15 Prettiest Cotswolds Towns & Villages to Visit

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited the Cotswolds, seeking out the very best Cotswolds towns and villages. If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll know about my obsession with the Cotswolds!

While places like Bibury and Castle Combe are rightly famous, there are plenty of lesser-known gems that are just as worthy of a visit. Whether you’re planning a scenic road trip, a romantic weekend away or simply looking for the perfect country pub, you’ll find no shortage of beautiful places to explore.

In this guide, I’ve rounded up my favourite Cotswolds villages, along with what makes each one special, where to stay and the best experiences to book to help you plan your visit.

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At a glance: my top Cotswolds villages picks

Map of Cotswolds villages

Below I’ve created a map that shows you where all the best villages in the Cotswolds are located. Handy for when you want to visualise the locations or plan a route.

I’d recommend grouping the villages located in a given area and allowing plenty of time to explore. Personally I think it’s best to embrace the slower pace of life that exemplifies the Cotswolds so well.

15 best Cotswolds towns & villages

1. Castle Combe

This has to be my personal favourite village in the Cotswolds. Located close to Chippenham, Castle Combe owes its name to a long-gone fortress that formerly dominated the landscape.

Now, Castle Combe still boasts a 13th century church, known for its faceless clock, as well as an ancient market cross.

During dry weather, items such as cakes, sweets and flowers are often offered for sale by villagers from outside their picturesque, honey coloured homes.

Castle Combe has been used as a film location for Dr Doolittle, Stardust and War Horse, among others.

The motor racing circuit on the edge of the village and two pubs provide more reasons to visit. Or you can simply wander to the bridge and soak up the scenic views. 

I’d really recommend staying in the magical Manor House – have a watch of my reel for more insight into my stay.

👉 If you’re visiting this lovely village, make sure you read my guide to Castle Combe ahead of your trip.

2. Bourton-on-the-Water

Few planning a Cotswolds itinerary would miss Bourton-on-the-Water off their list. It’s widely regarded as one of the best places in the Cotswolds to visit – and I can see why.

This pretty spot spans the River Windrush, and is famed for its series of low bridges. Bourton has an interesting selection of independent shops, and also has several places of interest to its name.

I’d recommend a visit to the Model Village, which is a scaled replica and dates from the 1930s. Families will love Birdland, where kids and adults alike can fawn over the likes of owls, parrots and King penguins.

Bourton is also home to the Cotswolds Motoring Museum, with its displays of vintage and toy vehicles.

Once a year, during summer, the village hosts a football match played in the shallow waters of the river. It’s a local tradition that has been followed for well over a century!

👉 Have a read of my guide to visiting Bourton-on-the-Water to help you plan your trip.

3. Burford

Positioned around 20 miles from both Oxford and Cheltenham, Burford is sometimes described as the gateway to the southern part of the Cotswolds.

It is also located on the River Windrush, but this time the waters are found at the bottom of the sloping high street.

I adore all the quaint little shops and cafés dotted around the village, plus Burford is where you can find England’s oldest pharmacy. Established in 1734, Reavley’s is still thriving.

This is one of the best villages to visit in the Cotswolds for historians, as St John’s church has a memorial to one of Henry VIII’s barber surgeons. 

There is also the Tolsey Museum, housed in a 16th century building. Annually, Burford hosts Levellers Day, commemorating the three radicals who were executed in the churchyard here.

Personally, I’d recommend settling into one of the cosy cafés and watching the world go by.

👉 Read more tips in my Burford travel guide so you can make the most of your visit.

4. Lower Slaughter

Despite its name, Lower Slaughter is one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. Set on the banks of the gentle River Eye, it’s known for its honey-coloured stone cottages, charming footbridges and wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

Unlike some of the region’s busier villages, Lower Slaughter has retained a quiet, timeless feel that makes it a joy to explore at a leisurely pace.

One of the village’s most recognisable landmarks is the Old Mill, a former flour mill that dates back to the 19th century.

Although it no longer operates as a mill, it remains one of the most photographed buildings in the Cotswolds and sits in a beautiful spot beside the river.

