The Ultimate Guide to the Cotswolds: Things to Do + More

Is there anywhere more idyllic than the rolling hills and honey-stone buildings of the Cotswolds? If you’re planning a trip to this iconic English destination, this guide to the best things to do in the Cotswolds will help you plan your time there.

I spent a long week exploring all that the Cotswolds has to offer. From charming villages with stone streets and thatched-roof cottages, to sprawling rolling hills in verdant green shades with lambs in the distance — all of it stole my heart. It was a place I wish I could have spent a full month just going slowly through each corner.

I traveled to the Cotswolds with my family (our daughter was 2 years old at the time). It made for the perfect family vacation where plenty of outdoor space met easy-going villages with laidback pubs. Having been to England several times, I felt remiss that it had taken me so long to get out here. It’s the perfect destination for a slow road trip, which I always appreciate.

If you’re planning a visit to the Cotswolds, just know that it’s somewhere worth spending a few days. There is a lot to see, many landscapes to enjoy, and all of it to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. I’ve taken all of my research, the places we enjoyed the most, and put them into this Cotswolds, England travel guide. Read on for more travel tips!

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for Where to Stay in the Cotswolds:

For a week-long trip, I recommend either splitting your stay between Broadway in the north and Bibury in the south or staying centrally in Stow-on-the-Wold for the entire time.

1. Broadway (Staying at Dormy House) & Bibury (Staying at Thyme Hotel), for the best split-week option
2. Stow-on-the-Wold (Staying at The Porch House), for the best single-stay option

Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip

If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, don’t miss my guides to the best places to stay in the Cotswolds, the most beautiful Cotswolds villages to visit, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Cirencester! If you’re exploring more of England, check out my London itinerary, guide to where to stay in London, and guide to the best things to do in Oxford.

Travel Tip: The best way to explore the Cotswolds is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car in the UK is quite easy, and while you drive on the opposite side, you’ll get used to it quickly (For more, read my guide to renting a car in the Cotswolds). Book your car with Discover Cars here.

The Ultimate Cotswolds England Travel Guide

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Cotswold Travel Tips Before You Arrive

Where are the Cotswolds?

Set in central South West England, the Cotswolds are a designated region covering 25 miles across and 90 miles long. The expansive region of England encompasses over six counties, with the largest being Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire — aka, this is a big region of England to cover. As a designation of National Landscape (1 of 33 in England), it’s an important part of England’s history and geographical landscape.

How to Get Around the Cotswolds

There is no better way to visit the Cotswolds than by renting a car. My family and I had a rental car for the entirety of our stay, and it gave us flexibility to visit small villages, stay in memorable accommodations, and visit important sights. Renting a car in the Cotwolds, in my opinion, is a must.

Travel Tip: The best way to explore the Cotswolds is by driving yourself. We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt. Renting a car in the UK is quite easy, and while you drive on the opposite side, you’ll get used to it quickly (For more, read my guide to renting a car in the Cotswolds). Book your car with Discover Cars here.

How Much Time to Spend in the Cotswolds

The truth is you could spend weeks in the Cotswolds and not see it all — it’s a large area of nearly 800 square miles. My recommendation is a minimum of 3 nights, and consider a full week to go at a leisurely pace, soaking it all in.

Time of Year to Visit the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds year-round are incredible to visit, as each season presents a distinct experience. I visited in mid-summer and had mild weather with green hills and sunny days. Spring is fantastic for blooms, fall is memorable for its foliage, and the winter season brings in snow and cozy stays.

Can you go to the Cotswolds on a day trip from London?

It is somewhere you can consider visiting for a day trip as part of your London itinerary. However, if using public trains, you will be limited to visiting a single village or two.

Which is the best Cotswold village to visit?

I think this is entirely up to which speaks to you — I share a lot about each of the villages in this guide on the most beautiful Cotswolds villages to visit. For me, standout Cotswold towns included Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bibury.

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Where to Stay in the Cotswolds

I have an in-depth guide on where to stay in the Cotwolds that breaks out the region with recommendations. For a short overview, I recommend either considering a split stay for a week-long trip between somewhere more northern, like Broadway, and somewhere more southern, like Bibury, or choosing to stay in a more central location like Stow-on-the-Wold for the entirety of the stay.

Recommendation #1: Split a Week Between Broadway & Bibury (or Nearby)

Broadway — 2 to 4 nights

1. The Lygon Arms, for the best in-town luxury hotel
2. Buckland Manor, for a timelessly elegant English countryside house in rolling meadows
3. Dormy House, for the best boutique hotel
4. The Fish Hotel, for a quirky yet sophisticated hideaway

Bibury — 2 to 4 nights

1. The Swan Hotel, for the best in-town hotel
2. Thyme Hotel & Spa, for the best luxury stay in the region
3. Wild Thyme & Honey, for the best boutique hotel
4. Barnsley House, for an enchanting, luxury country house hotel
5. The Stump, for a contemporary inn stay
6. The Flower Press by Unique Home Stays, for the best overall vacation rental

Recommendation #2: Single Stay in Stow-on-the-Wold (or Nearby)

Stow-on-the-Wold — 4 to 7 nights

1. The Porch House, for the best in-town inn
2. Number Four at Stow, for the best in-town boutique hotel
3. The Old Stocks Inn, for a historic, boutique in-town stay
4. The Fox at Oddington, for a modern and chic inn outside of town

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Things to Do in the Cotswolds

Visit the Historic Towns and Villages

When it comes to exploring the Cotswolds, the main attraction is no doubt the historic towns and villages sprinkled across the region. There are dozens of them; in fact, it would be hard to see all of them in a single trip. Each varies in size, some seen in an hour and others worth a full day of exploring.

