Perhaps one of the most quintessentially ‘English’ areas in the UK, the Cotswolds covers almost 800 square miles, making it the largest officially designated area of outstanding natural beauty. Consisting of the six counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Bath and North East Somerset, the Cotswolds are well-known for their gentle hillsides (which are also known as ‘wolds’), in addition to beautiful river valleys, water meadows and beech woodlands. Scattered across the Cotswolds, the ancient, sleepy limestone villages and historic market towns make the area a mecca for visitors from all over the world.
Things to do in the Cotswolds You might be mistaken for thinking that cream teas and gentle countryside walks are the total sum of Cotswold pursuits, although they are undoubtedly high on the agenda for many visitors. Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Banbury and Evesham draw many tourists to view the historic colleges and fine churches, whilst the smaller ‘picture postcard’ market towns and villages of the Cotswolds are some of the most photographed locations in the UK. The Roman Fosse Way runs diagonally, north-south across the region, in its entirety linking Lincoln in the north east to Exeter in the south west, and takes in some of the prettiest Cotswold areas, including Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Top Destinations
Bicester– In north east Oxfordshire, Bicester enjoys excellent road and rail links, which have made the ancient market town a perfect location for modern shoppers. Not only do the traditional Market Square and historic Sheep Street still draw visitors, but the siting of a designer retail outlet centre and of one of the largest garden centres in the UK, in two separate locations just outside the town, mean that the retail success and prosperity of the area has continued into the 21st century.
Broadway – The ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’ is one of the most beautiful of local villages, with a wide High Street lined with horse chestnut trees and the typical, honey-coloured Cotswold stone cottages, which still draw visitors from far and wide. Just outside the village, on the site of an ancient local beacon, the imposing structure of Broadway Tower commands architectural admiration from across the county. Created as a folly by Capability Brown, the Tower was once a celebrated retreat for Pre-Raphaelite artists; today it houses an ever-changing programme of local exhibitions. Broadway Tower is located on one of the most outstanding viewpoints in England, and is the second highest point on the Cotswold escarpment.
Wootton-under-Edge – At the southern reaches of the Cotswolds, equidistant from Gloucester, Bristol, Cheltenham and Bath, the picturesque town of Wootton-under-Edge is crossed by the Cotswolds Way National Trail, a 102-mile long-distance footpath, which runs along the Cotswold Edge escarpment.
Bourton-on-the-Water– Sometimes described as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds for its obvious proximity to the waterside, straddling the River Windrush, Bourton is one of the most popular stops for local visitors. Nearby, the internationally renowned gardens at Hidcote Manor are run by the National Trust, and are particularly celebrated by horticulturalists for being the first place where the concept and creation of ‘garden rooms’ was demonstrated.
Chipping Campden– A lovely small town, with a main street which curves in a shallow arc, lined with a succession of fine ancient houses, each one demonstrating its own distinctive style. Chipping Campden was once one of the most important wool towns in Europe and its former wealth is still visible in the form of the glorious church of St James, its magnificent 36 metre tower making it one of the finest ‘wool’ churches in the Cotswolds. It is also the home of the largest church brass in England.
Tetbury– Another celebrated Cotswold ‘wool town’, this one on the site of an ancient hill fort, Tetbury Church is noted for having one of the tallest spires in England. The Tetbury Town Trail is a more recent innovation, but one which invites visitors to learn more about what makes this town a designated outstanding conservation area.
Moreton-in-Marsh – Situated on the Fosse Way, and one of the principal market towns in the northern Cotswolds, Moreton-in-Marsh has its origins as a coaching station in the days before the introduction of the railways in the mid 1850s. The father of the famous Mitford sisters, Lord Redesdale, lived at the nearby Batsford House. The first Baron Redesdale was responsible for constructing his eponymous Market Hall in the centre of the town in 1887, and it is still one of the finest and most striking buildings in the area.
Cirencester – Once the Roman town of Corinium, Cirencester lies on the River Churn, on the lower slopes of the Cotswold Hills. As you might expect, given its origins, its Corinium Museum houses an extensive collection of Roman artefacts, and several Roman villas have been found in the surrounding area. Although it has only been partially excavated, the Roman amphitheatre still exists to the south west of the town. By the end of the 18th century the position of the town at the centre of a network of turnpike roads meant that it enjoyed a thriving local economy, which was further enhanced by the opening of a branch of the Thames and Severn Canal, and later by a train track link to the Great Western Railway.
