The Cotswolds is a very beautiful 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 might be everywhere in the area.
Now, any plan to go to 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 important.
Over time, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous instances… and cherished 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 you could’t miss.
Have an incredible time exploring. It truly is a wonderful 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 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, be sure you park up (there’s on-street parking on the principle street) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it could be a small place however it’s completely charming and attracts guests from everywhere in the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, be sure you pop into the Swan Lodge for a chunk to eat (or guide a room to remain the evening). The factor we love most in regards to the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your personal time – there’s no must rush.
That being stated, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a historic manor home keep, test into the close by Barnsley Home which was first constructed within the 1600s.
It’s such a stunning spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; be sure you plan your route effectively if you happen to’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 possibly can embrace iconic cities like Bathtub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you too can embrace spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This manner, you’ll be capable 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.
Typically 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 instantly by means of the city.
After taking a stroll across the unbiased outlets and little streets, ensure 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 ensure that to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t overlook in regards to 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 effectively value exploring if you happen to’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 outlets, cafes and conventional English pubs. We cherished the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open hearth roaring and it’s such a wonderful ambiance.
As you wander round, ensure 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 must-see in Burford.
Oh, and be sure you pop into Huffkins for one in every of their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Oxford
4.) Citadel Combe
Situated in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Citadel 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) however it’s simply so picture-perfect. We find it irresistible.
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 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 most important streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Citadel 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 overlook to move 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 effectively value taking a gander at this lovely city.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Gradual-on-the-Wold is likely one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the principle street space and effectively value making a cease for a couple of hours round lunch.
Really, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon title of Gradual-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 a picture-perfect village that’s beautiful 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. Honestly, I at all times thought it was resulting from 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.
For those who’d like to buy, there are additionally varied outlets 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 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 likely one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, similar to a lot of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies an excellent few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, in my view, 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, be sure you seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unbelievable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts competition can also be held in Painswick to have fun native artists that are effectively value trying out if you happen to’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
Once you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly if you happen to love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being stated, Chipping Campden can really feel a bit of quieter and smaller in comparison with among the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. This is the reason 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 a couple of cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which might be effectively value taking a peek inside.
You should buy some beautiful 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 beautiful and their tea is so good.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is correct up there as one in every of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see once 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 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, be sure you try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
For those who’re after some usually 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, in fact!
To work off lunch, take a stroll across the folly that’s the Broadway Tower. It’s effectively 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 have the time.
One spot it’s important to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a massively historic pub which is 15 centuries outdated 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 allure and heritage alive for us all to take pleasure in right now.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you possibly can sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s beautiful.
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 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 bit of time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Citadel. The latter is a stately house which you’ll be able to go to, relationship 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 likely one of 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 cherished.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, be sure you try the Westonbirt, The Nationwide Arboretum. It’s a whopping tree backyard that dates again to Victorian instances.
We spent round 1 hour right here and cherished 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 you could simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this might be like a 20-minute cease (except you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no must go planning your complete day round The Slaughters.
Don’t overlook 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, 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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