The Cotswolds is a completely beautiful area of England to go to! It’s an Space of Oustanding Pure Magnificence (AONB) that’s simply shy of the Roman city of Bath 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 might be all around the area.
Now, any plan to visit the Cotswolds does include a little bit of properly-wanted planning. In contrast to the bigger related 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 suggests an itinerary of locations to see within the Cotswolds is crucial.
Over time, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous occasions… and beloved it! So, that will help 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 which you can’t miss.
Have an incredible time exploring. It truly is a gorgeous 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 house to one of many Cotswolds’ most well-known streets; Arlington Row.
You may simply spend a day wandering round Bibury and it’s inside simple attain of the historic town 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.
As soon as right here, you’ll want to park up (there’s on-avenue parking on the primary street) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it may be a small place however it’s completely charming and attracts guests from all around the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, you’ll want to pop into the Swan Lodge for a chunk to eat (or ebook 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 must rush.
That being mentioned, in the event you’re on the lookout for a historic manor home keep, test 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’ll want to plan your route effectively in the event 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 completely different cities after which realise you’ve been crisscrossing the Cotswolds and ended up losing your valuable time.
Have days targeted on exploring the south of the Cotswolds, the place you possibly can embrace iconic cities like Bath, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you can even embrace spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This manner, you’ll have the ability to see a lot extra of the Cotswolds.
Read more: Best places in 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 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 immediately via the city.
After taking a stroll across the unbiased outlets and little streets, be sure 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 received’t provide you with a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you see and just like the look of. Simply be sure that to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t neglect 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 properly value exploring in the event you’re venturing west in 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. In the winter, they’ve their open fireplace roaring and it’s such a gorgeous ambiance.
As you wander round, be sure that to identify among 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 should-see in Burford.
Oh, and you’ll want to pop into Huffkins for considered one of their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Read more: Best things to do in Oxford
4.) Fortress Combe
Positioned in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Fortress Combe is a chocolate field village that, in some ways, is my favorite in all the Cotswolds. Shhh, don’t inform the others!
Sure, it’s small (identical to most locations within the Cotswolds) however it’s simply so image-excellent. We find it irresistible.
It virtually 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’ll get to see the traditional honey stone cottages that are so properly-preserved, standing out amongst all of the village’s beautiful predominant streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Castle Inn for a drink and test 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.
Lastly, don’t neglect to go over to go to the close by village of Lacock. Sure, I do know this isn’t within the Cotswolds however you possibly can’t miss it whenever you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automotive and properly value taking a gander at this stunning city.
Read more: Best day trips in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Sluggish-on-the-Wold is among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the primary street space and properly value making a cease for a couple of hours round lunch.
Truly, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon title of Sluggish-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 an image-excellent village that’s beautiful to see.
Now, somebody as soon as informed me that the rationale 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. In truth, I at all times thought it was because of a scarcity of planning!
Watever the case, whenever you go to Sluggish-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so properly-recognized for.
Should 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 Sweet Company for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Make sure that to go to The Kings Arms for dinner… their selfmade pies are yummy.
6.) Painswick
Set on high of the rolling hills, Painswick is among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, identical 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, for my part, is a part of the attraction of the Cotswolds, usually. You may hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you like most.
As soon as right here, be sure that to pop into the Painswick Rococo Backyard which dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. Additionally, you’ll want to seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unbelievable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts pageant can also be held in Painswick to rejoice native artists that are properly value testing in the event you’re round in June.
Read more: Best cities in England to visit
7.) Chipping Campden
While you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly in the event you love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel a little bit quieter and smaller in comparison with among the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. For this reason 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 might be properly value taking a peek inside.
You should buy some beautiful native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Outdated Silk Mill which at the moment serves as a cooperative and exhibition area for artists.
Oh, and seize a day tea at The Bantam Tea Rooms. It’s beautiful and their tea is so good.
Read more: Best places in the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is true up there as considered one of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see whenever you’re travelling across the space.
Approach again, within the Center Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s economic system. Like numerous cities within the Cotswolds. Although, these days, you received’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, you’ll want to try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
Should you’re after some sometimes unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are the most effective in all the 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 value taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there – particularly on a sunny day.
Afterwards, you possibly can 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 possibly can go to each locations when you’ve got the time.
One spot you need to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a vastly historic pub which is 15 centuries previous 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 at this time.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you possibly can sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s beautiful.
Read more: Best places to visit in 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 possibly can simply spend a little bit time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Castle. The latter is a stately house which you’ll go to, courting again to the 1400s.
Read more: Best places in the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historical fort that after neglected this space, Tetbury is among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively massive compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you like, 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, you’ll want to try 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 beloved it.
Tetbury actually is a beautiful city within the Cotswolds.
Read more: 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 which you can simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this can be like a 20-minute cease (until you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no must go planning your entire day round The Slaughters.
Don’t neglect 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 ebook a keep, test 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 high-notch!
Read more: Prettiest places in England to visit
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