The Cotswolds is an space within the southwest of the UK encompassing 5 counties; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. There are various great locations to go to within the Cotswolds and the realm is famed for its picture-postcard cities and villages.
I’ve spent plenty of time exploring this beautiful a part of England and love the realm for its undulating countryside, nice climbing, fairly villages, and rustic outdated pubs. Visiting the Cotswolds must be excessive on the listing of anybody touring to the UK because it actually is among the most lovely elements of the nation.
Journey to the Cotswolds is a vastly rewarding expertise and there’s a lot to do. Get pleasure from visiting stately properties and gardens, nationwide parks, castles, and different historic websites. Among the highlights of the Cotswolds embrace the villages of Bibury, Burford, and Bourton-on-the-Water.
15 Greatest Locations to Go to in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is among the finest places to visit in England to get an actual really feel for its rural countryside and see part of the nation that’s barely modified in centuries. Under, you’ll discover a number of the most charming locations within the Cotswolds from historic cities to market cities and sleepy villages.
1. Bathtub
There’s some debate over whether or not Bathtub is definitely within the Cotswolds because it doesn’t fall into the 5 counties that make up the “Space of Pure Magnificence” (Bathtub is in Somerset). Nevertheless, many individuals consider it to be because of its proximity to a number of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds.
Bathtub is considered one of my favourite cities in England and makes a implausible base for exploring the Cotswold area. The town is famed for its Roman baths which date again 2,000 years. I’m an enormous fan of Roman historical past and exploring these historic bathing homes is among the best things to do in England.
This full-day tour from London not solely features a drive by way of a number of the most picturesque locations to go to within the Cotswolds and a go to to historic Bathtub, however you’ll additionally get to see a number of the nation’s prime sights together with Stratford-upon-Avon and Stonehenge too.
Location: Bath is situated within the southwest county of Somerset on the southern tip of the Cotswolds.
Getting There: You possibly can take a tour from London, drive or take one of many many bus or prepare providers departing main cities all through the day.
Issues To Do: Visiting the Roman baths, sightseeing, strolling, consuming, and purchasing.
The place to Keep: The Macdonald Bath Spa and Hotel is the proper place for {couples} to unwind and soak up the identical therapeutic waters loved by the Romans some 2,000 years in the past. The Henry Guest House is a good possibility for first-time guests because of its central location.
2. Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is a superbly picturesque village on the River Windrush and is among the prime locations to go to within the Cotswolds. The village is famed for its 5 stone bridges relationship again to the seventeenth Century which add to the attraction of this Cotswolds favourite.
Bourton is unquestionably top-of-the-line locations to go within the Cotswolds if you wish to see one of the lovely villages in your entire nation. It’s full of quaint, stone cottages, tea rooms, boutique outlets, and a very good assortment of eateries.
Smiths of Bourton is among the finest eating places within the space; specializing in burgers and cocktails. The pastrami burger is to die for and the costs are very cheap given the favored location. Burgers vary from £12.00 to £13.50 and all cocktails are £12.00 (I like to recommend the Nervous Breakdown).
Location: Bourton-on-the-Water is situated within the county of Gloucestershire 15 miles east of Cheltenham.
Getting There: Among the best methods to see Bourton-on-the-Water is on a Cotswolds tour from London, which additionally contains many different websites comparable to Stow-on-the-Wold.
Issues To Do: Strolling, sightseeing, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: Sunny Nest is a captivating B&B only a mile from the village. The Mousetrap Inn is a conventional inn within the heart of the village and contains an English breakfast.
3. Chipping Norton
The small market city of Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire homes a who’s who of excessive society. That is the place you’ll discover the “Chipping Norton Set” comprised of former Prime Ministers, TV and film stars, media moguls, and different celebrities residing among the many quaint streets, stone cottages, and contrasting mansions.
