• Home
  • About
    • Work with Me
  • Travel Planning & Itineraries
  • Destinations
    • England
    • France
    • Italy
    • Scotland
    • United States
    • Wales
  • Mental Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Life Well Wandered

Life Well Wandered

15 June 2020 · Leave a Comment

Adorable Cotswolds Villages You Need to Visit

Destinations· England

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email

The Cotswolds has always been on my list of areas in England to visit. With cute villages, nature, and country pubs, what more could you ask for out of a weekend trip? Unfortunately, my dislike of driving and time constraints kept me from visiting this AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) until this winter.

While I naturally wanted to visit every village in the Cotswolds, I quickly realized I had to narrow down my list. We visited the below villages in the Cotswolds over a long weekend trip to the north and central parts of the Cotswolds. Each one would make a perfect stop on a weekend trip to the Cotswolds!

Stow-on-the-Wold

stow-on-the-wold main town square stores in the cotswolds

Situated atop a hill at the junction of some of the main roads in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold can trace its origins back to an Iron Age fort on the hill. The town was founded by Norman lords who wanted to take advantage of trade along the adjacent roads; the town has remained an important fixture of the Cotswolds since. In fact, fairs have been held in Stow-on-the-Wold by royal charter since 1330, with those at the height of the Cotswold wool industry seeing up to 20,000 sheep sold at one time!

Learn more about Stow-on-the-Wold in my guide >

What to do in Stow-on-the-Wold:

Visit the Instagrammable St. Edward’s Church, whose door is flanked by two ancient yew trees; walk around the market square; peruse the variety of independent shops; have tea at Lucy’s Tearoom; grab a pastry at Le Patissier Anglais; dine or stay in the charming Old Stocks Inn.

Note: There is free visitor parking in the car park next to the Tesco on Fosse Way, about a 5-minute walk to the center of town.

Lower Slaughter

lower slaughter water mill in the cotswolds

Not too far from Stow-on-the-Wold lies Lower Slaughter. Despite its somewhat violent sounding name (which derives from the Old English slothre, meaning muddy place), Lower Slaughter is quite possibly the prettiest village in the Cotswolds. Divided by the small River Eye that flows through the village, you’ll find yourself admiring every single cottage you come across as you wander the streets of this village that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Read more about Lower Slaughter >

What to do in Lower Slaughter:

Stop by the Old Mill, a mill, museum, and café dating to the 19th century; visit the Slaughters Manor House, 17th-century mansion formerly owned by the descendants of Sir George Whitmore and now a luxury hotel; dine at The Slaughters Country Inn, the main pub of the village (and also a hotel).

See also  A Guide to Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds

Upper Slaughter

upper slaughters home farmhouse in the cotswolds

One mile from Lower Slaughter, Upper Slaughter is an even quieter village sat atop a hill. Upper Slaughter is a “Double Thankful” village, meaning that it did not lose any men during either World War. You’ll find that Upper Slaughter is practically devoid of tourists, making it the perfect place to stroll around an adorable village in the Cotswolds without the crowds.

Read more about Upper Slaughter >

What to do in Upper Slaughter:

Visit the 12th century Church of St. Peter; admire the beautiful honey-colored architecture dating back to the medieval times; stroll past Upper Slaughter Manor, an Elizabethan manor house under private ownership that is open for a few weeks every summer.

Tip: If the weather is decent, I recommend parking in Lower Slaughter and walking to Upper Slaughter. Because of the mud and lack of proper shoes, we walked alongside the road, but there are trails you can take that will lead you between villages.

Bibury

bibury arlington row cotswolds england on a cloudy day in winter

Bibury is one of those villages that you’ve seen in just about every blog or Instagram post featuring the Cotswolds. Famous for its particularly picturesque Arlington Row (a row of cottages built in 1380 to store monastic wool and converted to cottages in the 1600s), Bibury has repeatedly been named one of the most beautiful villages in England.

What to do in Bibury:

Walk along Arlington Row (being mindful of the residents that live in the cottages); visit the exterior of Arlington Mill (dating to the 17th century and now a private residence); stop by the Bibury Trout Farm (one of the oldest trout farms, founded in 1902); walk from Arlington Row, uphill on the road, and through the neighborhood, making a large loop that will lead you past beautiful cottages and take you by the Trout Farm.

Bourton-on-the-Water

bourton-on-the-water main canal at dusk in winter

Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is quite possibly the most unique village in the Cotswolds to visit. Bisected by the river Windrush across which you can traverse on a multitude of footbridges, Bourton-on-the-Water is a Cotswold village with plenty to offer in terms of entertainment.

