CeeJay

I'm looking for suggestions for hotel or B&B in Oxford, preferably near the rail station.

Also looking for bus information into the Cotswolds specifically to Sudeley Castle.

Thanks in advance!

Ruth

According to Sudeley Castle's website there is a bus service run by a company called Castleways (tel. 01242 602949). It is difficult to find comprehensive timetable information for the Cotswolds, as there are so many different bus companies and routes (most of them slow and infrequent).

There are many hotels and b&bs in Oxford. Any with an address in the city centre or on the Botley Road will be in easy reach of the station (there are frequent buses along Botley Road which all stop outside or opposite the station). Look at the Oxford tourist website (www.visitoxford.org) for suggestions in various price ranges. The new Oxford YHA Hostel (open to all ages!) is right next to the station.

janis

Ruth has given you good info. pretty much anywhere on the east side of the city cebter or in Botley would be walking distance from the station.

I probably would not try to rely on a bus to Sudeley Castle. It would be a pretty convoluted (LONG) routing. The fastest way would be to take a bus to Cheltenham and a cab from there.

(Are you staying at the cottages at Sudeley Castle? If so you'll need a car to get around much.)

msjenny

I'm an American living in the area. Sudeley Castle is nice, but definately not on my top 10 castles list. It's private, and perfectly ordinary unless you will be there when flowers are blooming. Why not try Warwick Castle (it's spectacular) or I can suggest others.

CeeJay

Thank you for the great advice! Will do a search of hotel/B&B's in the area of Oxford as suggested.

And I'm extremely grateful for the advice on travel to Sudeley Castle. We found the same situation a few years ago when my mother and I traveled to Chartwell. We took the train to Sevenoaks and while a bus was 'advertised' as making the trip from Sevenoaks to Chartwell we found it was far better to take a cab. The bus made a huge loop through the area and while arriving by cab was more expensive we were able to avoid spending hours on a bus.

To Janis, no we are not staying in Sudeley. One of the reasons for choosing Oxford as our base is due to the fact that when we leave the Cotswolds we are traveling to Inverness. We plan to take an early morning train out of Oxford and that being the case it makes sense to stay in Oxford itself.

As this is our 5th trip to Great Britian we've seen most of the 'must see' castle's. We've both read a number of books on Catherine Parr which is why we decided to make Sudeley a priority on our visit to the Cotswolds. While not one of the top castle's in England, it does hold historic significance so this is the perfect opportunity to make the effort to visit.


Thank you again and I look forward to any other suggestions and advice from fellow Fodorites

ron

To get to Winchcombe for Sudely Castle, you would take the Swanbrook 53 bus, departing Oxford at 9:30 am, arriving Cheltenham at 11:00 am. The Castleways 606 bus leaves Cheltenham at 12 noon arriving Winchcombe at 12:22 pm. If you don’t want to spend that hour sampling the charms of Cheltenham, a taxi for the 7 mile journey to Winchcombe would perhaps cost £10. The last return service leaves Winchcombe at 3:28 pm, arriving Cheltenham at 4 pm, then departing Cheltenham at 4:15 pm, arriving Oxford at 5:50 pm. You can find these schedules at http://www.countrygoer.org/cotswolds/North%20area.htm

CeeJay

Thank you for the great advice! Will do a search of hotel/B&B's in the area of Oxford as suggested.

And I'm extremely grateful for the advice on travel to Sudeley Castle. We found the same situation a few years ago when my mother and I traveled to Chartwell. We took the train to Sevenoaks and while a bus was 'advertised' as making the trip from Sevenoaks to Chartwell we found it was far better to take a cab. The bus made a huge loop through the area and while arriving by cab was more expensive we were able to avoid spending hours on a bus.

To Janis, no we are not staying in Sudeley. One of the reasons for choosing Oxford as our base is due to the fact that when we leave the Cotswolds we are traveling to Inverness. We plan to take an early morning train out of Oxford and that being the case it makes sense to stay in Oxford itself.

As this is our 5th trip to Great Britian we've seen most of the 'must see' castle's. We've both read a number of books on Catherine Parr which is why we decided to make Sudeley a priority on our visit to the Cotswolds. While not one of the top castle's in England, it does hold historic significance so this is the perfect opportunity to make the effort to visit.


Thank you again and I look forward to any other suggestions and advice from fellow Fodorites

msjenny

Ceejay, sorry didn't realise that you were a vet! The gardens at the Castle are really nice, as are all the gardens here really. Right now it's been about 55 degrees, and the crocus flowers are up in Dark purple, lilac, yellow and white along with daffodils. It's quite nice. Good luck on your trip.

CeeJay

msjenny ... no apology needed.

Your description sounds wonderful - I am looking at a balmy 20 degrees with a half inch of new snow and four more expected this evening.

May I ask .. if you were planning to visit Sudeley ... where would you go after leaving Sudeley?

janis

If you have not been before - DEFINITELY go to Hailes Abbey. it is only a couple of miles NE of Winchcombe and a beautiful location. it is a ruined Cictercian Abbey with a small museum. They have personal audio tours that have a medieval monk taking you around.

CeeJay

Janis - I just did a search on Google for Hailes Abbey and found a number of terrific sites for the Abbey. Hailes Abbey looks absolutely lovely and will definately be on our list of sites to visit. Thank you!

msjenny

I have been to Hailes Abbey. It's a great example of a ruin and you have the added advantage of being able to walk among the ruins. However, I think it took us less than 30 minutes to see.

There is also Snowshill Manor, Hidcote Manor Gardens, Belas Knap, an ancient chambered tomb (However, this is in the middle of nowhere and hard to find, it took us a while in the car).

A bit farther away near Solihul is Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton, two beautiful manor houses/gardens within walking distance of each other.