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Discover the Cotswolds

Discover the best that the Cotswolds has to offer, from charming villages to stunning countryside walks. We’ve hand-picked a selection of local recommendations, so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your trip to this enchanting part of England.

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City of Dreaming Spires

Forget dusty museums and stuffy libraries. Oxford is a living, breathing testament to the power of knowledge. You can roam the ancient halls of Christ Church College, where Harry Potter first donned his wizarding robes, or peek into the Bodleian Library, where centuries of wisdom gather on dusty shelves.

A must-visit on your trip to the Cotswolds

Explore

The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in south-central England, stretching across six counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset.

It attracts thousands of visitors each year, with its honey-colored villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” for its little streams & grand stately homes like Blenheim Palace, the opulent birthplace of Winston Churchill. A hike or bike along the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile National Trail offers stunning scenery, or visitors can delve into the region’s rich history at medieval castles like Sudeley.

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FAQs

Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cotswolds getaway

What are the Cotswolds like?

Think rolling hills dotted with sheep and thatched-roof cottages. Country pubs with roaring fires and ivy-clad churches whispering tales of times gone by.

Picture quintessential English villages where time seems to have slowed down, replaced by the gentle clinking of teacups and the melodic moo of contented cows. That’s the Cotswolds.

What’s the best time to visit the Cotswolds?

Spring paints the Cotswolds in a riot of wildflowers, summer bathes it in golden sunshine, autumn cloaks it in fiery foliage, and winter transforms it into a frosted wonderland.

Each season has its charm, so choose your adventure! Spring (April-May) is perfect for rambles and pub lunches, summer (June-August) for picnics and village fetes, autumn (September-October) for cosy evenings and stunning leaf displays, and winter (November-March) for roaring fires and Christmas markets.

What are the must-see Cotswolds villages?

Castle Combe with its honey-coloured houses, Bourton-on-the-Water with its gentle river and stone bridges, Bibury with its Arlington Row cottages (once dubbed the prettiest street in England) – these are just a few of the Cotswolds’ many gems.

But don’t just stick to the honeypots! Quaint villages like Upper Slaughter, Lower Slaughter, and Stanton add their own magic to the mix.

What are the top Cotswolds attractions?

Blenheim Palace, the grand birthplace of Winston Churchill; the Roman Baths in Bath; Sudeley Castle, with its royal connections and Tudor gardens; and the Cotswolds Distillery, where gin-lovers can raise a glass to juniper-infused perfection.

These are just a taste – the Cotswolds are packed with historical houses, charming market towns, and stunning scenery waiting to be explored.

What should I pack for my trip to the Cotswolds?

Be sure to pack for all weather conditions, as the weather in the Cotswolds can change quickly. Pack comfortable shoes for walking, and don’t forget your raincoat and umbrella!

What’s the best time to visit the Cotswolds?

Spring paints the Cotswolds in a riot of wildflowers, summer bathes it in golden sunshine, autumn cloaks it in fiery foliage, and winter transforms it into a frosted wonderland.