The Cotswolds is an space within the southwest of the UK encompassing 5 counties; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. There are lots of great locations to go to within the Cotswolds and the realm is famed for its picture-postcard cities and villages.
I’ve spent numerous time exploring this beautiful a part of England and love the realm for its undulating countryside, nice mountain climbing, fairly villages, and rustic outdated pubs.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 among the most stunning elements 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. A few of the highlights of the Cotswolds embody the villages of Bibury, Burford, and Bourton-on-the-Water.
15 Finest Locations to Go to in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is among the greatest 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. Beneath, you’ll discover a few of the most charming locations within the Cotswolds from historic cities to market cities and sleepy villages.
1. Tub
There’s some debate over whether or not Tub is definitely within the Cotswolds because it doesn’t fall into the 5 counties that make up the “Space of Pure Magnificence” (Tub is in Somerset). Nonetheless, many individuals consider it to be attributable to its proximity to a few of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds.
Tub is considered one of my favourite cities in England and makes a improbable 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 via a few of the most picturesque locations to go to within the Cotswolds and a go to to historic Tub, however you’ll additionally get to see a few of the nation’s high sights together with Stratford-upon-Avon and Stonehenge too.
Location: Bath is positioned 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 practice providers 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 Bath Spa and Hotel is the proper place for {couples} to unwind and absorb the identical therapeutic waters loved by the Romans some 2,000 years in the past. The Henry Guest House is a good choice for first-time guests because of its central location.
2. Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is a wonderfully picturesque village on the River Windrush and is among the high locations to go to within the Cotswolds. The village is famed for its 5 stone bridges courting again to the seventeenth Century which add to the attraction of this Cotswolds favourite.
Bourton is certainly among the finest locations to go within the Cotswolds if you wish to see probably the most stunning villages in all the nation. It’s full of quaint, stone cottages, tea rooms, boutique retailers, and a very good assortment of eateries.
Smiths of Bourton is among the greatest eating places within the space; specializing in burgers and cocktails. The pastrami burger is to die for and the costs are very affordable 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: The most effective methods to see Bourton-on-the-Water is on a Cotswolds tour from London, which additionally consists of many different websites comparable to Stow-on-the-Wold.
Issues To Do: Strolling, sightseeing, consuming, and ingesting.
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 middle of the village and consists of 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 certainly one of many locations to see within the Cotswolds for its old-world allure, rows of attention-grabbing vintage retailers, and glorious cafes and eating places. It’s the best city within the Cotswolds and is nestled inside a panorama of hills and valleys.
There’s a lot 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 ideal 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 highway 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, ingesting, strolling, and sightseeing.
The place to Keep: The Fox Hotel is housed inside a sixteenth Century constructing within the middle 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
In case you’re searching for the perfect of the Cotswolds then you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with the city of Stroud in Gloucestershire. I’ve buddies residing right here so have visited many instances and located that it’s an ideal base for exploring a few of the most stunning cities within the Cotswolds.
There are many mountain climbing trails close by that take you thru open pastures and historic woodlands. The Cotswold Way is a 100-mile path operating from Tub to Chipping Campden and passes via the Stroud Space. I’ve hiked a couple of sections across the city and extremely advocate it once 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 number of glorious impartial retailers, cafes, and eating places. On my final go to, I purchased a couple of books by considered 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 properly linked to the remainder of the UK by practice and bus.
Issues To Do: Climbing, 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 middle of city that’s good for first-time guests. In case you’re searching for a little bit luxurious, the Burleigh Court Hotel is a superb choice.
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 courting again to Roman instances and is full of attention-grabbing issues to see and do.
The Cirencester Brewery Arts Centre is a gallery and house for native artists with some attention-grabbing retailers and cafes inside. Stroll across the stunning Cirencester Park, see the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, or browse the various retailers and market stalls (the market is each Monday and Friday). There’s even an open-air pool for the summer season months.
Cirencester is certainly among the finest 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 technique 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 glorious highway and rail hyperlinks with the remainder of the UK. The practice from London’s Paddington takes simply two hours.