What to do in Bourton-on-the-Water:

Visit the Model Village, a one-ninth scale replica of the village dating to the 1930s; take a tour of Cotswold Brew Co., one of the oldest independent larger microbreweries in the UK; discover the wonders of birds and dinosaurs at Birdland Park & Gardens; dine at one of the many restaurants, pubs, or tearooms; and peruse one of the many local shops in the village.

See also  10 Things I'll Miss About London

Winchcombe

sudeley castle and gardens near winchcombe in the cotswolds in england

Close to the Cotswold gem Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe is an Anglo-Saxon town whose name means ‘valley with a bend’. From the early 1600s until 1619 when it was banned, the town was known for its tobacco production. Today, Winchcombe is home to about 4,500 people and features plenty of shops and restaurants to entertain locals and visitors alike.

What to do in Winchcombe:

Spend the morning at Sudeley Castle, the burial site of Catherine Parr; visit the 13th century St. Peter’s Church; learn about the town’s history at Winchcombe Museum; stroll down Vineyard Street, formerly called Duck Street, where suspected witches were placed on a ducking stool and plunged into the river.

Learn more about Sudeley Castle and its history and things to see in this post.

Chipping Campden

chipping campden main high street cotswolds

Evidence of a settlement at Chipping Campden dates back to at least the 7th century. The name Campden comes from the Saxon ‘campadenu,’ meaning ‘a valley with cultivated fields ringed by unfenced hill pastures.’ Chipping (from the old English ‘ceping,’ meaning market or marketplace) was added to create the name Chipping Campden when the town became known as one of the most important medieval wool towns. Today, Chipping Campden is a thriving town of about 2,000 residents that has plenty to offer visitors on their trip to the Cotswolds.

What to do in Chipping Campden:

Walk along the high street, which was designed in the 12th century; visit the 17th century Market Hall that was built to shelter the cheese, butter, and poultry sold at the market; marvel at Grevel House, built in 1380 by William Grevel and the oldest house in Chipping Campden (and one of the first houses to have chimneys and not just holes in the roof); visit St. James Church, a beautiful ‘wool’ church that was largely completed in the Gothic style in 1490; walk by the Alms Houses, built in 1612 and still used by pensioners today.  

Broadway

broadway high street in the cotswolds england

Another beautiful village in the Cotswolds, Broadway is perhaps best known for its nearby Broadway Tower that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Broadway itself is a village that features one of the longest high streets in England (hence its name, ‘broad way’). In the 17th century, it became a major stopping point as the main route between Worcester and London. Today, Broadway has a multitude of shops and restaurants, green spaces, and plenty to offer for a trip to the Cotswolds.

See also  How to Survive a Family Road Trip as an Adult

What to do in Broadway:

Drive (or hike, if you’re feeling ambitious) to the nearby Broadway Tower, the second-highest point in the Cotswolds built by Capability Brown just before the 19th century, to take in the stunning views of the surrounding countryside; visit the nearby Sudeley Castle; stroll the High Street and shop at the multitude of art, antique, and clothing shops; take a break at one of the many tea rooms – we particularly enjoyed The Tea Set.

Burford

burford high street cotswolds england

With a picturesque High Street flanked by old stone and half-timbered houses, Burford is a must-visit village in the Cotswolds. It was the first town in the Cotswolds to be granted a market charter in 1088. The town became famous through its wool productions as well as being an important stop on the route from Oxford to Gloucester. Today, Burford has several restaurants, antique shops, pubs, and tea rooms.

What to do in Burford:

Walk to the top of the High Street and take in the beautiful views; visit England’s oldest pharmacy, Reavley’s, which dates to 1734; stop by the Tolsey Museum, housed in the old market house and built in the 1500s; visit the Paris Church of St. John the Baptist, dating to the 15th century and featuring a Norman tower; walk by the Burford almshouses, built between 1455-1456 for eight pensioners; walk to the three-arch medieval bridge at the end of the High Street.

You may also like

Adorable Cotswolds villages you need to visit on your trip to the Cotswolds in England

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email
Previous Post: « Quieting Your Inner Critic
Next Post: Harry Potter Filming Locations in Gloucester Cathedral »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Life Well Wandered

alex life well wandered

Welcome to my corner of the internet! Life Well Wandered is a travel blog where you'll find a little bit of everything. I love sharing itineraries from past trips, secret spots I've discovered on my travels, histories of places I find fascinating, and stories about my mental health.

