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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
    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
    Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

    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

    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
    The Cotswold Way Walking Trail
    Cotswold Way National Trail

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

    Book tickets to 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
    Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

    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

    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
    The Cotswold Way Walking Trail
    Cotswold Way National Trail

    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.

    Historical building, with a clock tower, beside a fountain

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

    Firework in the evening, illuminated hot air balloons on the ground at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

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

    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.

    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.

    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.