Cidade Turismo
the United Kingdom

Before you go

Your trip to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Bourton-on-the-Water – Inglaterra Destination Oxford and the Cotswolds about 140 km from Londres

How to get there

  • Birmingham Airport (BHX) Birmingham · 90 km
  • Moreton-in-Marsh railway station Moreton-in-Marsh · 13 km
  • Kingham railway station Kingham · 10 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you book. From Oxford it’s about 40 km by car via the A40. From London, the train from Paddington goes to Moreton‑in‑Marsh or Kingham, from where you continue by taxi or local bus. Day tours from Oxford and London stop in the village.

How many days

Half a day for the village and the walk to Lower Slaughter. With one night you can see Bourton early, before the tour buses, and move on to Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden the next day.

When to go

From May to September, with green countryside and long days; summer weekends the village gets crowded. Spring and autumn are quieter. In winter it’s cold and some shops close earlier.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It’s the most practical way to get around the Cotswolds, because buses between villages are limited. You drive on the left, on narrow roads, sometimes single‑track with passing places. Without a car, day tours are the solution.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Bourton-on-the-Water
  1. Morning
    Bourton early

    Arrive early to see the River Windrush and the bridges before the tour buses, and stop by the Model Village.

  2. Afternoon
    The Slaughters

    Walk about 3 km across pastures to Lower Slaughter and continue to Upper Slaughter; have lunch in a local pub.

  3. Late afternoon
    Bibury

    By car, drive 15 km to Bibury to see Arlington Row in low light and without the crowds.

  4. Evening
    Village pub

    Have dinner in a pub in Bourton or Stow-on-the-Wold, with a fireplace in winter.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Bourton-on-the-Water worth a visit?

Yes — for the river running through the village and the stone houses. It is the busiest village in the Cotswolds, so go early or in the late afternoon.

Which villages pair well with Bourton?

Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter, 3 km away; Stow-on-the-Wold, 7 km; Bibury, 15 km; and Chipping Campden, around 25 km.

Can you stay overnight in Bourton?

Yes — there are inns and pubs with rooms. Staying in the village lets you see it empty in the morning and at night.

How to get from Oxford to Bourton-on-the-Water?

By car it's about 40 km via the A40 and A429, around 50 minutes. Without a car, take a train from Oxford to Kingham or Moreton-in-Marsh and then a taxi or local bus, or join a day tour.

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