2 days in the Cotswolds: a weekend itinerary
Honey-stone villages, short walks and a pub lunch each day, planned to avoid the worst of the crowds.
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- Updated October 2026
The Cotswolds are about wandering between villages, so this plan picks a few of the prettiest and links them with short walks and pub lunches rather than trying to see everything. A car makes it much easier, since public transport between the villages is limited.
Go early to the most famous spots such as Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water, because they fill up by mid-morning in summer.
Day 1: The northern Cotswolds
- Morning: Start in Chipping Campden, a handsome market town with a 17th-century market hall and the start of the Cotswold Way.
- Lunch: Eat at a village pub in Chipping Campden or nearby Broad Campden.
- Afternoon: Drive to Broadway, a pretty village of golden stone, and climb up to Broadway Tower, a folly with big views, or stroll the High Street.
- Evening: Dinner at a village pub, booked in advance.
Day 2: Burford, Bibury and the Slaughters
- Morning: Visit Bibury early to see the rows of weavers' cottages known as Arlington Row, before the crowds arrive.
- Lunch: Walk the riverside path between Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter, and have lunch at a pub in one of the villages.
- Afternoon: Stop in Burford, a sloping High Street of antique shops and cafes, on your way home, or call in at Bourton-on-the-Water if you want the busy waterside.
- Heading home: Leave in the late afternoon to avoid weekend traffic.
Where to stay
Chipping Campden is peaceful and a good base for walkers. Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold are more central, with a wider choice of pubs and shops.
Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.
Getting there and around
- From Manchester: About 3 hours by car. By train it is longer, so most visitors from the North drive.
- From Liverpool: About 3 hours by car.
- From London: About 1.5 hours by train from Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, which is a good gateway station.
A car is the easiest way to link the villages. Parking is tight in the most popular ones, so use the signed car parks and arrive early. Moreton-in-Marsh has a railway station if you travel by train, but you will still need taxis or buses.
If it rains
If it rains, switch some walking for a visit to Sudeley Castle, a long pub lunch or antique shops in Burford and Stow, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Packing list for Cotswolds
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Frequently asked questions
Can I do the Cotswolds without a car?
It is difficult. You can base yourself in a village such as Moreton-in-Marsh and use local buses, but a car or a tour gives much more freedom.
Which village should I visit first?
Visit the busiest ones, such as Bibury and Bourton, early in the morning, and save quieter places for the afternoon.
Do I need to book pub lunches?
At weekends and in summer, yes. Many of the best pubs fill up quickly.
Keep planning
Honey-coloured villages, rolling hills and country pubs
Cotswolds pub lunch walkUpper and Lower Slaughter, GloucestershireA gentle riverside walk between Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter is one of the Cotswolds' classic strolls, about a mile and a half each way along the River Eye, through meadows and past honey-coloured stone cottages.
Afternoon tea in BathBath, SomersetAfternoon tea is a Bath tradition, and you can enjoy it in grand Georgian settings, boutique hotels or the Pump Room beside the Roman Baths.
Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-Avon, WarwickshireStratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and the Royal Shakespeare Company stages plays there year-round.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and travel details change, so check before you go. Report an error or share a tip.