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The Cotswolds are a beautiful part of Southern England, with picturesque villages and towns full of quaint cottages, gift shops and tea rooms. There are so many areas to discover, however, here are my top 10 most beautiful places to visit in the Cotswolds
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Looking for another great getaway in the UK? Check out my posts on The best things to do in Edinburgh and how to spend a long weekend in Dorset.
10 beautiful places to visit in the Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds makes for a great day out, wandering around the beautiful towns and villages, stopping for tea and cake in a little tea room, or maybe a hearty Sunday lunch in one of the many pubs.
There are so many great places to visit in the Cotswolds, but I’ve narrowed it down to 9 of my favourite towns and villages and created this short, handy guide to help you choose where to visit in the Cotswolds, covering the best things to see and do in each place.
If you’ve got more time, why not make a weekend of it and visit several of the best places the Cotswolds has to offer over a couple of days or combine it with a longer break to the nearby Roman city of Bath
1. Broadway
What is there to do in Broadway?
Broadway is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds and is most famous for the Broadway tower, an English Heritage Tower envisioned by 18th-century landscape designer, “Capability Brown”. Broadway is not a large village, but you could happily spend a leisurely day or half a day here.
Visit Broadway Tower
The tower sits on Beacon hill, which is just a short walk uphill from the main street of Broadway, and from the top of Beacon hill, you get great views over the surrounding area. From the Broadway tower, take the path for a short stroll around the deer park, before stopping back at the cafe. If walking up the hill to Beacon hill is not an option for you, you can drive there and there is parking by the cafe.
Broadway High street
Broadway is a pretty village with a small, yet lively, high street. The high street is lined with independent shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Enjoy a short stroll around the village followed by a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea in one of the cafes.
Walking in Broadway
If you fancy something a little more active, there are plenty of walking trails around Broadway, especially as The Cotswolds Way National Trail runs right past the village. Two of the more popular routes from Broadway are to Snowshill and Broadway Tower.
To reach Snowshill, head South along the Cotswolds way, stopping at Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property with beautiful gardens. From Snowshill, you can continue onto Stanton, before completing the full circle back to Broadway.
Or, walk up the hill from Broadway highstreet to Broadway Tower. From here you can get great views over the town and countryside and enjoy the cafe at the top. To extend your walk, you can pick up The Cotswolds way from the tower and walk towards the town of Chipping Campden.
Where's the best place to stay in Broadway?
The Lygon Arms hotel sits in the centre of the high street and is a great place for a romantic getaway. (Not to be confused with the Lygon Arms in Chipping Campden, which is more of a traditional coaching Inn).
If you are looking for something a little more budget-friendly, there are plenty of alternative accommodation options, including many guest houses and cottages.
Where's the best place to eat in Broadway?
Broadway has some great cafes, restaurants, and pubs to choose from. If you fancy something more upscale, the Lyon Arms Grill and wine bar is a good choice. If it’s a sunny day, The Broadway hotel has a great outside seating area so you can watch the world go by. The Swan pub and The Broadway Indian are also great choices for evening meals. I can also recommend Russell’s fish & chips for a takeaway option!
2. Winchcombe
What is there to do in Winchcombe?
Winchcombe is a small Anglo-Saxon town, sat between the lively town of Cheltenham and Broadway, and is known for being a great base for walkers! Not only does the Cotswold Way pass through the town, but there is also the 42 mile Winchcombe Way and the shorter 14 mile Isbourne Way, which follows the river. The Windrush Way, The Wardens Way, and The Gardens Way also all cross through the town and each May there is an annual 3 day walking festival which comprises many different walks, all led by local guides.
Walking in Winchcombe
One of the best things to do in Winchcombe is to walk the Cotswolds Way to Cleeve Common – the largest common in the Cotswolds. The 455 hectare common is a biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are two car parks on either side of the common if you prefer to drive here instead of walk. We picked a spot along the Cotswolds Way for a picnic – just watch out for the sheep poo! The golf club near the quarry is open to the public and a great place to grab a drink or bite to eat (and use the toilet!).
From Cleeve Common, continue along the Cotswolds Way until it eventually meets Isbourne Way – follow the Isbourne Way back to Winchcombe to finish the 15km circular walk and a great day out!
