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Visiting The Cotswolds in Gloucestershire is a picture book experience that will remain in your memory forever, the churches, pubs, B&B's, walks, thatched roofs, all make up some of the prettiest villages on the planet.
The only train access to the Cotswolds is Moreton-in-Marsh a few miles from Chipping Campden which has one of the finest High streets you will find with its beautiful thatched roofed cottages and fascinating shops. Stow-On-the-Wold is another old world town nearby.
Our ideal way to see the Cotswolds is to hire a car and spend a few days driving around. Bourton on the Water and Broadway are two more beautiful picture book villages not to be missed.
The Cotswolds are unarguably beautiful, driving along country roads leading through peaceful river valleys, country towns and villages of honey-coloured stone, complete with manor houses, churches and traditional pubs is like gazing at a picture book. In an area rich in history and natural beauty like the Cotswolds, it is sometimes difficult for visitors, even those who have been before, to get to know the country roads and traditional villages.
The Romantic Road tourist route, provides touring routes that are easy to follow and trace the tales of the many artists, writers and craftspeople who have drawn inspiration from the Cotswolds. It shows off the loveliest villages and landscapes, reflecting the romance of their history and literary heritage.
- A guide to some of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds
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Bourton-on-the-Water Probably the most popular village in the Cotswolds, and often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds" because the River Windrush runs right through the centre of the village. The combination of this clear sparkling water and the attractive low bridges crossing it create a charming scene, best enjoyed in the quieter times of day and quieter months of the year. Bourton-on-the-Water has many attractions, suitable for visitors of all ages. The Model Village is a mini replica of the village itself, Birdland Park and Gardens offers woodland, river and gardens inhabited by over 500 birds, and the Cotswold Perfumery is a sensory experience with a difference! Attractions · Model Village · Perfumery Tours · Cotswold Motoring Museum · Model railway exhibition · Birdland · Dragonfly Maze |
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Bath
The World Heritage Site of Bath and the beautiful countryside surrounding it is unique and unforgettable. This comfortably sized city is packed with places to visit. Bath's rich diversity of museums, galleries, gardens and attractions are all within easy distance of each other. Attractions · The Roman Baths · Bath Abbey · The Museum of Costume · Jane Austen Centre · The Building of Bath Museum · The Victoria Art Gallery and Holburne Museum · Thermae Bath Spa |
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Broadway
Picture perfect with its honey-coloured Cotswold stone buildings, Broadway is one of the most picturesque of the Cotswold villages. Broadway has attracted visitors from around the world for centuries and with its chocolate box looks you may feel you could be stepping onto a film set. With a wide range of antique and high quality shops, spectacular scenery and with lovely places to stay, Broadway is delightful at any time of the year. Fish Hill provides the impressive backdrop to Broadway and on top stands Broadway Tower, a 65 foot (20m) high folly, built by the Earl of Coventry in the 18th Century. From the tower spectacular views of 12 counties can be enjoyed. Attractions · Snowshill Manor · Snowshill Lavender · Broadway Tower · Farncombe Estate Centre |
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Cheltenham The Spa town of Cheltenham has been welcoming visitors for almost three hundred years, ever since the discovery of the first natural spring led to the development of the elegant spa town. Cheltenham is renowned for its Regency architecture, stylish shopping, colourful parks and floral displays, horseracing, music and literature festivals. Fine accommodation and a wide variety of restaurants make Cheltenham a good touring base for the Cotswolds. Attractions · Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum · Holst Birthplace museum · Pittville Pump Rooms and Park · Cheltenham Racecourse |
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Chipping Campden, Diva's favourite village. Frequently described as the "jewel in the crown" of Cotswold towns, Chipping Campden is also one of the best preserved and most historically important. The High Street is lined with a range of wonderful and intriguing shops. In the town centre is the Market hall built in 1627 for the sale of butter, cheese and poultry. Chipping Campden has been thoroughly preserved and still presents the character of a Cotswold market town. Attractions · Market Hall · Hart’s silversmith at the The Silk Mill · Court Barn Museum · Hidcote Manor Garden · Kiftsgate Garden |
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Moreton-in-Marsh
Located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode valley, Moreton- in- Marsh is a thriving market town dating back 1000 years to the Saxon era. Its broad High Street is lined with elegant 17th and 18th Century buildings, among them the White Hart Royal, a former manor house in which King Charles I sheltered during the Civil War. Every Tuesday Moreton in Marsh hosts the largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds. You do need to be early as on occasion it is almost impossible to park later in the morning. Attractions · Market in centre (Tuesdays) · Batsford Arboretum (2km) · Bourton House Garden (2km) · Cotswold Falconry Centre (2km) · Wellington Aviation Museum (centre) · Mill Dene Garden (5km) |
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Stow-on-the-Wold
Famous as a centre for antiques, Stow-on-the-Wold, situated on the Roman Fosse Way, has a long history and probably dates from a prehistoric fortified settlement on top of the hill. The Market Square is large and impressive and, surrounded by houses, shops and inns all built in the local Cotswold stone, it gives the feeling of being the focus of town life over many centuries. At nearly 800ft, Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns, approached uphill from all directions. Attractions · Toy museum (town centre) · Birdland · Cotswold Motoring Musuem and Toy Collection · Cotswold Pottery · Model Railway Exhibition · Model Village · Dragonfly Maze |
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The Slaughters
Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter share a fascinating name, which derives from "miry place" which it certainly is not now! The link (and the fascination) is the tiny River Eye that links the two small villages. Lower Slaughter is just off the Roman Fosse Way and a wonderfully conserved typical Cotswold village, with a Water Mill and ducks on the stream - a wander alongside the stream seems like a privilege. Upper Slaughter is equally attractive with old cottages and farmhouses, and a Manor House now a hotel, It is a lovely walk between the two villages. Attractions · Old Mill and Gift shop · Walk between the two Slaughters · Model Village · Cotswold Motoring Museum · Birdland · Dragonfly Maze · Model Railway Exhibition |
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