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Life Well Wandered

Search

What’s New

  • A Guide to Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds
  • The Real-Life Inspiration for Moria? Exploring St. Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold
  • A Lord of the Rings Guide to the Cotswolds: Places That Inspired Tolkien’s World
  • Day Trips from London: Stonehenge & Salisbury
  • Visiting Upper Slaughter in the Cotswolds: A Guide
Follow
college tourist

Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please check our disclosure page for more information.

lifewellwandered

My favorite stop in Bruges was City Hall. Built in My favorite stop in Bruges was City Hall. Built in 1376, it is one of the oldest in the Low Countries and has been used as the seat of the city government for over 600 years. 🤓
Inside City Hall is the beautiful gothic hall. It was remodeled in the 19th century and decorated with beautiful murals and woodwork from floor to ceiling. The ceiling dates from 1385. The murals were painted in the 19th century and depict different people from Belgian history, including Jan Van Eyck, Brueghel, Rubens, and more. 😍 #lifewellwandered
If you fancy climbing up about 400 steps in a spir If you fancy climbing up about 400 steps in a spiral staircase, then consider visiting the Belfry in Bruges. From the top, you'll see just how beautiful Bruges is, with its winding streets and orange rooftops. 😍
Dating back to the 13th century, the Belfry is the most important tower in Bruges. At over 83 meters (272 feet) tall, it was an important status symbol in the Middle Ages. It formerly housed the treasury and city archives, as well as a market for the town. 🏰
At the top of the tower, you'll find a carillon—47 bells playable by hand with a keyboard—with bells ranging in weight from two pounds to 11,000 pounds. Historically, the bells were used not only to mark the passage of time but also to alert residents of fires, work hours, or important events. Today, if you visit at the top of the hour, you'll get to experience the ringing of the bells. 🛎 #lifewellwandered
In March of 2015, I began my biggest trip around E In March of 2015, I began my biggest trip around Europe to date. We had about 5 weeks off (during which we were supposed to be revising for exams) so my friend and I took the opportunity to see as much of Europe as possible while also getting to know each stop as well as possible. A hard balance to strike, but we did the best we could! 🇪🇺
Our first stop was Bruges. We visited on the day of a solar eclipse, but it was already cloudy and foggy so the lack of sunlight wasn’t noticed. We spent our day in Bruges wandering around the streets and eating waffles - not a bad start to a trip around Europe that would be characterized by eating and wandering! 🍽 #lifewellwandered
The last stop on my series of day trips around Eng The last stop on my series of day trips around England was Windsor. I had been close to Windsor once before but had yet to visit Windsor Castle or the town. Windsor Castle was overwhelming. 🏰
It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror and the home of 39 monarchs. We spent hours walking around the various wings and exhibits, trying to absorb everything we could. Have you visited Windsor Castle before? 👑 #lifewellwandered
Bath is most famous for, well, its Roman baths. As Bath is most famous for, well, its Roman baths. As a Roman history nerd, Bath was on my to-visit list for ages and I spent my entire visit to the baths geeking out over all of the artifacts and ruins. 🤓
For thousands of years, 240,000 gallons of 115ºF water has risen into this spring, known as the Sacred Spring, daily. In Roman times, this phenomenon was believed to be the work of the Gods, so Romans built a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, a deity with healing powers, around the spring. Water from it feeds the Roman baths. 🛁 #lifewellwandered
Three churches have occupied the site of Bath Abbe Three churches have occupied the site of Bath Abbey since 757AD. There was first an Anglo-Saxon monastery, then a massive Norman cathedral (the foundations of which can be seen underground in one part of the Abbey) and then the present abbey church from the 1600s. ⛪️
The first King of England, King Edgar, was crowned here in 973 - his coronation set the precedent for the current coronation ceremony of all kings and queens of England. 👑 #lifewellwandered
I visited Winchester on what felt like the first w I visited Winchester on what felt like the first warm, sunny day in months. When you live in a place without regular sun, you always take advantage of beautiful days. Winchester made the perfect destination for a beautiful day spent walking around and exploring. 🤗
Winchester’s High Street is built along the original Roman street that led through the town. Today, it has buildings dating from the 16th century. The clock was presented after a visit from Queen Anne in 1713. 🕑 #lifewellwandered
Chances are, you’ve heard of the Knights of the Chances are, you’ve heard of the Knights of the Round Table. Did you know that the Round Table of King Arthur can be found in the Great Hall in Winchester? ⚔️
While this table was created around 1290, well after the death of King Arthur and his knights, it’s still impressive to visit. Weighing over one ton, it is thought to portray King Arthur on his throne surrounded by 24 places for his knights. King Henry VIII added a Tudor Rose during his reign. Swipe for a closer look at the table! 🤓 #lifewellwandered
In another edition of always visit the cathedral i In another edition of always visit the cathedral in the town you visit, I bring you Winchester Cathedral. One of the reasons why I chose to visit Winchester of all places was its connection to Jane Austen. Jane Austen spent the last weeks of her life in a house in Winchester and was laid to rest in its cathedral in 1817. ⛪️
Have you ever traveled somewhere because of a favorite author? 🤓 #lifewellwandered
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel Planning & Itineraries
  • Destinations
  • Mental Health
  • Lifestyle

Copyright © 2023 · beloved theme by Restored 316