27 Best Things to Do in the Cotswolds: My Favourites From Years of Weekends There

I’ve been to The Cotswolds more times than I can count – and if you’ve read any of my other many, many posts on this area of the UK, then you will know I actually used to live just outside of this area (hence why I’ve spent so much time here – pretty much every weekend for years in fact).

There are some really great things to do in The Cotswolds and I want to share my absolute favourites with you. Everything from the villages I keep going back to, the walks, the roasts, the cream teas and the days out, with where I park and what I’d skip (because I do think some places are a bit over-rated). And at the end there’s a short list of places that are still on my list, clearly marked, because there’s definitely still some places on my list and I don’t want you to miss out just because I haven’t ticked them off yet.

My Top 5 Things To Do In The Cotswolds

If you only have a day or two, these are the five I’d tell my best friend not to miss:

• Watch the sunset at Broadway Tower, and book tickets to see the inside.
• Walk the Castle Combe Loop, and get the iconic photo on the bridge.
• Have Sunday lunch in Bibury, then wander down to Arlington Row.
• Order the roast chicken at The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, because no other Cotswolds roast has come close for me.
• Stay in Burford until it gets dark, after a cream tea at Huffkins and to see the pretty lights.

If you happen to be visiting The Cotswolds during the Christmas period, then I’d 100% add the Blenheim Palace Christmas light trail to your list, because it’s one of my all-time favourite experiences ever. I’ve found that this sells out pretty fast though, so get it booked in early.

I’d also have to add Cotswolds Lavender Farm, because even though I’m yet to tick it off my list I’ve heard from so many friends how nice it is and again, I wouldn’t want you to miss out.

Wander The Prettiest Villages

The villages are the reason most people come, and they’re the reason I kept going back. There’s a lot more detail on each one (where I park, eat and stay) in my guide to the best villages in the Cotswolds, so here’s the short version.

1. Base Yourself In Broadway

When I actually stayed in The Cotswolds (despite living just outside, my boyfriend and I stayed as a little treat once) Broadway is the one we chose as a base. It’s small and lively and avoids that overcrowded feeling that – I’ll be honest – a lot of the little villages here have.

I also love walking up to Broadway Tower from the village in time for sunset because it’s so beautiful, followed by strolling down to Flipside, the burger place on the high street. Or, if I’m not in the mood for a burger, then I also love The Lygon Arms too – although I will say it’s more expensive. Oh, and if you happen to be visiting at Christmas (which I’ve done probably 7+ times at this point) then Broadway’s late-night shopping evening is my favourite festive night out in the Cotswolds.

2. See Arlington Row In Bibury

I don’t think there’s anywhere in England more picturesque than Bibury. For me, it’s the prettiest of all the Cotswolds villages. Most people come for the photo of Arlington Row, the row of old weavers’ cottages that you can see in my pictures, and leave again.

But there are some really lovely walks around this area that I often do with my family when we visit, followed by a pub lunch. The Catherine Wheel and The Swan both do a really good Sunday roast (we’ve tried both), but the one I’d pick is the New Inn, just outside the village.

3. Get The Bridge Photo In Castle Combe

Castle Combe runs Bibury VERY close in terms of how pretty it is – I think Arlington Row just about tips Bibury into the top – but honestly, Castle Combe is just as cute. It’s in the southern Cotswolds and a bit further from Stratford-upon-Avon, so I went less often, but the last time was on a misty, autumnal weekend with my sister, and it was honestly so perfect. Slightly cold and a little busy for sure (by 11:30am the car park was full), but it was the weekend. We did a really lovely 10km walk that loops through the village, and despite the amount of people there, I did manage to get some photos on the bridge with barely anyone in sight.

4. Walk Into Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is the village most people picture when they think of the Cotswolds, with little bridges over the River Windrush. It’s also one of the busiest, so every single time I’ve visited, I’ve always parked outside the village and walked in, about 10 minutes, because the central car park fills up fast. It’s super busy in summer, so my favourite time to go is December, when the Christmas tree stands in the river with all its lights on and the reflections wobble when the water moves.

