Moreton-in-Marsh pairs an everyday working high street with the region’s best transport links, and an unusually strong set of attractions sits within a few minutes’ drive.
In the town
The Tuesday market
The largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds has run here since the town was granted its charter in 1227. Every Tuesday the broad High Street fills with stalls. It is the busiest day of the week by far, which is either the reason to come or the reason to avoid Tuesdays, depending on your taste. Parking fills early on market day.
The High Street and its shops
Moreton’s High Street follows the line of the Roman Fosse Way and is lined with 17th and 18th century buildings from the town’s coaching-inn era. Today it is all independents: antiques shops, galleries, tea rooms and food shops, with no chain names. Look out for the Curfew Tower on the corner of Oxford Street, whose bell dates from 1633, and Redesdale Hall in the middle of the High Street.
Wellington Aviation Museum
A five minute walk from the High Street, this small museum in an old Victorian school building tells the story of RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, the wartime airfield where Wellington bomber crews trained before deployment. It is a genuine labour of love with a remarkable collection of RAF memorabilia and aviation art, and surplus funds go to RAF charities. It currently opens on Sundays only, from Easter until mid November, so plan around that and check before you visit.
Moreton Show
If you are here on the first Saturday of September, the Moreton Show is one of the best one-day agricultural shows in the country, held on the same site since 1949. Livestock, showjumping, food tents and a very big day out.
Minutes from town
Batsford Arboretum
Under two miles away on the A44, Batsford Arboretum holds one of the country’s largest private tree collections across 56 acres, at its best in spring (magnolias, cherry blossom) and autumn (the maples). There is a garden centre, cafe and terrace, and dogs are welcome. Open year round.
Cotswold Falconry Centre
Next door to Batsford, the Cotswold Falconry Centre has been flying birds of prey since 1988 and now houses around 150 birds across more than 60 species, from pygmy falcons to eagles and vultures. The flying displays, several times a day, are the point: book a day ticket, arrive before the first display and stay for at least two. Closer experiences with the birds can be booked ahead.
Chastleton House
About 15 minutes east, Chastleton is a 400 year old Jacobean manor that the National Trust took on in 1991 and deliberately conserved rather than restored. Nothing is roped off and polished; it feels like the family just left. Open Wednesday to Sunday, March to October, from 1pm. One of the most atmospheric houses in the Cotswolds and most visitors have never heard of it.
Sezincote
Just west of town, Sezincote is a country house built in the Indian style, complete with a copper onion dome, and it inspired the Brighton Pavilion. The water garden is remarkable. Opening days are limited (currently Wednesday to Friday plus Bank Holiday Mondays, garden season roughly March to November, house tours in summer), so check before setting out.
Within half an hour
Bourton-on-the-Water
The Venice of the Cotswolds, 20 minutes south, packs several attractions into one very pretty and very busy village: the Cotswold Motoring Museum (home of Brum, open most of the year), the Model Village (a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton itself, complete with a model of the model), and Birdland Park and Gardens with its penguins and flamingos. Go early or late in the day. Our full guide to Bourton-on-the-Water covers how to do it well.
Broadway Tower and Broadway
Fifteen minutes northwest, Broadway Tower is the Cotswolds’ best viewpoint, with a country park, cafe and a Cold War nuclear bunker to tour. The village of Broadway below is one of the region’s showpieces.
Cotswold Farm Park
Half an hour away near Guiting Power, Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is the standout family day out in the area: rare breed farm animals, seasonal lambing, play areas and a farm safari. Seasonal opening, so check dates.
Chipping Norton Lido
A heated outdoor pool in Chipping Norton, community-run, with a toddler pool, saunas, a cold plunge and a poolside cafe. Summer season only. On a hot Cotswolds day there is no better shout with kids.
Make Moreton your base
Moreton’s railway station and bus links make it the most practical base in the north Cotswolds. If you are staying, see our places to stay in Moreton-in-Marsh, and for the town’s history, pubs and practicalities, our full guide to Moreton-in-Marsh.
For full days out by train, bus and car, see our day trips from Moreton-in-Marsh guide.
Planning the wider trip? Get the free Honest Itinerary Kit: three ready-made routes and advice on when to actually go.