It’s time to discover the Cotswolds. This corner of England is officially listed as one of the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty — and with a trip there, you’ll soon see why. This charming rural spot offers a slower pace of life. The green, romantic surroundings will transport you back in time to an era when life was gentler and simpler — just what you need when you want to get away from it all.
This picturesque village is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds. Well, we can’t promise gondolas, but you’re sure to have a fabulous time in this quiet waterside town. Enjoy a picnic on the banks of the River Windrush or take a stroll around town, admiring the 18th-century stone bridges that crisscross over the water.
Bourton on the Water is also home to some of the most interesting attractions in the Cotswolds. On a sunny day, visit the Dragonfly Maze, one of the UK’s best-loved hedge mazes, or Birdland Park and Gardens, which is a twitcher’s paradise. Even if it rains, there are great options. You can visit a museum in Bourton on the Water, like the Cotswold Motoring Museum, home to a host of rare and intriguing classic cars. Even if you’re not much of a car buff, you’ll find some great photo opportunities in front of these unusual vehicles.
One of the quirkiest sights in Bourton on the Water is the Model Village, a 1/9th scale village designed to represent life in the 1930s. This is the UK’s only Grade II listed model village, and it’s one of our favourite things to see in the Cotswolds. You’ll feel like a giant as you crouch down to admire the incredibly detailed model houses, bakeries, shops and so on. Peer into each building to see tiny models of villagers, including little choirs singing inside both of the village’s churches. After admiring the models, take a stroll around town and play a game of spot the difference, seeing how things have changed since the 1930s.
Cirencester
Cirencester is considered the capital of the Cotswolds, but it’s not as popular with tourists as some of the smaller villages nearby. Nevertheless, we think it’s well worth a visit. A traditional English market town, Cirencester actually has a long history that stretches all the way back to the Ancient Romans. In fact, it was once the second-largest settlement in Roman Britain, beaten only by Londinium or, as we know it nowadays, London. You can learn more about it with a trip to the Corinium Museum, which collects artefacts from the old Roman settlement that once stood here. There’s also the Cirencester Amphitheatre, where the Romans once gathered for live entertainment — but very little remains of it, and today it’s a park.
Other sights worth visiting in the town include the stately home of Cirencester Park, with its elegant manicured lawns, and Cotswold Water Park, one of the UK’s few attractions for those who want to get wet and wild. Check out the town’s open-air swimming pool, too. You might only really be able to use it for a few weeks a year, but if you visit at the right time, you’ll love it! All in all, we definitely think that Cirencester is one of the best places to see in the Cotswolds.
Castle Combe
Castle Combe should be on every traveller’s list of things to see in the Cotswolds. In fact, it’s often considered the most beautiful village in the area. We’ll let you make up your own mind on that one. If you’re looking for a traditional English village, then Castle Combe is the place for you. It’s a little more sophisticated than its traditional exteriors might suggest, though — you’ll even find Michelin-starred restaurants tucked away behind those classic stone façades.
As you wander the streets of Castle Combe, don’t miss Water Street. This picturesque riverside lane is one of the most popular photo spots in the village. Stop there for a couple of snaps before heading to a traditional pub for a classic English lunch.
The village is also home to the Castle Combe Circuit, one of the most unusual and interesting attractions in the region. This racecourse hosts all kinds of motor races, from cars and motorbikes to vintage buses. Check out the calendar to see what’s on while you’re in the area.
Stow on the Wold
Even the name, Stow on the Wold, is fabulously evocative — and the village, with its delightful old-world charm, does exactly what it says on the tin. Pay a visit to St Edward’s Church. This mediaeval church, with its mossy walls and ancient trees, looks like it has been ripped from the pages of a storybook. If you’re looking for great photo opportunities, it’s really hard to beat. Any budding Instagrammer should add it to their personal list of things to see in the Cotswolds.
Stow on the Wold is also known as the local capital of art and antiques. There are several galleries scattered around the village, as well as antique shops with all kinds of eclectic offerings. For anyone who wants a quiet, peaceful weekend in a sleepy, traditional village, Stow on the Wold is where to go. Enjoy a full English breakfast in Stow on the Wold to start your day, then spend a few happy hours pottering about the galleries and antique shops. Finish the day with a stroll through the greenery on the outskirts of town.
Bibury
William Morris, the legendary 19th-century British textile designer, once called Bibury the most beautiful village in England. There are several other Cotswold villages that can give it a run for its money — but we reckon Bibury is still as beautiful today as it was back when Morris travelled there for inspiration.
Take a walk down Arlington Row, lined with stone cottages with traditional slate roofs. This delightful street may look like it hasn’t changed in centuries, but remember that it is still a residential street, so don’t be tempted to peek into the windows! You don’t need to look inside to start daydreaming about what it would be like to live in one of those charming old cottages.
Bibury also has a surprisingly interesting trout farm. That may not sound like your idea of a fun holiday attraction, but we love the opportunity to go fishing. You can wander around the pretty grounds or toss some fish food into the water and watch the trout eat. We reckon it’s almost like a form of meditation, and it’s a great way to ensure you’re feeling calm and peaceful before you finish your holiday.