Chipping Norton is unquestionably one of many locations to see within the Cotswolds for its old-world appeal, rows of attention-grabbing vintage outlets, and glorious cafes and eating places. It’s the very best city within the Cotswolds and is nestled inside a panorama of hills and valleys.
There’s lots to do in and round Chipping Norton from exploring the outdated wool mill to the close by Rollright Stones (a 5,000-year-old stone circle). I visited Rollright on considered one of my latest journeys again to England and was blown away by the place. The medieval Chequers is a pleasant little pub within the city and it serves an incredible Sunday roast.
Location: Chipping Norton is eighteen miles northeast of town of Oxford within the county of Oxfordshire.
Getting There: Close by Oxford is well reachable from wherever within the UK by street and rail. From Oxford, it’s a 30-minute drive or an hour by bus (S3) to Chipping Norton. You can even take a Cotswolds tour from Oxford.
Issues To Do: Procuring, consuming, consuming, strolling, and sightseeing.
The place to Keep: The Fox Hotel is housed inside a sixteenth Century constructing within the heart of city and has an onsite bar and restaurant. The Falkland Arms is a conventional inn 8 miles from Chipping Norton and is ideal for these looking for a rural retreat.
4. Stroud
Should you’re in search of the perfect of the Cotswolds then you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with the city of Stroud in Gloucestershire. I’ve buddies residing right here so have visited many occasions and located that it’s an incredible base for exploring a number of the most lovely cities within the Cotswolds.
There are many climbing trails close by that take you thru open pastures and historic woodlands. The Cotswold Way is a 100-mile path operating from Bathtub to Chipping Campden and passes by way of the Stroud Space. I’ve hiked a number of sections across the city and extremely advocate it whenever you go to the Cotswolds.
The city itself is so fairly with the principle excessive avenue atop a cobbled hill, providing magnificent views throughout the countryside, and that includes a lot of glorious impartial outlets, cafes, and eating places. On my final go to, I purchased a number of books by considered one of my favourite authors, Laurie Lee, who lived within the space.
Location: Stroud is situated within the county of Gloucestershire 13 miles from the city of Cirencester.
Getting There: I’ve all the time pushed to Stroud (it takes two to 3 hours from London relying on site visitors), nevertheless it’s additionally nicely linked to the remainder of the UK by prepare and bus.
Issues To Do: Mountaineering, strolling, purchasing, and consuming native cider on the Stroud Brewery and Taproom.
The place to Keep: The Clothiers Arms is a pub and inn within the heart of city that’s excellent for first-time guests. Should you’re in search of slightly luxurious, the Burleigh Court Hotel is a superb possibility.
5. Cirencester
Cirencester is taken into account the “capital of the Cotswolds” for its central location. This beautiful outdated market city is located on the River Churn which is a tributary of the Thames. The city has a historical past relationship again to Roman occasions and is stuffed with attention-grabbing issues to see and do.
The Cirencester Brewery Arts Centre is a gallery and area for native artists with some attention-grabbing outlets and cafes inside. Stroll across the lovely Cirencester Park, see the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, or browse the numerous outlets and market stalls (the market is each Monday and Friday). There’s even an open-air pool for the summer time months.
Cirencester is unquestionably top-of-the-line cities to go to within the Cotswolds and is a perfect base for exploring the area. The city is simply minutes away from a number of the prettiest villages and must-see locations within the Cotswolds. This interactive self-guided tour is an effective strategy to get an introduction to the city.
Location: Cirencester is situated 80 miles west of London within the county of Gloucestershire.
Getting There: Cirencester has glorious street and rail hyperlinks with the remainder of the UK. The prepare from London’s Paddington takes simply two hours.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, strolling, purchasing, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: The Corinium Hotel and Restaurant is a centrally situated resort that’s excellent for {couples} and households. The Fleece is a conventional inn within the coronary heart of the city and is a superb possibility for first-timers in Cirencester.
