Guide to Visiting the Cotswolds, England
Many who watched the popular “Bridgerton” TV series based on the Julia Quinn novels got a glimpse of the picturesque landscapes and immediately considered visiting the Cotswolds. Even if you didn’t watch, you’ve probably seen it in quintessential images of the English countryside. While its postcard-perfect looks draw many, beyond that, you might wonder why you should visit. From the reasons the Cotswolds should be on your bucket list, to the best places to visit, things to do, where to dine, and where to stay, this guide reveals it all.
Why the Cotswolds?
Before we dive into the ins and outs of visiting the Cotswolds, you’ll want to know a little bit more about the region and why you should go. Recognized as an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” it covers nearly 800 square miles of countryside, from the upper River Thames to the Severn Valley. It’s known for its picturesque winding lanes that travel through lush rolling hills, fields of colorful wildflowers, and 50 picturesque towns and villages, many built using honey-hued Cotswold stone. With its scenery and atmospheric charms, it’s no surprise that visiting the Cotswolds is one of the most popular things to do for tourists in England.
Where Are the Cotswolds?
This region of England is located in the southwest of the country, about 100 miles from London. The southernmost corner of the Cotswolds starts just outside the city of Bath, and extends north and east from there. While the easiest way to reach the Cotswolds is by car from London, the region is also accessible by train. You can even fly into Cotswold Airport, located in Kemble, Gloucestershire, which makes sense if visiting the Cotswolds is your primary focus
Villages in the Cotswolds
While there are over 50 villages to choose from when visiting the Cotswolds, there are several that stand out, including these, our favorites.
Bourton-on-the-Water
As the name suggests, this Cotswolds village is located on the water, specifically, the River Windrush. This town is known for its five stone bridges (the oldest of which was built in 1654) , earning Bourton-on-the-Water the nickname “Venice of the Cotswolds.” It’s often regarded as one of the prettiest towns in all of England, attracting visitors to explore the Birdland Parks and Gardens, a diverse selection of local stores, interesting museums, and scenic walking paths.
The Slaughters
These two Cotswolds villages near Bourton-on-the-Water are known collectively as The Slaughters, made up of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter, andconnected by the River Eye. Although Lower Slaughter is better known, Upper Slaughter has a lot to offer as well, most notably, a grand manor and other historic buildings, along with various footbridges and paths. Lower Slaughter is home to an old mill museum, England’s “most romantic street,” Copsehill Road, and the Cotswold Farm Park, where families can stay in lodges or luxurious tents on farm property.
Chipping Camden
Chipping Campden is often called the “Jewel of the Cotswolds,” thanks to its central market square, historical landmarks like Old Campden House and the Almshouses, and its picture-perfect gardens. The Chipping Campden Open Gardens event is an annual highlight when many private homes open their gardens to the public. While in town, be sure to take a stroll through Chipping Campden High Street!
Bibury
Bibury is located a short drive away from the Cotswolds capital of Cirencester. This is another one of the villages that really shouldn’t be missed when visiting the Cotswolds, often noted as one of England’s most beautiful. That comes partially thanks to Arlington Row, an Instagram-worthy lane lined with quaint cottages that look as if it materialized from the pages of a storybook. Thanks to its convenient location, Bibury can easily be incorporated into a trip to Cirencester and Burford.
Tetbury
Tetbury is the second-largest village in the Cotswolds and has managed to retain much of its 16th and 17th-century spirit. It’s home to the Market House, which has long served as the community gathering place, a quirky collection of antique shops, and events like the Woolsack Races, a tradition maintained over the last three centuries in which participants run up a hill carrying wool sacks. The town is also home to Highgrove, one of King Charles’ homes, with garden tours available in the spring, summer, and early fall.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
This medieval market townis best known as the birthplace and burial site of the playwright William Shakespeare. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, it should be at the top of your list when visiting the Cotswolds. You can visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage where he wooed his future wife, his daughter’s former home, or even his grave. Other attractions include the Bancroft Gardens, outdoor activities on the canal, the Stratford Butterfly Farm, the classic theater, and more.
