The Cotswold villages are an embodiment of the picture-perfect English countryside. However there’s hidden selection in these rural charmers. Right here’s our information to probably the most stunning locations to go to within the Cotswolds.
LAST UPDATE: 6 Nov 2023
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The stunning Cotswolds villages fulfill an England that exists within the desires of many.
Honey-coloured stone cottages with steeply pitched roofs. Rolling inexperienced hills dotted with sheep. Boutique reward outlets with cool nation aesthetics and lavender in abundance.
Foodies and artists flock to the Cotswolds, filling cobbled roads with prime eating places and artwork cool galleries.
Whereas it’s a well-liked vacation spot, lots of the greatest locations to go to within the Cotswolds see few guests. Actual working cities with cramped outdated pubs and a nice Cotswolds stroll.
For extra concepts on what to do, learn our information to the most effective issues to do within the Cotswolds.
IN THIS GUIDE
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE COTSWOLDS
1 – CASTLE COMBE
With an absence of vacationer outlets and an actual lived-in really feel, Fortress Combe is without doubt one of the most stunning locations to go to within the Cotswolds.
Rows of honey-coloured cottages prolong from a 14th-century market sq. up a delicate slope, framed by a inexperienced backdrop.
An otherworldly vibe has earned Fortress Combe an everyday look within the movie business and it’s simple to see why. With no automobiles allowed within the village, you’re simply transported to a different time.
With inexperienced forested hills, quaint cottages, a babbling river, and a romantic bridge, Fortress Combe is a phenomenal place to go to within the UK.
WHAT TO DO
Take a picnic lunch and sit on the bench by the river reverse the outdated weaver’s cottages. Framed by the encircling valley partitions, it’s the traditional view of Fortress Combe.
WHERE TO STAY?
- Ebook the Manor Home for an opulent break with a Michelin-star restaurant.
- The King’s Arms in Didmarton is a great nation pub.
2 – BIBURY
Bibury is usually described as probably the most stunning village within the Cotswolds. It’s centred round a picturesque church and a captivating village inexperienced.
Essentially the most well-known function of Bibury is Arlington Row, the place Seventeenth-century weaver cottages ascend the gradual rise within the hill. It’s probably the most iconic photograph spot within the Cotswolds.
Bibury, and Arlington Row, specifically, is a well-liked spot for bus journeys and it may be teeming with guests all through the day.
However, in the event you make it to Bibury for dawn, you’ll have among the finest Cotswolds villages all to your self.
WHAT TO DO?
- Stroll alongside Arlington Row.
- See the countryside with our Fortress Combe stroll.
- Discover the Rack Isle Nature Reserve.
WHERE TO STAY
3 – BROADWAY
Broadway is on the foot of the western finish of the Cotswolds escarpment. It’s among the finest locations within the Cotswolds for buying and fashionable nation type.
Outdated-style tea rooms lure guests with excessive tea and recent scones. Vintage outlets styled in refined Cotswolds gray, are filled with distinctive quirky items.
The picturesque excessive avenue has drawn well-known artists together with Claude Monet. He discovered inspiration in what’s now the Abbots Grange Manor Home.
On prime of the close by Fish Hill is Broadway Tower. This folly is a superb place to look at the sundown over the city.
WHAT TO DO?
WHERE TO STAY?
4 – STANTON
The one signal of commercialisation in Stanton is The Mount Inn. Set on the foot of Shenbarrow Hill, the pub is completely positioned above the city with sweeping views.
On a transparent day, see all the way in which to the Welsh mountains.
From the deck of the pub, the constant structure of Stanton is displayed in typical Cotswolds type.
Stanton manages to create a comfy really feel by itself deserves, with out showing particularly contrived for vacationers. It’s one in every of our favorite villages within the Cotswolds for a quiet, stress-free break.
WHAT TO DO?
Stanton is a superb base for some glorious nation walks. The deck on the Mount Inn overlooking the city is a superb place to finish a traditional Cotswolds hike.
WHERE TO STAY?
To go to Stanton we’d suggest staying round Broadway. We’ve extra ideas right here: the place to remain within the Cotswolds.
5 – MINSTER LOVELL
Minster Lovell assumes a veiled location by the banks of the Windrush River. It’s a phenomenal tiny village the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in afternoon tea whereas watching a sport of cricket on the inexperienced.
However the primary motive for visiting Minster Lovell is the picturesque ruins of a Fifteenth-century manor home. Resting on the banks of the river, it’s an idyllic location within the English countryside.
There are many picnic spots on the grassy fields on both aspect of the river, and a weir offers the right spot for a swim.