6. Higher Slaughter
Don’t let the creepy title idiot you, because the village of Higher Slaughter is among the finest locations to go within the Cotswolds for sightseeing. Higher Slaughter is a quintessential English village the place you’ll be able to think about having tea with the vicar and watching cricketers on the village inexperienced.
The village sits on the slopes of a hill overlooking a small brook that connects it to its neighbor, Lower Slaughter, one mile away. There was as soon as a big Norman citadel right here however all that’s left now are the stays of the motte and bailey. Eyeford House is a big manor home within the village the place it’s alleged the poet John Milton stayed when he wrote Paradise Misplaced.
Among the best issues to do is to take the brief stroll from Higher to Decrease Slaughter and take within the magnificent surrounding countryside. Be sure you pop into the Hawkstone Brewery for a tour to see how native Cotswold lagers and ciders are made.
Location: Upper Slaughter is situated within the county of Gloucestershire a number of miles north of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Getting There: Driving is one of the best ways to get to Higher Slaughter because it’s fairly rural.
Issues To Do: Strolling, sightseeing, visiting the brewery and Eyeford Home.
The place to Keep: Lords of the Manor is a beautiful four-star resort within the heart of the village and is a good possibility for {couples}. The Slaughters Country Inn is one other glorious possibility with distinctive service.
7. Bibury (One of many Prettiest Locations to Go to within the Cotswolds)
The beautiful village of Bibury on the River Coln (one other tributary of the Thames) in Gloucestershire is a must-see within the Cotswolds. The nineteenth Century thinker, poet, and artist William Morris dubbed Bibury “essentially the most lovely village in England” and it’s not laborious to see why.
There are many issues to see on this Cotswolds village together with the well-known Arlington Row cottages (one of many most photographed places in the Cotswolds). The lodgings date again over 600 years and had been as soon as a part of the woolen business. Arlington Mill is one other of the native sights and dates to the seventeenth Century.
There are some nice walks across the village in addition to a campsite for people who actually need to get again to nature. The Catherine Wheel is a pleasant little restaurant within the village, or fish lovers can dine on the Bibury Trout Farm the place the menu consists largely of, you guessed it, trout dishes.
Location: Bibury is within the county of Gloucestershire six miles north of Cirencester.
Getting There: You possibly can take a tour from London or drive to Bibury. Hiring a automotive is finest as public transport on this a part of the nation is usually a little missing.
Issues To Do: Take footage at Arlington Row, go to the outdated wool mill, sightseeing, strolling, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: The Swan Hotel is the proper romantic getaway with four-star service and a location within the heart of the village. The close by New Inn at Coln is one other nice possibility inside a stunning rural setting.
8. Fort Combe
The beautiful village of Fort Combe in Wiltshire is situated proper within the coronary heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Assume stone cottages, historic bridges, and a village that’s barely modified in centuries. That is undoubtedly top-of-the-line locations within the Cotswolds for picturesque appeal.
The village has been used as a location for a lot of well-known tv packages and movies; the most recent being Stephen Speilberg’s Conflict Horse. The homes are constructed from the native honey-colored stone which lends the place a singular, fairytale really feel.
Issues to see across the village embrace the thirteenth Century St Andrew’s church, a market cross, and a few glorious pubs. The faceless clock in St Andrew’s is claimed to be one of many oldest working clocks within the nation and it’s undoubtedly one of many prime issues to see within the Cotswolds.
Location: Castle Combe is in Wiltshire, not removed from the city of Chippenham.
Getting There: As with different small villages within the Cotswolds, the best strategy to get there’s to drive/rent a automotive.
Issues To Do: Strolling, sightseeing, view the oldest clock in England.
The place to Keep: The White Hart is a country pub within the coronary heart of Fort Combe. Should you’re seeking to spoil yourslef, then the five-star Manor House Hotel is the proper place to remain.
9. Stow-on-the-Wold
The picturesque Gloucestershire settlement of Stow on the Wold is among the finest cities within the Cotswolds to go to for its charming stone homes, pubs, river, and market sq.. It’s surrounded by lovely countryside and rolling hills; excellent for getting out into nature.
