two hours and take two hours to Paddington, though you may find it easier from Warwick Castle to take a bus two miles to Leamington Spa station, and so carry on by train to London.<BR><BR>You?ll wonder how I know. I used http://uk.yahoo.com and entered ?moreton in marsh stratford bus?. The site http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/cotswold.html says ?Bus Services on Mondays to Saturdays link Moreton-in-Marsh with Chipping Camden and Stratford upon Avon, some journeys via Broadway; <BR>Moreton-in-Marsh with Cirencester and Kemble; <BR>and Bath with Tetbury and Stroud. <BR>Sunday services are limited links from Cheltenham to Winchcombe and Broadway, <BR>and from Gloucester to Cheltenham, Northleach and Oxford.<BR>Cotswold Line buses connect with Thames Trains services between Paddington and Hereford Mondays- Saturdays, with combined tickets available on the bus or at stations. Moreton-in-Marsh is linked with Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Camden <BR>and Evesham to Wickhamford and Broadway.?<BR><BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to England.<BR><BR>Ben Haines, London<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR>

D. - The places you want to see will be VERY much less time consuming and easier by car. There are buses - but not frequent and they are slow. There is so much to see in the Cotswolds within a few miles of each other - but it is very difficult by public transport.<BR><BR>If you are determined to not rent a car/drive - my recommendation is to hire a driver. You can probably get one for about 30GBP for a day plus petrol. (But a rental car will be cheaper). Go to the TIC in Moreton-in-Marsh and they can arrange for a driver for you.

I meant to add an example - that 40 minute bus ride Ben mentions from Stratford to Warwick is about less than 10 minutes by car - and you don't have to wait for the bus schedule.<BR><BR>The mere fact that there is bus service does not mean it is practical for what you want.

I'd rely on Janis for this information since (if I remember this correctly) she used to live in the Cotswolds. Ben is usually very helpful, but he lives in London and sometimes doesn't have direct experience or knowledge with other parts of the country.

D<BR><BR>We took the train to Moreton-on-Marsh and then hired a taxi to drive us to Chipping Campden and show us around. We were just interested in seeing the style of homes in the area. I don't recall what we paid him, but it was reasonable. Have fun!

ttt

Also depends on your interests and whether you want to get out onto your feet some. The walking paths are great in the Cotswolds. We had planned to train to Moreton-on-Marsh and then hike, bus, and taxi around. A friend I made who lives near Reading had us take the train to her house and after a day with them her husband took us on a delightful tour of backroads to Moreton-on-Marsh that was only possible in a car and with a driver willing to go down tiny lanes. There we had a B&B for a couple of nights. Walked to Chipping Campden (good day hike), saw then town, then caught the bus back. Others were doing similar with other towns or hiring taxis. The folks at the Information Center were GREAT! with the most up-to-date bus schedule, maps, and drivers to hire. We thought the bus was fun--the driver was a local treat. While waiting for our bus we saw one arrive from the other direction with 4 young Japanese girls struggling with full size suitcases off the bus. Everyone was helping, but it was quite a tourist sight. The bus we were on was more of the city type, not the intercity with luggage compartment.