The Cotswolds is a completely 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 Tub 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 are 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 linked 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.
Through the years, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous instances… and beloved 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 that you could’t miss.
Have a tremendous time exploring. It truly is a ravishing 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 highway journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
As soon as right here, you should definitely park up (there’s on-street parking on the principle highway) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it may be a small place however it’s completely charming and attracts guests from everywhere in the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, you should definitely pop into the Swan Lodge for a chunk to eat (or e book 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 mentioned, when you’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 beautiful spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; you should definitely plan your route effectively when 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 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 embody iconic cities like Tub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you can too embody spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This fashion, 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.
Generally 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 surprising a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows instantly by the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial retailers and little streets, be sure that to pop into one of many little tea rooms that line the road.
You’ll discover fairly just a few 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
Referred to as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s properly price exploring when you’re venturing west in direction of Oxford (that isn’t too far-off in any respect).
Nestled throughout the streets of Burford are loads of little retailers, cafes and conventional English pubs. We beloved the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open fireplace roaring and it’s such a ravishing environment.
As you wander round, be sure that to identify a few of the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this space is understood for. Oh, and the 12th-century church (St. John the Baptist) which can be a must-see in Burford.
Oh, and you should definitely 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 (identical 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 seems 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 primary 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 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 while you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automobile and properly price 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 among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the principle highway space and properly price making a cease for just a few 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 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 advised 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 on account of a scarcity of planning!
Watever the case, while 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.
If you happen to’d like to buy, there are additionally numerous retailers 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 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 among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the best way south from Gloucester.
Now, identical to many of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies a great few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, for my part, is a part of the allure 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, you should definitely 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 rejoice native artists that are properly price testing when you’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
Whenever you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly when you love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel slightly quieter and smaller in comparison with a few of the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. Because of this 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 just a few cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which are properly price taking a peek inside.
You should purchase 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 house 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 one in every of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see while you’re travelling across the space.
Means 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, you should definitely try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
If you happen to’re after some usually unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are top-of-the-line 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 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 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 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 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 at present.
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 retailers and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are a number of little rooms and a quaint tea room the place you possibly can simply spend slightly 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, courting 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 among the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively massive compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you’re keen on, try the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market Home.
We stayed for just a few 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 beloved.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, you should definitely 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 beloved 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 that you could simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this shall 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 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 e book 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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