Take time to wander along the riverside, admire the traditional cottages reflected in the water and follow the scenic footpath to neighbouring Upper Slaughter if you have the time.

The walk between the two villages takes around 30 minutes and is one of the most enjoyable strolls in the Cotswolds.

🚗 Insider tip: Parking can be a bit tricky here but if you’re feeling energetic, it’s possible to walk from Bourton-on-the-Water to both Lower and Upper Slaughter.

👉 Have a read of my Lower Slaughter travel guide before planning your visit.

5. Upper Slaughter

Upper Slaughter is just a mile from Lower Slaughter, and is just as appealing. It is one of the country’s only ‘Double Thankful Villages’, meaning that it lost no souls during World War I or World War II.

A Norman castle once dominated the landscape, and the Slaughters Manor House is now a hotel.

Eyford House is also one of the village’s draws, as it once won the title of ‘England’s Favourite House’ as awarded by Country Life magazine.

The 1.5 acres site features a pretty garden abundant in ornamental trees and shrubs. While the Queen Anne style house is said to have inspired Milton’s Paradise Lost. 

👉 Make sure you check out my guide to Upper Slaughter while planning your visit.

6. Cirencester

Although it may seem relatively small in contemporary terms, Cirencester was, during the Roman era, Britain’s second biggest town.

Just 80 miles from London, it’s popular with visitors from all over the globe, who flock to see this historic market town on the banks of the River Churn. 

Cirencester was famed for wool production during medieval times. Even today, the sizable church of St John the Baptist looms over the bustling market square.

Regular markets take place on Mondays and Fridays, and antiques, crafts and farmer’s markets are also held here.

The Royal Agricultural University was formed in Cirencester in 1845. It was the world’s first academic institution dedicated to the subject.

I’d recommend staying in Cirencester if you’re looking for a good base to explore the Cotswolds from.

👉 Discover my guide to visiting Cirencester, to help you plan your trip and make the most of the town.

7. Bibury

On the banks of the River Coln, a tributary of the mighty Thames, is Bibury. It is only around seven miles from Cirencester and is another of my personal favourites.

Again, this is one of the nicest villages in the Cotswolds, featuring the honeycomb-toned stone homes typical of the area.

The National Trust is now responsible for part of Bibury. This includes a line of weavers’ cottages dating from the 1600s and a water meadow known as Rack Isle.

Arlington Row’s cottages actually date back even further, as the thoroughfare dates from the 1300s.

Once upon a time, locals living in Arlington Row hung their wool on racks after washing to dry – hence the name Rack Isle. Today, visitors can see the flora and fauna that flourish at this nature reserve.

👉 Read my Bibury travel guide to discover the best things to do and where to eat.

8. Broadway

Once a popular stop for stage coaches travelling to London or Oxford, Broadway is home to several convivial inns.

A blend of Cotswold stone and period homes lines the High Street, which is also fringed by horse chestnut trees.

Several notable people have been associated with Broadway, including author J. M. Barrie, textile designer William Morris, and Oliver Cromwell, who stayed at the Lygon Arms the night preceding the Battle of Worcester.

Broadway’s draws include the Gordon Russell design museum, St Eadburgha’s church, Broadway Tower, and a good kids’ adventure park. 

There are also some great restaurants on the high street, including my personal favourite: Moda at the House of George W Davies.

👉 Make sure you read my Broadway travel guide when planning your visit.

9. Stow-on-the-Wold

Compared to other beautiful Cotswolds villages, Stow-on-the-Wold may seem like a buzzing metropolis.

The settlement was first established during Norman times, and is now close to the point where seven major roads converge.

Fosse Way dates from Roman times, and is one of the routes that passes by the town.

This and the abundance of accommodation, pubs and shops makes Stow-on-the-Wold one of the Cotswolds’ most popular places to stay.

With an elevation of 800 feet, it is also the highest place in the area. Visitor amenities and attractions in Stow include a clutch of characterful pubs, the market square, St Edward’s church, and the stocks.

I’d recommend stopping by The Hive for a delicious Cotswolds brunch.

There is also a range of art galleries and an antiques centre. Plus, several quirky shops including the Borzoi Bookshop, an independent retailer first established over four decades ago. 