Minster Lovell is an untouched Cotswolds village in an idyllic rural setting.
WHAT TO DO?
- Go wild swimming across the crumbling ruins.
- Take the round Minster Lovell stroll to see the most effective of the world.
WHERE TO STAY?
6 – PAINSWICK
The prosperity Painswick loved from the Seventeenth century is obvious. The elegant gray limestone buildings makes this one of many extra regal Cotswold villages.
A maze of cobbled laneways offers loads of areas to discover with the village cascading down the aspect of a hill.
The primary attraction in Painswick is St Mary’s Church and its immaculate grounds. Adorned with rows of yew bushes and surrounded by tombs and monuments, it’s a well-liked filming location within the Cotswolds.
WHAT TO DO?
- Take a stroll by the fanciful Rococo Gardens on the outskirts of Painswick.
- {Photograph} the church grounds.
- Have a pint within the Royal Oak.
WHERE TO STAY?
7 – BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER
Bourton-on-the-Water is without doubt one of the greatest villages within the Cotswolds with a variety of actions to maintain the entire household entertained.
A picturesque canal runs down the excessive avenue with good-looking stone bridges connecting both aspect of the highway. Stylish cafes combine with quaint tea rooms and ice cream stands. Like several small village price its salt, there are many bakeries
It’s a cute and photogenic place to walk round and bounce from cafe to cafe.
WHAT TO DO?
WHERE TO STAY?
8 – UPPER SLAUGHTER & LOWER SLAUGHTER
Higher Slaughter and Decrease Slaughter are two tiny however stunning Cotswolds villages.
Constructing has not taken place within the Slaughters since 1906, so they continue to be quintessential English rural villages.
River Eye – a tributary of the River Windrush – winds its method by the village. Honey-coloured cottages and cute church buildings dot the banks.
There are no outlets in both village, simply a number of locations alongside the river to absorb the surroundings.
WHAT TO DO?
Stroll the 20-minute path between the 2 villages. Alternatively, attempt our 17-kilometre stroll between the Slaughters, Bourton, and Naunton.
WHERE TO STAY?
9 – KINGHAM
Kingham is a small working neighborhood and the most effective villages within the Cotswolds for foodies.
The native pub – The Kingham Plough – is operated below a Heston Blumenthal prodigy. It’s the right cosy pub to take pleasure in a pint and a few top-quality cooking after an extended day of mountaineering within the space.
The Wild Rabbit crafts culinary masterpieces in a formidable however relaxed setting. It’s not low-cost, but it surely’s nice for an important day.
WHAT TO DO?
The close by Daylesford Natural has a farm store with a wonderful number of native produce. Seize just a few bites to tackle a picnic, or have lunch of their fashionable cafe.
WHERE TO STAY?
Ebook a weekend at both the Plough or the Wild Rabbit – two of the greatest locations to remain within the Cotswolds.
10 – LACOCK
Lacock is owned and managed by the Nationwide Belief so it lacks the lived-in really feel of different Cotswold villages.
Nonetheless, the safety of the belief has ensured that Lacock has been effectively preserved. It’s largely unchanged because it was established within the thirteenth century as a wool buying and selling centre.
Half-timber, half-stone cottages line wonky laneways that fill the village with allure and character. Outlets have maintained their unique easy branding.
Movies akin to Delight and Prejudice and Emma have filmed on this charming Cotswolds village.
WHAT TO DO?
Go to Lacock Abbey, based in 1229 by Ela, the Countess of Salisbury. It’s a unusual nation home with various architectural types inherited over the centuries.
WHERE TO STAY?
11 – STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
Stow-on-the-Wold is a captivating market village within the Cotswolds with a status for a vibrant antiques scene. Located on the prime of a hill, the city centres round a big market sq. which is surrounded by elegant Cotswolds townhouses.
Like lots of the greatest villages, Stow has a wealth of tea rooms and artisanal espresso store. Stow City Espresso which roasts its personal beans and The Hive does a wonderful café lunch.
The spotlight of a go to to Stow-on-the-Wold is St Edward’s Church. The outdated door below a tree is without doubt one of the most Instagram-able spots within the Cotswolds.
WHAT TO DO?
- Seize a discount in a classic store on the excessive avenue.
- Have lunch on the Porch Home, the Oldest Inn in England.
- Peruse the modern British paintings on the Fosse Gallery.
WHERE TO STAY?
12 – CHIPPING CAMPDEN
Chipping Campden is without doubt one of the greatest Cotswolds villages with a grand excessive avenue, lined with good-looking, golden homes. They had been constructed by rich retailers between the 14th and Seventeenth centuries.
