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The Cotswolds is a very gorgeous space of England to go to! It’s an Space of Oustanding Pure Magnificence (AONB) that’s simply shy of the Roman metropolis of Tub and the likes of Cirencester and has that quintessential countryside British appeal that makes it so attractive to discover – particularly throughout the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which are all around the area.
Now, any plan to go to the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. Not like the bigger linked cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This implies it’s greatest explored by automobile or a part of a tour; which suggests an itinerary of locations to see within the Cotswolds is important.
Through the years, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous occasions… and beloved it! So, that can assist you plan your journey, I needed to share a few of our agency favourites and prime spots within the Cotswolds to go to.
Sure, a few of them won’t be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings which you can’t miss.
Have an incredible time exploring. It truly is a gorgeous space of England.
1.) Bibury
Arguably probably the most well-known place within the Cotswolds to go to, Bibury is a small village that’s house to one of many Cotswolds’ most well-known streets; Arlington Row.
You’ll be able to simply spend a day wandering round Bibury and it’s inside straightforward attain of the historic city of Cirencester which is simply on the border of the Cotswolds, too.
This makes it an ideal stopping level on a wider highway journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
As soon as right here, be sure you park up (there’s on-street parking on the principle highway) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it is likely to be a small place but it surely’s completely charming and attracts guests from all around the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, be sure you pop into the Swan Resort for a chunk to eat (or guide a room to remain the evening). The factor we love most in regards to the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your individual time – there’s no have to rush.
That being mentioned, for those who’re searching for a historic manor home keep, examine into the close by Barnsley Home which was first constructed within the 1600s.
It’s such a stunning spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; be sure you plan your route effectively for those who’re driving to all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. It’s fairly straightforward to get a plan in place to see all these completely different cities after which realise you’ve been crisscrossing the Cotswolds and ended up losing your treasured time.
Have days centered on exploring the south of the Cotswolds, the place you possibly can embrace iconic cities like Tub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you can even embrace spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This manner, you’ll be capable to see a lot extra of the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the Cotswolds
2.) Bourton-on-the-water
Bigger than Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water is well one of many prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s proper within the coronary heart of this particular area.
Typically nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a spot that’s stuffed with shallow river beds and tiny bridges that make all of it so quaint to discover.
After you park up, head out on meals and alongside these little bridges that cross the River Windrush. It’s such a shocking a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows immediately by way of the city.
After taking a stroll across the unbiased retailers and little streets, be sure to pop into one of many little tea rooms that line the road.
You’ll discover fairly a number of round city, so I gained’t provide you with a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you see and just like the look of. Simply be sure to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t neglect in regards to the cute mannequin village that has earned a reputation for itself inside Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s completely kitsch.
3.) Burford
Often known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s properly value exploring for those who’re venturing west in direction of Oxford (that isn’t too far-off in any respect).
Nestled throughout the streets of Burford are loads of little retailers, cafes and conventional English pubs. We beloved the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open hearth roaring and it’s such a gorgeous ambiance.
As you wander round, be sure to identify among the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this space is understood for. Oh, and the 12th-century church (St. John the Baptist) which can be a must-see in Burford.
Oh, and be sure you pop into Huffkins for one in every of their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Oxford
4.) Fortress Combe
Positioned in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Fortress Combe is a chocolate field village that, in some ways, is my favorite in all the Cotswolds. Shhh, don’t inform the others!
Sure, it’s small (identical to most locations within the Cotswolds) but it surely’s simply so picture-perfect. We like it.
It virtually feels as if it’s untouched by time. Belief me, it sort of feels such as you’ve gone again many centuries… minus the odd automobile or two!
When visiting Castlecombe, you’ll get to see the traditional honey stone cottages that are so well-preserved, standing out amongst all of the village’s attractive major streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Fortress Inn for a drink and examine into The Manor Home for a keep within the village itself. It’s a shocking manor home from the 1300s, that’s proper inside Castlecombe.
Lastly, don’t neglect to move over to go to the close by village of Lacock. Sure, I do know this isn’t within the Cotswolds however you possibly can’t miss it if you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automobile and properly value taking a gander at this stunning city.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Gradual-on-the-Wold is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the principle highway space and properly value making a cease for a number of hours round lunch.
