About the Cotswolds

If you’re looking for somewhere with a surprise round every corner then look no further than the beautiful Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds are renowned for quintessentially English market towns from larger towns like Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud, Witney and Tewkesbury to smaller towns like Burford, Chipping Campden, Stow on the Wold, Woodstock and Winchombe and villages like Bibury and the Slaughters. Towns and villages of honey-coloured stone surrounded by gently rolling hills and the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England making them a perfect base for keen walkers and cyclists.

But we also have a whole host of award-winning hotels, pubs and cottages as well as world-class food and drink of the finest Cotswold pedigree.  Escape the high street and lose yourself in village lanes full to bursting with quirky and independent shops, restaurants and farmers markets or soak up the amazing atmosphere of one of our many festivals and events.

You’ll find some of the worlds’ most famous – and beautiful gardens in the Cotswolds, as well as wildlife parks, castles and stately homes and some of the finest historic buildings and churches in the country.  Don’t be put off by our lack of coastline either!  We have 40 square miles of lakes in the Cotswold Water Park and numerous gently winding streams, canals and waterways criss-crossing the picturesque towns and villages.

The Cotswolds cover over 800 square miles, cross six English counties and stretch from just south of historic Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath in the south and Oxford in the east.  During the Middle Ages the area became prosperous from the lucrative wool trade which is why you’ll find so many beautiful churches and manor houses.  Hardly surprising then so many Cotswold locations have featured in tv programmes and films – most recently Poldark, Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films.

With thousands of miles of footpaths and bridleways, dog friendly attractions and places to stay, stunning views, charming villages and year round events and places to visit, isn’t it time you put the Cotswolds at the top of you ‘must-see’ places to visit?

To help you find you way around the Cotswolds, please see the map below. The map below will help you to find out exactly where things are in relation to where you plan to stay and the local attractions.

If you need a more detailed map of the Cotswolds, these are available from a local Tourist Information Centre.