Cotswolds without barriers

The pretty, popular Cotswolds has quaint villages, rolling countryside and great pubs, but how easy is it to enjoy if you have a disability?

- Carrie-Ann Lightly

The Cotswolds is one of England's most visited rural regions, and also one of the trickiest to read for accessibility. Honey coloured stone, pretty bridges and undulating lanes are part of the charm, but they can also mean narrow doorways, camber and the odd stealth step. With a realistic plan, though, there is plenty here for wheelchair users to enjoy.

The Cotswolds is one of England's most visited rural regions, and also one of the trickiest to read for accessibility. Honey coloured stone, pretty bridges and undulating lanes are part of the charm, but they can also mean narrow doorways, camber and the odd stealth step. With a realistic plan, though, there is plenty here for wheelchair users to enjoy. When I visited recently, I was struck by the contrast. In one moment, I'd be rolling through wide, level terrain with ease. Next, I’d hit a patch of gravel or find a ramp-free entrance that sent me wheeling back the way I came. But with a bit of prep, I found that a break in the Cotswolds was certainly worth the effort.

How to get there and get around

If you are arriving by rail, Moreton-in-Marsh is a key gateway. It has step-free access to both platforms, with platform 2 reached by a ramped bridge. Staff can provide a ramp for boarding and there are accessible toilets.

Local buses are increasingly accessible, with low-floor vehicles, ramps and wheelchair spaces on many Stagecoach services, though rural frequencies can be thin, especially in the evening and on Sundays. Build your itinerary around reliable daytime runs or combine rail with pre-booked accessible taxis.

Driving gives the most control. Blue Badge parking is free in any Cotswold District Council car park, but the most popular villages fill early. Surfaces range from smooth paving to gravel and worn stone, so allow time for slower sections.