Truly, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon identify of Gradual-on-the-Wold means holy place on the hill and dates again tons of of years. As soon as a thriving little market city the place wool was traded, it’s now a picture-perfect village that’s pretty to see.
Now, somebody as soon as advised me that the explanation why Stow-on-the-Wold has slender alleys and thoroughfares was due to its wool heritage.
Apparently, these slender alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. In truth, I all the time thought it was resulting from an absence of planning!
Watever the case, if you go to Gradual-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.
If you happen to’d like to buy, there are additionally varied retailers within the space which you’ll discover and benefit from the small artwork galleries, St Edward’s Church, Lucy’s Tearoom, and the Cotswold Candy Firm for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Be sure to go to The Kings Arms for dinner… their home made pies are yummy.
6.) Painswick
Set on prime of the rolling hills, Painswick is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, identical to a lot of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies a great few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, in my view, is a part of the appeal of the Cotswolds, usually. You’ll be able to hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you like most.
As soon as right here, be sure to pop into the Painswick Rococo Backyard which dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. Additionally, be sure you seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unimaginable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts pageant can be held in Painswick to have fun native artists that are properly value trying out for those who’re round in June.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
While you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly for those who love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re attractive!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel just a little quieter and smaller in comparison with among the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. This is the reason I’d solely suggest popping over for an hour or two.
As soon as right here, take a look at The Market Corridor, which is open-walled, and is steeped in historical past. Additionally, close by, you’ll discover a number of cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which are properly value taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some pretty native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Previous Silk Mill which at the moment serves as a cooperative and exhibition house for artists.
Oh, and seize a day tea at The Bantam Tea Rooms. It’s pretty and their tea is so good.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is true up there as one in every of my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see if you’re travelling across the space.
Means again, within the Center Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s financial system. Like numerous cities within the Cotswolds. Although, these days, you gained’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, be sure you take a look at the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
If you happen to’re after some sometimes unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are the most effective in all the Cotswolds.
All want lashings of vinegar, in fact!
To work off lunch, take a stroll across the folly that’s the Broadway Tower. It’s properly value taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there – particularly on a sunny day.
Afterwards, you possibly can simply drive over to the close by village of Bretforton. Though not throughout the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it’s not too removed from Broadway (round 10 minutes), so you possibly can go to each locations when you have the time.
One spot it’s a must to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a massively historic pub which is 15 centuries previous containing historic interiors and probably the most charming rooms. It’s now run by the Nationwide Belief takes care of the property and retains its appeal and heritage alive for us all to take pleasure in at the moment.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you possibly can sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s pretty.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to within the West of England
9.) Winchcombe
Winchcombe is one other gem to go to within the Cotswolds that’s proper on the fringes of the northern border.
Right here, you’ll discover loads of vintage retailers and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are a number of little rooms and a quaint tea room the place you possibly can simply spend just a little time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Fortress. The latter is a stately house which you’ll go to, relationship again to the 1400s.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historic fort that when neglected this space, Tetbury is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively giant compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you like, take a look at the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market Home.
We stayed for a number of days in Tetbury and used it as our base to discover extra of this space of the Cotswolds. We booked The Royal Oak Tetbury which we completely beloved.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, be sure you take a look at the Westonbirt, The Nationwide Arboretum. It’s a whopping tree backyard that dates again to Victorian occasions.
We spent round 1 hour right here and beloved it.
Tetbury actually is a beautiful city within the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: What to see in Tetbury
11.) Higher and Decrease Slaughters (The Slaughters)
Now, I do know these two spots sound fairly ominous! Their names don’t precisely promote them as locations to go… however hear me out!
The Slaughters are two very small locations which you can simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this shall be like a 20-minute cease (until you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no have to go planning your complete day round The Slaughters.
Don’t neglect to pop into The Previous Mill ice cream parlour for some creamy scoops and stroll over the lovable Ford Bridge that goes over the River Eye.
Lastly, if you wish to guide a keep, examine into The Slaughters Manor Home. Constructed again within the 1600s, it’s a complete gem and a shocking place to remain. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!
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