Oxford to Sudeley
 

I will be staying in Oxford in July and would like to visit Sudeley Castle. I can't drive, so what would be the best way to get there? Any info on bus routes, train routes,or private driver and the approximate costs of each would be appreciated. For public transportation, will I have a problem traveling on a weekend? The distance between Oxford and Sudeley doesn't appear great on the map, but I also need a sense of actual travel time.Also, how much time should I allow for the tour,and wandering the gardens & shops at Sudeley? Is this a reasonable day trip or an overnighter?

The following is from the Sudeley Castle website:
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Sudeley Castle is located on the edge of Winchcombe in the heart of the Cotswolds, 8 miles north east of Cheltenham on the B4632 (A46) or 10 miles from Junction 9 of the M5.
A bus service operated by Castleways, runs between Winchcombe and Cheltenham
or Broadway.
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A few years ago we drove a loop from a BnB in Minchinhampton just west of Cirencester to a BnB in Mitcheldean west of Gloucester. The loop took us thru Bibury, Bourton on the Water, the Slaughters, Stow-on-the Wold and Broadway on our way to Sudeley Castle. We made brief stops at the places named and spent about 2 1/2 hours at Sudeley both in the Castle and on the grounds. Our visit was early June and we had the place nearly to ourselves. My wife remembers it well because of the fall she took in the house coming down a ramp. No harm except to her pride. Didn't buy any of the Dent family gloves in the gift shop.

I think you could do it easily on a daytrip from Oxford and it will be a very enjoyable day.

Thank you for the info on a bus from Winchecombe to Sudeley. Two and a half hours sounds about right for most tours/visits. I'll keep an eye out for that ramp!
Does anyone else have info on buses from Oxford to Cheltenham? I wonder if there are express buses or if they stop every few miles. Also, how late do the buses run for a return trip?

Hi
Have a look at www.traveline.org.uk for your question about buses.
Also www.railtrack.com for travel by train, under 'timetables'.
Bus journeys can be diffiuclt to plan over here because so many different companies run them, but the first website should help you out.
If you get stuck, then probably the Oxford Tourist Office (www.oxfordcity.co.uk or www.oxford.gov.uk) would be able to help further.
M

This isn't easy. The following strategy works Mon-Sat only:

The Oxford-Cheltenham bus timetable is at www.swanbrook.co.uk/index.html It's 90 mins and goes round the back a bit.

The Cheltenham-Winchcombe timetable is at www.cotswoldsaonb.com/bus_timetables. Select "North Cotswolds", then the Cheltenham-Winchcombe route.

If you can understand this ttable, congratulations. But it looks difficult to me to get back to Cheltenham in time for the last (1630) bus to Oxford. There are lots of trains, but they go round the country, changing at Didcot, and will probably work out quite pricey. You might prefer to get a taxi to Evesham from Winchcombe (or even walk it: it's only 10 miles by road, and probably less by footpath), whence trains to Oxford roughly hourly till 2247.

As far as I can see, none of these buses run on Sundays, though the Oxford-Evesham train runs to a slightly reduced frequency. Personally, I'd start earlyish (first Sunday train is 0921), get a train to Evesham, pick up a taxi to Sudeley Castle, then walk over the fields in the afternoon back to Evesham (last train on Sundays 2137).

Or why not just cycle?

Flanneruk's info likely is the best you'll get - he is from the area.

If you are fit enough for the long walk, or cycling, that would be the most practical way to accomplish this on a weekend (or any time for that matter)

But if you aren't physically able to do that, I'd definitely consider hiring a car/driver. Either, for the full day from Oxford, or the train to Evesham or Moreton-in-Marsh and a car from there.

I sent this reply on 6/27/o5 at 2:10 but somehow it didn't go thru. So here it is again: Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies. Reading the schedules for Winchcombe/Sudeley is definitely mind boggling. It reminds me of a funny experience I once had when I asked for directions in the boondocks of Vermont. The reply was, "Yup, everyone goes there, but you can't get there from here". Adventure calls, and I will press on by train, bus, footpath or skateboard! Again, many thanks for lots of good information.