Cotswolds

Understanding the Cotswolds

If you’ve visited before – or if you’re planning a visit for the first time – remember, the Cotswolds occupies an area larger than a few villages.  The area in the north of the Cotswolds includes villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Winchcombe and Chipping Campden; whilst to the South, the area has a slightly wilder nature, especially in the beautiful five valleys around Stroud.

The Cotswolds Villages

There are hundreds of villages and towns in the Cotswolds to visit; from hamlets with no shops, to charming, thriving market towns with great restaurants and friendly pubs.

Things to do in the Cotswolds

There are plenty of things to do in the Cotswolds from discovering the inspiring gardens to farm parks and from steam railways to castles. Here are a few of our favourites:

Gardens in the Cotswolds

  • Painswick Rococo Gardens

Castles in the Cotswolds

  • Berkely Castle
  • Eastnor Castle
  • Sudeley Castle

Cotswold Farm and Wildlife attractions

  • Cotswold Wildlife Park
  • St Augustines Farm
  • Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Other attractions in the Cotswolds

  • Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
  • The Edward Jenner Museum

Gloucester is the ideal base for the Cotswolds and has a large range of accommodation based within easy access of the Cotswolds Hills, these range from Country House Hotels, to modern leisure hotels and from Cosy B&B’s to amazing self catering properties. Using Gloucester as a base to explore things to do in the Cotswolds and an exciting city break you can have the best of both worlds. 

Explore more in the area

Tetbury

Tetbury

Tetbury is a Cotswold town of great architectural interest and is well placed as a base for touring...

The Slaughters

The Slaughters

Two picturesque villages situated on the tiny River Eye.

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My Shortlist

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