I think one of the reasons it’s so popular too is that there’s quite a lot to do for kids here compared to the other villages. You’ve got the Cotswold Motoring Museum (home of Brum), Birdland and the Model Village – so for a pretty small place there’s a lot going on.

5. Stay For Dusk In Burford

To me, Burford looks like a film set, with one long high street running down a steep hill. My favourite time to go is late afternoon, staying on as it gets dark so you get to see all the twinkly lights. The first time my boyfriend and I went at Christmas, we strolled all the way down the hill without a single thought about getting back up. By the time we turned round, every light was on, and the climb back up ended up being the best part of the evening.

Every single time I’ve been here, I’ve stopped for afternoon tea too. The classic (and probably most well-known) place to grab one is Huffkins and I will be honest, it’s well worth the hype. But, if it happens to be full – which it quite often has been when I’ve visited – then you can go to Burford House too – and tbh, they have much bigger cakes than Huffkins anyways.

6. Browse The Shops In Stow-on-the-Wold

My ideal day (or part of the day) in Stow-on-the-Wold is a walk around the square, a little browsing in the shops and a leisurely pub break. On our first visit we obviously went to St Edward’s Church to see the door framed by two old yew trees because it’s one of the coolest little hidden gems in The Cotswolds. When I went it wasn’t busy at all, but I’ve seen it all over Instagram since, so I’d go early because I bet you’d have to queue for it on a weekend.

7. Have A Riverside Picnic In Lower Slaughter

Lower Slaughter is one of my favourite places for a riverside picnic. Every single time I’ve been during the warmer months, there’s been a couple of people with their trousers rolled up to there knees and their legs in the water or a few kids in the shallow end. I also quite like to wonder round the Old Mill and pop into the museum there – even if you just pop by to grab an ice-cream it’s worth it.

If you want somewhere slightly less busy though, I’d actually recommend that you head to Upper Slaughter, which is about a mile away (if you’re walking).

8. Wander Along Chipping Campden’s High Street

I’ll be honest, I didn’t get to Chipping Campden as often as Broadway or Burford, but I always loved it when I did. The honey-coloured high street and the 17th-century Market Hall are at their prettiest on a frosty morning. If you’re after independent, often handmade gifts without the crowds, I’d put it right up there with Broadway and Stow. It’s also where the Cotswold Way starts if you’re up for a hike (or part of one).

Walks And Views

9. Watch The Sunset At Broadway Tower

I kind of mentioned this earlier, but I want to give it its own spot because this is my FAVOURITE thing to do in the whole of the Cotswolds. I’ve watched the sunset at Broadway Tower more times than I can count, and I’d often spot deer in the park around it. There’s parking at the top, or you can follow the Cotswold Way up from Broadway village. Wear proper boots for the walk though, because that muddy hill has put me flat on my bum on the way down more than once lol.

I’ve only been inside the tower once, and it’s nothing like you’d expect – think a LOT of pink and stripes. I thought it was worth the ticket price, but it’s the view from outside that keeps pulling me back. My full Broadway Tower review has the 2026 prices, parking and the nuclear bunker.

10. Walk The Stanton, Snowshill And Stanway Loop

This walk is one of my all-time favourites and I’ve done it so many times now. It’s about 10km and takes around 3 hours if you stop for photos all the time like me lol. The route takes you through three of the sleepiest, prettiest villages in the north Cotswolds in my opinion. I’ll be honest, the first 20 to 30 minutes out of Stanton is a bit of a steep climb, but I found it very manageable with moderate fitness. Also, bear in mind that if you want a pub stop, do the route in reverse so you finish at The Mount Inn (it makes more sense to do it at the end when you’re in need of a drink or two!).

11. Take In The View From Dover’s Hill

I’ve been up Dover’s Hill, just outside Chipping Campden, and the panoramic views from the top are great. I park for free down the road from St Catherine’s church and join the Cotswold Way from there (or part of it at least – I’m not sure I’m quite cut out for the whole thing, lol). It’s a short one, so it’s perfect if you don’t fancy a big walk.

