Museums, stone villages and Georgian spa streets
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · London, the Cotswolds & Bath
London to The Cotswolds
London and The Cotswolds sit about 122 km (76 mi) apart in a straight line, with The Cotswolds to the west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our London, the Cotswolds & Bath itinerary, an 8-day trip. Here is how long it takes by train, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 122 km · 76 mi
- Est. road distance
- 146–171 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By train
Our London, the Cotswolds & Bath itinerary is planned around rail, so a train is the likely way to cover this leg. Timetables and direct connections vary — check the operator before you book.
By car
Driving is an estimated 146–171 km (91–106 mi) and 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min at typical average speeds, not a routed time.
Use the Tube and buses in London, then hire a car for the Cotswolds, where trains only reach Moreton-in-Marsh and Kingham. Bath is a 90-minute direct train from London Paddington if you drop the car early.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in The Cotswolds
Rolling hills and limestone villages; spend 2–3 nights in Stow, Chipping Campden or nearby.
Arlington Row
Row of 17th-century weavers' cottages beside a water meadow in Bibury.
Hidcote
Arts and Crafts garden of hedged outdoor rooms, at its best in early summer.
Chipping Campden
Wool town with a curving high street and a 1627 Market Hall; start of the Cotswold Way.
Daylesford Organic Farm
Organic farm shop, café and bakery in converted barns near Kingham.
The Porch House
Inn in Stow that claims to be England's oldest, with beams and open fires.
Broadway Tower
Folly tower on a hilltop above Broadway with views across up to 16 counties.
Before you leave London
Base for 3–4 days of museums, markets and riverside walks.
On this curated route
Where London → The Cotswolds sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? The Cotswolds to London is the same 122 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in August, when The Cotswolds averages highs 2°C cooler than London.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London high | 7° | 8° | 11° | 14° | 18° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 20° | 16° | 11° | 8° |
| The Cotswolds high | 6° | 6° | 9° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 21° | 21° | 18° | 14° | 9° | 6° |
| London rain | 65 | 54 | 50 | 42 | 55 | 56 | 60 | 66 | 44 | 73 | 74 | 71 |
| The Cotswolds rain | 71 | 57 | 57 | 51 | 64 | 63 | 70 | 72 | 50 | 81 | 80 | 77 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to The Cotswolds month guides.
London to The Cotswolds: questions travelers ask
How far is London from The Cotswolds?
London is about 122 km (76 mi) from The Cotswolds in a straight line, with The Cotswolds to the west. By road, we estimate 146–171 km (91–106 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from London to The Cotswolds?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min, assuming 146–171 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day. Our itinerary leans on rail, so check train times too.
Which itineraries include the trip from London to The Cotswolds?
Our London, the Cotswolds & Bath itinerary includes this leg. London, the Cotswolds & Bath runs about 8 days across 3 stops, best in May – Sep.
Onward from The Cotswolds
- The Cotswolds to Bath 70 km
Guides for both ends
- London travel guide
- London weather best time to visit
- The Cotswolds travel guide
- The Cotswolds weather best time to visit
The Cotswolds by month
Plan London → The Cotswolds with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.