The Cotswolds is a very 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 Bathtub and the likes of Cirencester and has that quintessential countryside British allure that makes it so beautiful to discover – particularly throughout the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which can be all around the area.
Now, any plan to go to the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. In contrast to the bigger linked cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This implies it’s finest 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 occasions… and liked 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 won’t be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings that you may’t miss.
Have an incredible time exploring. It truly is a stupendous space of England.
1.) Bibury
Arguably essentially 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 may 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.
As soon as right here, make sure to park up (there’s on-street parking on the primary street) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it may be a small place nevertheless it’s completely charming and attracts guests from all around the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, make sure to pop into the Swan Resort for a chunk to eat (or e book a room to remain the evening). The factor we love most concerning the Cotswolds is that it’s finest explored in your individual time – there’s no have to rush.
That being stated, when you’re searching for a historic manor home keep, test 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; make sure to 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 completely 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 Bathtub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you may as well embrace 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 well 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 surprising a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows straight via 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 just a few round city, so I received’t provide you with 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 neglect concerning the cute mannequin village that has earned a reputation for itself inside Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s completely kitsch.
3.) Burford
Referred to as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s properly price exploring when you’re venturing west in the direction of Oxford (that isn’t too far-off in any respect).
Nestled throughout the streets of Burford are loads of little retailers, cafes and conventional English pubs. We liked the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open hearth roaring and it’s such a stupendous ambiance.
As you wander round, ensure that to identify among 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 make sure to pop into Huffkins for certainly one of their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Oxford
4.) Fort Combe
Positioned in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Fort 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 (similar to most locations within the Cotswolds) nevertheless it’s simply so picture-perfect. We like it.
It virtually feels as if it’s untouched by time. Belief me, it sort of feels 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 essential streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Fort Inn for a drink and test into The Manor Home for a keep within the village itself. It’s a surprising 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’ll be able to’t miss it while you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automotive and properly price taking a gander at this lovely city.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys 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 price making a cease for just a few hours round lunch.
Really, 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 tons of 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 Sluggish-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.
In the event you’d like to buy, there are additionally numerous retailers within the space which you’ll be able to 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 Be sure 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 among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, similar to many of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies a superb few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, for my part, is a part of the allure of the Cotswolds, usually. You may hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you like 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, make sure 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 fun native artists that are properly price testing when you’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
Whenever 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 beautiful!
That being stated, Chipping Campden can really feel just a little quieter and smaller in comparison with among the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. That is why I’d solely advocate 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 just a few cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which can be properly price taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some pretty native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Previous Silk Mill which at present 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 correct up there as certainly one of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see while you’re travelling across the space.
Method 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 received’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, make sure to try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
In the event you’re after some sometimes unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are probably the greatest 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 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. Though not throughout 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 you probably have the time.
One spot you must go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a vastly historic pub which is 15 centuries outdated containing historic interiors and essentially the most charming rooms. It’s now run by the Nationwide Belief takes care of the property and retains its allure and heritage alive for us all to take pleasure in at present.
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.
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 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 just a little time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Fort. The latter is a stately residence which you’ll be able to go to, courting again to the 1400s.
Learn extra: Finest locations within 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 just a few 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, make sure to try the Westonbirt, The Nationwide 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.
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 that you may simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this shall be like a 20-minute cease (until you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no have to go planning your entire day round The Slaughters.
Don’t neglect to pop into The Previous 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, test into The Slaughters Manor Home. Constructed again within the 1600s, it’s a complete gem and a surprising place to remain. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!
Learn extra: Prettiest locations in England to go to
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