Cotswolds Travel Guide

ByKelsey Heinrichs Hours

Welcome to my mini guide to the Cotswolds. In this guide, you’ll find recommendations on the best things to do in the Cotswolds and the best places to visit. I’ve also included recommendations for amazing restaurants and hotels. At the end of this post, there is a saveable Google Map with all locations pinned, ready for your trip to the Cotswolds!

  • A woman in a beige trench coat walks down a picturesque street in Castle Combe, a charming village in the Cotswolds. The stone houses are adorned with climbing plants and flowers, and the surrounding hills are lush with autumn foliage.
    Castle Combe
  • An ornate manor house in the Cotswolds is enveloped by lush green and red ivy. The building's historic architecture features steeply pitched roofs, intricate stonework, and tall chimneys, set against a backdrop of autumn trees. Stone urns and balustrades line the steps leading to the garden below.
    The Manor House

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Things to do

🦌 Go deer spotting at Broadway Tower⁣
👟 Walk the Cotswold Way⁣
🍺 Visit the oldest Inn in England, The Porch House
🏰 Blenheim Palace⁣⁣ (birthplace of Winston Churchill)
💜 Cotswold Lavender Farm ⁣
🏰 Warwick Castle
🏡 Anne Hathaway’s Cottage + Shakespeare’s Birthplace⁣
🏘 The Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water ⁣
🌹 Snowhill Manor⁣ & Gardens
🏰 Sudeley Castle
⛪️ Gloucester Cathedral

Places to Visit

Bibury
Castle Combe
Stow-on-the-Wold
Bourton-on-the-Water
Chipping Campden
Broadway
Upper Slaughter
Lower Slaughter
Burford
Snowshill
Cirencester
Fairford
Painswick⁣

  • The Swan Inn in the Cotswolds, a charming stone building covered in vibrant ivy, sits alongside a serene stream. Two striped deck chairs and a small yellow table are set up on a manicured lawn, inviting relaxation in the picturesque setting. The surrounding trees show hints of autumn, enhancing the inn's cozy and inviting atmosphere.
    The Swan Inn in Burford
  • A cozy table at Lucy's Tearoom in Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswolds, is set with a slice of cake, a scone with clotted cream and jam, a cup of tea, and a mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. The rustic wooden table and vintage decor add to the charming, quaint atmosphere.
    Lucy’s Tearoom in Stow-on-the-Wold

When to Visit the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds is truly beautiful any time of year, yes even in winter! However, my favourite time to visit is during Autumn when an explosion of beautiful red & orange foliage is on display. If you want to visit during this time I recommend planning a trip for the last week of October or the first week of November.

Where to eat

£
Lucy’s Tearoom (Cream teas)
Lynwood & Co (Coffee + Quick bites)
The Stump (Pizza & Craft Beer)

££
Daylesford Organic Farm (Modern British)
Da Luigi Bistro (Italian)
The Fox at Oddington (Pub/Pizza)
The Butchers Arms (Modern British)
The Kingham Plough (British/Pub)
The Coconut Tree (Sri Lankan)
The Potting Shed (Gastropub)
The Bull (Pub/Traditional)
The Old Stocks Inn (Modern British)
The Bell (Modern British)
The Painswick (British/European)

£££
The Wild Rabbit (Modern British)
The Atrium at Lords of the Manor (Modern Cuisine)
YOKU (Japanese)

Hotels

££
The Manor House
No.38 The Park
No.131 The Promenade
Artist Residence Oxfordshire
Double Red Duke
The Fish
Calcot & Spa
The Swan Inn
The Lygon Arms 🌿💧

£££
Foxhill Manor
Cowley Manor Experimental 🌿💧
Lucknam Park Hotel 🌿💧
The Lakes by YOO 🌿💧
Thyme England 🌿
The Pig (formerly Barnsley House, reopening summer 2024)
Dormy House 🌿💧

🌿 = has a spa
💧 = has a pool

  • A woman in a flowing white dress stands before the arched wooden door of St. Edward's Church in the Cotswolds. The door is framed by ancient yew trees, creating a mystical and serene atmosphere. The historic stone building features arched windows and ivy-clad walls.
    St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold
  • A woman in a white dress sits on the stone parapet of a quaint bridge in Castle Combe, Cotswolds, gazing at the idyllic village and its charming stone cottages. The tranquil river below reflects the greenery and flowers, while the winding road leads through the picturesque scenery.
    Castle Combe

Map of Cotswolds

Here’s a map of all the places in the Cotswolds mentioned in this post. 

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woman walking along path to old church

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