This Cotswolds travel guide is designed to help you get the very most out of your trip to the Cotswolds and make planning a breeze. Nestled in the heart of England, The Cotswolds are an Area Of Outstanding National Beauty. They span around 800 square miles, stretching from Bath to Stratford Upon Avon.
If you’re looking for an idyllic and picturesque escape to the countryside, then look no further than the Cotswolds. These sleepy villages are full of charm with their honey-coloured cottages, flowing fields, and cozy pubs.
Cotswold Travel Guides
When is the best time to visit the Cotswolds?
Thanks to their rural location, the Cotswolds are beautiful year round. If you’re looking for some sunshine, head there in the summer. But the countryside gets particularly beautiful in Spring and Autumn. In Spring you’ll see daffodils and lambs in the fields. And in Autumn the pretty villages are bathed in golden leaves.
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And, of course, there’s nothing better than escaping the winter chill in a cosy Cotswold pub.
How Long to Spend in The Cotswolds
To really get a taste of everything the Cotswolds have to offer, I’d recommend visiting for between 3-5 days. This will allow you explore the area properly.
That being said, The Cotswolds make for the perfect weekend break or even day trip! If this is your plan, I’d recommend sticking to a smaller area, so you don’t spread yourself too thin.
Best Places to Visit In The Cotswolds
- Chipping Campden – market town with beautiful thatched cottages
- Stow On The Wold – beautiful town with plentry of old pubs, antique shops, and a lovely church
- Bibury – home to the prettiest street in the UK, Arlington Row
- Tetbury – the largest town in the Cotswolds with great independent shops and eateries
- Lacock – home to a number of Harry Potter filming locations, a must-visit for any fan of the franchise
- Bourton-On-The-Water – pretty town with a lovely stream running through it and plenty to do
Cotswolds Travel Highlights
Stow-On-The-Wold
Stow on the Wold is a beautiful Cotswolds town that’s well worth a visit. Here you’ll find an abundance of cosy Cotswold pubs, as well as beautiful independent shops. Some of my favourites are the Jaffa & Neale Bookshop (which also has a lovely cafe!) and the Organic Shop (with its picture perfect striped awning). Stow-On-The-Wold is famous for its church, which is said to be the inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien’s Doors of Durin. Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or not, this pretty town is definitely worth a visit.
Bibury
If you’re looking for the quintessential Cotswold village, you need to head to Bibury. This tiny little spot is often voted the prettiest place in the UK. It’s famous for one street in particular – Arlington Row. An image of these 17th century cottages actually takes pride of place in the British passport! The main tourist attraction in Bibury is the trout farm. It’s a niche spot and, honestly, not one I’d really recommend. Instead take a wander around the village before getting some delicious food at the ivy clad Swan Hotel. Bibury is only a small village, so you won’t need long here. But its traditional feel makes it the perfect stop on any Cotswolds trip.
Castle Combe
Castle Combe is another village in the Cotswolds that’s often labelled as one of the prettiest places in the UK. This picturesque spot feels almost frozen in time with its honey-coloured cottages and winding roads. The star of the show is the little bride at the bottom of the hill. This makes for the perfect picture with a view of the village in the background. Castle Combe is in the south of the Cotswolds, making it the perfect place to visit when in Bath. Like Bibury, it’s only a very small place and so doesn’t require heaps of time. If you’re looking for a place that’s straight out of a fairytale though, Castle Combe has you covered.
Lower Slaughter
Lower Slaughter has an extra special place in my heart because it’s where I’ll be getting married! This pretty Cotswold village has a stream running right through its centre. The main attraction in this tiny village is the 19th century flour mill with its big waterwheel. You’ll also find some utterly delicious (and award winning!) ice cream here. Like many of the smaller villages, Lower Slaughter’s biggest draw is the whimsical feel of the place. Take some time to wander around and pretend you’re living in your very own fairytale. Once you’re done, head over to the Country Inn for a spot of lunch.
Chipping Norton
This beautiful town is often skipped over by tourists but its beautiful streets and incredible homes have made it a hot spot for celebs looking to purchase property in the Cotswolds. Its proximity to the infamous Soho Farmhouse might also have something to do with the number of celebrities that choose to settle here. Famous names include Kate Moss, the Beckhams, and David Cameron. My favourite part of Chipping Norton is the Jaffe and Neale bookshop (they also have a store in Stow on the Wold!). The staff here are super friendly and the cafe has an array of delicious cakes on offer.
How to Get Around The Cotswolds
Cotswolds By Car
The easiest way to travel the Cotswolds is by car. Due to its rural location, this are doesn’t offer the best public transport. Travelling by car will give you the most flexibility and allow you to visit all of the beautiful little villages that can be tricky to get to otherwise. The drive from London to The Cotswolds by car is about 2.5 hours. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry! I’ve got a full guide to visiting the Cotswolds without a car.
Cotswolds By Train
The Cotswolds is fairly easy to visit by train. The best train stations to look out for are Gloucester and Moreton in Marsh. These will act as a great place from which you can explore. Once you’re actually in the Cotswolds, you’ll likely need to travel by foot or by bus, as very few towns have their own train station.
Cotswolds By Bus
Although the bus routes around the Cotswolds aren’t extensive, there are a number that will help you to explore the area without a car. The most useful buses are the 801, 51, 855, and Johnson’s Service 1. In my Cotswolds Without a Car Itinerary, I’ve put together a whole itinerary using these bus routes.
Cotswolds By Plane
If you’re travelling from abroad, you’ll likely be flying to the Cotswolds. The closest airports are Birmingham and Bristol. Each of these is about an hour away from the Cotswolds. You might find it easier to fly into London. From here it’s around 2.5 hours to the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds Tour
If the thought of arranging transport is giving you a headache, consider booking on to a group tour. Rabbie’s offers a 2 day itinerary through The Cotswolds, Bath, and Oxford. They start from London, so this is a great option for international visitors.
Go Cotswolds offers small-group day tours from Stratford Upon Avon, Moreton on Marsh, or Chipping Campden.
Find out more about travelling the Cotswolds without a car.
Cotswolds Travel Blog Posts
Cotswolds Travel FAQs
Can you travel the Cotswolds without a car?
Yes! Whilst it’s certainly easier to travel the Cotswolds with a car, it’s not impossible to do it without! There are a number of train stations, as well as bus routes, that will allow you to get around the Cotswolds without a car.
Is there Uber in the Cotswolds?
There’s currently no Uber or Lyft in the Cotswolds. You’ll have to use a taxi service instead. Any hotel or pub will be able to give you the name of a good local taxi service. Alternatively you could rely on buses.
Where is the best place to stay in the Cotswolds?
I’d recommend staying in Stow-on-the-Wold. There are plenty of lovely hotels here and it’s a great place to explore the North Cotswolds from. If you’d prefer to explore the South Cotswolds, I’d opt for Bath or Tetbury.
Is the Cotswolds dog friendly?
The Cotswolds are very dog friendly. Almost all pubs will allow dogs, as do a number of hotels. There’s plenty of good spots for dog walks and you’ll see lots of other dogs around.
How long does it take to get from London to the Cotswolds?
By car it takes about 2.5 hours to get to the Cotswolds from London. You can get a direct train from London Paddington to Moreton in Marsh, which takes only 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Is the Cotswolds expensive to visit?
It’s about as expensive as visiting any Southern town or city in the UK. Prices are similar to London in terms of food and drink.