The Cotswolds is a completely gorgeous space of England to go to! It’s an Space of Oustanding Pure Magnificence (AONB) that’s simply shy of the Roman metropolis of Tub and the likes of Cirencester and has that quintessential countryside British attraction that makes it so beautiful to discover – particularly throughout the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which are all around the area.
Now, any plan to go to the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. Not like the bigger linked cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This implies it’s greatest explored by automotive or a part of a tour; which implies an itinerary of locations to see within the Cotswolds is crucial.
Through the years, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous instances… and beloved it! So, that can assist you plan your journey, I wished to share a few of our agency favourites and high spots within the Cotswolds to go to.
Sure, a few of them may not be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings you can’t miss.
Have a tremendous time exploring. It truly is an attractive 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 residence to one of many Cotswolds’ most well-known streets; Arlington Row.
You’ll be able to simply spend a day wandering round Bibury and it’s inside straightforward attain of the historic city of Cirencester which is simply on the border of the Cotswolds, too.
This makes it an ideal stopping level on a wider highway journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
As soon as right here, remember to park up (there’s on-street parking on the principle highway) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it is perhaps a small place nevertheless it’s completely charming and attracts guests from all around the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, remember to pop into the Swan Lodge for a chew to eat (or e-book a room to remain the evening). The factor we love most concerning the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your personal time – there’s no have to rush.
That being stated, if you happen to’re searching for a historic manor home keep, verify into the close by Barnsley Home which was first constructed within the 1600s.
It’s such a beautiful spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; remember to plan your route effectively if you happen to’re driving to all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. It’s fairly straightforward 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 may embody iconic cities like Tub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place it’s also possible to embody spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This manner, you’ll have the ability to see a lot extra of the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the Cotswolds
2.) Bourton-on-the-water
Bigger than Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water is definitely one of many prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s proper within the coronary heart of this particular area.
Generally nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a spot that’s stuffed 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 instantly via the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial outlets 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. Simply ensure that to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t overlook concerning the cute mannequin village that has earned a reputation for itself inside Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s completely kitsch.
3.) Burford
Often called the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s effectively value exploring if you happen to’re venturing west in the direction of Oxford (that isn’t too distant in any respect).
Nestled throughout the streets of Burford are loads of little outlets, cafes and conventional English pubs. We beloved the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open fireplace roaring and it’s such an attractive environment.
As you wander round, ensure that to identify a number of the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this space is thought for. Oh, and the 12th-century church (St. John the Baptist) which can be a must-see in Burford.
Oh, and remember to pop into Huffkins for one among their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Oxford
4.) Fortress Combe
Situated in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Fortress Combe is a chocolate field village that, in some ways, is my favorite in the entire Cotswolds. Shhh, don’t inform the others!
Sure, it’s small (similar to most locations within the Cotswolds) nevertheless it’s simply so picture-perfect. We adore it.
It nearly feels as if it’s untouched by time. Belief me, it seems such as you’ve gone again many centuries… minus the odd automotive or two!
When visiting Castlecombe, you’re going to get to see the traditional honey stone cottages that are so well-preserved, standing out amongst all of the village’s beautiful predominant streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Fortress Inn for a drink and verify into The Manor Home for a keep within the village itself. It’s a shocking manor home from the 1300s, that’s proper inside Castlecombe.
Lastly, don’t overlook to move over to go to the close by village of Lacock. Sure, I do know this isn’t within the Cotswolds however you may’t miss it while you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automotive and effectively value taking a gander at this stunning city.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Gradual-on-the-Wold is likely 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 highway space and effectively value making a cease for a couple of hours round lunch.
Really, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon identify of Gradual-on-the-Wold means holy place on the hill and dates again a whole bunch of years. As soon as 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 instructed me that the explanation why Stow-on-the-Wold has slender alleys and thoroughfares was due to its wool heritage.
Apparently, these slender alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. Honestly, I all the time thought it was attributable to a scarcity of planning!
Watever the case, while you go to Gradual-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.
In case you’d like to buy, there are additionally varied outlets within the space which you’ll discover and benefit from the small artwork galleries, St Edward’s Church, Lucy’s Tearoom, and the Cotswold Candy Firm for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Ensure to go to The Kings Arms for dinner… their home made pies are yummy.
6.) Painswick
Set on high of the rolling hills, Painswick is likely one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, similar to a lot of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies a great few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, in my view, is a part of the attraction of the Cotswolds, usually. You’ll be able to hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you’re keen on most.
As soon as right here, ensure that to pop into the Painswick Rococo Backyard which dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. Additionally, remember to seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unimaginable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts pageant can be held in Painswick to have a good time native artists that are effectively value testing if you happen to’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
If you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly if you happen to love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being stated, Chipping Campden can really feel a bit of quieter and smaller in comparison with a number of the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. That is why I’d solely suggest popping over for an hour or two.
As soon as right here, try The Market Corridor, which is open-walled, and is steeped in historical past. Additionally, close by, you’ll discover a couple of cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which are effectively value taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some pretty native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Outdated Silk Mill which presently 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.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is true up there as one among my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see while you’re travelling across the space.
Approach again, within the Center Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s financial system. Like numerous cities within the Cotswolds. Although, these days, you gained’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, remember to try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
In case you’re after some usually unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are top-of-the-line 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 effectively value taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there – particularly on a sunny day.
Afterwards, you may simply drive over to the close by village of Bretforton. Though not throughout the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it’s not too removed from Broadway (round 10 minutes), so you may go to each locations when you have the time.
One spot it’s a must to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a massively historic pub which is 15 centuries outdated containing historic interiors and probably the most charming rooms. It’s now run by the Nationwide Belief takes care of the property and retains its attraction and heritage alive for us all to get pleasure from in the present day.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you may sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s pretty.
Learn extra: Finest 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.
Right here, you’ll discover loads of vintage outlets and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are a number of little rooms and a quaint tea room the place you may simply spend a bit of time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Fortress. The latter is a stately residence which you’ll go to, courting again to the 1400s.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historic fort that when ignored this space, Tetbury is likely one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively massive compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you’re keen on, try the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market Home.
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 beloved.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, remember to try the Westonbirt, The Nationwide Arboretum. It’s a whopping tree backyard that dates again to Victorian instances.
We spent round 1 hour right here and beloved it.
Tetbury actually is a beautiful city within the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: What to see in Tetbury
11.) Higher and Decrease 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 can 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 have to go planning your complete day round The Slaughters.
Don’t overlook to pop into The Outdated Mill ice cream parlour for some creamy scoops and stroll over the lovable Ford Bridge that goes over the River Eye.
Lastly, if you wish to e-book a keep, verify into The Slaughters Manor Home. Constructed again within the 1600s, it’s a complete gem and a shocking place to remain. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!
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