12. Walk A Section Of The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way runs 102 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath. I’ve only done short bits of it, like the climb from Broadway to the tower, but you really don’t need to walk the whole thing to enjoy it. I’ve put my favourite routes, with maps and distances, in my guide to the best Cotswolds walks.

13. Do An Autumn Walk Around Castle Combe

Castle Combe is gorgeous in any season, but autumn is a very magical time (especially if you’re lucky to get the mist like I did on my last trip). I did an autumnal walk around the village and out along the By Brook and it was the perfect day – albeit a little cold. The only regret I have is not doing it a few weeks earlier, because I know the colours of the leaves would have been a little bit brighter.

There are a few circular walks from the village that follow the By Brook valley through the woods –  a circular walk around Castle Combe. Park in the car park at the top of the village and walk down, as there’s very little parking in the village itself.

Eat And Drink Your Way Around

14. Have The Roast Chicken At The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

The roast chicken is what I order every single time, and nowhere else in the Cotswolds has topped it for me. I love the cosy little pub fire too, and the presentation is immaculate. Kingham is my idea of a perfect foodie day out, and it’s one of the few villages you can reach by train from London.

15. Stock Up At Daylesford Farm Shop

Daylesford is just up the road from Kingham and I always make an effort to pick up some fresh food from here, as well as gifts, because they sell some really lovely organic skincare that my friends always love. They also have a fancy restaurant in here but I’ve never been – if you go, you’ll have to let me know whether it’s worth me going next time! However, I do usually swing by the coffee shop and pick up a hot chocolate!

16. Try Every Pudding At The Pudding Club

The Pudding Club at Three Ways House in Mickleton is a kind of crazy experience that I think you’ll love haha. It has such a unique atmosphere, and I think it would be CRIMINAL to visit the Cotswolds and not go. My favourite here was of course the sticky toffee pudding and what’s great is that you can stay the night at Three Ways House if you want to make a proper evening of it – which I absolutely recommend.

17. Have A Cream Tea In Burford

My go-to for a cream tea is Huffkins, and we usually managed to get a seat despite how popular it is (when we couldn’t, Burford House was our back-up). There’s actually a fair few all around the area – so if you’re desperate to tick it off your list then you can always find one in another location for sure. I personally ALWAYS stocked up on their cherry Bakewells on the way out too because they’re super delicious.

Castles, Palaces And Days Out

18. Ride The Steam Railway To Winchcombe

I went on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway with a friend, and it was such a nice ride: really peaceful through the countryside and surprisingly quiet – although we did go on a random weekday, so maybe that’s why. We loved getting shots with our heads out of the window as you can see lol. The full ride to Cheltenham is quite expensive, so we only went as far as Winchcombe and spent the afternoon there. The trains don’t run every day, so check the running dates on the GWSR website before you go.

19. Explore Sudeley Castle In Winchcombe

Sudeley Castle is just outside Winchcombe, about 17 minutes from Broadway, and it pairs perfectly with the steam railway. Once you’ve explored the gardens, it’s worth heading inside to see the exhibition rooms. It closes over winter, apart from its Spectacle of Light Christmas trail, so check dates before you go!

20. Visit Blenheim Palace

Blenheim is on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds near Woodstock. I’ve done the Christmas light trail, and I think it’s soooo worth it – I go when I’m back in the UK, and my parents love it so much that they go every single year. It’s never the same either as they change the theme every year. My Blenheim Christmas lights review has everything you need to know.

The rest of the year, you can also do a Blenheim Palace day tour, or just book an entry ticket and drive there yourself.

21. Escape The Rain At Snowshill Manor

If the weather isn’t great, Snowshill Manor is close to Broadway and makes a good plan B. It’s a National Trust house full of one collector’s odd and eccentric treasures, and it’s just down the road from the Stanton walk.