Stow is an outdated wool city that dates again to Roman occasions and means “Holy Place on the Hill”. It’s house to one of many Cotswolds vacationer sights – the Tolkien Door in St Edward’s church. This beautiful outdated door is nestled between two historic yew bushes and was allegedly the inspiration behind the Doorways of Durin in Lord of the Rings.
The Porch House Inn is claimed to be the oldest inn in England and is the proper place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They do an incredible steak, however my favourite is the fish pie with salmon, cod, and prawns. Costs are cheap with most mains costing between £15 and £25.
Location: Stow-on-the-Wold is situated in Gloucestershire 20 miles from Cheltenham.
Getting There: One of many best methods to go to Stow is to take a tour from London.
Issues To Do: See the Tolkien Door, strolling, climbing, consuming and consuming.
The place to Keep: The Stow Lodge Hotel is the proper place for first-time guests and is situated within the heart of the village.
10. Slad (One of many Greatest Locations to Go to within the Cotswolds)
Slad is my favourite Cotswold village and is among the finest locations to go to within the Cotswold area. It’s additionally the birthplace (and burial web site) of British creator Laurie Lee whose seminal e-book As I Stepped Out One Midsummer Morning was gifted to me by my grandfather and impressed my very own travels and wanderlust.
Lee is buried within the graveyard of the Holy Trinity church which is nicely price a go searching. There’s a pleasant stroll behind the graveyard up into the hills and this actually is a number of the most picturesque English countryside to be discovered.
Throughout from the church is the Woolpack pub; excellent for refreshment after climbing within the close by hills and valleys. There’s out of doors seating overlooking the valley and it has a superb meals menu with a combination of basic and up to date pub dishes. Slad is unquestionably one of many hidden gems of the Cotswolds.
Location: Slad is within the county of Gloucestershire 2.5 miles from Stroud.
Getting There: Hiring a automotive is one of the best ways to get to Slad however there’s additionally a bus from Stroud (No 228).
Issues To Do: Visiting Lauri Lee’s grave, strolling within the hills, and consuming lunch on the Woolpack.
The place to Keep: The Court House Manor Luxury B&B is a superb possibility if you happen to’re in search of slightly splendor in your journey to Slad. St Michael’s Bistro is a superb funds possibility close by.
11. Stanton
The 14th Century village of Stanton is among the most lovely locations to go to within the Cotswolds with honey-stone and thatched cottages, colourful flower gardens, and the close by archaeological web site of Shenbarrow Hillfort. Though there isn’t an incredible deal to do within the village itself, it’s nicely price a search for its typical Cotswold structure.
The St Michael’s and All Angels church simply off the excessive avenue dates again to the 14th Century and is price a search for its spectacular medieval structure.
The Mount Inn is a conventional village pub and is a superb place to whereas away a number of hours sampling the native brews and home-cooked meals. It’s an incredible place for a Sunday lunch after a stroll across the village and surrounding countryside.
Location: Stanton is a small village in Gloucestershire 14 miles from the city of Cheltenham.
Getting There: Hiring a automotive is one of the best ways to get to rural Stanton.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, visiting Shenbarrow Hillfort, strolling, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: Buckland Manor is a big resort set inside lovely grounds 2 miles from Stanton. The Volunteer Inn is a good possibility for funds vacationers.
12. Broadway
The massive Worcestershire village of Broadway is a good place for some Cotswolds sightseeing. From the charming lanes and byways dotted with conventional homes to the historic Broadway Tower which gives unimaginable views of the encompassing countryside, that is undoubtedly top-of-the-line locations to go to within the Cotswolds.
I really like exploring the outdated market, cottages, and attention-grabbing outlets that decision the village house. The Horse and Hound is a comfy little pub that’s nicely price popping into for lunch or a refreshment cease. The Broadway Museum and Artwork Gallery is a superb place to be taught slightly concerning the historical past of this charming Cotswold village.