This cosy detached, beamed 200-year-old cottage, with a delightful west facing garden with views over the Berkshire Downs, nestles in a small hamlet outside historic Abingdon and a few miles from Oxford. On the banks of ...
BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE IN TETBURY, THE COTSWOLD ANTIQUE HUNTER'S PARADISE
This pretty three hundred year old Cotswold Stone Townhouse is a unique holiday home in the very centre of Tetbury, the famous woolen ...
5 star luxury self-catering Cotswold holiday cottage for 2 is dog friendly and dates back to the 17th century with traditional beams, stone flagged floors and traditional Ironstone construction. This romantic holiday ...
Fordwells Farm Barns, Fordwells, Nr Leafield, Witney, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
Daddy Barn, Mummy Barn and Baby Barn! near Burford
Available individually or together. Three detached stone barn conversions, sleeping up to 15 people, grouped around a traditional courtyard, in a glorious rural position, ...
2 Manor Farm Cottages has a Visit Britain Gold Award. It's a beautiful Grade II listed cottage which sleeps four and is situated in peaceful countryside on a quiet private road.
It is approximately 20 minutes walk ...
Barley Cottage, Winchcombe, nr. Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Situated in the thriving Cotswold town of Winchcombe, Barley Cottage is in the perfect location, on a main road, for exploring the Cotswolds, with a choice of pubs plus a well respected Michelin-starred restaurant just a ...
The Granary, Wickwar, nr. Wotton-under-Edge, Lydney, Gloucestershire
Surrounded by 140 acres of unspoilt, natural countryside, The Granary is the perfect location for guests wishing to travel with family or friends and enjoy accommodation of a very high standard. The detached holiday barn ...
Foxes Manor sits within a very secluded setting at the end of a quiet lane, but has a gate leading on to a pathway with easy access to the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, ofter referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds. ...
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this very comfortably converted 18th-century coach house sits with its own little garden in popular Blockley, a most attractive village set in typical rolling Cotswold countryside ...
Keepers Lodge, Guiting Power, nr. Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
This detached fully refurbished Cotswold stone cottage in idyllic surroundings has unspoilt countryside views from every aspect. Set in the grounds of the owner's own Grade II listed home, it offers the perfect setting for ...
...by sandy knolls and chalk-stone cliffs, the verdant county of Buckinghamshire yields unlimited opportunities for exploration. A patchwork of golden meadows and thick wooded forests, the narrow Vale of Aylesbury retains a quintessentially English charm, famed for its agricultural...
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This end-terrace holiday cottage is situated in the picturesque village of Combe and is the perfect location for guests wishing to explore the countryside. The Cotswolds are renowned for public footpaths, cycle paths and ...
5 star luxury self-catering Cotswold holiday cottage for 2 is dog friendly and dates back to the 17th century with traditional beams, stone flagged floors and traditional Ironstone construction. This romantic holiday ...
2 Manor Farm Cottages has a Visit Britain Gold Award. It's a beautiful Grade II listed cottage which sleeps four and is situated in peaceful countryside on a quiet private road.
It is approximately 20 minutes walk ...
2 Manor Farm Cottages has a Visit Britain Gold Award. It's a beautiful Grade II listed cottage which sleeps four and is situated in peaceful countryside on a quiet private road.
It is approximately 20 minutes walk ...
6 Manor Cottages, Stretton on Fosse, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Well-appointed terraced holiday cottage set in the heart of a pretty village on the northern edge of the Cotswolds. Major attractions at Stratford-upon-Avon, 12 miles, Chipping Campden, 5 miles, Broadway, 11 miles, ...
Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, this charming cottage enjoys a secluded and peaceful position, within a few minutes' walk of the town's bustling market square, antique galleries, interesting shops, restaurants and pubs. ...
Apartment 3, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
All the holiday apartments are decorated and furnished to exacting standards, with nature being integral to the design and finish. Large expanses of glass deliver superb views (lake views not guaranteed) and clever use is ...
Apartment 4, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
All the holiday apartments are decorated and furnished to exacting standards, with nature being integral to the design and finish. Large expanses of glass deliver superb views (lake views not guaranteed) and clever use is ...
