The Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stretches across six counties in the heart of England. Its distinctive honey-colored limestone villages, gentle rolling hills, and ancient woodlands create a timeless landscape that seems straight out of a storybook. With over 800 square miles to explore, planning a weekend itinerary can be overwhelming. This guide will help you make the most of a short visit, focusing on the most charming villages and unmissable experiences.
Why Visit the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds represents a quintessentially English landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. This region offers:
- Picture-perfect villages with distinctive architecture
- Peaceful countryside with excellent walking trails
- Rich history dating back to Roman times and beyond
- World-class gardens and historic estates
- Excellent local food and traditional country pubs
A weekend isn't enough to see everything, but it provides a wonderful introduction to the region's unique charms.
Getting There and Getting Around
The Cotswolds is located about two hours west of London, making it an ideal weekend escape from the capital.
By Car
Having your own vehicle provides the most flexibility for exploring the Cotswolds' scattered villages. From London, take the M40 to Oxford, then continue on A-roads into the heart of the region. Alternatively, from the west, the M5 provides good access.
By Train
Regular train services run from London Paddington to key Cotswold towns like Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Stroud. From these hubs, you can use local buses or taxis to reach smaller villages, though services can be limited on weekends.
Guided Tours
If you prefer not to drive, numerous tour companies offer day trips and weekend packages from London, Oxford, or Bath, with transportation included.
Day 1: Northern Cotswolds
Begin your Cotswolds adventure in the north of the region, home to some of the most famous and picturesque villages.
Morning: Broadway
Start in Broadway, often called the "Jewel of the Cotswolds." This broad High Street (which gives the village its name) is lined with honey-colored limestone buildings housing antique shops, art galleries, and cafés. Begin with breakfast at one of the village's cozy tearooms – The Broadway Deli offers excellent coffee and freshly baked pastries.
After breakfast, walk up to Broadway Tower, a folly perched on the second-highest point in the Cotswolds. This unique tower offers panoramic views across multiple counties – on a clear day, you can see up to 16 of them! The surrounding deer park makes for a pleasant stroll.
Midday: Chipping Campden
Just a short drive from Broadway lies Chipping Campden, considered by many to be the most perfect example of a Cotswold market town. Its elegant terraced High Street curves in a shallow arc, lined with buildings spanning five centuries of architectural styles, though predominantly Jacobean and Georgian.
Visit the Market Hall, a grand open-sided stone building dating from 1627, before having lunch at The Chef's Dozen or enjoying a traditional pub meal at The Eight Bells. Leave time to explore St. James Church, one of the finest wool churches in the Cotswolds, reflecting the wealth generated by the medieval wool trade that built much of the region.
Afternoon: Hidcote Manor Garden
In the afternoon, visit Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England's greatest gardens and a masterpiece of Arts and Crafts design. Created by American horticulturist Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote is essentially a series of outdoor "rooms," each with its own character. The Red Borders, the White Garden, and the intricate topiary are particularly impressive. Allow at least two hours to fully appreciate this horticultural gem.
Evening: Stow-on-the-Wold
As evening approaches, head to Stow-on-the-Wold, a market town perched on an 800-foot hill. Its vast market square testifies to its former importance as a trading center where up to 20,000 sheep would be sold at a time.
Before dinner, seek out St. Edward's Church to see its north door flanked by ancient yew trees, creating a mystical scene said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings.
For dinner, The Old Butchers offers exceptional seasonal cuisine, or try The Porch House, which claims to be England's oldest inn, dating back to 947 AD. Spend the night in Stow at a historic inn or B&B – The Stag at Stow combines historic character with contemporary comforts.
Day 2: Central and Southern Cotswolds
On your second day, venture south to explore more villages and landscapes with their own distinct character.
Morning: Bourton-on-the-Water
Start your day in Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the "Venice of the Cotswolds" due to the lovely River Windrush flowing through its center, crossed by a series of low, elegant stone bridges. Arrive early to enjoy the village before the crowds.
Visit the Model Village, a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton itself, complete with miniature gardens and flowing water. It's charmingly meta – the model even contains a tiny model village within it!
For refreshment, stop at The Bakery on the Water for freshly baked treats and riverside seating, weather permitting.
Midday: Lower and Upper Slaughter
A short drive – or a beautiful 1.5-mile walk along the Wardens' Way – brings you to Lower Slaughter. Despite its ominous name (which derives from the Old English "slohtre," meaning "muddy place"), this is one of the most idyllic villages in the Cotswolds.
Wander along the banks of the Eye stream to the 19th-century water mill at the village's end, now housing a craft shop and café. The mill features a giant water wheel and craft demonstrations.
Continue to Upper Slaughter, a "doubly thankful" village that lost no residents in either World War. Its ford, where the stream crosses the village street, makes for particularly picturesque photos. The lack of tourist shops or cafés gives Upper Slaughter an unspoiled, authentic feel.
Afternoon: Bibury
In the afternoon, drive to Bibury, which artist William Morris described as "the most beautiful village in England." Its most famous attraction is Arlington Row, a 14th-century wool store converted into weavers' cottages in the 17th century. This row of ancient cottages is so iconic that it appears inside UK passports.
Take time to explore Bibury Trout Farm, one of Britain's oldest, established in 1902. You can stroll the grounds, feed the fish, and even catch your own trout for dinner or to take home. The farm shop sells smoked trout products if you prefer not to fish yourself.
Evening: Tetbury
End your Cotswold weekend in Tetbury, a historic wool town with over 1,300 years of recorded history. The town center is dominated by the beautiful pillared Market House dating from 1655.
Tetbury is known for its extraordinary concentration of antique shops – over 20 in this small town – so allow time for browsing if that interests you. The town is also home to Highgrove Royal Gardens, the private residence of King Charles III, though these require advance booking for tours.
For a special dinner, The Priory Inn serves excellent food sourced from within a 30-mile radius, epitomizing the farm-to-table ethos. Alternatively, The Snooty Fox offers classic British fare in a 16th-century coaching inn setting.
Where to Stay
The Cotswolds offers accommodation to suit all tastes, from luxury manor houses to cozy B&Bs. Some recommendations include:
- Luxury: The Lygon Arms in Broadway or Barnsley House near Cirencester
- Mid-range: The Lamb Inn in Burford or The Old Stocks Inn in Stow-on-the-Wold
- Budget: The Volunteer Inn in Chipping Campden or The Bull at Fairford
For a truly atmospheric experience, choose historic properties with original features like oak beams, stone fireplaces, and uneven floors that tell the story of centuries past.
Practical Tips for Your Cotswolds Weekend
- Timing: Spring and early autumn offer the best combination of good weather and fewer crowds. Summer is beautiful but busy, while winter provides a magical atmosphere, especially around Christmas.
- Parking: Village car parks can fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. Arrive early or be prepared to park on the outskirts and walk in.
- Footwear: Bring comfortable walking shoes. Even if you're not planning country hikes, the uneven cobblestones and sloping streets of many villages require sturdy footwear.
- Shopping: Many shops in smaller villages close early (around 4-5 PM) and may not open on Sundays.
- Dining: Book restaurants in advance, especially for Saturday night dinner or Sunday lunch.
A weekend in the Cotswolds offers just a taste of this remarkable region, where the English countryside is at its most seductive. The villages and landscapes described here represent only a fraction of what's available to explore. Many visitors find themselves returning time and again, discovering new corners and developing deeper appreciation for this extraordinarily well-preserved slice of traditional England.