Location: Broadway is situated within the county of Worcestershire 16 miles from Cheltenham.
Getting There: The Heritage Railway runs between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway and is a handy strategy to get to the village. Driving is the opposite finest choice to get to Broadway.
Issues To Do: Climbing the Broadway Tower, strolling within the countryside, and seeing the Broadway Museum and Gallery.
The place to Keep: The Lygone Arms is a luxurious resort inside a sixteenth Century teaching inn that’s located within the coronary heart of Broadway. The Broadway Hotel is one other good possibility within the village.
13. Painswick
The outdated wool city of Painswick is called the Queen of the Cotswolds for its slender streets lined with completely preserved cottages and homes. It comprises the oldest constructing in England to deal with a put up workplace, relationship again to 1428. It’s additionally house to England’s oldest bowling inexperienced, a world-famous Rococo Garden, and extra.
Painswick lies about halfway on the Cotswolds Method so it’s an incredible base for climbing the close by countryside and exploring different close by cities and villages. One focal point, situated simply outdoors the churchyard, is an outdated set of stocks relationship again from round 1840 that had been used to punish transgressors.
The Oak Painswick is a good place for a pint or a chunk to eat after a day’s sightseeing within the Cotswolds. This conventional British nation pub is the place to go for locally-made cider and meals sourced from the Cotswolds.
Location: Painswick is situated 4 miles from Stroud within the county of Gloucestershire.
Getting There: Bus 66 takes simply eight minutes to succeed in Painswick from Stroud.
Issues To Do: Visiting the Rococo Gardens, seeing the outdated shares, strolling, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: St Anne’s Bed and Breakfast is a comfy place to remain in Painswick for {couples}. Mulberry is a luxurious two-bedroom cottage in Painswick that’s excellent for households.
14. Burford
The village of Burford nestled within the Cotswold Hills is among the most picturesque within the nation and is actually price a go to. The village sits on the banks of the River Windrush and contains many honey-stone cottages typical of the area. The gently sloping Excessive Avenue is lined with boutique outlets, vintage shops, impartial sellers, cafes, and pubs.
The three-arched medieval bridge throughout the river is price a glance, as is the Tolsey Museum charting the historical past of the village. The pharmacy dates again to 1734 and is the oldest in England. You possibly can even keep in the identical inn frequented by Lord Nelson, King Charles, and William Morris amongst different well-known company.
This Cotswolds Electric Bike tour is an effective way to see a number of the finest locations within the space.
Location: Burford is situated within the county of Oxfordshire twenty miles west of Oxford.
Getting There: You possibly can go to Burford on a tour from London.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, visiting the Tolsey Museum, strolling, consuming, and consuming.
The place to Keep: The luxurious Bull at Burford is a conventional inn the place King Charles as soon as slept and is a good possibility for {couples}. The Priory Tea Rooms gives funds lodging within the coronary heart of the village and is a good possibility for solo vacationers.
15. Oxford
Should you can solely decide top-of-the-line cities to go to within the Cotswolds then look no additional than Oxford. Oxford is a captivating metropolis famed for its prestigious college and the annual boat race. Though I really like spending time strolling Oxford’s historic streets, I’ll all the time select Cambridge relating to the pleasant rivalry between the 2 cities because it’s extra native to me.
Oxford is unquestionably top-of-the-line cities within the Cotswolds with a lot to do from visiting the outdated castle and prison to exploring the shows on the Ashmolean Museum, seeing the collages of the university, and sampling native meals from one of many many eating places within the metropolis.
Among the best methods to get essentially the most out of your journey to Oxford is to take a city and university walking tour. You’ll get to see town’s main landmarks and sights and be taught all about its historical past from educated guides.
Location: Oxford is the county city of Oxfordshire and is situated sixty miles west of London.