Burford
Burford is yet another charming, old-fashioned village, but that’s not the only reason we think it’s one of the best things to see in the Cotswolds. It has the usual array of small, independent art galleries, along with cafés, pubs and shops — but that’s not all. This town has a number of unusual attractions, making it a good choice for anyone who fancies something a bit different for a day out.
In fact, we reckon you’ll find some of the most fun things to do in the Cotswolds in Burford. Try the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, which blends a traditional English manor house with the African savannah. Watching rhinos, zebras and giraffes grazing on the lawns of a stately home is a truly surreal sight. A small tourist train takes you all the way around the park. This is the only way you’ll be able to enjoy an African safari in the heart of the Cotswolds.
If that’s not enough animals for you, pay a visit to Crocodiles of the World. In this spine-tingling, reptile-focused attraction, you’ll be able to watch crocodiles being fed and swimming around underwater. Besides big crocs, this animal park is also home to giant Galapagos tortoises, Komodo dragons, meerkats and more. You can get up close and personal with some truly remarkable animals. It’s the kind of experience you might not expect to find in a sleepy, peaceful English village, but you’re sure to enjoy it.
Painswick
Painswick proudly bears the nickname of Queen of the Cotswolds, thanks to its remarkable architecture and stunning scenery. As well as the stone cottages that are characteristic of the Cotswolds, you’ll see Tudor timbered buildings that make great photo backgrounds. The buildings alone make Painswick one of the best things to see in the Cotswolds.
Other sights worth seeing in Painswick include St Mary’s Church. With 1,000 years of history behind it, this church is a charming sight. Admire its unique, sharp steeple and take a walk through the grounds, where 99 yew trees grow. As you explore the church, watch out for the 17th-century battle scars. The building was occupied by both sides during the English Civil War. There are still marks to be seen from the fighting.
With its delicate gazebos, rolling lawns and colourful floral displays, the 18th-century Rococo Garden is another highlight of Painswick. During the summer months, the garden transforms into an outdoor theatre, with concerts and plays put on in the evenings. It’s worth visiting at any time of year, though. There are lots of hidden details and unexpected, whimsical sights lurking around corners. So be sure to allow yourself enough time to thoroughly explore it.
The Cotswold Way
Want to stretch your legs? Then try the Cotswold Way. This long-distance trail runs for 164 kilometres. All the way from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to the famous Roman town of Bath. The route follows the rolling Cotswold Hills, taking you across pastures, into woodlands, and through some of the area’s prettiest villages.
Many of the most interesting things to see in the Cotswolds can be found on this walking route. Neolithic burial barrows rub shoulders with elegant, stately homes and English Civil War battlefields. This route has been popular with walkers for more than 50 years and is one of the best things to do in the Cotswolds if you love the great outdoors.
It’ll take you around 15 days to complete the full Cotswold Way. The trails are suitable for all ages and fitness levels, but you’ll need to be prepared for some steep uphill sections as you cross the hilly terrain. If you don’t have time for the entire route, there are several shorter Cotswold Way circular walks to choose from. These will usually take you just two or three hours. Do one in the morning before sitting down to a hearty lunch in a local pub.
Broadway
No, not the one in New York. This delightful village couldn’t be further from the Big Apple if it tried. It’s a quiet, rustic spot with stone houses that look like they’ve come from a postcard. The main attraction here is Broadway Tower, built at the very end of the 18th century. It was commissioned by the Earl of Coventry as a romantic gesture for his wife, making it a kind of Cotswold Taj Mahal. Built by the legendary Capability Brown, this tower is perched high on a hill, offering gorgeous, sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The grounds are home to a herd of red deer, and oddly enough, there’s a nuclear bunker on the grounds. Just to be on the safe side, we guess!
The Cotswolds are packed with picturesque spots. But we reckon that the lavender fields located on the outskirts of Broadway might just be the prettiest of all. This is one of the best places to see in the Cotswolds — but that being said, keep in mind that it’s highly seasonal. The lavender blooms in July, transforming the fields into an incredible sea of purple. At other times of year, you might not even realise what plants are growing in the fields.
Moreton in Marsh
Last, but not least, the market town of Moreton in Marsh is home to several of the best things to see in the Cotswolds. Like the other towns on our list, this is a charming place with an old-world feel. One of its major advantages is that it boasts a train station, making it easier to get to than some of the more remote villages in the region.
Moreton in Marsh has a number of impressive stately homes with rolling gardens, including Bourton House and Sezincote House. The Moreton Gallery is a wonderful place to admire local artwork and pick up some unique souvenirs. It features paintings, ceramics, textile works, sculptures and other cool, quirky pieces.
While in town, you can also check out the Cotswold Falconry Centre. There are over 60 species of birds of prey here. Some take part in daily flying demonstrations, allowing you to see how falconry is traditionally practised in England. Others can be admired from a distance. Falcons, eagles, hawks, owls and more all live in the centre, making it a great day out for animal lovers.
Why not join us for a quick tour of the Cotswolds? Our express tour will take you to places like Stow on the Wold, Cirencester, Burford, Bibury and Castle Combe. And all in just five days. We’ve planned the perfect route, allowing you to enjoy the best of the Cotswolds in a short time. Plus, you’ll have all the fun of a group trip, which we reckon is the best way to make new travelling friends. Let’s visit one of the prettiest parts of England together.
