The Cotswolds is an space within the southwest of the UK encompassing 5 counties; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. There are a lot of great locations to go to within the Cotswolds and the realm is famed for its picture-postcard cities and villages.
I’ve spent a number of time exploring this attractive a part of England and love the realm for its undulating countryside, nice mountaineering, fairly villages, and rustic outdated pubs. Visiting the Cotswolds needs to be excessive on the record of anybody touring to the UK because it actually is likely one of the most stunning components of the nation.
Journey to the Cotswolds is a massively rewarding expertise and there’s a lot to do. Take pleasure in visiting stately houses 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 likely one of the greatest locations to go to in England to get an actual really feel for its rural countryside and see part of the nation that’s barely modified in centuries. Beneath, you’ll discover a few 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). Nonetheless, many individuals contemplate it to be resulting from its proximity to a few of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds.
Bathtub is certainly one of my favourite cities in England and makes a unbelievable 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 historical bathing homes is likely one of the greatest issues to do in England.
This full-day tour from London not solely features a drive via a few 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 few of the nation’s high sights together with Stratford-upon-Avon and Stonehenge too.
Location: Bathtub is positioned within the southwest county of Somerset on the southern tip of the Cotswolds.
Getting There: You’ll be able to take a tour from London, drive or take one of many many bus or prepare companies departing main cities all through the day.
Issues To Do: Visiting the Roman baths, sightseeing, strolling, consuming, and buying.
The place to Keep: The Macdonald Bathtub Spa and Lodge is the right 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 Visitor Home is a superb 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 likely one of the high 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 crucial stunning villages in your complete nation. It’s filled with quaint, stone cottages, tea rooms, boutique outlets, and a very good assortment of eateries.
Smiths of Bourton is likely one of the greatest 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 positioned 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 resembling Stow-on-the-Wold.
Issues To Do: Strolling, sightseeing, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: Sunny Nest is an enthralling 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 attraction, rows of attention-grabbing vintage outlets, and wonderful cafes and eating places. It’s the 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 certainly 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 excellent Sunday roast.
Location: Chipping Norton is eighteen miles northeast of town of Oxford within the county of Oxfordshire.
Getting There: Close by Oxford is definitely 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 may also take a Cotswolds tour from Oxford.
Issues To Do: Purchasing, consuming, ingesting, strolling, and sightseeing.
The place to Keep: The Fox Lodge 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 in search of a rural retreat.
4. Stroud
In the event you’re searching for the perfect of the Cotswolds then you may’t go incorrect with the city of Stroud in Gloucestershire. I’ve mates residing right here so have visited many instances and located that it’s an excellent base for exploring a few of the most stunning cities within the Cotswolds.
There are many mountaineering trails close by that take you thru open pastures and historical woodlands. The Cotswold Approach is a 100-mile path operating from Bathtub to Chipping Campden and passes via the Stroud Space. I’ve hiked a number of sections across the city and extremely advocate it if you go to the Cotswolds.
The city itself is so fairly with the principle excessive road atop a cobbled hill, providing magnificent views throughout the countryside, and that includes numerous wonderful impartial outlets, cafes, and eating places. On my final go to, I purchased a number of books by certainly one of my favourite authors, Laurie Lee, who lived within the space.
Location: Stroud is positioned 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), however it’s additionally effectively linked to the remainder of the UK by prepare and bus.
Issues To Do: Mountaineering, strolling, buying, and ingesting 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 good for first-time guests. In the event you’re searching for just a little luxurious, the Burleigh Court docket Lodge is a wonderful possibility.
5. Cirencester
Cirencester is taken into account the “capital of the Cotswolds” for its central location. This attractive 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 instances and is full of 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 stunning Cirencester Park, see the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, or browse the various outlets and market stalls (the market is each Monday and Friday). There’s even an open-air pool for the summer season 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 few of the prettiest villages and must-see locations within the Cotswolds. This interactive self-guided tour is an effective solution to get an introduction to the city.
Location: Cirencester is positioned 80 miles west of London within the county of Gloucestershire.
Getting There: Cirencester has wonderful 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, buying, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Corinium Lodge and Restaurant is a centrally positioned lodge that’s good 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 likely one of the greatest locations to go within the Cotswolds for sightseeing. Higher Slaughter is a quintessential English village the place you may 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, Decrease 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 Home 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 quick 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: Higher Slaughter is positioned 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 lodge within the heart of the village and is a superb possibility for {couples}. The Slaughters Nation Inn is one other wonderful possibility with distinctive service.
