The Cotswolds are considered by many people to be one of the most beautiful areas of England - the quintessential English landscape. Take the Bicester Link to Oxford for a great day out in the countryside.

Oxfordshire Cotswolds

It is a place of immense diversity: rolling landscapes with breathtaking views and open skies contrast with intimate valleys, villages and pastures; ancient beech woodlands, rare flora and limestone grasslands alternate with broad swathes of arable fields; pre-historic hill forts are found close to the fine craftsmanship of manor houses and stone cottages.

Throughout the area, Cotswold stone is a feature of buildings and walls, acting as a unifying thread blending the towns, villages and farms with their surrounding landscape.

The Cotswolds was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966 and extended in area in 1990. It is the largest of these areas in England and Wales covering 2,038 sq kms (790 sq miles), stretching east to west from Oxford to Gloucester and north to south from Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath.

The Cotswolds are a very popular tourist destination with over 20 million visitors a year. Most of the Cotswolds & Malverns Line between Hanborough and Honeybourne lies within the Cotswolds AONB, so sit back on the train and enjoy this fantastic landscape. Alternatively, stop off en-route and explore one of the many towns and villages, such as Charlbury, Kingham or Moreton-in-Marsh, where there are bus links to Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.

The Cotswold Line Railbus is a dedicated bus service for rail passengers travelling from Kingham station to Kingham village, Churchill and Chipping Norton. Through tickets covering rail and bus travel are available from all staffed stations, ask for “Chipping Norton Bus”.

The Oxfordshire Day Ranger gives you the freedom to make as many journeys as you like, on all train services, in the area bounded by Reading, Oxford, Bicester Town, Banbury and Moreton-in-Marsh. It costs just £15 and is valid after 0930 Mondays to Fridays, and at any time at weekends or Bank Holiday Mondays.

The Cotswolds & Malverns Transport Partnership have published a guide to exploring the area by train from Oxford and this provides more information on the natural landscapes, town and villages that can be easily reach along the Cotswolds & Malverns Line.

For more information on places to visit, accommodation and travel visit the Cotswolds AONB or Oxfordshire Cotswolds websites.