22. See The Autumn Colours At Westonbirt Arboretum

I’ve been to Westonbirt, the national arboretum near Tetbury with my sister (that’s her in the picture above), and it’s one of the best places in England for autumn colour. The maples in the Old Arboretum usually peak in mid to late October, and there’s a treetop walkway that takes you up into the canopy. It’s a perfect autumnal day out!

It runs a Christmas light trail too. Book tickets ahead in autumn, as weekends get busy!

23. Spend A Day In Cheltenham

If I had to describe Cheltenham, I’d say it’s a cross between Bath and Leamington Spa: grand Regency buildings, good shopping and loads of places to eat. It’s the end of the steam railway line, and it’s lovely for a day when you want a bit more buzz than the villages.

24. Add On Bath

Bath sits right at the bottom of the Cotswolds. I’ve been so many times over the years – and it was actually on the list of places I’d love to live (until I saw how expensive it was), but anyways, I particularly love their Christmas market. If you’re visiting at any other time of the year, you can walk the Bath Skyline and do all the touristy things like the Royal Crescent and the Roman Baths.

It’s about 25 minutes from Castle Combe, so they work well together.

25. Go Back To Stratford-upon-Avon

I’m biased, because I lived there. But Stratford sits right on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, and it’s a lovely base or day out, with the river, the theatre and Shakespeare’s old houses (yes, his actual ones). My romantic Stratford-upon-Avon guide has my local favourites.

Seasonal Things To Do

26. See The Christmas Lights And Markets

I’ve loved the Cotswolds in every season, but there’s something SO damn magical about it at Christmas: the tree in the river at Bourton, Broadway’s late-night shopping and the lights down the hill in Burford. All the 2026 dates are in my guide to the Cotswolds at Christmas. For autumn colours, my Cotswolds in autumn guide has my favourite spots.

27. Sit By A Pub Fire In Winter

On the really cold days I walked less and spent more time in the pubs, because it stops being enjoyable when it’s that cold (for me at least). If I’m honest, I think I like the Cotswolds more in winter than in summer. My guide to the Cotswolds in winter has my cosiest ideas and a 2-day winter itinerary.

Ideas I Haven’t Tried Yet

These come up again and again, but I haven’t done them myself yet, so treat them as ideas rather than recommendations. Check opening times and prices before you go, as lots of them are seasonal!

With Kids

Cotswold Farm Park, near Guiting Power	Adam Henson’s farm from BBC Countryfile, with rare-breed animals and big play areas
Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford	Rhinos, giraffes and penguins in the grounds of a manor house, plus a little railway
Birdland Park, Bourton-on-the-Water	Penguins, flamingos and woodland walks, right in the village
The Model Village and Cotswold Motoring Museum, Bourton	Two small, easy add-ons if you’re already in Bourton

History, Houses And Gardens

Chedworth Roman Villa	A National Trust Roman villa with some of the best mosaics in Britain
Corinium Museum, Cirencester	Roman Britain and Cotswold history, good for a rainy day
Rollright Stones, near Long Compton	A prehistoric stone circle, older than Stonehenge’s best-known stones
Hidcote, near Chipping Campden	A National Trust garden laid out in “rooms”, a short drive from Dover’s Hill
Sezincote, near Moreton-in-Marsh	An Indian-style house and garden, completely unexpected in the Cotswolds (I’ve seen it from a distance, but not been in!)
Painswick Rococo Garden	Famous for its snowdrops from mid-January
Lacock	A National Trust village near Bath, used in Harry Potter. It’s also on this Bath and Lacock day trip

Outdoors And Adventure

Cotswold Lavender at Snowshill	Lavender fields, open from mid-June to early August
Wild swimming at Minster Lovell	By the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall on the River Windrush
Cotswold Water Park, near Cirencester	Lakes for paddleboarding, kayaking and lakeside walks
A hot air balloon flight	Sunrise or sunset flights over the villages, weather permitting
Diddly Squat Farm Shop, near Chipping Norton	Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop (it has closed for winter breaks before, so check first), or book a Clarkson’s Farm tour

Events Worth Planning Around

March	The Cheltenham Festival (horse racing)
May	Badminton Horse Trials, plus Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and the Tetbury Woolsack Races on the late May bank holiday
October	Cheltenham Literature Festival
November–December	Christmas markets and light trails (see number 26 above)

The official Cotswolds tourism website has more ideas, events and opening times.

