Destination guide
Cotswolds
United Kingdom
The Cotswolds are a range of rolling hills spread over parts of south-west and south central England. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966, it has unique features derived from the local golden-coloured limestone known as Cotswold stone.
How we vet these picks
Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
The Art of Cosy Country Living in the English Countyside | The Cotswolds & Somerset Slow Living Vlog
Cotswolds, England: Village Charm - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
![19 BEST Things to do in The Cotswolds [PLUS 13 Best Cotswolds Villages You MUST-SEE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8a9XO6ApIus/hqdefault.jpg)
19 BEST Things to do in The Cotswolds [PLUS 13 Best Cotswolds Villages You MUST-SEE]
COTSWOLDS TRAVEL GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Things to Do in the Cotswolds: 5 Most Charming Villages
Best Villages in the Cotswolds, England: Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury & Broadway And More 🇬🇧
Best time to go
Best window: May–October
Kind weather all year — there is no month to avoid.
Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.
Getting around
By bus
The bus services in the Cotswolds are very limited, although the first time visitor might have some luck exploring the Fosse Way by bus - a Roman road connecting Moreton in Marsh and various market towns to Cirencester. Research is definitely needed.
By cycle
The Cotswolds are hilly but there are well-marked cycle routes on quiet roads.
By car
As Bill Bryson said, this is the only option to see the Cotswolds. He was probably right. It's great walking country though - gentle hillsides not mountains. Note: Take care of the cows on commons (they stand/lie on the roads at night).
By foot
Perhaps Bill Bryson was wrong - there are lovely walks throughout all the Cotswolds, taking from a couple of hours for a gentle stroll between villages to a week or more on a walking tour.
Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What to see
Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Low stone footbridges cross the shallow River Windrush through the village's center, earning it the nickname 'Venice of the Cotswolds'.
Vetted sources
Bibury
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
Arlington Row's 17th-century weavers' cottages, called by William Morris the most beautiful village in England.
Vetted sources
Arlington Row, Bibury
Worth itAlso recommended by Condé Nast Traveller
A row of 17th-century weavers' cottages so photogenic that Condé Nast Traveller named Bibury one of the most beautiful villages in the world because of it.
Vetted sources
Castle Combe
Worth itAlso recommended by Condé Nast Traveller
No new house has been built in this parish since the 1600s, making it, per Condé Nast Traveller's global small-towns list, one of the most intact time-capsule villages in Britain.
Vetted sources
Sudeley Castle
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A castle with ten separate gardens, including a knot garden inspired by the pattern on one of Elizabeth I's dresses, and aviaries of vividly coloured pheasants.
Vetted sources
Broadway Tower
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
An 18th-century folly designed by 'Capability' Brown and architect James Wyatt, sited atop the Cotswold escarpment for sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
Vetted sources
What to do
Cotswold Farm Park
Worth itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A working farm founded by broadcaster Adam Henson showcasing over 50 native and rare British livestock breeds, with hands-on animal encounters for visitors.
Vetted sources
Cotswold Water Park
Great Britain's largest water park, consisting of 133 lakes which were formed by filling old gravel quarries. It is about five miles south of Cirencester and offers many water sports and activities, including dragon boat racing.
Vetted sources
Classic Motoring
For visitors wishing to tour the area in a classic car, the Cotswolds is home to Classic Motoring, a company specialising in the self-drive hire of Jaguar E-Type convertibles.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Restaurant Hywel Jones, Lucknam Park
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Set in the original ballroom of a Palladian mansion near Colerne, chef Hywel Jones has held a Michelin star here for 20 consecutive years as of 2025.
Vetted sources
The Dining Room, Whatley Manor
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
Holds both a Michelin Star and a Green Star, the latter recognising that much of its produce is grown on the manor's own grounds.
Vetted sources
Le Champignon Sauvage
Worth itAlso recommended by The Guardian
Retained its Michelin star for 29 consecutive years and was rated 10/10 by The Guardian, particularly for its inventive dessert menu.
Vetted sources
The Horse and Groom, Bourton-on-the-Hill
Worth itAlso recommended by Michelin Guide
A village pub near Batsford celebrated for an affordable British menu of classics like sausage and mash and a full Sunday roast, a contrast to the region's tasting-menu establishments.
Vetted sources
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