What else is there to do in Winchcombe?
The town of Winchcombe is quite small, but there are a couple of nice cafes and pubs for a drink and if you fancy a break away from walking. One of the best things to do in Winchcombe is to visit the impressive Sudeley Castle. This impressive castle has beautiful landscaped gardens which you can wander around, too.
3. Chipping Campden
What is there to do in Chipping Campden?
Chipping Campden is one of the most popular and picturesque Cotswolds towns, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite the lively calendar of events and many restaurants, the town has retained its historic charm, making it a great place to base yourself whilst staying in the Cotswolds.
The high street is full of delis, cafes, pubs, and restaurants as well as small boutiques selling gifts and items for the home. In the centre of the high street is the iconic market hall, built in 1627 and at the end of the same street is the 17th century St James’ church, famous for having the oldest tapestries and brass artefacts in England.
Walking in Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden marks the start of the 104 mile Cotswold way and from here you can walk along the Cotswold way to Broadway tower. To pick up the Cotswolds way, walk to the end of the high street, past the church, and follow signs for Dover’s Hill. This is a great place to enjoy a picnic with a view and enjoy a stroll around the park here. If you wanted a longer walk, from Dover’s Hill, you can continue along the Cotswolds Way and follow the signs until you reach Broadway Tower, in the town of Broadway. From Broadway, you can either retrace the route to get back to Chipping Campden, or hop in a taxi to save your legs!
Where is the best place to stay in Chipping Campden?
There is an abundance of guest houses and hotels to choose from in Chipping Campden. The Noel Arms hotel is a lovely cosy independent hotel with a restaurant. Another great option if you are looking for a bit of luxury is the Cotswolds House Hotel and Spa.
4. Bourton-on-the-water
What is there to do in Bourton-on-the-water?
Bourton-on-the-water is most known for its series of low bridges straddling the River Windrush, which runs through the centre of the village. Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ (why is there always a ‘Venice of…’ in beautiful places?!).
Bourton-on-the-water is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds. As a result, it can get quite busy, especially during the UK summer holidays and on the weekends. Just bear this in mind when planning your trip to Bourton-on-the-water.
Stroll around the centre of the village
The focal point of the village is the shallow stream that runs through the centre. In the summer months, the village green becomes a hive of activity with families enjoying a picnic or ice cream and children and dogs paddling in the shallow stream.
There are many traditional tea rooms and pubs to enjoy in the village, as well as gift shops selling clothes, jewellery, and homeware.
Attractions for the whole family
For a small village, there are several attractions in and around Bourton-on-the-water. Just on the outskirts of the village, near the main visitor car park is the Birdland Park & Gardens, and the Dragonfly Maze, which are great for kids.
In the centre of the village is the Motoring museum and toy collection, which is great for adults and big kids craving a bit of nostalgia!
Finally, for couples visiting Bourton-on-the-water, head to Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawstone brewery. There are brewery tours and events that take place each month, or you can just enjoy a drink in the pub.
Walking in Bourton-on-the-water
As with most of the towns and villages in the Cotswolds, there are plenty of pretty walks nearby. If you fancy getting out of the village, follow this 10 mile walk which takes you through the pretty villages of Lower Slaughter, Upper Slaughter, and Naunton. The Slaughters Country Inn pub at Lower Slaughter is a great place to stop for a coffee and has a lovely large garden.
5. The Slaughters
What is there to do in The Slaughters?
The Slaughters comprise of Upper and Lower Slaughter. They are both very small villages, but are considered to be two of the prettiest places to visit in the Cotswolds. You won’t need long here, but they are worth a quick visit, especially if you are visiting Bourton-on-the-water.
There is limited parking at both Upper and Lower Slaughter but, as I mentioned above, it is a pretty walk from Bourton-on-the-Water, so you could easily walk there, stop for a coffee or lunch and return along the same route, following the river.
Is Upper or Lower Slaughter best?
Lower Slaughter is slightly bigger than Upper Slaughter and the best thing to do in Lower Slaughter is to go for a short wander along the stream, it is really idyllic. After your stroll along the river, visit the Lower Slaughter Mill and Cafe or The Slaughters Country Inn for lunch.
From Lower Slaughter, you can also walk the short path across fields to Upper Slaughter for a little wander around the quiet village.
