Guides | Discover Cotswolds

5 Must See Places to Visit in the Cotswolds

The English region known as the Cotswolds is mainly known for its beautiful, rolling hills and rustic scenery.

The Jurassic limestone-rich grasslands—a particularly unique habitat in the UK—contain many stone-built villages and lush gardens that accentuate its peaceful glamour.

Spanning 800 square miles of land, the Cotswolds was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 and is currently England’s largest AONB.

The Cotswolds region is definitely a sight to behold and is a prime spot for fans of nature and history.

Should you happen to be visiting the area, make sure to take a try to plan a stop at these five must-see places to visit in the Cotswolds.

1. Lower Slaughter

Don’t let the name fool you, Lower Slaughter is a charming little village bisected by a river and decorated with honey-coloured architecture.

It also houses what might be regarded as Britain’s most romantic street—Copsehill Road (which ironically is quite flat).

When you pass by this district, make sure to pay a visit to the Old Mill for an historical treat and Lower Slaughter Manor’s Gardens for the best view in the whole town.

Entrance to the Slaughters Manor House — The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter

2. Kingham

Voted in 2006 as “England’s Favourite Village,” this beautiful, unspoiled village features rows of limestone and thatch cottages and a large open green.

When you get to Kingham, make sure to stop by the Wild Rabbit pub to relax with a pint by the open fire and enjoy the music.

The Kingham Plough, Kingham — The Kingham Plough, not the Wild Rabbit

If you happen to be around at the end of August, you might be able to catch the Big Feastival at Alex James’ Cotswolds farm.

Celebrate the August Bank Holiday with some food, drinks, and music, and enjoy the company of locals and tourists alike.

3. Blockley

Once the centre of silk production in the 18th and 19th centuries, Blockley’s mills have long since been converted into lodgings.

The gorgeous golden stone cottages make it look like the village was plucked from a fairy tale and deposited in the majestic scenery of Blockley’s beautiful surroundings.

The Blockley Café and The Great Western Arms are definite go-to spots for food, drink, and comfort.

4. Bibury

Once called the “most beautiful village in England” by famed designer William Morris, the iconic hamlet of Bibury is well-known for its traditional stone houses.

Dotted with famously photographed chocolate box houses, it is also the home of the River Coln.

Arlington Row, Bibury — Arlington Row as seen from across the River Coln

Take a walk through history by walking along Arlington Row—a row of 14th-century weaver’s cottages—and visiting the Bibury Trout Farm—one of Britain’s oldest trout farms.

5. Castle Combe

Castle Combe’s picturesque façade has been featured in several films like War Horse and Doctor Dolittle.

This Cotswold village is filled with limestone cottages and stone-tiled roofs, all perfectly framed by the lush green of the trees surrounding it.

Look for the iconic Town Bridge when you arrive here, and relish the view of this grandiose village.

Conclusion

These are only a few of the many little villages contained within the vast AONB called the Cotswolds.

There is more to see, and even more to do in this region, so plan your trips wisely and take in as much of the grandeur this region can offer.

If you are interested in more places to visit in the Cotswolds, then check out our latest blog post on the subject.

3 Reasons You Should Visit the Cotswolds Today

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Known as the home of England’s finest scenic landscapes and natural experiences, the Cotswolds has established itself as the perfect destination for anyone seeking inspiration and adventure.

The Cotswolds is a countryside escape consisting of 113 towns and villages all within easy reach of many of the UK’s major airports.

Cotswold stone cottages in Stanton — Classic Cotswolds cottages in the village of Stanton

It may be easy to see how beautiful the Cotswolds are based on images and descriptions of the area’s rolling green pastures and time-travelling villages alone, but what makes the area worth visiting in the first place?

Here are just a few reasons you should consider visiting

If you’ve been meaning to go for a relaxing holiday in a natural paradise, that isn’t too far from home (depending on where you live, of course), here are three reasons you should consider visiting the Cotswolds above all else:

There are dozens of charming and picture-worthy villages in the area

Taking a trip to the Cotswolds and visiting its villages is akin to taking a time machine and getting stuck in the olden days of England when jousting and jesters were still popular forms of entertainment. Actually, if you visit the Cotsowlds Olimpicks you can still see a bit of jousting.

As soon as you enter the area, the Cotswolds instantly greets you with dozens of cottages that were built with the characteristic local limestone and outfitted with colourful flower boxes, and sometimes tricky-to-pronounce place names (we’re looking at you Guiting Power).