Map Of Things To Do In The Cotswolds

Here’s where everything in this guide is. For every village, walk, pub and train station in one place, use my full interactive Cotswolds map.

Tap any pin for a quick tip.

When To Go

I’ve loved it in every season. Whenever you go, late afternoon is the best time of day in my opinion – stay on as it gets dark and the villages light up.

For fewer crowds, go on a weekday. Stanton, Snowshill and Chipping Campden are the quietest places in this guide, and Winchcombe sees a fraction of the visitors that Bourton and Bibury get.

If you’re still deciding when to go, my guide to when to visit the Cotswolds goes through every month, with the weather, crowds and events.

Getting Around And Where To Stay

A car is by far the easiest way to do the Cotswolds. I’ve always driven, and most of the villages are just a 10 to 20 minute drive from each other. The easiest places to pick up car hire for the Cotswolds are Oxford and Cheltenham.

I’d recommend that you read my guide to getting around the Cotswolds to get a clear picture on the parking, trains and buses.

Taking A Day Tour From London

If you don’t want to drive, a small-group tour from London covers several villages in a day. It’s very popular and sells out, so book ahead.

The Broadway Hotel (Where We Stayed)

I stayed at The Broadway Hotel, right on the village green as a little treat once. From there, my boyfriend and I could stroll to dinner on the high street and walk up to Broadway Tower for sunset. If you’d rather be in the south, The Swan in Bibury is a lovely pick by the river (we’ve had Sunday roasts there but haven’t stayed the night).

For more on how to fit all of this into a long weekend, my 3-day Cotswolds itinerary has the full plan.

Cotswolds FAQs

What is the Cotswolds best known for?

The Cotswolds is best known for its honey-coloured stone villages, rolling hills and cosy country pubs. Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Castle Combe and Broadway are some of the most famous villages.

How many days do you need in the Cotswolds?

Two to three days is ideal for the main villages, a walk and a few good pub meals. With one day, stick to one area, like the north Cotswolds around Broadway.

What is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds?

I think Bibury is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds, with Castle Combe a very close second.

Where should I stay in the Cotswolds?

Broadway is my favourite base, with Broadway Tower and lots of villages within 15 minutes. For the southern villages, Bibury or Burford work well.

Can you do the Cotswolds without a car?

Yes, but it’s harder. Trains run from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh and Kingham, and local buses are limited. A day tour from London is the easiest way to see several villages without driving.

What is there to do in the Cotswolds on a rainy day?

Snowshill Manor, a pub lunch by the fire, browsing the shops in Stow-on-the-Wold, or a day in Cheltenham or Bath all work well when it rains.

What is there to do in the Cotswolds with kids?

Bourton-on-the-Water is the easiest base, with the river to paddle in, the Model Village and Birdland. The steam railway to Winchcombe and the walk up to Broadway Tower are both big hits too, and Cotswold Farm Park and Cotswold Wildlife Park are the two big family days out.

What can you do in the Cotswolds for free?

Most of my favourites are free: wandering the villages, the view from Dover’s Hill, walking a stretch of the Cotswold Way and watching the sunset at Broadway Tower from the footpath outside the grounds. You only pay for parking in the busier villages.

More Cotswolds Guides

All my Cotswolds posts are in one place in my Cotswolds travel guide. These are the ones I’d read next:

• Best Villages in the Cotswolds
• My 3-Day Cotswolds Itinerary
• How Many Days You Need
• Is the Cotswolds Worth Visiting?
• Cotswolds Map
• Best Cotswolds Walks