Is this the holiday you’ve been searching for? Experience the quintessential charm of the typical English countryside like nowhere else. Spanning six counties and covering 800 square miles, the Cotswolds is easily accessible from many parts of the UK – making it a great choice for a short break or something longer. We’ve picked out some of our favourite things to enjoy on your holiday here.
The Venice of the Cotswolds
The Venice of the Cotswolds Bourton-on-the-Water has earned this nickname due to the River Windrush, flowing through the village and crossed by several Cotswold stone arched bridges. A relaxing way to see the sights is by taking a punting tour along the river. Or, if water isn’t for you, the whole place is small and easily walkable. From here, you can also visit the Cotswold Motoring Museum, get lost in the giant hedge Dragon Fly Maze and explore the Birdland Park and Gardens – home to over 500 birds from around the world.
Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, Oxfordshire is one of the largest houses and the only non-royal country house in England with the title ‘palace’. Famed as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, make the most of your time here by exploring the house, park and gardens, and maybe treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea. With different exhibitions throughout the year, along with hosting a spectacular jousting tournament every summer, check their calendar of events before you go and plan out your day.
These are two idyllic twin villages called Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter. The name is a bit deceiving and nothing to do with slaughter – it comes from the old English ‘slohtre’ and means ‘muddy place’. Take a gentle walk along the River Eye, which runs through both villages, or stroll through the narrow lanes, admiring the pretty honey-coloured houses. You’ll find two traditional Cotswold pubs here, both serving great food and are an excellent place for spot of lunch. Lower Slaughter is also home to a restored 17th Century water mill – you can take a tour of it and see the giant water wheel in action.
The Cotswolds is a popular location for many films and TV shows. The pretty hamlet of Bampton was used as the fictional village of Downton – you might recognise some of the shots of the church or houses as you stroll through the streets. The corridors of Gloucester Cathedral were used to film parts of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series of films, and the picturesque village of Snowshill was used to film scenes for Bridget Jones’ Diary. For something a little quirkier, head to the enchanting Puzzlewood in Gloucestershire. This ancient woodland site was used as a backdrop in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and rumour has it, JRR Tolkien took inspiration from here for his Lord of the Rings trilogy too.
If you’re up for a challenge and don’t want to miss out on anything, this 102-mile route can be walked in any direction from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south, or vice versa. The whole trail can be covered in 6-12 days but if you don’t fancy doing this all-in-one go, why not cover a new bit on each visit? A great excuse to visit the Cotswolds time and time again!
Last-minute getaways Always leave things to the last minute? Don’t worry. With holidays to suit all budgets, take a look at our late deals, pack a bag and be on your way!
Fancy somewhere different? Love the Cotswolds but want to see what else the surrounding areas have to offer? From log cabins and cosy cottages to historic manors, take a look at where to go next.
