How to choose a base
The Cotswolds cover a large area, from the north of the region down to Bath in the south. The landscape authority says that travelling without a car is possible but hard because of the distances. So think about where you will spend most of your time and pick a base close to it.
This page compares six places: Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, Burford, Broadway, Cirencester and Bibury. It names a few properties and does not list room prices, because room rates and availability change by date. Check the rate, the minimum stay, whether breakfast and parking are included and the cancellation terms with the property before you book.
The six bases compared
Parking figures are published charges for 2026. Prices and rules change, so read the signs on arrival.
| Base | What is close | Parking | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stow-on-the-Wold | Market Square, church door, bus links | Fosseway free; Maugersbury Road from £4.40 for 2 h | On the Pulhams 801 bus route |
| Chipping Campden | High Street, market hall, start of the Cotswold Way | Market Square: first 20 min free, 1 h £1, 2 h £2 | Good for walkers |
| Burford | High Street, church | Guildenford free, 4 h or 10 h limit | Stop on day tours from London |
| Broadway | High Street, Broadway Tower | Tower car park £3 for 4 h, £6 all day | Hotel with spa on the High Street |
| Cirencester | Museum, Roman amphitheatre, Abbey Grounds | Abbey Grounds: 1 h £2, 2 h £3.80, 10 h £10 | Market town, not a village |
| Bibury | Arlington Row, river, church | Limited free parking, no National Trust car park | Holiday let in Arlington Row |
Cotswold tours if you do not want to drive
Day trips from London and small-group tours through the Cotswolds, with live prices and availability.
Stay in the main towns
Four bases that suit most first trips.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow has a Market Square with a market cross and St Edward's Hall, and a church whose north door is framed by old yew trees. The Fosseway car park is free. The Pulhams 801 bus links Cheltenham, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow and Moreton-in-Marsh station. Read the Stow-on-the-Wold guide for more.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is the northern end of the Cotswold Way, and its market hall on the High Street was built in 1627. It suits walkers who want a first night before the trail. Parking at Market Square is cheap for short stays. See the Chipping Campden guide and the Cotswold Way guide.
Burford
Burford has a free car park with limits of 4 and 10 hours, which helps if you want to leave the car while you explore the High Street. Overnight parking is a question for your host. See the Burford guide.
Broadway
The Lygon Arms stands on the High Street in Broadway. The hotel lists a spa with a pool, hot tub, steam room and gym. Ask which of these come with your room rate. Broadway Tower is close, and the Broadway guide has the details.
Cirencester and Bibury
Cirencester is a market town with the Corinium Museum, a Roman amphitheatre, the Abbey Grounds and the church of St John Baptist. Tourist material calls it the capital of the Cotswolds. That is a nickname and not an official status. The Abbey Grounds car park charges £2 for 1 hour, £3.80 for 2 hours and £10 for 10 hours.
In Bibury, the National Trust lets a holiday cottage at 9 Arlington Row for 3 guests, with no dogs. Numbers 1 and 9 are the holiday lets. The rest of the row is private housing, and the gardens are not open to visitors. If you stay there, you are a guest in a residential street. Parking in the village is limited and shared with day visitors, so ask where to leave the car.
Lords of the Manor is a hotel in Upper Slaughter, postcode GL54 2JD. Do not confuse it with Lower Slaughter when you search a map.
Getting around without a car
Train and bus options, with indicative advance fares seen in October 2026.
| Journey | Time | Advance fare, one way |
|---|---|---|
| London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh | Fastest 1 h 24, average 1 h 33 | From £14 |
| London Paddington to Charlbury | From 1 h 05, average 1 h 16 | From £12 |
| London Paddington to Kemble | Average 1 h 13 | From £20 |
These fares are advance prices with limited availability. They are not walk-up prices, and they do not include children, railcards or a return ticket. Check the timetable for your date.
For buses, the Pulhams 801 on Mon to Fri leaves Cheltenham Royal Well at 08:30, reaches Bourton-on-the-Water at 09:15, Stow at 09:33 and Moreton-in-Marsh station at 09:45. That is 45, 63 and 75 minutes from Cheltenham. Not every journey runs to Chipping Norton, and Sunday has its own timetable. Eligible single fares are capped at £3 until 31 December 2026. A CotswoldZone day ticket costs £8 in the app and £8.50 on the bus for adults. Contactless tap-in and tap-out started on 26 July 2026, and you are charged to the end of the line if you forget to tap out.
More to plan
Pages that help you decide where to base yourself.
Where to stay in the Cotswolds: frequently asked questions
Which town is best to stay in?
It depends on your plans. Chipping Campden suits walkers, Stow-on-the-Wold has bus links, Burford has a free car park and Cirencester is a larger market town.
Can I visit the Cotswolds without a car?
Yes, but it takes planning. Distances are large. The trains from London Paddington reach Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury and Kemble, and local buses link some towns.
Can I stay in Arlington Row in Bibury?
Two of the cottages, numbers 1 and 9, are holiday lets. Number 9 is listed by the National Trust for 3 guests, and dogs are not allowed.
Is Lords of the Manor in Lower Slaughter?
No. It is in Upper Slaughter, postcode GL54 2JD.
Does the Lygon Arms spa come with every room?
The hotel lists a spa with a pool, hot tub, steam room and gym. Ask whether it is included in your rate.
How much do rooms cost?
Rates vary by date and room. Ask the property for the price, minimum stay, breakfast, parking and cancellation terms for your dates.