7. Bibury (One of many Prettiest Locations to Go to within the Cotswolds)
The attractive 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 “probably the most stunning village in England” and it’s not exhausting 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 locations within the Cotswolds). The lodgings date again over 600 years and had been as soon as a part of the woolen trade. 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 wish 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’ll be able to take a tour from London or drive to Bibury. Hiring a automotive is greatest as public transport on this a part of the nation could be a little missing.
Issues To Do: Take photos at Arlington Row, go to the outdated wool mill, sightseeing, strolling, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Swan Lodge is the right 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 beautiful rural setting.
8. Fortress Combe
The attractive village of Fortress Combe in Wiltshire is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the Cotswolds Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence. Assume stone cottages, historical bridges, and a village that’s barely modified in centuries. That is no doubt top-of-the-line locations within the Cotswolds for picturesque attraction.
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 Struggle Horse. The homes are created from the native honey-colored stone which lends the place a novel, fairytale really feel.
Issues to see across the village embrace the thirteenth Century St Andrew’s church, a market cross, and a few wonderful pubs. The faceless clock in St Andrew’s is alleged to be one of many oldest working clocks within the nation and it’s undoubtedly one of many high issues to see within the Cotswolds.
Location: Fortress Combe is in Wiltshire, not removed from the city of Chippenham.
Getting There: As with different small villages within the Cotswolds, the best solution to get there may be 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 Fortress Combe. In the event you’re seeking to spoil yourslef, then the five-star Manor Home Lodge is the right place to remain.
9. Stow-on-the-Wold
The picturesque Gloucestershire settlement of Stow on the Wold is likely one of the greatest cities within the Cotswolds to go to for its charming stone homes, pubs, river, and market sq.. It’s surrounded by stunning countryside and rolling hills; good for getting out into nature.
Stow is an outdated wool city that dates again to Roman instances 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 attractive outdated door is nestled between two historical yew timber and was allegedly the inspiration behind the Doorways of Durin in Lord of the Rings.
The Porch Home Inn is alleged to be the oldest inn in England and is the right place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They do an excellent 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 positioned 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, mountaineering, consuming and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Stow Lodge Lodge is the right place for first-time guests and is positioned 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 likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the Cotswold area. It’s additionally the birthplace (and burial web site) of British writer Laurie Lee whose seminal ebook 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 effectively price a go searching. There’s a pleasant stroll behind the graveyard up into the hills and this actually is a few of the most picturesque English countryside to be discovered.
Throughout from the church is the Woolpack pub; good for refreshment after mountaineering within the close by hills and valleys. There’s outside seating overlooking the valley and it has a superb meals menu with a mix of traditional and modern 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 docket Home Manor Luxurious B&B is a wonderful possibility in case you’re searching for just a little splendor in your journey to Slad. St Michael’s Bistro is a wonderful funds possibility close by.
11. Stanton
The 14th Century village of Stanton is likely one of the most stunning 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 excellent deal to do within the village itself, it’s effectively price a search for its typical Cotswold structure.
The St Michael’s and All Angels church simply off the excessive road 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 wonderful place to whereas away a number of hours sampling the native brews and home-cooked meals. It’s an excellent 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 ingesting.
The place to Keep: Buckland Manor is a big lodge set inside stunning grounds 2 miles from Stanton. The Volunteer Inn is a superb possibility for funds vacationers.
12. Broadway
The massive Worcestershire village of Broadway is a superb 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 comfortable little pub that’s effectively price popping into for lunch or a refreshment cease. The Broadway Museum and Artwork Gallery is a wonderful place to study just a little in regards to the historical past of this charming Cotswold village.
Location: Broadway is positioned within the county of Worcestershire 16 miles from Cheltenham.
Getting There: The Heritage Railway runs between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway and is a handy solution to get to the village. Driving is the opposite greatest 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 lodge inside a sixteenth Century teaching inn that’s located within the coronary heart of Broadway. The Broadway Lodge is one other sensible 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 accommodates the oldest constructing in England to accommodate a publish workplace, relationship again to 1428. It’s additionally house to England’s oldest bowling inexperienced, a world-famous Rococo Backyard, and extra.
