The Cotswolds is a completely beautiful space of England to go to! It’s an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB) that’s simply shy of the Roman metropolis of Bath and the likes of Cirencester and has that quintessential countryside British appeal that makes it so attractive to discover – particularly inside the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which can be everywhere in the area.
Now, any plan to go to the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. Unlike the bigger linked cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This means it’s greatest explored by automotive or a part of a tour; which suggests an itinerary of locations to see within the Cotswolds is important.
Over the years, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous occasions… and liked it! So, that will help you plan your journey, I needed to share a few of our agency favourites and prime spots within the Cotswolds to go to.
Yes, a few of them won’t be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings you could’t miss.
Have an incredible time exploring. It actually is a wonderful space of England.
1.) Bibury
Arguably probably the most well-known place within the Cotswolds to go to, Bibury is a small village that’s dwelling to one of many Cotswolds’ most well-known streets; Arlington Row.
You can simply spend a day wandering round Bibury and it’s inside simple attain of the historic tpersonal of Cirencester which is simply on the border of the Cotswolds, too.
This makes it an ideal stopping level on a wider street journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
Once right here, you should definitely park up (there’s on-street parking on the principle street) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Yes, it is perhaps a small place however it’s completely charming and attracts guests from everywhere in the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, you should definitely pop into the Swan Hotel for a chunk to eat (or e-book a room to remain the night time). The factor we love most in regards to the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your personal time – there’s no must rush.
That being mentioned, when you’re in search of a historic manor home keep, examine into the close by Barnsley House which was first constructed within the 1600s.
It’s such a stunning spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; you should definitely plan your route effectively when you’re driving to all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. It’s fairly simple to get a plan in place to see all these totally different cities after which realise you’ve been crisscrossing the Cotswolds and ended up losing your treasured time.
Have days centered on exploring the south of the Cotswolds, the place you’ll be able to embrace iconic cities like Bath, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you too can embrace spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This approach, you’ll have the ability to see a lot extra of the Cotswolds.
Read extra: Best locations within the Cotswolds
2.) Bourton-on-the-water
Larger than Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water is well one of many prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s proper within the coronary heart of this particular area.
Sometimes nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a spot that’s crammed with shallow river beds and tiny bridges that make all of it so quaint to discover.
After you park up, head out on meals and alongside these little bridges that cross the River Windrush. It’s such a shocking a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows straight by way of the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial retailers and little streets, ensure that to pop into one of many little tea rooms that line the road.
You’ll discover fairly a couple of round city, so I gained’t offer you a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you notice and just like the look of. Just ensure that to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t overlook in regards to the cute mannequin village that has earned a reputation for itself inside Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s completely kitsch.
3.) Burford
Known because the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s properly price exploring when you’re venturing west in direction of Oxford (that isn’t too distant in any respect).
Nestled inside the streets of Burford are loads of little retailers, cafes and conventional English pubs. We liked the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. In the winter, they’ve their open fireplace roaring and it’s such a wonderful ambiance.
As you wander round, ensure that to identify a number of the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this space is understood for. Oh, and the 12th-century church (St. John the Baptist) which can also be a must-see in Burford.
Oh, and you should definitely pop into Huffkins for certainly one of their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Oxford
4.) Castle Combe
Located in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Castle Combe is a chocolate field village that, in some ways, is my favorite in the entire Cotswolds. Shhh, don’t inform the others!
Yes, it’s small (identical to most locations within the Cotswolds) however it’s simply so picture-perfect. We adore it.
It virtually feels as if it’s untouched by time. Trust me, it seems such as you’ve gone again many centuries… minus the odd automotive or two!
When visiting Castlecombe, you’ll get to see the traditional honey stone cottages that are so well-preserved, standing out amongst all of the village’s attractive fundamental streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Castle Inn for a drink and examine into The Manor House for a keep within the village itself. It’s a shocking manor home from the 1300s, that’s proper inside Castlecombe.
Finally, don’t overlook to go over to go to the close by village of Lacock. Yes, I do know this isn’t within the Cotswolds however you’ll be able to’t miss it if you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automotive and properly price taking a gander at this stunning city.
Read extra: Best day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Slow-on-the-Wold is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the principle street space and properly price making a cease for a couple of hours round lunch.
