The Best Cotswolds Villages: Map, Where to Stay, What to Do

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If you’re looking for a charming experience in the English countryside, The Cotswolds is the place to head. With dozens of Cotswolds villages, homes made out of honey-colored Cotswolds stone, and history that dates back to the Romans, you’ll find plenty to do. And its easy reach from London makes it a great destination to put on your itinerary.

We’ve got you covered with a little history, some of the most charming villages, great things to do, and where to stay.

Trip planning made easy:
– Make sure you plan your English getaway at the right time (avoid the worst months!)
– You’re already getting out of the city, so decide if a day trip to Paris is worth it
– If London is your home base, our London Travel Guide is a must!
– If you’re not sold on visiting the Cotswolds yet, check out our comparison of Cotswolds vs Bath

Why are the Cotswolds so Famous?

The Cotswolds is famous for being one of the most picturesque areas in England. The honey-colored buildings, rolling hills, and Cotswold Lion (sheep), have made this a popular destination. It is England’s third largest protected outdoor space and earned the designation of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966.

In medieval England, the wool trade was an important part of the economy, and the Cotswolds — being an excellent place to raise sheep — was booming. Many wool churches and stately homes were built thanks to this profitable trade. The region fell into a depression during the Industrial Revolution and these stately homes and charming towns were somewhat forgotten. The Cotswolds were then rediscovered but thanks to strict building codes, the towns remained as beautiful as they were originally built to be.

The area is popular with Londoners looking for a country escape, as it’s easy to reach from the city. It’s equally popular with overseas visitors who are eager to experience the natural beauty, soak in the history, and enjoy a quintessentially English break.

Cotswolds villages - sheep — My husband Jordan and our British dog Hattie enjoy walking through the pastures in the Cotswolds. There are a lot of footpaths to explore!

Cotswolds Geography

The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Southwest England that spans rolling hillsides of six different counties. The area stretches 25 miles wide and 90 miles long and is dotted with charming and quaint villages, some just a few streets long.

Because the area is so large, you can look at it divided into northern Cotswolds and southern Cotswolds with the A40 motorway as the unofficial dividing line. Both areas are beautiful, but there are noticeable differences between the two areas.

While you can tour the entire area (or even walk the 102-mile Cotswold Way), if you’re short on time, stick to either the north or the south.

Northern Cotswolds

The Northern area of the Cotswolds is more popular with visitors, though both areas are lovely. Here you’ll find the typical honey-colored stone that we often see in photos of the villages. You’ll also enjoy soft rolling hills, plenty of sheep, and market towns. Towns include Chipping Campden, Broadway, Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-water, Stanway, Stanton, Upper and Lower Slaughter, and Stow on the Wold.

Oxford is a great entry point into the northern Cotswolds and if renting a car, we like to take the train from London to Oxford and pick up a car near there.

Southern Cotswolds

The honey-colored buildings begin to get lighter and more golden in color as you move further south. The topography also changes, with it becoming more rugged with deep valleys and steeper hills. Towns like Bibury, Cirencester, and Tetbury are excellent options for visits. Bath is a great entry point as it’s on the southern end of the Cotwsolds. So if you are planning a trip to Bath, a drive into the Southern Cotswolds is easy.

Cotswold Villages Snowshill — The view from Snowshill, one the prettiest Cotswolds Villages.