Issues To Do: Sightseeing, strolling, buying, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Corinium Hotel and Restaurant is a centrally positioned resort that’s good for {couples} and households. The Fleece is a conventional inn within the coronary heart of the city and is an excellent choice for first-timers in Cirencester.
6. Higher Slaughter
Don’t let the creepy identify idiot you, because the village of Higher Slaughter is among the greatest 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 fortress 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.
The most effective issues to do is to take the brief stroll from Higher to Decrease Slaughter and take within the magnificent surrounding countryside. Make sure to pop into the Hawkstone Brewery for a tour to see how native Cotswold lagers and ciders are made.
Location: Upper Slaughter is positioned within the county of Gloucestershire a couple of miles north of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Getting There: Driving is the easiest way 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 middle of the village and is a good choice for {couples}. The Slaughters Country Inn is one other glorious choice 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 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 places in the Cotswolds). The lodgings date again over 600 years and have been as soon as a part of the woolen trade. Arlington Mill is one other of the native points of interest and dates to the seventeenth Century.
There are some nice walks across the village in addition to a campsite for those 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 principally 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 greatest as public transport on this a part of the nation generally is a little missing.
Issues To Do: Take footage at Arlington Row, go to the outdated wool mill, sightseeing, strolling, consuming, and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Swan Hotel is the proper romantic getaway with four-star service and a location within the middle of the village. The close by New Inn at Coln is one other nice choice inside a stunning rural setting.
8. Citadel Combe
The beautiful village of Citadel Combe in Wiltshire is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Suppose stone cottages, historic bridges, and a village that’s barely modified in centuries. That is definitely among the finest locations within the Cotswolds for picturesque allure.
The village has been used as a location for a lot of well-known tv applications and movies; the newest being Stephen Speilberg’s Warfare Horse. The homes are produced from the native honey-colored stone which lends the place a singular, fairytale really feel.
Issues to see across the village embody the thirteenth Century St Andrew’s church, a market cross, and a few glorious pubs. The faceless clock in St Andrew’s is alleged to be one of many oldest working clocks within the nation and it’s positively one of many high 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 simplest technique 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 Citadel Combe. In case you’re trying 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 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 points of interest – 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 alleged to be the oldest inn in England and is the proper place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They do an ideal steak, however my favourite is the fish pie with salmon, cod, and prawns. Costs are affordable 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, mountain climbing, consuming and ingesting.
The place to Keep: The Stow Lodge Hotel is the proper place for first-time guests and is positioned within the middle of the village.
10. Slad (One of many Finest Locations to Go to within the Cotswolds)
Slad is my favourite Cotswold village and is among the greatest locations to go to within the Cotswold area. It’s additionally the birthplace (and burial website) 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 properly value 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 mountain climbing within the close by hills and valleys. There’s out of doors seating overlooking the valley and it has a wonderful meals menu with a mix of traditional and modern pub dishes. Slad is certainly 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 the easiest way 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 choice in the event you’re searching for a little bit splendor in your journey to Slad. St Michael’s Bistro is a superb finances choice close by.
11. Stanton
The 14th Century village of Stanton is among the most stunning locations to go to within the Cotswolds with honey-stone and thatched cottages, colourful flower gardens, and the close by archaeological website of Shenbarrow Hillfort. Though there isn’t an ideal deal to do within the village itself, it’s properly value 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 value a search for its spectacular medieval structure.
The Mount Inn is a conventional village pub and is a superb place to whereas away a couple of hours sampling the native brews and home-cooked meals. It’s an ideal 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 the easiest way 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 resort set inside stunning grounds 2 miles from Stanton. The Volunteer Inn is a good choice for finances 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 affords unbelievable views of the encircling countryside, that is positively among the finest locations to go to within the Cotswolds.
