written by
Joanne Owen
updated 29.01.2025
If you imagine classic rural England, you’re probably picturing the Cotswolds. This region — stretching across south-central and southwest England — is a patchwork of honey-stone villages, rolling hills, and winding rivers. From tiny hamlets tucked into valleys to postcard-perfect market towns, it’s a dream for countryside lovers. Here are 12 of the prettiest Cotswolds villages to visit.
Row after row of quirky corners of the Cotswolds in Blockley © Andrew Roland/Shutterstock
Perched above the Knee Brook valley, Blockley is a snapshot of medieval England. The surrounding pastures, dotted with grazing sheep, look much as they did centuries ago when the village thrived on wool production. Later, the mills at the valley’s base switched to silk weaving — a legacy still visible in landmarks like the Old Silk Mill and the Ribbon Mill.
Blockley’s charm hasn’t gone unnoticed. The village vicarage and St Peter’s Church doubled as filming locations for the Father Brown TV series. But beyond its screen-worthy looks, Blockley is a dream for garden lovers. Mill Dene Garden is the highlight — its terraced layout, meandering stream, and tucked-away grotto make it an especially lovely visit in spring. There's also a fruit garden, a herb potager, and sweeping views of the Cotswold hills.
Find more places to stay in Blockley.
In Bourton on the Water - the Venice of the Cotswold villages - no bridge is too far away © Reimar/Shutterstock
With its low stone bridges arching over the River Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water earns its title as the Venice of the Cotswolds. It’s one of the most photogenic villages in England — and also one of the busiest. Visit early in the morning or in the quieter months to enjoy its charm without the crowds.
Beyond its good looks, Bourton has plenty to keep everyone entertained. The Model Village, set in the gardens of the Old New Inn, is a perfect miniature replica of the village as it was in 1937. If you fancy staying in the real thing, the inn offers cozy rooms with classic country charm.
For wildlife lovers, Birdland is a standout. Spread across nine acres, it’s home to over 500 birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and England’s only King Penguin breeding group. Kids will love the Pandemonium of Parrots and the Jurassic Journey, a woodland trail dotted with life-sized dinosaur models. The Discovery Zone offers hands-on exhibits to keep little ones engaged.
Find more places to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Burford high street in the Cotswolds © Gordon Bell/Shutterstock
Known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford’s charm lies in its steep high street, lined with elegant 17th- and 18th-century buildings, leading down to a medieval packhorse bridge over the River Windrush. Despite its popularity, it retains an old-world feel — perfect for a leisurely wander.
Midway down the hill, the Tolsey Museum offers a glimpse into Burford’s history, housed in a 16th-century timber-framed building once used as a meeting place for medieval merchants. Keep an eye out for Reavley’s Pharmacy, England’s oldest, which has been dispensing remedies since 1734.
At the bottom of the hill, the Church of St John the Baptist dominates the riverside view. Its impressive medieval architecture was so poorly restored in the 19th century that it spurred William Morris to establish the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Find more places to stay in Burford.
Quaint Castle Combe village - one of the best Cotswolds villages to visit in England © Charlie Ross, Great West Way
Hidden in the rolling hills of northwest Wiltshire, Castle Combe is often called “the prettiest village in England”— and it’s easy to see why. With honey-hued cottages, a medieval stone bridge, and a 13th-century faceless clock, it looks like a storybook come to life. No new houses have been built here since the 1600s, preserving its timeless charm.
Given its picture-perfect setting, Castle Combe has been a backdrop for films and TV series, including Bridgerton, War Horse, Stardust, and the original Dr. Dolittle.
After snapping the obligatory bridge photo, take a walk up The Street from Market Place and follow the woodland trail — a peaceful 5.5-mile loop where you might spot woodpeckers, owls, or buzzards. Then, head back to the village square for a well-earned pint in the most picturesque of surroundings.
Find more places to stay in Castle Combe.
The ancient market hall of historic Chipping Campden © Peter Nadolski/Shutterstock
At the northern gateway to the Cotswold Way Trail, Chipping Campden is a near-perfect blend of history, architecture, and countryside charm. Its honey-stone buildings have been carefully preserved since 1929 by the Campden Trust, which keeps power lines buried and shopfronts in check — so nothing distracts from its timeless appeal.
One of Chipping Campden’s standout features is its architectural variety. From the 1627 National Trust Market Hall, which resembles an Italian loggia with Cotswold gables, to the Jacobean gatehouse of Campden Manor House (also known as Old Campden House), the village is a feast for history lovers.
Chipping Campden is also known for its craft heritage, thanks to the Guild and School of Handicrafts, which moved here from East London in 1902. Browse contemporary silverware at Robert Welch’s on Lower High Street or visit the Court Barn Museum of Craft and Design to learn about the Guild’s legacy and pick up handmade pottery, textiles, and jewelry.
Find more places to stay in Chipping Campden.
A mega-beautiful mansion in Cirencester Park © KayRansom/Shutterstock
Founded in the 1st century AD, Cirencester was once the second-largest city in Roman Britain, only behind London. Today, it’s a lively market town where locals still dig up Roman pottery in their gardens.
To dive into the town’s history, visit the Corinium Museum, home to fascinating archaeological finds spanning 12,000 years of Cotswold life — including intricate mosaics and Roman artifacts.
For a breath of fresh air, head to Cirencester Park, a vast 3,000-acre estate hidden behind the world’s tallest yew hedge. Known locally as The Mansion, it’s perfect for a scenic stroll.
Cirencester is also a top spot for craft shopping. New Brewery Arts is one of southern England’s best contemporary craft centers, with a gallery, studio shops, and a cozy café to unwind in after browsing.
Find more places to stay in Cirencester.