Winchcombe
A medieval Saxon town in a scenic valley, Winchcombe is another place where time seems to stand still. Wander streets lined with shops and cottages, visit the 15th-century St. Peters Church, and check out Sudeley Castle, home to 10 incredible gardens on a 1,200-acre parcel of land in the hills. You can take a guided tour of the grounds, dine in the castle’s cafe, or even book the property for your next event.
Oxford
You’ve surely heard of Oxford University, which is located at the eastern edge of the Cotswolds in the town of the same name It’s the world’s oldest university in the English-speaking world, with evidence of teaching as far back as the 11th century. It also hosts four museums, most notably the Ashmolean Museum, the oldest in Britain. The many other highlights include the Botanic Garden and the Covered Market, a foodie’s paradise. While you’re wandering around, be sure to keep an eye out for locations you’ll recognize from the Harry Potter films, like the Bodleian Library with the hall that served as Hogwarts Infirmary.
Bath
Some scenes in season 1 of Bridgerton were filmed in Bath, acity at the southern end of the Cotswolds famous for its Roman baths. If you’re a Bridgerton fan, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the series, with the scenes of people walking around “London” actually filmed here, while the Modiste dress shop served as The Abbey Deli. You may also want to visit the Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and The Jane Austen Centre. Bath has a strong connection to the English novelist who wrote Pride & Prejudice and other popular works.
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Things to Do in the Cotswolds
When visiting the Cotswolds it’s nearly impossible to run out of things to see and do, this is just a taste to inspire your Cotswolds, England vacation.
- Go Town Hopping.Each village in the Cotswolds has its own unique character, and they’re all worth a visit. You could spend your entire trip in the region just hopping from one town to another!
- Spend Time in Nature. England is known for its walking paths, and the Cotswolds region has plenty. If you’re interested in what the British call a “walking holiday,” head out on the Cotswold Way, a 100-mile trail that travels between Chipping Campden and Bath. You can also rent a canoe and paddle the region’s rivers, hop on a bike to explore the countryside on two wheels, or visit one of the region’s many gardens, each more beautiful than the next.
- See Real-Life Film Sets. Whether you’re a Bridgertonor Harry Potter fan, there are plenty of filming locations you can visit in the Cotswolds. Immerse yourself in the fictional worlds of both Harry Potter and Bridgerton with a visit to Bath, or imagine moving in with Daphne and Simon at Badminton House! Some of the steamiest scenes in season 3 of Bridgerton are filmed at Blenheim Castle, which made its Bridgerton debut as part of the Queen Charlotte prequel.
- Relax at a Spa. With its gorgeous scenery and old-world charm, it may not come as a surprise that the Cotswolds region is home to a number of day spas. Let LuxEuropebook a relaxing massage to soothe weary feet and muscles, or pamper you with a treatment at one of the many Cotswolds spas. You won’t find a more tranquil spa setting!
- Attend a Festival. The Cotswolds is a quiet, rural region, but it’s also home to a number of exciting festivals throughout the year. That includes the Wilderness music festival, the Cotswold Beer Festival,the Cotswold Big Swim Festival race, and more.
Where to Stay in the Cotswolds
There is no shortage of places to stay when visiting the Cotswolds region.
Let us book your accommodation, whether at an upscale hotel, a room at a magnificent luxury villa, a family-run bed and breakfast, a quaint inn, or even a private cottage.
Restaurants in the Cotswolds
England may not be known for its cuisine, but there are lots of great restaurants in the Cotswolds. Some of the best pubs in the Cotswolds include The Bell Inn (thought to have served as J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for The Prancing Pony pub in the Lord of the Rings series) and the classic The Wild Rabbit at Kingham, where fine dining meets an old-school British pub. At The Swan in Bibury, chow down on a modern menu or try a Sunday Lunch, complete with typical dishes like sirloin with cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire pudding.
Book a Trip to the Cotswolds
If you’re dreaming of a vacation in England, don’t miss out on the Cotswolds. Rather than taking on the research and planning for yourself, get in touch with us and we’ll use our decades of experience to craft a bespoke itinerary that shows off the best of the Cotswolds, England. Interested in learning more? Send us a message!
Your LuxEurope travel designer will curate an itinerary that ensures you experience the very best that London and the countryside, including the famous Cotswolds, have to offer. Reach out and start the process today.
