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 appeal that makes it so beautiful to discover – particularly inside the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which can be everywhere in 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 greatest explored by automotive or a part of a tour; which implies 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 needed 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 could’t miss.
Have an incredible 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 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 straightforward 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 highway journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
As soon as right here, remember to park up (there’s on-street parking on the primary highway) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it is likely to be a small place but it surely’s completely charming and attracts guests from everywhere in the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, remember to pop into the Swan Resort for a chunk to eat (or guide a room to remain the night time). The factor we love most in regards to the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your individual time – there’s no have to rush.
That being mentioned, in case you’re searching for a historic manor home keep, verify 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; remember to plan your route effectively in case you’re driving to all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. It’s fairly straightforward 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 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 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.
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 shocking a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows immediately via the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial 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 gained’t provide you with a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you notice 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 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 properly price exploring in case you’re venturing west in the direction of Oxford (that isn’t too far-off 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 ambiance.
As you wander round, be sure 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 remember to pop into Huffkins for considered one 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) but it surely’s simply so picture-perfect. We like it.
It nearly 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’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 primary streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Citadel Inn for a drink and verify into The Manor Home 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 automotive and properly price taking a gander at this stunning city.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Gradual-on-the-Wold is without doubt 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 primary highway space and properly price 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 Gradual-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 beautiful to see.
Now, somebody as soon as informed 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 all the time thought it was attributable to an absence 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 numerous 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 Candy Firm 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 without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the best way 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 appeal of the Cotswolds, typically. You may hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you’re keen on most.
As soon as right here, be sure that to pop into the Painswick Rococo Backyard which dates all the best way again to the 1700s. Additionally, remember to seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unbelievable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts competition can be held in Painswick to have a good time native artists that are properly price trying out in case you’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
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 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, take a look at 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 can be properly price taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some beautiful native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Outdated Silk Mill which at present 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 true up there as considered one of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see once 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 a number of cities within the Cotswolds. Although, these days, you gained’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, remember 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 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 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 you probably 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 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 appeal and heritage alive for us all to take pleasure in immediately.
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 just a little 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 go to, relationship again to the 1400s.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historic fort that after ignored this space, Tetbury is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively giant compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you’re keen on, take a look at 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 liked.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, remember to take a look at 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 which you could simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this will likely be like a 20-minute cease (until you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no have to go planning your complete 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 guide a keep, verify 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!
Learn extra: Prettiest locations in England to go to
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