15 Unmissble Things To Do In The Cotswolds, England

Walk the lanes of pretty villages and the trails of bucolic countryside; have a proper pint in a real pub and discover the very best activities in the Cotswolds, England.

There’s an unmistakable charm about the Cotswolds.

Dreamy honey-coloured cottages, impossibly cute villages, and idyllic English countryside.

The Cotswolds has a reputation for serving the afternoon tea crowd. And this it does. But, scratch under the surface, and there’s a host of interesting things to do.

Learn about Victorian-era brewing methods. Relive the history of moody monarchs. Stroll historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

After exploring the charming places to visit in the Cotswolds, grab a pair of hiking boots and walk through the rolling countryside. Stroll through forgotten hamlets, have a pint at a country pub, and enjoy one of the best things to do in the Cotswolds.

If you’re coming from London, the Cotswolds is one of our favourite London day trips.

COTSWOLDS, ENGLAND MAP

We’ve captured all these fantastic things to do in the Cotswolds on the below map so you can start planning your next getaway. If you’re planning a mini-break, read our guide to the best Cotswolds day trips.

WHAT TO DO IN THE COTSWOLDS?

1. VISIT A COTSWOLDS VILLAGE

Undoubtedly, the top thing to do in the Cotswolds is to visit one of the charming villages.

There are plenty to choose from, which we have listed in more detail in our Cotswolds Villages guide, but here are some of the best.

Castle Combe – Thanks to a lack of tourist shops, Castle Combe has a real lived-in feel. Framed by the surrounding wooded hills, it’s an unspoilt village in a beautiful setting.

Bibury – Bibury is popular for Arlington Row – the small row of weaver cottages set behind a wild meadow. Early in the morning, with mist rising from the water, the honey-coloured cottages shimmer in the haze.

Bourton-on-the-Water – A picturesque canal runs down the high street with handsome stone bridges connecting either side of the road. There’s a car museum, a model village, and a local brewery.

The Slaughters – Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter are two of the most scenic villages in England. The River Eye winds its way past stone cottages and cute churches connected by romantic bridges.

2. HIKE THE COTSWOLDS WAY

The Cotswolds Way is a 102-mile (164-kilometre) walking trail from Chipping Campden to the city of Bath along the edge of the Cotswolds Escarpment. The hike includes pastures, woodlands, stately homes, and neolithic burial sites.

Fortunately, you can get a taste of the Cotswolds Way on several (much shorter) day hikes.

BROADWAY CIRCULAR

6km / 2 hr / easy – This hike over an easy-to-follow path starts and ends in the beautiful village of Broadway and visits Broadway Tower, a folly with views from the highest point in the Cotswolds.

STANTON TO SNOWSHILL

11 km / 3.5 hr / medium – The route from Stanton to Snowshill climbs to the top of the Cotswolds escarpment with views over the Cotswolds farmland. Finish at the Snowshill Arms – one of our favourite pubs in the Cotswolds.

CLEEVE HILL

14.2 km / 4.5 hr / strenuous – The unusually desolate environment at Cleeve Hill makes a great contrast to the typically green Cotswolds scenery. This walk visits Belas Knap, a Neolithic burial mound, along with sweeping hillside plains.

Read more in our guide to the best Cotswolds walks.

3. DEVOUR THE COTSWOLDS PRODUCE

The Cotswolds has a reputation for top-quality produce. Here are our picks.

Cotswolds Distillery – Learn about the production techniques of the award-winning whiskies, gins, and liqueurs at this sleek and modern distillery in Stourton.

Daylesford Organic – The organic farm cafe at Daylesford has a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare. Enjoy excellent local produce, a mindblowing cheese room, plus spa treatments and cooking classes.

Hook Norton Brewery – Located in a beautiful Cotswolds location, the Hook Norton Brewery still uses a Victorian brewing tower to craft their handmade ales. Tours of the brewery take place daily where you can learn their artisanal techniques and sample a drop or two.

Cotswolds Cheese Company – While they stock a few international varieties, the focus is firmly on locally produced cheeses and deli staples. They have outlets in Burford, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Stow-on-the-Wold.

4. PICNIC AT THE MINSTER LOVELL RUINS

There are several ruins and follies in the Cotswolds, but the most scenic is Minster Lovell.

The ruins of the 15th-century manor house rest on a grassy field beside the River Windrush and include a hall, a crumbling tower, and a dovecote.

It’s beautifully atmospheric and the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

There is also a small reed-fringed weir pool that is about 5 minutes’ walk upstream, which is perfect for a refreshing wild swim. All the details are in our guide to wild swimming in the Thames.

Getting there – Minster Lovell is 16 miles west of Oxford off the B4047. Follow the signs to the lower village. The ruins are a 10-minute walk from the village.

