11 Prettiest Cities In The Cotswolds To Go to – Hand Baggage Solely
The Cotswolds is a very gorgeous space of England to go to! It’s an Space of Oustanding Pure Magnificence (AONB) that’s simply shy of the Roman metropolis of Bathtub and the likes of Cirencester and has that quintessential countryside British appeal that makes it so beautiful to discover – particularly throughout the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds which can be everywhere in the area.
Now, any plan to go to the Cotswolds does include a little bit of well-needed planning. Not like the bigger linked cities in England, the Cotswolds has extra restricted public transport. This implies it’s greatest explored by automobile or a part of a tour; which suggests an itinerary of locations to see within the Cotswolds is crucial.
Over time, we’ve visited the Cotswolds numerous instances… and cherished it! So, that can assist you plan your journey, I wished to share a few of our agency favourites and high spots within the Cotswolds to go to.
Sure, a few of them may not be technically cities of their conventional sense, however they’re all historic settlements, hamlets and dwellings which you could’t miss.
Have a tremendous time exploring. It truly is a lovely space of England.
1.) Bibury
Arguably probably the most well-known place within the Cotswolds to go to, Bibury is a small village that’s house to one of many Cotswolds’ most well-known streets; Arlington Row.
You possibly can simply spend a day wandering round Bibury and it’s inside simple attain of the historic city of Cirencester which is simply on the border of the Cotswolds, too.
This makes it an ideal stopping level on a wider street journey while visiting all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to discover.
As soon as right here, make sure you park up (there’s on-street parking on the primary street) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Sure, it is perhaps a small place however it’s completely charming and attracts guests from everywhere in the globe.
After strolling to Arlington Row, make sure you pop into the Swan Resort for a chew to eat (or ebook a room to remain the evening). The factor we love most concerning the Cotswolds is that it’s greatest explored in your individual time – there’s no must rush.
That being mentioned, for those who’re searching for a historic manor home keep, test into the close by Barnsley House which was first constructed within the 1600s.
It’s such a beautiful spot and perched proper between Bibury and Cirencester.
Now, one tip; make sure you plan your route effectively for those who’re driving to all of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. It’s fairly simple to get a plan in place to see all these completely different cities after which realise you’ve been crisscrossing the Cotswolds and ended up losing your valuable time.
Have days centered on exploring the south of the Cotswolds, the place you possibly can embody iconic cities like Bathtub, too. Then, produce other days that prioritise westerly cities, the place you may as well embody spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.
This fashion, you’ll be capable to see a lot extra of the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: Greatest locations within the Cotswolds
2.) Bourton-on-the-water
Bigger than Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water is definitely one of many prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s proper within the coronary heart of this particular area.
Generally nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a spot that’s full of shallow river beds and tiny bridges that make all of it so quaint to discover.
After you park up, head out on meals and alongside these little bridges that cross the River Windrush. It’s such a surprising a part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows instantly by means of the city.
After taking a stroll across the impartial outlets and little streets, be sure to pop into one of many little tea rooms that line the road.
You’ll discover fairly just a few round city, so I gained’t offer you a suggestion – it’s extra about which one you see and just like the look of. Simply be sure to go for his or her freshly-brewed tea with heat scones. Yum!
Oh, and don’t neglect concerning the cute mannequin village that has earned a reputation for itself inside Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s completely kitsch.
3.) Burford
Often known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is a medieval settlement that’s properly value exploring for those who’re venturing west in direction of Oxford (that isn’t too distant in any respect).
Nestled throughout the streets of Burford are loads of little outlets, cafes and conventional English pubs. We cherished the Mermaid Inn for a correct pub lunch. Within the winter, they’ve their open fireplace roaring and it’s such a lovely ambiance.
As you wander round, be sure to identify a number of the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this space is understood for. Oh, and the 12th-century church (St. John the Baptist) which can be a must-see in Burford.
Oh, and make sure you pop into Huffkins for one in all their tasty baked treats or a day tea. Yum.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Oxford
4.) Citadel Combe
Situated in Wiltshire’s idyllic countryside, Citadel Combe is a chocolate field village that, in some ways, is my favorite in all the Cotswolds. Shhh, don’t inform the others!
Sure, it’s small (identical to most locations within the Cotswolds) however it’s simply so picture-perfect. We adore it.
It virtually feels as if it’s untouched by time. Belief me, it seems such as you’ve gone again many centuries… minus the odd automobile or two!
When visiting Castlecombe, you’re going to get to see the traditional honey stone cottages that are so well-preserved, standing out amongst all of the village’s beautiful foremost streets.
After strolling round Castlecombe, pop into the Castle Inn for a drink and test into The Manor House for a keep within the village itself. It’s a surprising manor home from the 1300s, that’s proper inside Castlecombe.
Lastly, don’t neglect to move over to go to the close by village of Lacock. Sure, I do know this isn’t within the Cotswolds however you possibly can’t miss it if you’re already within the space. It’s solely about 20 minutes within the automobile and properly value taking a gander at this stunning city.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys in England
5.) Stow-on-the-Wold
Steeped in historical past, Sluggish-on-the-Wold is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It’s proper on the primary street space and properly value making a cease for just a few hours round lunch.
Truly, not only for lunch… for its historical past, too!
You see, the Saxon identify of Sluggish-on-the-Wold means holy place on the hill and dates again a whole bunch of years. As soon as a thriving little market city the place wool was traded, it’s now a picture-perfect village that’s beautiful to see.
