14 Best Cotswolds Villages To Visit (+ Tours From London)

The Cotswold villages are an embodiment of the picture-perfect English countryside. But there’s hidden variety in these rural charmers. Here are the best Cotswolds villages, many within easy reach of London.

Regular readers of Anywhere We Roam might not necessarily associate us with the Cotswolds Villages.

Mark and I tend to prefer hanging out in big cities or hiking in remote countryside.

But there’s an undeniable charm to the honey-coloured stone cottages and rolling green hills dotted with sheep that make the Cotswolds a unique destination in England.

We love the area for the excellent country pubs, walks from sleepy villages and the feeling of stepping back in time.

We spent most of lockdown in the Cotswolds and make regular trips from our base in London, so we know the area well.

These are our favourite villages to visit.

For more ideas on what to do, read our guide to the best things to do in the Cotswolds.

HOW TO VISIT THE COTSWOLDS?

The Cotswolds are centrally located in the heart of England. If you’re travelling independently, the best way to visit is in your own car, but public transport is possible in some areas.

There are also plenty of great tours to the Cotswolds.

VISITING ON AN ORGANISED TOUR

An organised tour is a great way to see the Cotswolds if you don’t have your own car.

From London (Get Your Guide) – This full-day tour includes Oxford, Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Small Group Tour (Get Your Guide) – This full-day tour includes Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.

North Cotswolds Tour (Viator) – This tour for up to 7 people includes pickup anywhere in the North Cotswolds and visits Chipping Camden, Stow-on-the-Wold, the Slaughters and several other villages.

Private Day Tour (Viator) – Pick up from Moreton-in-Marsh, this tour includes the Slaughters, Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Chipping Camden.

BY CAR

Driving around the Cotswolds is relatively easy, but you need to be careful on some very narrow country lanes. Take your time and go slow around corners, and you will be fine.

If you have your own car, you can easily see many of the villages in one trip. More about that in the Itinerary section below.

BY TRAIN

Getting to the Cotswolds by train is not the easiest, but there are a few stations if you want to base yourself in one location for a weekend.

There are train stations in:

• Kingham
• Moreton-in-Marsh
• Evesham (for Broadway)
• Bath
• Charlbury
• Oxford

We have listed below how to get to each location by public transport.

ITINERARIES FOR VISITING THE COTSWOLDS

Mark and I have visited the Cotswolds many times, so we feel like we know our way around quite well. Here are some of our other guides to help plan your trip.

Use our guide to the best Cotswolds Weekends to plan your trip. This includes 5 different itineraries with pub and restaurant recommendations and great things to do in the area.

If you only have a day, read our guide to the best Cotswolds Day trips. This has 10 ideas for seeing as much as possible on individual day trips.

COTSWOLDS VILLAGES MAP

The Cotswolds cover an area of 787 square miles across the centre of England. It’s located within easy access of London, Bristol, and Birmingham.

BEST VILLAGES IN THE COTSWOLDS

1. CASTLE COMBE

Castle Combe has no tourist shops and a real lived-in feel.

Rows of honey-coloured cottages extend from a 14th-century market square up a gentle slope framed by a green backdrop.

This tiny Cotswolds village regularly appears in the film industry and on Instagram, and it’s easy to see why.

Surrounded by forested hills, the surrounding area is beautiful. Mark and I often go hiking around here. You can read our favourite Cotswolds hikes here.

2. BIBURY

Bibury is often described as the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds, centred around a picturesque church and a charming village green.

The most famous feature of Bibury is Arlington Row, where 17th-century weaver cottages ascend the gradual rise in the hill.

It’s the most iconic photo spot in the Cotswolds.

Bibury and Arlington Row, in particular, are popular spots for bus trips, and they can be packed with visitors throughout the day.

So, we suggest arriving as close to sunrise as possible, and you’ll have it all to yourself.

3. BROADWAY

Broadway is at the foot of the western end of the Cotswolds escarpment. It’s one of the best villages in the Cotswolds for shopping and modern country style.

Old-style tea rooms serve high tea and fresh scones. Antique shops, styled in subtle Cotswolds grey, are crammed with unique quirky pieces.

The picturesque high street has drawn famous artists, including Claude Monet. He found inspiration in what is now the Abbots Grange Manor House.

We highly recommend the 6-kilometre circular walk from the town to Broadway Tower, pictured below. The details are on our best walks in the Cotswolds guide.

4. STANTON

Stanton is a very understated village in the Cotswolds and one you’ll probably have all to yourself.

For us, the highlight is always the Mount Inn; the local pub is perfectly positioned on the hill overlooking the village.

We’ve ended many a hike here taking in the sweeping views, which, on a clear day, extend to the Welsh mountains.

It’s a great place to come to avoid the Instagram side of the Cotswolds and just enjoy a traditional local village.

5. MINSTER LOVELL

Minster Lovell is a charming and still slightly hidden place in the Cotswolds.

Located by the banks of the Windrush River, the tiny village is where you can enjoy afternoon tea while watching a game of cricket on the green.