Parking – The ruins are at the end of a narrow dead-end lane where parking is not permitted. Park in the village (being careful not to block access) or at the small parking lot at the end of the village.

5. VISIT CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA

Built between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD, the Chedworth Roman Villa was the largest Roman village in England, consisting of bathhouses with ornate mosaics and underfloor heating.

Today it’s little more than the remaining foundations, but it’s worth visiting for the extraordinarily well-preserved mosaics alone. 

Walk along suspended walkways to examine the ornate work, the most complete Roman mosaics in England that remain in their original position.

The onsite museum displays various objects found at the site, and there’s a cafe serving basic snacks and ice cream, which you can take out to the lovely picnic area.

6. ENJOY A CLASSIC COTSWOLDS RESTAURANT

The food scene in the Cotswolds is perhaps best known for traditional English pubs. However, there’s a diversity just waiting to be untapped.

Here are some great culinary opportunities in Cotswolds.

High Tea, The Manor House – The Manor House in Castle Combe delivers a decadent homemade high tea in one of their sumptuous lounges or on their outdoor terrace. The setting is beautiful, the sandwiches dainty and the champagne free-flowing.

Pudding Club, Three Ways Hotel – Intent on preserving the tradition of the great British pudding, Pudding Club at the Three Ways Hotel in Mickleton parades around 7 traditional puddings on a trolley for a decadent selection.

Wild Rabbit, Kingham – For culinary masterpieces in an impressive but relaxed setting, the menu at the Wild Rabbit is constructed from locally farmed produce.

The Fox Inn, Oddington – Our favourite traditional pub in the Cotswolds, The Fox has a daily changing menu comprising comforting classics and a few dishes nudging into gastropub territory.  

7. EXPLORE HISTORIC BATH

Bath is a beautiful city in the Cotwolds with stately Georgian architecture and a world-famous Roman Bath.

It’s a place Mark and I love visiting with it’s vibrant independent retail sector, a few excellent cafes, and streets that are a delight to explore.

The Roman Baths is the obvious highlight in Bath but there are plenty of other great reasons to visit.

Admire the sweep of regal architecture on the Royal Crescent, visit the extraordinary Bath Abbey, or book a session at the only natural thermal spa in the UK.

We have plenty more details on our guide to the best Bath attractions.

If you are visiting on a day trip, read our 1-day itinerary for Bath.

8. TAKE A DAY TRIP TO OXFORD

Oxford is on the edge of the Cotswolds and it’s an excellent gateway for visiting the region.

Mark was a student at Oxford so he goes back regularly to relive his misspent youth.

The Bodleian Library is one of the unmissable highlights on a visit to Oxford. Tickets go on sale one month in advance on the library website and they often book out quickly.

You also can’t miss Radclife Square, one of the most beautiful in England, and New College which has the oldest dining hall in the university.

We have two guides on Oxford you might find useful.

The first, our 1-day Oxford itinerary will help you plan a day trip from London. The second is our things to do in Oxford which more has detailed information about visiting.

9. ADMIRE THE GARDENS AT HIDCOTE MANOR

The manor houses of the Cotswolds provide an opportunity to explore manicured English gardens.

Some are quirky, some are shrouded in mystery; Hidcote Manor is a combination of both.

The cottage gardens at Hidcote Manor are segmented into different outdoor spaces, each with its own character.

Created by American Lawrence Johnston, the National Trust now owns and runs Hidcote. The gardens have been maintained in their original design, showcasing Johnston’s skill.

Even if gardens aren’t your thing, it’s hard not to be impressed by the creative layout and beautiful spaces.

10. HAVE A PINT IN A ENGLISH PUB

One of the best things to do in the Cotswolds is to visit a traditional English country pub. After several years living in the area, here are our favourites.

Falkland Arms, Great Tew – For a proper English pub in the Cotswolds, it’s hard to get past the Falkland Arms. The relaxed rustic mood is accentuated by dogs snoozing by the fire.

The King’s Head, Bledington – Set in front of a small green with an ice cream van operating throughout summer, the King’s Head is a perfect country pub for a lazy Sunday lunch. Book in advance and ask for a table in the bar area. 

The Ebrington Arms, Ebrington – This 17th-century country inn has a buzzing atmosphere and an excellent beer garden. They’re renowned for their award-winning food, which elevates the traditional pub classics.

11. VISIT BLENHEIM PALACE

As the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim is an imposing, grand building and the only non-royal residence called a palace.

The sumptuous state rooms and rich baroque architecture, have earned the palace a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Outside, stroll around the 2000 acres of landscape parkland and landscaped English garden.

Our Tip // Free Access to Blenheim – You need to pay to enter the palace and gardens, but it’s free to walk around the surrounding parkland. Just off the main road in Woodstock, enter a green gate with the number 95 on it. This is the free public footpath into Blenheim. The exact location is here.

