The Cotswolds is home to some of the most unspoilt, historic and famous towns and villages in England. The honey-coloured stone buildings provide a quintessential English charm found no-where else in the world. It really is a unique experience!
Beautiful villages such as Snowshill and Painswick nestle in the Cotswold Hills, are sure to delight any visitor. Historical market towns such as Cirencester, Tetbury, Stroud and Tewkesbury offer excellent local shopping with thriving markets bursting with local produce. For those visitors looking to enjoy the countryside from a more urban base the larger towns of Gloucester, with its historic waterfront, and Regency Cheltenham Spa offers impressive architecture, stylish shopping and world-class horse racing.
There are so many towns and villages to explore, you will need to start planning your next trip before you leave.
Beautiful countryside, chic accommodation, colourful markets, quirky events and shopping…. The stunning towns and villages of the Cotswolds will always surprise you!
North Cotswolds
Whilst the rightly famous and popular towns of the north Cotswolds such as Cheltenham, Broadway, Bourton on the Water or Burford feature in every guidebook, head off the beaten track and you can unearth hidden gems such as Bourton on the Hill or Naunton. Each of the better known market towns such as Chipping Campden, Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold has a cluster of villages around it and these are decidedly Cotswold in character and well worth investigating.
Winchcombe is an unspoilt market town set on the Cotswold edge. It’s known as being a centre for walkers and is a great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the rural Cotswolds. A stay in the north Cotswolds brings Stratford upon Avon and Oxford into perfect range for day visits.
South Cotswolds
The south Cotswolds covers the area around Cirencester and the Stroud Valleys – continuing down to north Wiltshire and towns such as Tetbury and Malmesbury. Basing yourself here puts Bristol and Bath within easy reach.
The Cotswold Water Park dominates the south of the Cotswolds and is an incredible place for leisure offering sports, walks and a beach based around 150 lakes in 40 square miles. Despite its size, it is a well-kept secret just a few miles from Cirencester.
There are ‘Five Valleys’ here which meet at the town of Stroud; linked by the lofty heights of Rodborough, Minchinhampton and Selsley Commons. Many artists and craftspeople live in these peaceful, hidden valleys. The surrounding pretty towns of Nailsworth, Painswick, Fairford and Tetbury are all lovely Cotswold market towns.
Whichever part of the Cotswolds you choose, the advice is to really make yourself at home by staying a little longer.
Visit one of the many Tourist Information Centres if you need to find out more information during your visit; buy a gift or souvenir, or just to have a chat with the friendly Information Centre staff about where to go on your visit.