I really like exploring the outdated market, cottages, and attention-grabbing retailers that decision the village house. The Horse and Hound is a comfortable little pub that’s properly value popping into for lunch or a refreshment cease. The Broadway Museum and Artwork Gallery is a superb place to study a little bit 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 technique 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 resort inside a sixteenth Century teaching inn that’s located within the coronary heart of Broadway. The Broadway Hotel is one other good choice within the village.
13. Painswick
The outdated wool city of Painswick is named the Queen of the Cotswolds for its slender streets lined with completely preserved cottages and homes. It comprises the oldest constructing in England to accommodate a publish workplace, courting 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 Means so it’s an ideal base for mountain climbing the close by countryside and exploring different close by cities and villages. One focal point, positioned simply outdoors the churchyard, is an outdated set of stocks courting again from round 1840 that have been used to punish transgressors.
The Oak Painswick is a good place for a pint or a chew 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 succeed in 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 Bed 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 among the most picturesque within the nation and is actually value a go to. The village sits on the banks of the River Windrush and consists of many honey-stone cottages typical of the area. The gently sloping Excessive Road is lined with boutique retailers, vintage shops, impartial sellers, cafes, and pubs.
The three-arched medieval bridge throughout the river is value 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 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 possibly can 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 luxurious Bull at Burford is a conventional inn the place King Charles as soon as slept and is a good choice for {couples}. The Priory Tea Rooms affords finances lodging within the coronary heart of the village and is a good choice for solo vacationers.
15. Oxford
In case you can solely decide among the finest 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 in the case of the pleasant rivalry between the 2 cities because it’s extra native to me.
Oxford is certainly among the finest 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.
The most effective 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 points of interest 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 consists of Oxford and different Cotswold vacationer points of interest comparable to 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 Hotel is a luxurious five-star resort within the middle of Oxford that’s good for {couples}. The Galaxie is a good finances choice for first-time guests to Oxford.
Getting Across the Cotswolds
As a result of the realm is so rural, the easiest way to get across the Cotswolds is to both take a tour or have your personal transport. There are sporadic bus providers between a few of the bigger cities and villages, however these aren’t all the time dependable, significantly 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 Tub, Cirencester, Oxford or Stroud is straightforward with hourly practice providers from London and different cities across the nation.
Coach providers like Nationwide Specific and Flixbus are additionally good choices for reaching a few of the essential Cotswold cities.
Fast Itineraries for the Cotswolds
Listed here are a few easy itineraries to comply with when visiting the Cotswolds.
3 Days within the Cotswolds
With three days to discover the Cotswolds, an excellent base can be Stroud in Gloucestershire. It’s simple to go to the close by villages of Sled and Painswick and it additionally has entry to the Cotswold Means for mountain climbing.
Use sooner or later 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 practice to Tub 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 Tub 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 stunning rural village. You can also make day journeys to close by Chipping Norton and Bourton on the Water while right here.
Make your technique to Oxford for a few days and discover the well-known college, fortress, jail, and a few of the nice eating places within the city like Turtle Bay close to the Ashmolean.
From Oxford, make your technique to Cirencester by way of a cease in Burford and spend a couple of days within the “capital of the Cotswolds” the place you’ll be able to benefit from the buying and nightlife within the city earlier than escaping into the Cotswold Space of Excellent Pure Beuty for some glorious mountain climbing.
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 positively value visiting as the realm is house to a few of the most stunning 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 need to 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 unbelievable colours throughout the panorama.
Tub, Cirencester, Oxford, and Stroud all make nice bases for exploring the Cotswolds. These bigger cities and cities have heaps to do and it’s simple to get out into the countryside by automotive or bus.
The Cotswolds are well-known for stunning villages of honey-stone homes, light, rolling countryside, and a few of the greatest cider within the UK.
The Cotswolds are a few of the safest parts of the country in comparison with the bigger cities and cities of England. Take common precautions when touring comparable to locking doorways and never flashing costly gear.
In Conclusion
Now you understand 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 Tub and Oxford, you gained’t be bored for a second exploring this stunning a part of the nation. Make sure to try the perfect place within the Cotswolds and my private favourite, Slad.
