I need help planning a trip through the Cotswolds for the first week of July. My son is studying at Oxford this summer and we would like to visit him. We went to London last year and did a one day bus tour to Oxford, Strafford, and Warwick Castle. We aren't sure what his schedule will be yet and we may need to make some last minute changes in our plans in order to accomodate a visit with him. My husband would like to drive from London, but I'm afraid we don't always make a great team when driving in strange places. Any suggestions for touring will greatly appreciated.

If you really don't want to drive (and many don't if they aren't used to driving on the left--adding that to the stress of driving in a unknown place), you could take the train from London to Oxford. From there you could take public transportation. The train and bus lines are extensive and easy to use. Having said that, I urge you to consider driving. (Rent the car in Oxford, it will be significantly cheaper than in London.) Getting lost driving the country lanes in the Cotswolds is half the fun. The beauty of the countryside and finding that nice little pub in some little-touristed town is one of the joys of traveling in that part of the world. I'm a good map reader and always get great maps (the Ordinance maps are best), but somehow don't pay a lot of attention to them till it is time to go back to the hotel. I find just roving the English countryside to be one of the joys of life.

Do consider driving! Doing so will introduce you to a number of charming villages and sites not readily accessible by public transportation. If you have access to a Barnes & Noble, Borders or other quality bookstore, pick up a copy of the Michelin map of southeast Great Britain and the Midlands. It’s Michelin map number 404 and will serve you well until you can pick up a more detailed map at a service station in England. The Michelin is on a scale of 1 inch = 6.3 miles. In suggesting the following Cotswold tour, I trust you have a map of sufficient detail to follow my suggested meanderings. <BR> <BR>Take a look at Banbury on your map. It’s about 23 miles from Oxford, 35 miles for Warwick, 30 miles from Stratford and 35 miles or less from the heart of the Cotswolds. The whole area is laced with lovely country roads. Check the website www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/castle2.html and take a look at The Castle Inn in Banbury as a potential place to stay. As an alternative, check out the hotels in Chipping Norton in the heart of the Cotswolds and look particularly at The Forge House at www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/forgehou.html. Chipping Norton is equidistant from Stratford, Oxford, Warwick, Cirencester and Cheltenham. <BR> <BR>For a tour of the Cotswolds, consider the following: from Banbury or Chipping Norton, take route A361 south, first to Burford a charming little village with a number of coaching inns with a great deal of character. Continue south to Fairford and the Church of St. Mary with its unexpectedly stunning stained glass windows. Drive northwest from Fairford to Bibury, supposedly the loveliest town in England with its Arlington Row, early 17th century grey stone wool workers houses. Continue northwest to the Chedworth Roman Villa remains with its wall murals and mosaic floors. Travel north to Sudeley Castle, the former home of Catherine Parr just outside of the non-touristy town of Winchcombe. Continue north to Buckland, an exquisite little village, then on to Broadway and Chipping Campden, both of which are featured in all the guidebooks. Drive south, southeast back to Chipping Norton, stopping at Chastleton to visit its early 17th century Jacobean country house and formal garden. <BR> <BR>

An alternative to both a tour or driving is to take a train to one of the Cotswolds town, then rent a bike for the day. You could easily hit a at least 3 or 4 towns or sights in a day by going an easy 15 - 20 mile loop. I realize this would not be for everyone, but many people could do it. I have done this...starting not from a train schedule, but from a canal boat that I was on. In a day we went from the Stratford River to Braodway, Chipping Camden, and one other very small town and nearby formal garden (name forgotten without looking it up) in a day.

I'll second Linda's suggestion. A number of years ago we took a train from London to Oxford and rented a car. Driving wasn't easy but there wasn't too much traffic. I don't know if it is still there but there was a store near Piccadilly in London that sold all kinds of maps.

Judy= go with Wes' suggestions- they are fabulous--driving is no big thing-only problems are roundabouts-they are a challange but if you get messed up,just stay on them for another go round. It is a BALL driving and you get to much more interesting places. In addition to all the places Wes suggested-also add BROADWAY-it's a charming ,but touristy,town that is great to walk around in. If you want to stray further out,you could easily hit Bath-while it's not the Cotswolds,it is great for antiquing etc. But do use Wes' itinerary and suggestions for hotels etc- they are right on--we've done the whole itinerary he suggested and you won't be sorry getting a car- but pick up in London is no big deal nor is return there. However,if you are hesitant about picking up in London, see if you can pick up in Oxford (after training there) and return in London to catch you flight home. You will have a great time.

I'd like to second (third? fourth?) the above suggestions to get a car. (We picked up in Oxford and hopped on over to Chipping Campden our first evening.) The driving there is very easy and so many little winding roads to wander! <BR> I think maybe the garden Howard refers to is Hidecote Maner, just outside Chipping Campden? Lots of garden styles in separate "rooms" and quite lovely. If you make it down this far, please do try to extend a bit further to the Slaughters...definitely picture postcard material.