Getting There: This full-day tour from London contains Oxford and different Cotswold vacationer sights comparable to Bibury. There are hourly trains from London Paddington and the journey time is beneath one hour.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, visiting the College, purchasing, consuming, consuming, and strolling.
The place to Keep: The Randolph Hotel is a luxurious five-star resort within the heart of Oxford that’s excellent for {couples}. The Galaxie is a good funds possibility for first-time guests to Oxford.
Getting Across the Cotswolds
As a result of the realm is so rural, one of the best ways to get across the Cotswolds is to both take a tour or have your personal transport. There are sporadic bus providers between a number of the bigger cities and villages, however these aren’t all the time dependable, notably on weekends. Click on here to book a full-day tour with Get Your Information.
Attending to the bigger cities and cities of the Cotswolds comparable to Bathtub, Cirencester, Oxford or Stroud is simple with hourly prepare providers from London and different cities across the nation.
Coach providers like Nationwide Specific and Flixbus are additionally good choices for reaching a number of the essential Cotswold cities.
Fast Itineraries for the Cotswolds
Listed below are a few easy itineraries to observe when visiting the Cotswolds.
3 Days within the Cotswolds
With three days to discover the Cotswolds, a superb base could be Stroud in Gloucestershire. It’s straightforward to go to the close by villages of Sled and Painswick and it additionally has entry to the Cotswold Method for climbing.
Use in the future to discover the above cities and villages, and on a second day drive to Chipping Norton by way of Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury.
In your third day, drive or take the prepare to Bathtub and discover the traditional Roman baths on this charming west nation metropolis.
One Week within the Cotswolds
One week is the proper size of time to discover the perfect of the Cotswolds. Begin off in Bathtub and spend a day and night exploring earlier than heading to Stroud. Stroll the cobbled streets and drive the brief distance to Sled to have lunch on the Woolpack.
From Stroud head to Stow-on-the-Wold and spend one other day and a few nights exploring this lovely rural village. You may make day journeys to close by Chipping Norton and Bourton on the Water while right here.
Make your strategy to Oxford for a few days and discover the well-known college, citadel, jail, and a number of the nice eating places within the city like Turtle Bay close to the Ashmolean.
From Oxford, make your strategy to Cirencester by way of a cease in Burford and spend a number of days within the “capital of the Cotswolds” the place you’ll be able to benefit from the purchasing and nightlife within the city earlier than escaping into the Cotswold Space of Excellent Pure Beuty for some glorious climbing.
FAQs About Visiting the Cotswolds
Solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the gorgeous locations within the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds area is situated within the east of England. It’s made up of the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.
The Cotswolds are undoubtedly price visiting as the realm is house to a number of the most lovely English villages.
It’s not possible to decide on the prettiest village within the Cotswolds as there are such a lot of contenders. Burford, Bibary, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold all should be named the prettiest villages within the Cotswolds.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are a good time to go to the Cotswolds. There will likely be fewer vacationers and the milder climate is ideal for lengthy walks and hikes within the countryside. Personally, I feel fall is finest with the unimaginable colours throughout the panorama.
Bathtub, Cirencester, Oxford, and Stroud all make nice bases for exploring the Cotswolds. These bigger cities and cities have tons to do and it’s straightforward to get out into the countryside by automotive or bus.
The Cotswolds are well-known for lovely villages of honey-stone homes, light, rolling countryside, and a number of the finest cider within the UK.
The Cotswolds are a number of the safest parts of the country in comparison with the bigger cities and cities of England. Take standard precautions when touring comparable to locking doorways and never flashing costly gear.
In Conclusion
Now you realize the place to go within the Cotswolds to see essentially the most picturesque cities and villages. With so many great locations to go to within the Cotswolds, it’s no secret that this is among the hottest elements of the UK for guests.
From the picturesque villages of Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water to the cities of Bathtub and Oxford, you gained’t be bored for a second exploring this lovely a part of the nation. Be sure you take a look at the perfect place within the Cotswolds and my private favourite, Slad.