In this guide to the best villages in the Cotswolds, I list the villages and towns you can’t miss when visiting. From the picture-perfect Bibury to the bustling Stow-on-the-Wold, there is really something for everyone. Here’s a list of the main ones:

• Bibury — Often called “the most beautiful village in England”, known for the iconic Arlington Row cottages and the River Coln.
• Bourton-on-the-Water — Nicknamed “the Venice of the Cotswolds”, this popular village has charming stone bridges crossing the River Windrush.
• Stow-on-the-Wold — A historic market town with antique shops, cozy pubs, and a famous church door said to have inspired Tolkien.
• Chipping Campden — Known for its elegant High Street, arts and crafts heritage, and beautiful limestone buildings.
• Broadway — Often considered one of the prettiest villages, it features boutique shops and Broadway Tower with sweeping views.
• Lower Slaughter & Upper Slaughter — Peaceful sister villages with a postcard-perfect atmosphere and a lovely walk connecting them.
• Castle Combe — A timeless, film-famous village in the southern Cotswolds, often seen in period dramas.
• Snowshill — Tiny but scenic, with a manor house full of curiosities and incredible views over the Severn Vale.
• Painswick — Known as “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, with its wool history and yew-lined churchyard.
• Winchcombe — A medieval village near Sudeley Castle, with lovely walks and Cotswold stone charm.

Explore the National Trust – Snowshill Manor and Garden

One of my favorite afternoons was spent in the Snowshill Manor and Garden set in the sleepy village of Snowshill. Built in the 16th century, this stone manor was transformed by Charles Paget Wade, an avid collector. Each room has a unique theme and feels like a step back in time. The gardens here are immaculate as well, so spend some time enjoying the different gardens throughout the property.

Admission Fees

• Adults: £14.00
• Children (5–17 years): £7.00
• Family (2 adults + 2 children): £35.00
• National Trust members and children under 5: Free

Stroll the Cotswold Lavender Fields

While you’re in Snowshill, just up the road is the Cotswold Lavender Fields at Hill Barn Farm. It is open seasonally from June 18th through August 6th (this year), depending on the blooms of the lavender. It’s an idyllic area, as you can see above, and if they are in bloom, I’d stop in for a quick stroll.

Admission Fees

• Peak Season (July 28 – August 6)
  • Adults: £7.75
  • Children (5–15 years): £3.50
• Off-Peak (June 18–27)
  • Adults: £5.75
  • Children: £3.00

Walk the Cotswold Way

As you drive around the Cotswolds, you’ll see frequent signs for the Cotswold Way. This 102-mile National Trail goes from Chipping Campden to Bath in Somerset (takes almost a week to do). It winds in and out of villages, through historic sights, and over rolling hills. Some of the most popular spots to catch it are at Dover Hill and through to Broadway Tower.

If you’re interested in walking part of the Cotswold Way, I’d recommend going to sections of it at places like the Broadway Tower Walk, which is 1.5 miles from the Broadway Tower down into the town of Broadway. The trail is called Cotswold Way on Google Maps, and David Jelfs bench is a great halfway viewpoint.

Stroll Arlington Row in Bibury

During our trip, we based ourselves in Bibury for a few nights and had the chance to enjoy the historic Arlington Row several times. It’s not that large, but it draws in quite the crowd to photograph it come sunset. The idyllic village scene was originally built in the 14th century as a wool trade store and later converted into weavers’ cottages in the 1600s; they embody the region’s rich textile history and feel like a step back in time. The honey-colored cottages are some of the most famous in all of the Cotswolds.

If you’re coming to Bibury, around the corner is also the Bibury Trout Farm. We took our daughter here one afternoon and had a great time. There’s a small playground and a cafe, and you can buy food to feed the trout.

Spend a Morning at Daylesford Organic Farm

One of my favorite places visited was a morning spent at Daylesford Organic Farm. It’s a grocer, home and garden store, meets cafe and restaurant, all set in the most stunning setting. The farm shop cannot be missed, stock up on goods and pantry items, and then go for a stroll through the garden section.

If you’re coming in for lunch, don’t miss the Trough & Legbar café, which serves dishes crafted from the estate’s organic ingredients. The menus evolve throughout the year. If you’d like to book a spa treatment, there is also the Bamford Haybarn Spa.