Apartment 7, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Set in the spectacular Cotswold Water Park, these exclusive ground, first and second floor apartments enjoy an unsurpassed setting of lakes, wetlands and grassland. Each apartment is decorated and furnished to exacting ...
This raised ground floor, modern holiday apartment is ideally situated within walking distance of Regency Cheltenham and easy reach of the racecourse. There are many well-renowned festivals and pretty, honey-coloured, ...
Situated just outside the beautiful Cotswold market town of Winchcombe, Stable Yard holiday Cottages is a group of three well presented holiday cottages and a studio apartment, in a peaceful location. Ideally placed for ...
Back Lodge, Kiftsgate, Chipping Campden, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
This late 19th-century, detached holiday cottage occupies a most enviable location, amid its own mature gardens. Far-reaching countryside views can be savoured from the refurbished, well-presented interior. A short stroll ...
This pretty little stone cottage, set by a quiet lane at the edge of the village surrounded by the owner's farm, has been carefully and very attractively designed and furnished to make a comfortable and cosy home. Only ...
Historic Painswick, known as the 'Queen of the Cotswolds,' nestles quietly in the beautiful hills of Gloucestershire. These two, very well-appointed holiday cottages (ref 28350 and ref 28351), both with enclosed gardens, ...
These two holiday cottages are situated on a working dairy farm within the grounds of a medieval priory. They retain many original features, whilst Blossom Cottage boasts a hot tub. With farm nature trails and walks, these ...
Perfectly positioned in the heart of the Cotswold village of Broadway, this detached holiday cottage is in the ideal location to explore this stunning destination. Only a 2-minute walk into the village centre with tea and ...
This 200-year-old Cotswold stone cottage is set only a few yards from the high street in Broadway. One of a row, it provides an excellent holiday setting for guests wishing to explore Broadway's antique shops, galleries, ...
Brierley provides a peaceful holiday retreat, on the edge of a residential estate. It is warm and comfortable and the south-facing garden overlooks a small orchard. The conservation park is only a short stroll away, and in ...
Brook Cottage, Sevenhampton, nr. Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
This delightful cottage is idyllically situated within the picturesque hamlet of Sevenhampton and lies adjacent to a ford, with a brook running through its lovely garden. Adjoining another property, it offers character ...
Located right at the heart of Broadway village, on the high street itself, Chancewell, one of a row, is a holiday apartment in a dream location for guests wishing to explore the local area. Considered one of the most ...
Chapel Cottage, Chedworth, nr. Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
This converted Sunday school was built in 1906 and offers ideal holiday accommodation. Chapel Cottage is attached to the owner's home, which is the original chapel built in 1804. It is on the edge of the village, ...
Cotteswold Cottage, originally a barn, dates back around 400 years. Extensively renovated, it provides a smart holiday base. With a delightful market square, Northleach was given its charter by King Henry III in 1227 and ...
This traditional holiday cottage wing of the owners home, set in 8 acres, is furnished and equipped to a good standard. Situated in the hamlet of Lower Lemington, about 11/2 miles from Moreton-in-Marsh with shops, ...
This holiday cottage, attached to the owner's property, is situated in a rural location between the villages of Long Compton and Barton-on-the-Heath. There are public footpaths and cycle paths that lead through the village ...
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this very comfortably converted 18th-century coach house sits with its own little garden in popular Blockley, a most attractive village set in typical rolling Cotswold countryside ...
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this very comfortably converted 18th-century coach house sits with its own little garden in popular Blockley, a most attractive village set in typical rolling Cotswold countryside ...
This former farm building has been sympathetically restored, furnished and decorated in a contemporary style, retaining many original features and beams. Single storey and detached, it is set within a small cluster of ...
This pretty, thatched holiday cottage with far reaching views is located just 400 yards from the heart of beautiful Broadway. One of a pair, built in the 15th century, this half-timbered property has undergone total ...
Set in a courtyard of a row of cottages and barn conversions, Dairy Cottage has undergone renovation and provides an excellent comfortable base for touring the Cotswolds. Within easy walking distance of Longborough with ...
Set on the owners busy pastoral farm is this very attractive, detached property. Enjoying its own furnished garden, Daisy Cottage feels very rural in its setting, yet is only moments away from the renowned village of ...
United Kingdom cottages