The Prettiest Cotswolds Villages

The Cotswolds are full of picturesque villages and I truly haven’t met one that I haven’t loved yet. So this “best of” list is a little difficult to trim down. I’ll do my best but just know that there are so many wonderful villages, you’ll easily find something to love in each of them:

Bibury: Located in the southern Cotswolds, this village is just a short drive from Circenster. It’s most recognized for Arlington Row, one of the most photographed streets in the Cotswolds.
Bourton-on-the-Water: nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds thanks to its location on the River Windrush, this is a very popular spot with visitors. It’s probably the most crowded village we’ve visited (in the summer). The town has plenty of shops and restaurants and a highly entertaining rubber duck race in the summertime.
Broadway: named for its broad high street, this village has plenty to do. Visit the shops and restaurants, take a long walk to Broadway Tower, or take a ride on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Heritage Railway.
Chipping Campden: with over 270 listed buildings (historical), you’ll step through time here. This is the start (or end) of the Cotswold Way, the 102 route from Bath through the Cotswolds.
Circenster: this isn’t a village. It’s a large town with over 18,000 residents so it’s very different from the rest of this list. The unofficial capital of the Cotswolds, you can take a stroll through Cirencester Park or tour Cirencester Abbey.
Lower Slaughter: with the River Eye running through it, the name “Slaughter” comes from the old English word “slohtre”, which means muddy place. A walk along the river is idyllic, lunch at the Lower Slaughter Inn is delicious, or you can do a full loop from Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter and down to Bourton-on-the-Water.
Moreton-in-Marsh: this is the easiest village to reach by train from London thanks to a direct connection with London Paddington. It’s built on the Fosse Way, one of the main Roman roads built in Britain. The Batsford Arboretum, Bourton House, and Falconry Center are all just a short drive from the town center.
Snowshill: perched on the brow of a hill, this tiny village doesn’t have a bustling center. Enjoy the pub, walk to Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property, and enjoy the views of the rolling hills.
Stanton: another very small village where every street is more charming than the next. Don’t miss Sheppey Corner, a Grade II-listed cottage with a thatched roof. Then stop for lunch at the Mount Inn, a pub with a beautiful view.
Stanway: the main site here is the Stanway House, with the highest gravity-fed fountain in the world.
Stow-on-the-Wold: a busy market town located on the Fosse Way, the town is full of many shops and restaurants, as well as the oldest inn in England, The Porch House.
Winchcombe: Sudeley Castle is a main draw for visitors to Winchcombe, but it’s not the only sight to see. Cotswold Stone and buildings with half-timbered black and white cottages dot the town which also is home to plenty of pubs, restaurants, and shops.

Best Cotswolds Villages Map

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit the Cotswolds?

Like the rest of the UK, we love the shoulder season. Visiting in April, May, June, September, and October. In April you’ll just be starting to see blooming flowers with some spring showers but things get going by May. The Bluebells come out in May, which is just a beautiful time to be there. June is also wonderful because the weather is nice but the crowds haven’t yet descended upon the area.

In September and October, autumn is a gorgeous time to enjoy the Cotswolds. The vibrant color changes are pretty spectacular and the crisp cool weather is refreshing to walk in.

The summer months (July and August) are also nice times to visit with usually great weather. But this is typically the most popular time to visit, so expect crowds and higher prices. And if there is a heat wave (rare but it happens), it can be pretty uncomfortable.

November and December are quite cozy around Christmas time but expect that the weather will be dreary and the days will be short.

How Many Days Should You Spend in the Cotswolds?

While you can get a taste of the Cotswolds from a one-day tour from London, we recommend carving 3-5 days out of your itinerary to explore. The Cotswolds are a large area of almost 800 square miles and while it is quiet there, it is far from boring.

Whether you choose to enjoy the nature of the rolling hills and take a stroll on part of the Cotswold Way, you want to visit the historic homes, walk the market towns, and enjoy a proper pub meal, you’ll want to enjoy at least a few days in the Cotswolds as it’s a special part of a holiday. If we are taking a trip to the Cotswolds, we usually try to stay for at least 3 full days.

How to Get From London to the Cotswolds

Cotswold Villages Steam Train — Riding the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Train from Broadway

Getting to the Cotswolds from London — car rental/hire

The easiest way to get to and around the Cotswolds is by car. A car rental (or hire as it’s called in the UK) is easy and you do not need an international driver’s license if you have a valid US driver’s license. You can check whether you’ll need an international driver’s license or permit here.

