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Why we love the Cotswolds

Beauty, adventure, culture – the Cotswolds has it all. Famous for its lush rolling pastures, pretty stone villages and rambling rivers, this rural belle has graced countless books, artworks and TV shows – but does it live up to the hype? Absolutely. From the willow-shaded banks of the River Thames, and Blenheim Palace’s lavish décor, to the honey-coloured cottages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Burford – it’s all just as idyllic as you imagine.

The Cotswolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966, an accolade it more than lives up to – but this landscape isn’t just for admiring. There are ancient castles to explore, wild lakes to kayak, local wines to taste, and endless trails to hike, cycle and ride.

Totalling nearly 800 square miles (2,000 square km), the region spans six west-central counties, yet is just 90 minutes from London. With so much to see, do and discover, here’s how to plan your trip.

Things to do in Cotswolds

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Book tickets to Blenheim Palace

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery
Blenheim Palace

Where else do rhinos roam on the lawn of a stately home? The Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is one of the best attractions in the Cotswolds.

Book tickets to the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Burford, Oxfordshire

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Burford, Oxfordshire
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

This magnificent cathedral offers guided tours, discovery trails and breathtaking live concerts.

Step into history at Gloucester Cathedral

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Gloucestershire, England

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, England
Gloucester Cathedral

Take one of Britain’s most beautiful walks, on the Cotswold Way National Trail, from Chipping Campden to Bath.

Discover the Cotswold Way National Trail

vivlee123

The Cotswold Way Walking Trail
Cotswold Way National Trail

With its honey-coloured stone houses and ambling river, this village is a true Cotswolds beauty.

More about Castle Combe

Shutterstock / LC_Captures

Cotswold, England

Blue skies and reflections in the picturesque Cotswold village of Castle Combe.
Castle Combe: War Horse

The Roman town of Cirencester is the best place to go shopping in the Cotswolds. The pretty streets are lined with independent shops for every taste.

Find out more about your trip to Cirencester
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Cirencester, Cotswolds

Britain’s greatest palace is in the Cotswolds – the magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

Book tickets to Blenheim Palace

VisitBritain/Marina Comes

Blenheim Palace

Woman walking in Blenheim Palace gardens surrounded by greenery
Blenheim Palace

Where else do rhinos roam on the lawn of a stately home? The Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is one of the best attractions in the Cotswolds.

Book tickets to the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

Burford, Oxfordshire

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, Burford, Oxfordshire
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

This magnificent cathedral offers guided tours, discovery trails and breathtaking live concerts.

Step into history at Gloucester Cathedral

ievgeny

Gloucestershire, England

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucestershire, England
Gloucester Cathedral

Take one of Britain’s most beautiful walks, on the Cotswold Way National Trail, from Chipping Campden to Bath.

Discover the Cotswold Way National Trail

vivlee123

The Cotswold Way Walking Trail
Cotswold Way National Trail

With its honey-coloured stone houses and ambling river, this village is a true Cotswolds beauty.

More about Castle Combe

Shutterstock / LC_Captures

Cotswold, England

Blue skies and reflections in the picturesque Cotswold village of Castle Combe.
Castle Combe: War Horse

The Roman town of Cirencester is the best place to go shopping in the Cotswolds. The pretty streets are lined with independent shops for every taste.

Find out more about your trip to Cirencester
Awaiting image
Cirencester, Cotswolds

Places to stay in Cotswolds

Heritage hotels

If walls could talk, the Cotswolds’ historic hotels would tell tales of holidaying monarchs and noble families. If you love fine dining, plush décor and five-star service, look no further.  

Rental cottages

Make yourself at home in a picture-perfect stone cottage. In villages and towns all over the region, these traditional homes often feature log burners, roll-top baths and gardens.

Quirky glampsites

Take your pick from bell tents, shepherd’s huts and cosy yurts, all set in woodlands and wildflower meadows. Simple pleasures are paramount, such as picnics and long country walks.

Explore nearby

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

West Midlands Growth Company

Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

Birthplace of the great bard, William Shakespeare, fall in love with this hopelessly romantic 16th century town.

©VisitBritain/Nemorin

Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England

A wellness retreat for the Romans and Georgian architecture around every corner.

VisitBritain

Woman swimming in a swimming pool at a spa

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Two boys playing on a path in front of a palace

Getting to Cotswolds

With the likes of Oxford, Bristol and Bath on its doorstep, the Cotswolds is easy to reach by rail, and direct trains between London Paddington and Moreton-in-Marsh take just 90 minutes. If you’re arriving internationally, London Heathrow is around a two-hour drive, while the airports of Bristol and Birmingham are just over an hour’s transfer away.

Getting around

Travelling by public transport is recommended – especially in summer, when the narrow roads can get congested. Regular trains run throughout the region, but buses venture deeper into the smaller villages and hamlets. Hire a bike to explore even further on traffic-free trails and bridleways; if you’re pedalling long-distance, Luggage Transfers can transport your suitcases.

By steam train

For a spectacular steam-powered journey between Cheltenham and Broadway, hop on board the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

By public transport

With a Cotswolds One Day Discoverer pass, you’ll enjoy unlimited travel on the region’s plentiful buses and local trains. 

By car

If you choose to drive, opt for an electric car if possible: there are charging points all over the Cotswolds, and at many hotels too.

Want to know more?

The Cotswolds’s official website is packed with local tips and fun things to do – including the top walks, sights and villages.