We are staying one week in a Chipping Campden cottage and have plenty of ideas for things to do around the area (have rented a car), but we wouldn't mind doing a long day tour or overnight to York during the week because it seems like a "don't miss" type of place. To make it easy on my husband, who will being doing plenty of driving as is, can anyone recommend a bus or train tour to York that leaves from the Cotwolds?

No, but why would you want one?

Just drive the 25 miles to Leamington Spa, from where there's a 3 hr train (change Birmingham New St) every hour or so. It's usually be a bit quicker to drive yourself. But I really can't see the point in paying for a guide to sit in a bus and tell you about what you're passing on the motorway to York (practically nothing worth seeing, is what he'd be telling you if he was honest).

And York's about the easiest place in theworld to navigate yourself around.

OK, that's the information I was seeking. It might be worth the extra time -- he may want to get away from driving and read a book on the train instead. Thank you.

If you want to do this DEFINITELY take the train. I used to live in NE Oxfordshire (a bit nearer to York than you will be in Ch. Campden). I had to travel to York periodically to get some special art/craft supplies that weren't avaliable in Oxford at the time.

So I've driven it, taken a coach and the train - and by far the easiest is by train. The York station is right outside the city walls and you can see a LOT of York w/ 7 - 8 hours in the city. I probably would not stay over night since there is also a lot to see in the Cotswolds and you'd be cutting an add'l day there.

Hi,

I am planning on doing something similar - driving from the Cotswolds to Oxford (spend half day there) and then go north and spend the night in a town/city close to York. We are going with our two year old son so we don't want to push to hard in getting to York the same day. What city would you recommend for us to stay (south of York). How long of a drive would it be?

Thanks!!

viajeros: In your situation - I'd just drive through to York. It is less than 200 miles and motorway almost the whole way.

if you wanted to make a full two day tour out of the drive - then you could detour into the Peak District and visit Chatsworth. About 3.5 hours w/ a short rest stop.

But if it is York you want to see - then just drive to York.

Thank you Janis. Any recommendations on where to stay? I am thinking close to the city center...? B&B or hotel is OK, price range GBP 60-85.

Sorry - I can't really help much w/ B&B/hotel recs for York. Usually when I'm in the area, I self-cater for a week at a time in a rented cottage. It has been 15 years since I stayed in a B&B there.

But there have been several threads on here with good info about places to stay in York. The search function leaves a lot to be desired - but give it a try and maybe you'll find some of them. If I were only staying in York for few days (or just overnight) I'd stay as close to the city walls as I could. But be sure the place has parking - not always a given.

You might also post a new thread specifically asking for accomodations in York.

Thanks for the info. I used the search option and was able to find hotel recommendations for York.