See Broadway Tower and the Deer

Block in a few hours to visit the iconic Broadway Tower, which sits above the town of Broadway. While the tower itself is interesting, what we enjoyed about the visit is the landscape, the views, and the chance to see the red deer.

Just below the tower, the deer park is where you can often see them grazing. They are fenced in, so you’ll see them from a safe distance. At the parking lot, there is also a cafe if you need a quick bite to eat.

Stroll the Canal in Bourton-on-the-Water

Often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the standout villages not to miss. There’s quite a bit to see here, with dozens of shops, the restaurants in stone buildings along the canals, the famous Bakery on the Water, and our favorite Cotswold Ice Creams. I’d come either early in the morning or later in the day to beat the crowds, just know that a lot of the shops close by 5 pm.

Take the Family to Cotswold Farm Park

Since we were traveling as a family, we made the point to get out to the Cotswold Farm Park, which we all absolutely loved and was a hit with our toddler. Established by Adam Henson, a renowned BBC Countryfile presenter, the park serves as both a working farm and an educational center, showcasing over 50 native and rare breeds of livestock, including Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Suffolk Punch horses, and Highland cattle.

You can visit with the animals, touch bunnies and chickens, and there is a full restaurant and cafe to enjoy food. I’d block in a full morning to come visit and enjoy all of the grounds here. It does get very busy on the weekends, so do get tickets online.

Take a Visit to Castle Combe’s The Manor House

One of my favorite mornings was spent catching sunrise in Castle Combe, one of the most photographed villages. In the village is The Manor House, a historic property now a luxury hotel. Originally constructed in the 1600s, the manor underwent significant renovations between 1826 and 1830 under the ownership of George Poulett Scrope, a prominent English geologist and political economist. Today, it’s a stunning property worth getting to.

If you can’t stay on the quintessentially English property like myself, you can visit for a meal. So I popped in and asked to pay for breakfast, which they allowed. There are beautiful grounds, and if you can’t do breakfast, try for afternoon tea. The village of Castle Combe itself is often regarded as one of England’s prettiest, with its honey-colored limestone cottages and picturesque streets

Visit the Hidcote Garden

Hidcote Manor Garden, nestled in the village of Hidcote Bartrim near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, is a premier example of Arts and Crafts garden design. Established by American-born horticulturist Lawrence Johnston between 1907 and 1938, the garden is renowned for its series of interconnected “garden rooms,” each with distinct themes and plantings.

You could spend a few hours here exploring the unique “garden rooms” and enjoying different kinds of landscaping. There are also guided tours if you’re looking to dive more into the history and styles of gardens.

Shop Antiques in Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden was one of my favorite villages for antique shops. The main street is full of antique and vintage shops. I spent a proper hour going through Stuart House Antiques, looking at jewelry and pieces for the home.

See the Doors of Durin at St Edward’s Church

The north door of St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, is often referred to as the “Tolkien Door” due to its fairytale appearance. Framed by two ancient yew trees, the arched wooden doorway with studded panels and a hanging oil lamp is similar to the mystical entrances found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, particularly the Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings.

If you’re in Stow-on-the-Wold, it’s worth visiting the 11th-century church, and then head to the back side of it to see this popular door if you’re a Tolkien fan!

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Where to Eat in the Cotswolds: Memorable Restaurants

I’ve pulled in all of our favorite restaurants (food and drink) — plus a few that I had saved — and broken them out by town. Restaurants marked with a * are standout meals that I would go back to.

Broadway

• * No32 Broadway, for breakfast, coffee, and afternoon lunch
• Broadway Deli, for all things grocery and takeaway food
• Russell’s Fish & Chips, for classic fish and chips
• Swan Inn Broadway, for pub fare
• Snowshill Arms (Snowshill, 10 minutes away), for an old world pub with beautiful grounds
• The Mount Inn Stanton (Stanton, 10 minutes away), for a traditional country pub, try the ale!

Chipping Campden

• The Red Lion Tavern, for a historic pub experience
• Campden Coffee, for cafe food, both breakfast and lunch

Stow-on-the-Wold

• * The Porch House, for the oldest pub/inn in England, the food is fantastic here (reserve in advance)
• * The Kings Arms, for a classic pub, their Sunday roast was my favorite
• * The Legbar at Daylesford, for the best of Daylesford Organic dining
• New England Coffee House, for a cozy tea house with great pastries
• The Cellar – Stow on the Wold, for their wines and small plates
• Lucy’s Tearoom, for traditional afternoon tea

Bourton-on-the-Water

• * Cotswold Ice Creams, for really great local ice cream (it’s a small stand!)
• * The Rose Tree Restaurant, for a canal-side restaurant with classic English dishes
• Bakery on the Water, for a popular bakery known for afternoon tea

Bibury

• * THE STUMP (10 minutes away), for our favorite pizza and brews of the trip
• * The Twig, for a cozy cafe with food for lunch and breakfast
• The Swan Hotel, for upscale dining
• The Catherine Wheel, for a classic pub with pizza, burgers, and a large patio

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