The North Cotswolds offers some of the region’s most dramatic landscapes, historic villages and unforgettable viewpoints — and it’s surprisingly easy to explore as a day trip from London by train.
By travelling from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, you arrive right at the gateway to the North Cotswolds, where rolling hills, landmark villages and seasonal highlights such as the Cotswolds lavender fields are all within easy reach. With expert local guiding and efficient routing, it’s possible to see far more than you could independently — without hiring a car.
This itinerary focuses on Broadway and the northern villages, with the option to continue on towards Stratford-upon-Avon and even Warwick Castle if time allows.
Getting There: Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh by Train
Direct trains from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, making it one of the most convenient Cotswolds stations for a day trip.
Early morning departures allow a full day exploring the North Cotswolds, with evening return services back to London — ideal for visitors staying in the capital who want maximum countryside time with minimal travel stress.
Moreton-in-Marsh is also a natural meeting point for guided tours, with easy station access and direct routes north into the hills.
Heading North: Discovering the Upper Cotswolds
Leaving Moreton-in-Marsh, the landscape begins to rise as you head into the Upper Cotswolds — an area defined by wide views, grand country houses and honey-coloured villages set against rolling escarpments.
Stow-on-the-Wold
A historic market town perched high on a Roman crossroads, Stow is known for its antiques shops, traditional inns and atmospheric churchyard. It’s a natural first stop when travelling north from Moreton.
Stanway
One of the most elegant villages in the North Cotswolds, Stanway is home to Stanway House and its spectacular gravity-fed fountain — the tallest of its kind in the UK.
Stanton
Often described as one of the most beautiful villages in England, Stanton feels almost untouched by time, with stone cottages clustered beneath the slopes of the Cotswold hills.
Snowshill
Snowshill is a quintessential North Cotswolds village of honey-coloured cottages, rolling hills and timeless rural charm. It is perhaps best known to many visitors as a filming location for Bridget Jones’s Diary, where its peaceful streets and countryside provided the perfect backdrop. Beyond its screen fame, Snowshill is also celebrated for its proximity to the Cotswolds lavender fields and its position on scenic walking routes between Broadway and the northern escarpment.
Broadway: The Jewel of the North Cotswolds
Broadway is the northern gateway to the Cotswolds and one of its most instantly recognisable villages. Set beneath the escarpment, it combines grand proportions with a lively high street full of independent shops, galleries and cafés.
Broadway Tower
Standing high above the village, Broadway Tower offers some of the finest views in southern England. On a clear day, you can see across 16 counties, making it a highlight of any North Cotswolds itinerary.
Broadway is also an excellent place for a relaxed lunch stop, with plenty of choice and time to explore before continuing further north.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden sits at the northern edge of the Cotswolds and is best known as the starting point of the Cotswold Way National Trail. With its grand wool church of St James, elegant Arts and Crafts heritage and traditional market hall, the town feels more substantial than many Cotswold villages while retaining a strong sense of place. Chipping Campden has long attracted artists, craftsmen and walkers, and today it offers a lively high street, excellent independent shops and welcoming inns. As part of a North Cotswolds day trip from Moreton-in-Marsh, it provides a natural introduction to the region’s higher landscapes and historic market-town character.
Summer Highlight: The Cotswolds Lavender Fields
From late June to early August, the North Cotswolds is home to one of the region’s most photographed seasonal sights: the lavender fields near Snowshill and Broadway.
When in bloom, the rolling purple rows provide a striking contrast to the surrounding countryside and are a true summer highlight. Timing and access are key — guided visits ensure you see the fields at their best while avoiding peak crowds and parking restrictions.
Beyond the Cotswolds: Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle
Although Stratford-upon-Avon lies just beyond the traditional Cotswolds boundary, many visitors naturally expect to include Shakespeare’s birthplace as part of a northern itinerary.
Stratford-upon-Avon
A historic market town centred on the River Avon, Stratford offers Shakespeare’s Birthplace, timber-framed streets and a distinctly English atmosphere that complements a Cotswolds visit.
Warwick Castle
Time allowing, the route can extend to Warwick Castle, widely regarded as one of the finest and most complete medieval castles in England — a dramatic contrast to the villages and countryside of the Cotswolds.
Why Explore the North Cotswolds with Cotswolds Travel?
By arriving in Moreton-in-Marsh by train and travelling with a local guide, you avoid narrow roads, parking challenges and rushed decision-making.
Cotswolds Travel tours are designed to:
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Maximise what you can see in a single day
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Adapt routes seasonally (including lavender season)
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Balance iconic sights with quieter villages
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Seamlessly connect train arrivals with countryside exploration
This makes the North Cotswolds not only accessible, but genuinely enjoyable as a London day trip.
Plan Your North Cotswolds Day Trip
Whether you’re drawn by Broadway’s views, the lavender fields of summer, or the chance to combine Cotswold villages with Stratford-upon-Avon, the North Cotswolds delivers remarkable variety in a single day.
Arrive by train. Head north. Let the landscape unfold.