If you’re looking to take a trip back in time and enjoy some of the most aesthetically-delightful examples of old-English living and architecture, then a visit to the Cotswold’s villages is a must-include in your itinerary.

The rich history of the region itself makes it perfect for any history nut

Speaking of old English history, the Cotswolds has also established itself as a premier tourist destination thanks to the fact that its origins extend as far back as five millenniums ago.

With an expansive 5,000-year history that covers the Neolithic and medieval periods, it’s no secret that the Cotswolds is the perfect destination for any type of history buff.

For instance, heading over to the Avebury Stone Circle, just outside the Cotswolds (like a slightly less famous version of Stone Henge) will throw you back to 2850 to 2200 B.C., long before Christianity came to England and was subsequently adopted.

Aside from pre-Christian monuments, visitors can also appreciate the Cotswolds’ rich history by visiting the 15th-century Sudeley Castle, which sits on the outskirts of Winchcombe.

Aerial photo of Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe — Sudeley Castle, with the village of Winchombe visible in the background. Aerial picture provided by https://granta.net

On the other hand, visiting history nuts can also visit the Hailes Abbey ruins and observe the remnants of what the Earl of Cornwall founded in 1246.

You Can Get Around by Bike

Despite its large(ish) total area, the Cotswolds lends itself to exploration by bike, especially for the keener cyclists.

Thanks to the fact that many key spots in the Cotswolds are within close proximity to others, guests can explore the region itself by mountain biking to see the countryside in full splendid detail.

For instance, the place is outfitted with dozens of extremely-popular mountain biking and cycling routes, such as the Winchcombe Circular route and Burford Circular Ride, all of which guarantee to provide priceless experiences!

Final words

With its splendid landscapes, rich historical origins, and beautiful villages, it’s no secret that the Cotswolds are a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore one of the best English regions.

Aside from the key points mentioned on this list, however, there are several more reasons to visit the Cotswolds once you arrive in the area itself, all of which can be best enjoyed with a tour.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cotswolds, then get in touch with us today.

Our Guide to a Perfect Trip to the Cotswolds

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The Cotswolds are arguably Britain’s worst kept secret.

Quintessentially British and England at its best. An extended holiday or even just a short break will leave you mesmerised and wanting more, making you plan for the next trip back the moment you return home.

Houses in Chipping Campden — The Cotswolds market town of Chipping Campden

The Cotswolds runs through six counties – Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Oxfordshire – and covers a vast area of almost 800 square miles.

Many travellers would take delight in exploring different areas in Cotswolds, each with its unique identity and defining features—the golden stone, and the rolling hills or “wolds” that give the region its name.

Marvel and explore quintessentially ‘English’ villages, made up of cottages built from honey-coloured stone, walk through marvellous landscapes along historic trails, visit some of the country’s amazing castles, palaces, and country-styled houses, or simply relax in its lake-land area with its own inland beach.

The present-day Cotswolds, as with other fairy-tale regions of Europe, is the product of economic success that ultimately waned. The rise and then subsequent collapse of the woollen industry.

An eclectic mix of houses along Broadway road in Winchcombe

The once-wealthy towns fell into a distressing time warp. Today, the Cotswolds has become an enchanting part of the world and visitors can have a fascinating time enjoying a harmonious mix of nature and man.

Planning Your Trip to Cotswolds – Getting Here

The Cotswolds is an array of tiny and time-passed villages and bustling towns, nestled in the English countryside. There a number of ways to get to the Cotswolds. It’s about two hours by car (in good traffic) west and slightly north of London.

Most of the places are near each other, with Bath about an hour and a half to the south, Stratford-upon-Avon just about half an hour to the north, and Oxford an hour to the east.

You can also travel to the Cotswolds from around the UK without a car.

Trains are available departing from Paddington Station and getting off at Moreton-in-Marsh.

However, once you’ve arrived, getting around the area without a car can be a bit tricky. Despite the fact that public transport is available, buses have limited schedules, although they are the best and the only way to get from one village to another.

If you can, hire cars are also available and would give you more convenience getting around, but expect traffic congestion during the warmer, peak-season months.

Houses alongside the river Eye in Lower Slaughter — Cottages in the idyllic and ever popular Lower Slaughter

For those travelling in a short period, be wary of tour operators offering stops in too many places in a single day.