You can rent a car in London, but if we’re heading to the Cotswolds from central London, we prefer to do one of two things:

Take the train from London Paddington to Oxford and rent a car near the train station. Note that most car rental companies close at noon on Saturday and are not open on Sunday. From there you can take the A40 into the Cotswolds.
Rent a car from London Heathrow. If we are not headed back to central London at the end of our trip or we are traveling when local car rental agencies are closed in Oxford, we will take the tube out to Heathrow and rent a car there. You’ll drive around 1.5 hours to reach the Lower Slaughters (one of our favorite destinations in the Cotswolds).

Getting to the Cotswolds from London — without a car

The easiest way to get to the Cotswolds from London on your own without a car is to take the train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh. The journey takes 1.5 hours and then you’ll be right in the northern part of the Cotswolds! Book tickets in advance as rail tickets do price increase the closer you get to the departure date.

Another option for getting to the Cotswolds from London without a car is to do a sightseeing tour for a day. We think this tour from London is a great option. While it’s only a day and will only give you a taste of the Cotswolds, you’ll be able to see more than just the areas immediately surrounding the train station at Moreton-in-Marsh.

We have you covered with a 3 day itinerary for the Cotswolds without a car.

Getting around the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are best experienced by using your wheels. Public transport is limited and while there are taxis, they are in demand and there aren’t that many of them.

If you plan to explore the Cotswolds, we recommend renting a car. If you decide to not rent a car, you don’t have to miss out on the fun. But your days will need to be more planned out and bring your shoes because it will require you to walk.

Public transport in the Cotswolds

Buses are limited in the Cotswolds and many don’t run on Sunday. But they do still exist and with a little planning, you can take them! An easy place to base yourself without a car is Moreton-in-Marsh. There are two popular bus routes to explore:

Route 1 on the Stagecoach Bus: these buses run from Moreton-in-Marsh to Broadway or Chipping Campden
Route 801 on Pullman Bus: these buses run from Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-water.

These bus routes take you to the center of some wonderful Cotswold Villages, but if you want to see more than the high street (what we call “main street” in the US), you’ll need to wear comfy shoes and make sure you’re up for a trek. For example, you can walk from Bourton-on-the-water to the Slaughters on a circular trail (stop for lunch at the Lower Slaughter Inn!).

Guided tours in the Cotswolds

Another wonderful option to explore the Cotswolds without a car is to hire a guide for a day (or more) of your trip. There are plenty of guided tours that leave from the Cotswolds and also from Bath and Oxford.

This group tour leaves from Moreton-in-Marsh and takes you to various north Cotswold villages with a professional guide.

Bike Hire

If you’re up for even more of an adventure, you can rent or hire a bike in the Cotswolds. There are several bike shops but this one is located near the Moreton-in-Marsh railway station.

Where to Stay in the Cotswolds

When you are staying in the Cotswolds, we like to first decide if we want to:

Stay in or near town: walk to pubs, restaurants, shops, and more but things will be a bit busier and less idyllic
Stay out in the countryside: you can go on lovely country walks but there won’t be much else (aside from the local pub) that you can reach on foot

After that, you can decide whether you’d like to stay in an Inn or at a guest house/Airbnb.

There is no wrong answer to those questions. We usually prefer to stay in the northern part of the Cotswolds, as it has the most sights and activities that excite us.

Here are some places we’ve stayed and enjoyed in the past or places we’ve visited that we think would make a nice stay:

Slaughters Country Inn (Lower Slaughter)
The Slaughters Manor House (Lower Slaughter)
Fish Hotel (Broadway)
Old Horse Stable (Nether Westcote)
Eight Bells Inn (Chipping Campden)
The Porch House (Stow-on-the-Wold)
Swan Hotel (Bibury)

Things to Do in the Cotswolds – Classic Experiences

The Cotswolds are full of so many wonderful and different things to do. While you will need to drive and many things are spread out (so plan your days accordingly!), you can get a great idea for some fun things to do during your stay.