Picture book perfection - an incredibly beautiful thatched cottage in Stanton © PJ photography/Shutterstock
Could a village be more picture-perfect? Stanton certainly makes a strong case. Nestled on the slopes of Shenbarrow Hill in Gloucestershire, this sleepy parish is a postcard of honey-hued stone cottages and thatched roofs, framed by narrow lanes and rolling countryside.
For the best views, head to the 17th-century Mount Inn, where you can enjoy a locally brewed pint while soaking in sweeping vistas of the Malvern Hills and even the distant Welsh mountains.
If you’re feeling creative, Stanton Guildhouse offers summer courses in traditional crafts like stained glass, pottery, woodturning, and watercolor painting.
A short walk away, Snowshill Manor and Garden is a National Trust property like no other. Designed by the eccentric Charles Wade, who was deeply influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, it’s packed with quirky curios — from unusual musical instruments to flamboyant masks. Stanton and Snowshill are connected by a scenic walking trail, making for an idyllic countryside stroll.
There are virtually no hotels in Stanton itself, but you can stay close to town
Stow-on-the-Wold's famous Market Square before traders and shoppers descend © Gordon Bell/Shutterstock
Perched on a hill, Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds and has been a hub of trade since Roman times. Its expansive market square hints at its past as a major sheep-trading center, active from 1107 until the 1980s.
Today, Stow is a shopping hotspot, packed with antique shops, art galleries, delis, and independent boutiques selling classic country wares. While browsing, look out for the old wooden stocks, once used to punish wrongdoers in the square. If you’re visiting on the second Thursday of the month, don’t miss the Farmers' Market, where local producers sell everything from artisan cheeses to handmade crafts.
For a break from shopping, Batsford Arboretum and the Cotswold Falconry Centre are both a short drive away, offering woodland walks and up-close encounters with birds of prey.
Find more places to stay in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Lower Slaughter - one of the prettiest Cotswolds villages. Probably. © Andrew Roland/Shutterstock
If you had to choose the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, The Slaughters (Lower and Upper) would be strong contenders. Connected by the River Eye, a tributary of the Windrush, both villages are classic Cotswold charm — honey-hued cottages, stone footbridges, and a peaceful, unspoiled atmosphere.
Despite its ominous-sounding name, "Slaughter" has nothing to do with battles or bloodshed. It comes from the Old English word slothre, meaning “muddy place,” which describes the land on which the villages were built.
In Lower Slaughter, the Old Mill is a well-known landmark, though it is temporarily closed. Normally, it houses a museum, craft shop, and tearooms, making it a popular stop for visitors.
To reach Upper Slaughter, follow the lane along the River Eye, passing the Elizabethan manor house that now serves as Lords of the Manor Hotel. With eight acres of gardens and a river winding through its grounds, this former 17th-century rectory is an indulgent place to stay if you want a taste of aristocratic country life.
Find more places to stay in the Slaughters.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Stratford-upon-Avon @ Shutterstock
If you’re visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, chances are you’ll want to soak up its Shakespearean history. Start where it all began at Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, a half-timbered house filled with insights into the playwright’s early life.
Next, put his story into context at Tudor World, an interactive museum that brings the 16th century to life. Then, walk in the Bard’s footsteps at New Place, the site of his final home — demolished in 1759 but now reimagined with exhibits in the neighboring Nash’s House.
For a unique experience, take a guided tour of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom, where he first put quill to paper. If you’re short on time, hop on an open-top bus tour for a fun and efficient way to see the town’s key sites.
Just outside Stratford, visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife, or Mary Arden’s Farm, where his mother grew up. The farm is a great stop for families, with falconry displays, nature trails, and 16th-century-style entertainment.
Find more places to stay in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Pretty cottages along High Street, Broadway, Cotswolds © Shutterstock
Tucked into a western corner of Worcestershire, five miles from Chipping Campden, Broadway is a striking medieval village at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment. Though the Romans likely settled here first, Broadway flourished as a key stop for stagecoaches traveling between London and Worcester.
This history shaped the village’s long, wide high street, lined with honey-stone cottages, historic coaching inns, and chestnut trees. While undeniably beautiful, Broadway can feel busier than its neighbor, Campden, and less able to absorb the crowds. To experience its charm at its best, visit early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive.
Beyond the tearooms and boutiques, Broadway is home to two excellent museums, and it’s a great base for countryside walks. Hike up to Broadway Tower, a hilltop landmark offering panoramic views, or take a peaceful route to Stanton village. Nearby, explore stately homes at Snowshill and Stanway, or visit the medieval ruins of Hailes Abbey.
Where to stay:
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Cotswold cottages in Bibury © Shutterstock
Tucked along the River Coln between Cirencester and Burford, Bibury is one of the most photographed villages in the Cotswolds — and for good reason. Its honey-stone cottages, rolling countryside, and gentle waterways draw visitors by the coachload.
The village’s most famous landmark is Arlington Row, originally built in 1380 as a wool store and converted into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century. With its hound’s-tooth gables, golden stone, and uneven windows, it’s the quintessential English postcard — so much so that it’s featured in UK passports as an image of England.
A short walk away, Bibury Trout Farm sits by a tiny bridge over the River Coln. As the village’s only paid attraction, it’s a popular stop, offering scenic picnic spots and footpaths leading past a series of ponds.
Find more places to stay in Bibury.
Blenheim Palace and gardens, Oxfordshire, Cotswolds
Planning a trip to the Cotswolds? These maps and guides will help you explore the region’s best walking and driving routes. Find full descriptions of these itineraries — plus much more — in the Rough Guide Staycations Cotswolds guidebook.
For even more inspiration, check out The Rough Guide to the Cotswolds or The Rough Guide to England.
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written by
Joanne Owen
updated 29.01.2025
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