A full-day tour with promises of trips along Warwick Castle, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Oxford means shorter stops and seeing the majority of the Cotswolds villages from a bus window.

Things to Do in the Cotswolds

Visit the best towns in Cotswolds

Check out movie sets in Lacock

For those film buffs out there, you might want to include the gorgeous village of Lacock in your itinerary.

It is famous for being the set location of classic movies and TV series, ranging from BBC’s Pride and Prejudice to Downton Abbey, Fantastic Beasts, and of course, Harry Potter.

Lacock boasts a romantic, old English feels and stunning Georgian villages—the reason that Hollywood prefers this place. Check out two of the village’s loveliest places—the wonderful Bowood House and Lacock Abbey.

Visit England’s prettiest village—Castle Combe

Lacock is not the only village in Cotswolds famous for being on Hollywood’s list of favourite movie sets.

Castle Combe is an absolute gem. Movies like Warhorse, Doctor Doolittle, and Stardust were all shot here.

With its marvellous stone houses and bridges lining meandering streets, this is probably the quaintest place in all of the Cotswolds. Which is saying something given the ample competition for this title.

There are just so many places to visit and things you can do in the region, it would be no surprise if you keep coming back for more.
If you want to learn more about the culture and rich history of the Cotswolds, get in touch with us today!

3 Alternative Ways to Travel to the Cotswolds

Guides, Travel

The Cotswolds – fantastic views, endless displays of culture, and rich history, a place that has established itself as one of the must-visit locations for travellers visiting the UK.

Regardless of whether you’re a nature lover, or someone who’s looking to explore the parts of the UK further afield than just London for the first time, this is an area that you should not miss.

A view along the river Eye in Lower Slaughter, in winter — Lower Slaughter is one of the many beautiful villages in the Cotswolds

As amazing as it may be to travel to the wonderful area of the Cotswolds, whether for your first visit or a returning trip, it’s worth noting that going by car isn’t always the optimal choice.

Anyone who has visited during the summer months, or who lives locally and is merely trying to go about their daily business, will know that the roads can struggle with the high volume of traffic.

Many of the roads in the smaller towns and villages were never intended to cope with the volume of modern day traffic and, sadly the UK’s traffic situation is only getting worse.

This begs the question: are there any other ways to reach the Cotswolds from starting points around the UK?

Yes, absolutely!

If you want to approach your next trip to the Cotswolds differently, by leaving the car at home and going for something more exciting, or just different, here are three other ways you could potentially reach the area:

1. By train

For travellers who fancy a quick and scenic journey

The romance of travelling by train might not be quite what it was in the golden age of steam.

However, when compared to most other ways to get to the Cotswolds, taking the train has been proven to be the fastest and easiest method available (although with the ever increasing cost of rail fairs, certainly not the cheapest).

This makes it perfect for first-timers and impatient travellers who can’t wait to get to the area, and for whom budget is less of a concern.

Travelling by rail to the Cotswolds makes for a far less stressful and generally much quicker journey than driving, as you essentially skip the entire experience of being stuck in frustrating holiday traffic and wasting your time, energy, and fuel in the process.

If you’re looking to travel to the area by train, there are a certain number of towns and villages that have stations, either on the main lines, or ones that can be reached by connecting services, including but not limited to Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, and Bath.

For more information on the train stations you can use visit https://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/visiting-and-exploring/cotswolds-train-station/

Be prepared to have to change trains, depending on your ultimate destination.

Try this handy travel planner from TravelWest to explore different options to get to the area:
TravelWest

You will also still need to seek alternative means of travel locally once you arrive (maybe by horseback?) at your destination.

You can find plenty of things to do once you arrive as well, for example, check out our guide on things to do near Moreton-in-Marsh.

2. By bus

For travellers who are looking for a cheaper way to get to the area

Another quick and convenient way to reach the wonderful Cotswolds area is taking a direct bus from various further flung regions of the UK.

While it may not necessarily be as fast as taking a train, going by bus to the Cotswolds is still a great, cost-effective, and comfortable option that’s perfect if you’re looking to save a few £s and relax, without the stress of driving yourself.

Before you head out and travel to the Cotswolds by bus, however, it is worth noting that you’ll need to be a bit prepared and do the necessary research on which stations and price points are most applicable to your needs and budget. Aside from the element of preparation, another important reason you should do the necessary research is that buses going to the Cotswolds are not necessarily available all the time as they don’t run frequently.