But the main reason for visiting Minster Lovell is the 15th-century manor house ruins. You can see from our photos below just how atmospheric this place is.

There are plenty of picnic spots on the grassy fields on either side of the river and a weir where you can go for a swim if the weather is in your favour.

6. PAINSWICK

The prosperity Painswick enjoyed from the 17th century is evident. The elegant grey limestone buildings make this one of the more regal Cotswold villages.

A maze of cobbled laneways provides plenty of spaces to explore, with the village cascading down the side of a hill.

The main attraction in Painswick is St Mary’s Church and its immaculate grounds.

It’s a popular filming location in the Cotswolds, decorated with rows of yew trees and surrounded by tombs and monuments.

7. BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER

Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the best villages in the Cotswolds for families, with a host of great activities to keep the kids occupied.

A picturesque canal runs down the high street with handsome stone bridges connecting either side of the road.

Trendy cafes mix with quaint tea rooms and ice cream stands. Like any small village worth its salt, there are plenty of bakeries.

Visit the Cotswolds Motoring Museum or see the miniature village at the Model Village.

8 – UPPER SLAUGHTER & LOWER SLAUGHTER

Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter are two tiny but beautiful Cotswolds villages. If you have an image in your mind of the perfect English villages, it’s probably these.

Building has not occurred in the Slaughters since 1906, so they remain untouched by time.

River Eye – a tributary of the River Windrush – winds its way through the village. Honey-coloured cottages and cute churches dot the banks.

There are no shops in either village, just several places along the river to soak up the scenery.

9. KINGHAM

Kingham is a small working community and the best villages in the Cotswolds for foodies.

The local pub – The Kingham Plough – is operated under a Heston Blumenthal prodigy. It’s the perfect cosy pub to enjoy a pint and some top-quality cooking after a long day of hiking in the area.

The Wild Rabbit crafts culinary masterpieces in an impressive but relaxed setting. It’s not cheap, but it’s great for a special occasion.

10. LACOCK

Lacock is owned and managed by the National Trust, so it lacks the lived-in feel of other Cotswold villages, but it has its own unique charm.

The protection of the trust has ensured that Lacock has remained well-preserved. It’s largely unchanged since it was established in the 13th century as a wool trading centre. 

Half-timber, half-stone cottages line wonky laneways that fill the village with charm and character. Shops have maintained their original, simple branding.

Films such as Pride and Prejudice and Emma have filmed in this charming Cotswolds village.

11. STOW-ON-THE-WOLD

Stow-on-the-Wold is a charming market village in the Cotswolds with a reputation for a vibrant antiques scene.

Situated at the top of a hill, the town centres around a large market square surrounded by elegant Cotswolds townhouses.  

Like many of the best villages, Stow has many tea rooms and artisanal coffee shops. Stow Town Coffee roasts its own beans, and The Hive does an excellent café lunch.

The highlight of a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold is St Edward’s Church. The old door under a tree is one of the most Instagram-able spots in the Cotswolds.

12. CHIPPING CAMPDEN

Chipping Campden is a popular destination in the Cotswolds with a grand high street lined with handsome, golden houses. Wealthy merchants built them between the 14th and 17th centuries.

The highlights are St James Church, a towering landmark that can be seen from miles away, and the 17th-century Campden House Gateway.

Don’t miss the Market Hall, which still stands from Chipping Campden’s glory days of wool trading.

One of the most popular attractions in Chipping Campden is the thatched-roof houses. On the side streets of the high street, you’ll find examples of grand Cotswold residential architecture.

13. BURFORD

Burford is often considered the gateway to the Cotswolds. It’s located on the River Windrush and a great place to visit on a day trip to Oxford.

The high street, which follows a hill down towards the river, is one of the most beautiful streets in the Cotswolds.

Lined with a rambling collection of medieval houses and shops, you’ll find local antiques and delis.

There’s a great selection of galleries, bookshops, and classic Cotswolds pubs.

St John’s Church is a display of Burford’s prior wealth with memorials to great families who were connected to Henry VIII.

14. SNOWSHILL

We recently visited Snowshill, which was completely unplanned, on a walk organised by friends. We both immediately thought it was one for this list.

It’s set around a small church green lined with cottages overlooking the countryside. The setting is lovely.

The main attraction in the village is the Snowhill Manor.

This 16th-century country house has an enormous collection of objects acquired by its eccentric owner, Charles Paget Wade. We had a great time strolling around, checking out the curiosities.

There are several listed buildings on the property, including the brewhouse and the dovecote.

PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR ENGLAND GUIDES

• Read our list of the essential places you need to visit in England.
• Our train itinerary of England over 10 days visits popular places and rural gems.
• Looking for the best neighbourhoods in London, read our guide about where to stay in London.
• Use our London itinerary to see the best of the city on easy to follow walking routes.
• Take a day trip to Brighton from London to enjoy the typical English seaside.
• Book a relaxing break in Cornwall with our guide to the top areas, beaches and attractions.
• See the best of Oxford on a day trip.