12. ADMIRE LACOCK ABBEY

Lacock Abbey, founded in 1229 by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, is a quirky country house with varying architectural styles inherited over the centuries.

The medieval rooms contain a clock house, a brewery and a bakehouse. Outside, walking paths meander through the parkland which includes a beautiful Rose Garden and a botanic Garden created by Henry Fox Talbot who invented the photographic process.

Many parts of the original 13th-century building remain untouched making the Abbey a favourite location for movies including Harry Potter and The Other Boleyn Girl.

13. SHOP FOR ANTIQUES IN STOW-ON-THE-WOLD

Outside London, the Cotswolds has the highest concentration of antique shops in England.

Cheltenham and Cirencester are renowned for their excellent antiques scene, but for something more local and charming, our pick of the Cotswolds antiques destinations is Stow-on-the-Wold.

This lovely market town is located at the top of a hill and has a walkable main street and large market square.

The antique shops in Stow include everything from galleries with faithfully restored pieces to rambling arcades with battered treasures and colourful sellers.

It’s the perfect place to pick up a quirky item or interesting art piece.

14. ENCOUNTER ROYALTY AT SUDELEY CASTLE

Sudeley Castle is a voyage through English royal history.

The commanding residence was home to heavyweights such as Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Charles I.

While the building is fascinating enough, the 10 gardens that surround the castle grounds are an evocative stroll through English horticultural styles.

The Queens’ Garden contains over 80 different types of roses, while the Physic Garden still produces herbs once used to cure royalty of their ailments.

The star, however, is the wild unkempt garden in the old ruins – one of the most evocative must-visit attractions in the Cotswolds.

15. GO TO A COTSWOLD FESTIVAL

The Cotswolds has turned itself into a venue for some of the country’s biggest festivals. For the foodies, musos, bookworms or party-goers, here’s a selection of events in the Cotswolds.

CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Over 10 days, the Cheltenham Literature Festival brings together the biggest names in publishing.

Hear talks by award-winning authors, attend spoken word performances and join discussions about topics from travel to adventure, art, history, and religion.

CHARLBURY BEER FESTIVAL

Organised entirely by volunteers, the Charlbury Beer Festival raises money for causes both locally and in the developing world. It features live music, plenty of food, talks, and of course, beer.

WILDERNESS FESTIVAL

As the premier Cotswolds event, Wilderness Festival has well-being retreats, great dining experiences, and outdoor craft classes.

But the big drawcard is the incredible music. The 2023 lineup included The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and the Sugarbabes.

BIG FEASTIVAL

The Big Feastival includes food demonstrations, a cheese disco, and table sessions with notable chefs. Take a cooking lesson, enjoy a huge variety of food, or just party into the wee hours with one great act after another.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE COTSWOLDS

The versatility of these great things to do in the Cotswolds makes it a great year-round destination.

In summer, enjoy a walk in the Cotswolds or visit villages bathed in sunshine. However, summer is the busiest time of year, so accommodation will be more expensive and some of the villages will be bursting with tourists.

Few other areas in the country display rusty autumn colours quite like the Cotswolds when a stroll on a crisp day is food for the soul.

In winter, be captivated by the pretty stone villages frosted in snow as you curl up in front of an open fire with a glass of red in a country pub.

But it’s spring when the Cotswolds really come alive. The gardens are at their most beautiful; the hiking trails are full of blossom and wild garlic, and the villages are still quiet and relaxed before the summer rush.

HOW TO GET TO THE COTSWOLDS

BY CAR

Being centrally located in the heart of England, the Cotswolds are an excellent weekend destination. The best way to visit is in your own car, which will give you the freedom to collect many of these wonderful things to do at your leisure.

BY TRAIN

There are train stations at Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Evesham (near Broadway), Bath, Charlbury and Oxford, but the buses that connect the villages can be rather infrequent.

We have more information about getting around the area in our guide to the best villages in the Cotswolds.

BY TOUR

With villages spread around a large area and buses infrequent joining a tour is an excellent way to see the highlights.

WHERE TO STAY?

Staying around Bourton-on-the-Water puts you central to many of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds.

Broadway is another good choice with plenty of great pubs, restaurants, nearby walks and lovely scenery.

We have a detailed guide about accommodation in the Cotswolds which includes a review of each of the main areas with hotel recommendations.

MORE COTSWOLDS GUIDES

• Find our top 10 spots for wild swimming on the Thames
• Find your perfect stay with our guide to accommodation in the Cotswolds.
• These 10 Cotswolds day trips have something for everyone + tours.
• Read our guide to spending 1 day in Bath.
• Our top 5 weekend break ideas in the Cotswolds.
• Don’t miss these beautiful Cotswolds villages.
• Visit Oxford on a day trip.
• The very best things to do in the Cotswolds.
• These day trips from London are all achievable without a car.