6. Castle Coombe
What is there to do in Castle Coombe?
Castle Coombe is one of those places that has found new fame on Instagram in recent years, due to its old, historic-style houses and rustic charm. Don’t get me wrong, it really is a very pretty village, perhaps the prettiest village in the Cotswolds, but in the summer months, it can get busy with photographers.
Wandering through the village of Castle Coombe feels like stepping back in time, and you can see why it is so popular. Park at the car park on the outskirts of the village and follow the road down the hill to the centre of the village.
Take a stroll through the old church grounds before wandering down the main road in the village to the iconic bridge over the stream. There are also a couple of great pubs and cafes in Castle Coombe, but if you are visiting on a weekend, I would recommend booking ahead.
7. Moreton-in-Marsh
What is there to do in Moreton-in-Marsh?
Possibly the smallest of the Cotswolds towns, Moreton-in-Marsh is a lovely little place to stop for lunch, with plenty of coffee houses and tearooms to choose from.
There are not a huge amount of shops in the small town, but it still has a thriving market, the largest of which is on a Tuesday, where up to 200 stalls take over the market square, so if you can, try and time your visit with a trip to the market!
8. Stow-on-the-Wold
What is there to do in Stow on the wold?
Stow-on-the-Wold is a pretty market town, and together with Moreton-on-the-Marsh, it is considered to be one of the smallest towns in the Cotswolds. It is dominated by its large market square, which is a throwback to the town’s importance as a significant trading point, being at the junction of seven major roads.
Nowadays, Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the best places in the Cotswolds for shopping, with many cafes and independent shops in the main square. It’s also a great base for which to explore the surrounding area and is within 20 minutes of Broadway, Bourton-on-the-water, and Morten-in-Marsh.
9. Chipping Norton
What is there to do in Chipping Norton?
Chipping Norton is a lively market town, which lies between Banbury and Oxford. This larger town has more of a modern feel to it and is perhaps not quite as charming as some of the other smaller towns and villages in the Cotswolds.
Chipping Norton feels more ‘lived-in’ and mainstream than its more traditional neighbours, and for that reason it does not attract as many visitors. However, it is a great place to base yourself and you might find some better deals here on accommodation than in some of the more sought-after Cotswolds towns.
Chipping Norton is a good spot for a bit of shopping, with well-known high street brands occupying the market square and high street. It also has many pubs and restaurants to choose from, which is great if you are staying overnight.
10. Cirencester
What is there to do in Cirencester?
As one of the larger market towns in the Cotswolds, there is so much to do in Cirencester. It is much more lively and built-up than the other villages and towns on this list, plus you have great access to the central Cotswolds region.
The centre of town has plenty of shops, including high-street brands, art galleries, and independent gift shops. There’s also a wide range of cafes and restaurants to choose from.
Walking in Cirencester
There are lots of opportunities to get outside and walk in Cirencester. In the town itself, you have the beautiful Bathhurst estate as well as the Abbey Grounds Park. Both of these have paved trails, so are ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Surrounding Cirencester, there are plenty of walking trails. A popular trail is from Coln St Aldwyns to Bibury, which is a 4.2 mile there and back trail.
There are also more trails around the Cotswolds Water Park – this is a great day out for the whole family and in the summer, there are watersports on certain parts of the lake.
Where's the best place to stay in the Cotswolds?
Chipping Campden and Broadway are two of the best places to stay in the north of the Cotswolds. Both of these cute villages have plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, and accommodations. They are also both within easy reach of other nearby villages.
Cirencester is another great area to stay in the Cotswolds. This large, lively town is in the centre of the Cotswolds, making it easy to visit the smaller surrounding villages and towns. The Cotswold Water Park hotel is great if you want all the facilities of a modern hotel and spa, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
What's the best way to get around in the Cotswolds?
Public transport is very limited in this area, so the best way to get to the Cotswolds is by car. If you are planning on staying for a few days to explore the area and you don’t have your own car, I would recommend hiring one. This will give you full flexibility to combine several stops at different towns and villages in the Cotswolds during your visit.
Most of the car parks are located just outside the town or village centre and they are normally pay and display, so just bear that in mind, although most of the car park machines do take cards or have the option to pay by phone.