I’ve included a map of each of these items below so you can group items together that are close by. If you want even more options, we have an in-depth article covering all our favorite things to do in the Cotswolds!

Snowshill Manor & Gardens

There are plenty of excellent National Trust properties in the Cotswolds, to put on your list. But one that you want to make sure is on the top if you’re in the area is Snowshill Manor & Gardens. To be fair, I preferred the garden and the town of Snowshill over the actual manor house, but there’s a little something for everyone here.

The owner of the home was an eccentric man who collected a vast collection of items that fill this manor home. It can feel a little chaotic inside if you are at all minimalist, but it is interesting. Put this together with a stroll down to the pub and it’s a lovely afternoon.

If you want to look for more National Trust properties, you can do so on their website.

Cotswold Farm Park

If you are interested in getting up close and personal with some of the Cotswolds’ finest animals, the Cotswold Farm Park is an ideal place. While this spot is heavily marketed toward families and young children (the playgrounds are excellent), we found that we enjoyed it more than our kids.

Walking the path and learning about the rare breeds of animals they have there and their history in the region was fascinating. And feeding the lambs from bottles was absolutely memorable. So it’s a great stop with or without kids.

Cotswolds villages - Henry feeding baby goats

Lavender Fields

If you’re in the Snowshill area during June and July, a quick side trip to the lavender fields is beautiful. You can walk the rows of lavender that stretch over 70 acres, walk through wildflower meadows, enjoy the views, and indulge in some lavender treats (like lavender ice cream).

Sudeley Castle

With 1,000 years of history (starting as a fortified manor home turned into a castle), there is fascinating history to experience at this 1,200-acre estate in Winchcombe. Just one interesting point: this was the home and final resting place of Catherine Parr, King Henry VIII’s sixth wife.

You can spend hours here. The house is wonderful to explore and the 15 acres of gardens are well worth a stop. And if you have kids with you, the playground will keep them very busy.

Cotswold Villages Sudeley Castle — The gardens at Sudeley Castle are beautiful

The Porch House – The Oldest inn in England

If you are here for a walk-through of history, why not visit the oldest Inn in England? The Porch House dates back over 1,000 years and you can feel its history as you walk through the door. Think low-beamed ceilings and no true right angles anywhere.

While it is old, it is not stuffy. Its cozy interior is a great place to spend part of your afternoon or evening, enjoying lunch or dinner. This is a popular spot and not just for its history. Our meal was great, the service was friendly, and we will go back there the next time we’re in Stow-on-the-Wold.

And after lunch, you can walk just a few blocks down the road to St. Edward’s Church to see the doors that are framed by yews.

Daylesford Organic

While The Porch House is a great place to step back in time, Daylesford Organic Farm is a more modern take on enjoying a meal in the Cotswolds. Here you can enjoy organic, sustainably farmed, seasonal products at the farm shop or one of the many restaurants.

While it is a working farm, this is a luxurious stop. There are cooking classes, a home and garden area, as well as a full shop. As it was near our Airbnb, we ate there twice and purchased some artisanal items to enjoy back home.

The Cotswold Way

If you are looking for exercise and adventure, why not walk part or all of the Cotswold Way? The route begins in Chipping Campden and runs 102 miles down to the Roman city of Bath. You can walk the entire route or just pick it up in parts as the trail runs through many of the villages you’ll want to have on your list to visit. Take a backpack and enjoy the journey, however long you make it.

Blenheim Palace

Most famous for being the birthplace of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is an excellent stop, especially if you’re making the journey from Oxford to the Cotswolds. Set over 2,000 acres, this is the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to have the title of “palace”.

You can tour the house, and the gardens, purchase a ticket to the adventure play area, get lost in the maze, visit the Churchill exhibition, ride on the miniature train, step into the butterfly house, or just take a walk around the vast grounds.