The Cotswolds is a very 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 inside the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which can be all around the area.
Now, any plan to visit the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. Not like the bigger related cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This implies it’s greatest explored by automobile 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 liked 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 won’t be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings which you can’t miss.
Have a tremendous time exploring. It truly is a gorgeous 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 dwelling 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 highway 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-street parking on the primary highway) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it is perhaps a small place but it surely’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 guide 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 mentioned, in case you’re on the lookout for 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’ll want to plan your route effectively in case 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 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 it’s also possible to embrace spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This manner, you’ll be capable of 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 well one of many prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s proper within the coronary heart of this particular area.
Typically nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a spot that’s full of 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 by means of the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial outlets and little streets, ensure to pop into one of many little tea rooms that line the road.
You’ll discover fairly a number of round city, so I received’t offer you a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you notice and just like the look of. Simply ensure 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 nicely value exploring in case 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 outlets, 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 gorgeous environment.
As you wander round, ensure 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 you’ll want to pop into Huffkins for one in all 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 (similar to most locations within the Cotswolds) but it surely’s simply so picture-perfect. We find it irresistible.
It nearly 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 automobile 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 beautiful principal 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.
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 once you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automobile and nicely value taking a gander at this stunning city.
Read more: Best day trips in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Gradual-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 highway space and nicely value making a cease for a number 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 lot 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 slim alleys and thoroughfares was due to its wool heritage.
Apparently, these slim alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. In truth, I all the time thought it was because of a scarcity of planning!
Watever the case, once 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 Sweet Company for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Ensure that 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, in my view, 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, ensure 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 be held in Painswick to rejoice native artists that are nicely value trying out in case 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 case you love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel just a little quieter and smaller in comparison with a number of 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, take a look at The Market Corridor, which is open-walled, and is steeped in historical past. Additionally, close by, you’ll discover a number of cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which can be nicely value taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some pretty native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Previous 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 pretty and their tea is so good.
Read more: Best places in the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is true up there as one in all my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see once you’re travelling across the space.
Manner again, within the Center Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s financial system. Like a lot of 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 take a look at the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
In case you’re after some sometimes unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are among the finest in all the Cotswolds.
All want lashings of vinegar, after all!
To work off lunch, take a stroll across the folly that’s the Broadway Tower. It’s nicely 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 inside the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it’s not too removed from Broadway (round 10 minutes), so you possibly can go to each locations if in case you have the time.
One spot you need to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a massively historic pub which is 15 centuries previous 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 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 possibly can sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s pretty.
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 just a little 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 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 giant 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 Home.
We stayed for a number 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’ll want to 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 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 will probably 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 guide a keep, examine 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!
Read more: Prettiest places in England to visit
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