Actually, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon title of Slow-on-the-Wold means holy place on the hill and dates again tons of of years. Once a thriving little market city the place wool was traded, it’s now a picture-perfect village that’s pretty to see.
Now, somebody as soon as advised me that the rationale why Stow-on-the-Wold has slim alleys and thoroughfares was due to its wool heritage.
Apparently, these slim alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. Truthfully, I at all times thought it was resulting from a scarcity of planning!
Watever the case, if you go to Slow-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.
If you’d like to buy, there are additionally varied retailers within the space which you’ll discover and benefit from the small artwork galleries, St Edward’s Church, Lucy’s Tearoom, and the Cotswold Sweet Company for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Make certain to go to The Kings Arms for dinner… their home made pies are yummy.
6.) Painswick
Set on prime of the rolling hills, Painswick is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, identical to many of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This means a very good few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, for my part, is a part of the appeal of the Cotswolds, typically. You can hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you like most.
Once right here, ensure that to pop into the Painswick Rococo Garden which dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. Also, you should definitely seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unimaginable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts pageant can also be held in Painswick to have fun native artists that are properly price testing when you’re round in June.
Read extra: Best cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
When you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly when you love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re attractive!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel a bit of quieter and smaller in comparison with a number of the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. This is why I’d solely suggest popping over for an hour or two.
Once right here, take a look at The Market Hall, which is open-walled, and is steeped in historical past. Also, close by, you’ll discover a couple of cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Art Cotswold which can be properly price taking a peek inside.
You should buy some pretty native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Old Silk Mill which at the moment serves as a cooperative and exhibition house for artists.
Oh, and seize a day tea at The Bantam Tea Rooms. It’s pretty and their tea is so good.
Read extra: Best locations within the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is true up there as certainly one of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see if you’re travelling across the space.
Way again, within the Middle Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s financial system. Like a number of cities within the Cotswolds. Though, these days, you gained’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
Once right here, you should definitely take a look at the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
If you’re after some usually unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are among the best in the entire Cotswolds.
All want lashings of vinegar, in fact!
To work off lunch, take a stroll across the folly that’s the Broadway Tower. It’s properly price taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there – particularly on a sunny day.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to simply drive over to the close by village of Bretforton. Although not inside the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it’s not too removed from Broadway (round 10 minutes), so you’ll be able to go to each locations when you’ve got the time.
One spot it’s important to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a vastly historic pub which is 15 centuries outdated containing historic interiors and probably the most charming rooms. It’s now run by the National Trust takes care of the property and retains its appeal and heritage alive for us all to get pleasure from at the moment.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you’ll be able to sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s pretty.
Read extra: Best locations to go to within the West of England
9.) Winchcombe
Winchcombe is one other gem to go to within the Cotswolds that’s proper on the fringes of the northern border.
Here, you’ll discover loads of vintage retailers and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are a number of little rooms and a quaint tea room the place you’ll be able to simply spend a bit of time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Castle. The latter is a stately dwelling which you’ll go to, relationship again to the 1400s.
Read extra: Best locations within the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historic fort that after neglected this space, Tetbury is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively massive compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you like, take a look at the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market House.
We stayed for a couple of days in Tetbury and used it as our base to discover extra of this space of the Cotswolds. We booked The Royal Oak Tetbury which we completely liked.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, you should definitely take a look at the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. It’s a whopping tree backyard that dates again to Victorian occasions.
We spent round 1 hour right here and liked it.
Tetbury actually is a beautiful city within the Cotswolds.
Read extra: What to see in Tetbury
11.) Upper and Lower Slaughters (The Slaughters)
Now, I do know these two spots sound fairly ominous! Their names don’t precisely promote them as locations to go… however hear me out!
The Slaughters are two very small locations you could simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this shall be like a 20-minute cease (except you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no must go planning your entire day round The Slaughters.
Don’t overlook to pop into The Old Mill ice cream parlour for some creamy scoops and stroll over the lovable Ford Bridge that goes over the River Eye.
Finally, if you wish to e-book a keep, examine into The Slaughters Manor House. Built again within the 1600s, it’s a complete gem and a shocking place to remain. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!
Read extra: Prettiest locations in England to go to
Check Out The Very Best Of Great Britain!