The highlights are St James Church, a towering landmark that may be seen from miles away, and the Seventeenth-century Campden Home Gateway.
Don’t miss the Market Corridor which nonetheless stands from Chipping Campden’s wool buying and selling glory days. The Woolstaplers Corridor was an essential wool-buying corridor.
One of the vital widespread sights in Chipping Campden is the thatched-roof homes. On the aspect streets of the excessive avenue, you’ll discover examples of grand Cotswold residential structure
WHAT TO DO?
- Courtroom Barn Museum is a small museum celebrating the inventive heritage of Chipping Camden.
- Hidcote Manor is a 10-minute drive away. Learn all the main points right here: information to visiting the Cotswolds.
- Stroll round on the lookout for thatched roofs.
WHERE TO STAY?
13 – BURFORD
Burford is usually thought of the gateway to the Cotswolds. It’s positioned on the River Windrush, and it’s an important place to go to on a day journey to Oxford.
The excessive avenue which follows a hill down in direction of the river is without doubt one of the most stunning locations within the Cotswolds. Lined with a rambling assortment of medieval homes and outlets, you’ll discover native antiques and delis.
There’s an important number of galleries, bookshops, and naturally, traditional Cotswolds pubs.
St John’s Church is a show of Burford’s prior wealth with memorials to nice households who had been related to Henry VIII.
WHAT TO DO?
- Decide up provides, then head to the close by Minster Lovell for a picnic. One in all our favorite day journeys within the Cotswolds.
- Admire the historic stone cottages on Burford Hill.
- Pop into the Tolsey Museum, a small free exhibition on native historical past.
WHERE TO STAY?
14 – CIRENCESTER
Cirencester was the second-largest Roman centre in Britain.
A major highway construction helped it develop a thriving wool commerce. Persevering with from this affluent base, Cirencester is right this moment the largest city within the Cotswolds.
The colorful major sq., Market Place, mixes Cotswolds stone with pastel-coloured facades and timber-framed structure.
Main off the sq., the large English Gothic Church of St John the Baptist has a shocking fan-vaulted ceiling.
Cirencester Park, simply outdoors the city, is without doubt one of the most interesting landscaped gardens in England. It’s free to enter from 8 am to five pm every day.
WHAT TO DO?
WHERE TO STAY?
15 – SNOWSHILL
Snowshill is a small village within the Cotswolds that’s typically neglected, however there are just a few nice causes to go to.
Firstly, it’s set round a small church inexperienced lined with cottages overlooking the countryside. The setting is gorgeous.
Secondly, it’s a part of one of many greatest walks within the Cotswolds. which stops on the Snowshill Arms.
The primary attraction within the village, nonetheless, is the Snowhill Manor. This Sixteenth-century nation home is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing locations to go to within the Cotswolds. It has an infinite assortment of objects acquired by its eccentric proprietor, Charles Paget Wade.
There are a number of listed buildings on the property together with the brewhouse and the dovecote.
WHAT TO DO?
- Stroll the gardens at Snowshill Manor, specified by a collection of outside rooms with terraces, ponds, and formal beds.
- Stroll the Stanton to Snowshill hike on the Cotswolds Manner.
WHERE TO STAY?
- Buckland Manor is a regal keep in a standard manor home.
- The Fish is a really cool property with cabins, tree homes, and luxurious suites.
COTSWOLD MAP
The Cotswolds cowl an space of 787 sq. miles throughout the centre of England. It’s positioned inside easy accessibility of London, Bristol, and Birmingham.
Our map accommodates all of the locations listed on this information.
Find out how to use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the checklist of areas, then click on on the areas to show additional data. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to avoid wasting to your Google Maps.
ITINERARIES FOR VISITING THE COTSWOLDS
Most of the greatest locations within the Cotswolds are shut to one another making them simple to go to in at some point in case you have your individual automobile. Listed below are some extra guides that will help you plan your Cotswolds itinerary.
Finest Cotswold Weekends – 5 itineraries to see a number of of the most effective locations within the Cotswolds over a weekend with pub and restaurant suggestions and issues to do.
Cotswolds Walks – Our favorite, very achievable, walks within the space with detailed directions and maps. All our walks are round and most end at an important pub.
Cotswolds Day Journeys – 10 concepts for excellent day journeys to the Cotswolds with all the data you want for an important day trip.
COTSWOLDS TOURS
The opposite method to see the prettiest locations within the Cotswolds is through an organised tour. It is a nice method to see a few of the space in the event you’re pressed for time or simply need to meet another people who find themselves up for a day trip within the Cotswolds as effectively.
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