Painswick lies about halfway on the Cotswolds Approach so it’s an excellent base for mountaineering the close by countryside and exploring different close by cities and villages. One focal point, positioned simply exterior the churchyard, is an outdated set of shares relationship again from round 1840 that had been used to punish transgressors.
The Oak Painswick is a superb 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 positioned 4 miles from Stroud within the county of Gloucestershire.
Getting There: Bus 66 takes simply eight minutes to achieve Painswick from Stroud.
Issues To Do: Visiting the Rococo Gardens, seeing the outdated shares, strolling, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: St Anne’s Mattress and Breakfast is a comfortable place to remain in Painswick for {couples}. Mulberry is a luxurious two-bedroom cottage in Painswick that’s good for households.
14. Burford
The village of Burford nestled within the Cotswold Hills is likely one of the most picturesque within the nation and is definitely 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’ll be able to even keep in the identical inn frequented by Lord Nelson, King Charles, and William Morris amongst different well-known company.
This Cotswolds Electrical Bike tour is a good way to see a few of the greatest locations within the space.
Location: Burford is positioned within the county of Oxfordshire twenty miles west of Oxford.
Getting There: You’ll be able to go to Burford on a tour from London.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, visiting the Tolsey Museum, strolling, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The posh Bull at Burford is a conventional inn the place King Charles as soon as slept and is a superb possibility for {couples}. The Priory Tea Rooms gives funds lodging within the coronary heart of the village and is a superb possibility for solo vacationers.
15. Oxford
In the event you can solely choose top-of-the-line cities to go to within the Cotswolds then look no additional than Oxford. Oxford is an enthralling 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 with regards 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 citadel and jail to exploring the shows on the Ashmolean Museum, seeing the collages of the college, and sampling native meals from one of many many eating places within the metropolis.
Among the best methods to get probably the most out of your journey to Oxford is to take a metropolis and college strolling tour. You’ll get to see town’s main landmarks and sights and study all about its historical past from educated guides.
Location: Oxford is the county city of Oxfordshire and is positioned sixty miles west of London.
Getting There: This full-day tour from London contains Oxford and different Cotswold vacationer sights resembling Bibury. There are hourly trains from London Paddington and the journey time is below one hour.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, visiting the College, buying, consuming, ingesting, and strolling.
The place to Keep: The Randolph Lodge is a luxurious five-star lodge within the heart of Oxford that’s good for {couples}. The Galaxie is a superb 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 companies between a few of the bigger cities and villages, however these aren’t all the time dependable, significantly on weekends. Click on right here to ebook a full-day tour with Get Your Information.
Attending to the bigger cities and cities of the Cotswolds resembling Bathtub, Cirencester, Oxford or Stroud is simple with hourly prepare companies from London and different cities across the nation.
Coach companies like Nationwide Specific and Flixbus are additionally good choices for reaching a few of the fundamental 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 great base can 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 Approach for mountaineering.
Use at some point 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 right 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 quick 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 stunning rural village. You can also make day journeys to close by Chipping Norton and Bourton on the Water while right here.
Make your solution to Oxford for a few days and discover the well-known college, citadel, jail, and a few of the nice eating places within the city like Turtle Bay close to the Ashmolean.
From Oxford, make your solution to Cirencester by way of a cease in Burford and spend a number of days within the “capital of the Cotswolds” the place you may benefit from the buying and nightlife within the city earlier than escaping into the Cotswold Space of Excellent Pure Beuty for some wonderful mountaineering.
FAQs About Visiting the Cotswolds
Solutions to some generally requested questions on visiting the attractive locations within the Cotswolds.
The Cotswolds area is positioned 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 few of the most stunning English villages.
It’s unimaginable 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 probably be fewer vacationers and the milder climate is ideal for lengthy walks and hikes within the countryside. Personally, I feel fall is greatest 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 stunning villages of honey-stone homes, mild, rolling countryside, and a few of the greatest cider within the UK.
The Cotswolds are a few of the most secure components of the nation in comparison with the bigger cities and cities of England. Take normal precautions when touring resembling locking doorways and never flashing costly gear.
In Conclusion
Now you already know the place to go within the Cotswolds to see probably the most picturesque cities and villages. With so many great locations to go to within the Cotswolds, it’s no secret that this is likely one of the hottest components 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 stunning a part of the nation. Be sure you try the perfect place within the Cotswolds and my private favourite, Slad.