What Are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretching across six counties in central England. Famous for its honey-coloured limestone villages, rolling green hills, and picture-perfect countryside, it is the England many visitors dream of seeing.
Getting There
The Cotswolds are best explored by car, though some villages are reachable by public transport. The main gateways are:
- From London: 90 minutes to two hours by car via the M40. Trains from London Paddington reach Moreton-in-Marsh in under two hours
- From Oxford: 30-45 minutes to the eastern Cotswolds
- From Bath: 30-45 minutes to the southern Cotswolds
Must-Visit Villages
Bourton-on-the-Water
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds for its low stone bridges crossing the River Windrush. Charming tea rooms, a model village, and a motoring museum make it a popular stop.
Bibury
William Morris called it the most beautiful village in England. Arlington Row, a line of 14th-century weavers' cottages, is one of the most photographed scenes in the country.
Castle Combe
A tiny village frozen in time. No television aerials, no yellow lines — just medieval stone houses around a market cross. It has been used as a film location many times.
Stow-on-the-Wold
A hilltop market town with antique shops, art galleries, and traditional pubs built around a historic market square.
Chipping Campden
An elegant wool-trading town with a magnificent high street of Jacobean and Georgian buildings. The starting point for the Cotswold Way walking trail.
What to Do
- Walk: The Cotswold Way is a 164-kilometre trail, but shorter circular walks are available from every village
- Eat: Country pubs serving traditional roasts and local ales are everywhere
- Shop: Independent boutiques, farm shops, and antique dealers fill every high street
- Visit gardens: Hidcote Manor and Batsford Arboretum are highlights
Best Time to Visit
Late spring (May-June) when the gardens are in bloom is ideal. Autumn offers golden colours and fewer crowds. Summer weekends can be busy, especially in the most popular villages.
Plan Your Cotswolds Trip
The Cotswolds are the perfect counterpoint to a London city break. Make sure your UK ETA is in order and experience England at its most charming.