(A piece of advice: If you’re keen on travelling to the Cotswolds by bus, make sure that you avoid making the trip on public holidays and Sundays to ensure that you don’t end up running late!)

3. By foot

For travellers who trust their feet and want to lower their carbon footprint

This one might come as a bit of a surprise but given that the Cotswolds are England’s walking and exploring capital, why not set off on foot?

Admittedly, this is not the option to go for if you have limited time.

You will also need to be in reasonably good shape, with a sturdy pair of walking boots but what better way to explore an area famed for its walking routes?

Although it may not nearly be as quick as taking the train or as comfortable as taking the bus (possibly depends on the bus), travelling to the Cotswolds by foot is an absolute treat worth considering because of all the available routes that you can take.

For example, the Great West Way route could take you all the way from London to Bath. The Cotswolds Way is a little over 100 miles of walking route starting (or ending) in Bath and stretching up through the Cotswolds escarpment as far as Chipping Campden.

St James' Church in Chipping Campden — St James’ Church in Chipping Campden

What this approach lacks in comfort and speed it more than makes up for in experiences.

Making the journey on foot affords travellers the time to take in the views on trips through villages and other paths in the region that might otherwise be missed.

You’ll understand why the region is an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty.’

In Summary

If life is about the journey, not the destination, then perhaps the same could be said of travelling to the Cotswolds. This is especially true if you choose a more intriguing and less direct way to get to the area.

By following the tips listed in this article, you can bring yourself to the Cotswolds in more ways than one—exciting!

Things to Do in Cheltenham

Guides, Things to do, Towns

Cheltenham began life as an Anglo Saxon village in the 11th Century.

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, surrounded by beautiful green countryside, Gloucester also lies nearby, although protected Greenbelt land has stopped them from forming an area of conurbation.

In the 18th Century, medicinal waters were found over what is now the Cheltenham Ladies’ College – a prestigious independent school for girls. The town, with a population of around 110,000 oozes elegance and finesse.

It’s famous for its Regency architecture, cream white terraced houses protected by wrought iron railings.

See below for our top 5 things to do if you’re in Cheltenham:

Cheltenham Cricket Festival

If you’re a fan of cricket then this is a must see festival. Full of beer, sun and cricket, it could not be any better.

A great atmosphere, great food and usually great games located on the grounds of the prestigious private school, Cheltenham College. You’re surrounded by a road which makes it feel like a bit like the jewel of the countryside has invaded the urban landscape.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Taken place over 14 different venues across the town, the music is as diverse as where the venues are.

Contemporary jazz acts can start from gospel, salsa to flamenco. The Town Hall usually hosts local schools’ jazz bands, allowing the young talent of the area to flourish the given opportunity to perform.

Pittville Pump Room

Built on the estate of Joseph Pitt, this became the main attraction in the town in 1788 when King George III came to visit.

Today, The Pump Room is used for music concerts, poetry readings, formal black tie events as well as a back drop for famous visitors such as Lord Byron, Jane Austin and the Duke of Wellington.

The beautiful Regency style room isn’t just available to the upper class, it is more often than not hired out and commonly used for weddings and dinner events.

Montpellier and the High Street

This gorgeous area is dominated by Edwardian and Georgian town houses, lined up neatly like an army of soldiers.

Wide open spaces, not too dissimilar to spaces found in London (for example, Trafalgar Square), can be found near many of the shops on the high street.

The choice of shops are excellent, accommodating everyone and you could spend a whole day walking up and down the high street.

As an added bonus, if you visit during the Light Up Cheltenham festival, the area is illuminated with various colourful displays and they run guided tours detailing the history of the town.

Night Life

Again, based around the high street, there are tonnes of bars and pubs for you too choose from. Everything is within convenient walking distance so you won’t be running up unnecessary taxi bills!

Begin your night out in a pub such as the Beehive Inn, try some local beer and ale (from what I hear they’re excellent) before moving onto a classy upmarket bar like Bentley’s. End the night either in Blush, a trendy, chic club conveniently close to the Bus Station and taxi rank. If you prefer something a little less alternative, Sub-tone is a great place. It’s a club with the layout of a house!

So there you have it, 5 great things to do and see if you’re in Cheltenham. Be sure to check them all out, you won’t be disappointed.

Read our guide on how to get to the Cotswolds to plan your trip.