The Cotswolds Travel Guide
Honey-stone villages, cosy pub fires and the walks that were basically my weekends
This page contains affiliate links, which help keep this blog free at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure.
I lived in Stratford-upon-Avon for years, right on the edge of the Cotswolds, so the honey-stone villages, muddy walks and cosy pub fires were basically my weekends. England is my home country, and these guides are everything I’d tell a friend planning their first trip (or their fifth).
My boyfriend and I spent our winters driving out to Christmas markets, light trails and cosy pubs, and honestly, I prefer the Cotswolds in winter to summer. One of my favourite memories is staying in Broadway and watching the sunset from Broadway Tower… then falling over on the muddy hill on the way back down.
Where Do I Start?
New to the Cotswolds? These are the guides I’d start with, and if you’re still deciding, read whether the Cotswolds is worth visiting first.
My Top Tips
Go Early Or Go Midweek
The famous spots get really busy, even on weekdays. If you want those classic photos without the crowds, get there early in the morning.
Book Christmas Events Early
For the Blenheim light trail, we booked the 5pm slot a couple of months before, and I’d do exactly the same again. It meant dinner at the market first, and we missed the rush-hour traffic both ways.
Pack Proper Boots In Winter
Fields and footpaths get really muddy. Wellies or waterproof boots are a must, and wear thermal leggings rather than jeans. Trust me, my legs learnt that the hard way.
Let’s Book Your Trip
These are the bookings I’d sort first. The Christmas light trails and the best hotels sell out, so don’t leave them too late.
StayThe Broadway Hotelwhere we stayedCheck prices →
StayHotels In Bourtonthe classic baseCheck prices →
DriveCar Hirethe easiest way roundCompare cars →
TourDay Tour From Londonno car neededSee the tour →
TourPrivate Cotswolds Tourjust you and a guideSee the tour →
ChristmasBlenheim Light Trailbook a slot earlyGet tickets →Plan Your Trip
Start with my itinerary for a fairy-tale weekend, then choose your base.
27 Best Things to Do in the Cotswolds: My Favourites From Years of Weekends There
Cotswolds Itinerary: My Perfect 3 Days in the Cotswolds (2026)
Best Villages in the Cotswolds: 11 I Love (+ Map & Route)
Broadway Tower: Is It Worth It? My Honest Review
Is the Cotswolds Worth Visiting? What I Love (And Don’t)
How Many Days in the Cotswolds Do You Actually Need? My Honest Take
Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds: My Honest Month-by-Month Guide (2026)
Getting Around the Cotswolds: My Tips From Years of Driving There (+ Without a Car)
Is the Cotswolds Expensive to Visit? My Costs and Money-Saving Tips (2026)My 3-day Cotswolds itinerary strings together the prettiest villages in a route that actually works, so you’re not doubling back on country lanes all day.
Autumn, Winter & Christmas
The Cotswolds are just as lovely out of season, with festive markets, light trails and cosy pubs.
Autumn in the Cotswolds: My Favourite Things to Do (2026)
Cotswolds in Winter: My Favourite Cosy Things to Do + a 2-Day Itinerary
Cotswolds at Christmas 2026: My Favourite Markets, Light Trails and Cosy PubsThe Cotswolds at Christmas is my FAVOURITE version of the Cotswolds. My Cotswolds at Christmas guide covers the markets, light trails and late-night shopping. Burford was one of the first places I ever visited at Christmas, and the shops were as much a part of the evening as the stalls.
My Cotswolds in winter guide covers everything else in the colder months, from roaring pub fires to The Pudding Club, which was so much fun. My favourite was the sticky toffee pudding, which was almost as good as my Nan’s.
And my Blenheim Christmas Light Trail review is from a night out with a whole gang of my family. The music was SO good, and even though it was busy, we didn’t queue for a single thing.
Walks In The Cotswolds
For the outdoors.
15 Best Walks in the Cotswolds: My Favourite Circular Routes (+ Map)My best Cotswolds walks guide has 15 circular routes. The Seven Springs and Leckhampton Hill walk is very close to the top of my list, and the Stanway walk ends at The Mount Inn, which I highly recommend.
If you’re working out what’s close to what, my interactive map of the Cotswolds shows every village, walk and pub from these guides, with drive times and a free printable PDF. And if you’re not driving, my guide to the Cotswolds without a car has the trains, buses and the best base.
My Favourite Cotswolds Moments
Sunset At Broadway Tower
I’ve watched the sunset here more times than I can count, and we’d often spot deer in the park around the tower. Just wear proper boots for the walk back down, because I’ve fallen flat on my bum on that muddy hill more than once lol.
Read my review
A Sunday Roast In Bibury
For me, Bibury is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds. Most people take the Arlington Row photo and leave, but we always stayed for a Sunday roast. The Swan and The Catherine Wheel are both great, but my personal favourite was the New Inn.
See my favourite villagesThe Steam Railway
I rode the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway with a friend, and it was such a peaceful ride through the countryside. We usually just go as far as Winchcombe and spend the afternoon there.
Add it to your itineraryMap It Out
Every place on this page is pinned below. Tap a pin for a quick tip.
My Favourite Villages
Broadway
One of the prettiest villages in the north, and the base for that sunset at Broadway Tower. If you can’t stomach the price of dinner at The Lygon Arms (and quite rightly so!), my current favourite is Flipside, which serves some of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted.
Bibury
Home to Arlington Row, a row of 17th-century weavers’ cottages. If I could only recommend two villages, it would be Bibury and Broadway.
Lower Slaughter And Naunton
Lower Slaughter has become increasingly popular, but it’s still one of my favourite places for a riverside picnic. Naunton is sleepier, and one of my favourite tiny villages in the area.
Burford
For afternoon tea, Huffkins is my favourite, but if it’s super busy, Burford Tea is really good too, and Burford House across the road does a lovely afternoon tea. It’s less busy and way cosier in my opinion.
Castle Combe
I visited on a weekday with my sister on a beautiful sunny day, and even then the classic bridge photo spot was full of people. I had to retake my photos a few times to get a shot without anyone in it, so go early.
Where To Stay
For a treat, The Lygon Arms in Broadway is the classic choice, but stay midweek if you can. The Broadway Hotel is another lovely option on the green.
In Stow-on-the-Wold, The Porch House and The Old Stocks Inn are great central bases, and The Highway Inn is perfect for the south of the area. There are more picks, village by village, in my guide to the best Cotswold villages.
Cotswolds FAQs
What is the best time to visit the Cotswolds?
Any time of year, but late November and December are my favourite, with Christmas markets, light trails and cosy pubs. Spring and summer are greener but much busier.
How many days do you need in the Cotswolds?
A long weekend is enough to see the highlights, and 3 days is perfect for a relaxed trip.
Where is the best place to stay in the Cotswolds?
The north Cotswolds, around Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Chipping Campden, is the most central area for exploring the prettiest villages.
Do you need a car in the Cotswolds?
It makes life much easier, as many villages have limited bus services. Without one, take the train from London to Moreton-in-Marsh or Kingham and join a small-group tour.
Which Cotswolds villages are the busiest?
Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe get very busy, especially at weekends and in summer. Visit early in the morning for the quietest time.
More Destination Guides
Where to next? These are the other places I’ve written full guides for.