Now, somebody as soon as instructed me that the explanation why Stow-on-the-Wold has slender alleys and thoroughfares was due to its wool heritage.
Apparently, these slender alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. In truth, I all the time thought it was on account of an absence of planning!
Watever the case, if you go to Sluggish-on-the-Wold, you’ll get to discover and spot that iconic countryside structure that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.
Should you’d like to buy, there are additionally numerous outlets within the space which you’ll discover and benefit from the small artwork galleries, St Edward’s Church, Lucy’s Tearoom, and the Cotswold Sweet Company for some pure liquorice root to eat.
Oh, and Ensure to go to The Kings Arms for dinner… their selfmade pies are yummy.
6.) Painswick
Set on high of the rolling hills, Painswick is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to go to on the way in which south from Gloucester.
Now, identical to a lot of the cities within the Cotswolds, Painswick is fairly intimate and small. This implies few hours and also you’ve seen most spots. Which, for my part, is a part of the appeal of the Cotswolds, typically. You possibly can hop across the space discovering all of the little gems you like most.
As soon as right here, be sure to pop into the Painswick Rococo Backyard which dates all the way in which again to the 1700s. Additionally, make sure you seize dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an unimaginable tasting menu.
Not solely that, however a biennial arts competition can be held in Painswick to have a good time native artists that are properly value trying out for those who’re round in June.
Learn extra: Greatest cities in England to go to
7.) Chipping Campden
Whenever you see Chipping Campden, you’ll realise what all of the fuss is about, particularly for those who love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages. They’re beautiful!
That being mentioned, Chipping Campden can really feel a bit of quieter and smaller in comparison with a number of the different prettiest cities within the Cotswolds. For this reason I’d solely advocate popping over for an hour or two.
As soon as right here, try The Market Corridor, which is open-walled, and is steeped in historical past. Additionally, close by, you’ll discover just a few cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Artwork Cotswold which can be properly value taking a peek inside.
You should purchase some beautiful native artwork.
Not your factor? Then head over to the Outdated Silk Mill which at present serves as a cooperative and exhibition area for artists.
Oh, and seize a day tea at The Bantam Tea Rooms. It’s beautiful and their tea is so good.
Learn extra: Greatest locations within the South of England
8.) Broadway
Broadway is correct up there as one in all my favorite and prettiest cities within the Cotswolds to see if you’re travelling across the space.
Method again, within the Center Ages, the wool commerce was a thriving a part of Broadway’s economic system. Like plenty of cities within the Cotswolds. Although, these days, you gained’t discover any bleeding sheep wandering the roads right here.
As soon as right here, make sure you try the Broadway Museum & Artwork Gallery and pop contained in the Gordon Russell Design Museum.
Should you’re after some sometimes unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell’s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are the most effective in all the Cotswolds.
All want lashings of vinegar, after all!
To work off lunch, take a stroll across the folly that’s the Broadway Tower. It’s properly value taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there – particularly on a sunny day.
Afterwards, you possibly can simply drive over to the close by village of Bretforton. Though not throughout the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it’s not too removed from Broadway (round 10 minutes), so you possibly can go to each locations in case you have the time.
One spot it’s a must to go to in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It’s a vastly historic pub which is 15 centuries previous containing historic interiors and probably the most charming rooms. It’s now run by the Nationwide Belief takes care of the property and retains its appeal and heritage alive for us all to take pleasure in in the present day.
Plus, they’ve an epic beer backyard, particularly as you possibly can sit within the cosy horseboxes within the apple orchard. It’s beautiful.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to within the West of England
9.) Winchcombe
Winchcombe is one other gem to go to within the Cotswolds that’s proper on the fringes of the northern border.
Right here, you’ll discover loads of vintage outlets and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are a number of little rooms and a quaint tea room the place you possibly can simply spend a bit of time inside.
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market city are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Castle. The latter is a stately house which you’ll go to, courting again to the 1400s.
Learn extra: Greatest locations within the North of England
10.) Tetbury
Perched on an historical fort that after missed this space, Tetbury is without doubt one of the prettiest cities within the Cotswolds that’s comparatively giant compared to another gems.
If it’s museums you like, try the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market Home.
We stayed for just a few days in Tetbury and used it as our base to discover extra of this space of the Cotswolds. We booked The Royal Oak Tetbury which we completely cherished.
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so good.
Afterwards, make sure you try the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. It’s a whopping tree backyard that dates again to Victorian instances.
We spent round 1 hour right here and cherished it.
Tetbury actually is a beautiful city within the Cotswolds.
Learn extra: What to see in Tetbury
11.) Higher and Decrease Slaughters (The Slaughters)
Now, I do know these two spots sound fairly ominous! Their names don’t precisely promote them as locations to go… however hear me out!
The Slaughters are two very small locations which you could simply go to as they’re proper subsequent to Bourton-on-the-Water. Now, this shall be like a 20-minute cease (until you go for an extended stroll), so there’s no must go planning your complete day round The Slaughters.
Don’t neglect to pop into The Outdated Mill ice cream parlour for some creamy scoops and stroll over the lovable Ford Bridge that goes over the River Eye.
Lastly, if you wish to ebook a keep, test into The Slaughters Manor Home. Constructed again within the 1600s, it’s a complete gem and a surprising place to remain. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!
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