👉 Read my guide to visiting Stow-on-the-Wold for all my insider tips on making the most out of trip.

10. Tetbury

Today Tetbury capitalises on its Royal connections. It is home to the private residence of King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla: Highgrove House.

It is also one of the largest towns in the Cotswolds. During the Middle Ages, Tetbury was a hub of yarn and wool production.

The site is where an Anglo-Saxon monastery once stood. Preceding the construction of that in 681, there was an ancient hill fort.

Numerous former wool merchants’ homes in Tetbury remain much as they were during the 1500s and 1600s. 

Visitors to Tetbury are often first introduced to the term ‘chipping’ here, which means market. You can still climb the old, cobbled steps that lead to what has since been turned into a car park.

The stores here are also a draw, and include the shop at nearby Highgrove as well as the antiques dealers, boutiques, interiors and vintage retailers in town.

11. Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden is noted for its fantastic high street, which comprises an elegant sweep of buildings, each of which dates from anywhere between the 1300s and 1600s.

This is still very much a bustling market town, attracting locals who shop here as well as visitors who come to marvel at this charming Cotswolds location.

The Market Hall is now overseen by the National Trust, who are also responsible for the beautiful Hidcote Manor Gardens.

Chipping Campden boasts a couple of churches, various gardens and Court Barn, a craft and design museum. 

If you fancy a walk from Chipping Campden, I’d recommend walking to Broadway Tower or visiting Dovers Hill for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

12. Painswick

When considering where to visit in the Cotswolds, Painswick is often high on the list.

This pretty village is constructed from the local honey-toned stone, and was important during wool trading times.

The Cotswold Way runs right through Painswick. As the village is located around the halfway point, many walkers stop at the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’ to rest and recuperate.    

Painswick is now famed for the yew trees in the churchyard and Painswick Rococo Garden, an oasis originally created for the owner of the Painswick House, in whose grounds the garden still stands.

13. Snowshill

I’d recommend visiting Snowshill for the spectacular views over the Severn Vale, as well as its typical honey coloured stone buildings.

The Cotswold Hills surrounding the village on three of four sides give the village a cosy and welcoming feel.

A National Trust property, Snowshill Manor, houses a Charles Wade collection comprising a wide variety of items including toys, bicycles, clocks, musical instruments, and even Samurai armour.

The gardens are just as beautiful as the manor house, packed with colourful, fragrant blooms during spring and summer. 

Due to its position in the valley, Snowshill’s village green is often the first place to see snowfall during winter, hence the name.

The village also has a popular pub, the Snowshill Arms, and a pretty churchyard.

14. Asthall

Asthall is nestled in the Windrush Valley, close to Burford – I’d recommend visiting primarily for the beautiful Asthall Manor.

The 17th century, Jacobean Asthall Manor was once home to the Mitford sisters, and it’s said that much of Nancy’s Love in a Cold Climate was written in the village, when they spent time away from the family seat in Northumberland.

Akeman Street in Asthall is home to an ancient Roman settlement, and the village once acted as an important link between St Albans and Cirencester.

The church here dates back to the 1100s, although the Mitford sisters are buried in nearby Swinbrook rather than at St Nicolas’s. 

Fans of Clarkson’s Farm will also be interested to know that this is where his beloved pub, The Farmer’s Dog is located.

15. Kingham

The annual ‘Big Feastival’ is held nearby at the farm of Alex James from Blur. The two pubs – The Wild Rabbit and the Kingham Plough – are favourites with gastronomy fans.

Kingham is a great place to stay if you’re arriving by public transport from the capital, as the station is just a mile from the centre and offers mainline services to London.

The village also has a picturesque, cottage-fringed green, a church, and a shop.

With easy access to the walking and cycling trails that lead from the village, Kingham is also popular with active types who come to enjoy the fresh Cotswolds air and peaceful, scenic landscapes of the area. 

Which Cotswolds village will you visit first?

From world-famous villages like Bibury and Castle Combe to quieter spots such as Snowshill and Asthall, the Cotswolds is full of places that reward a slower pace of travel.

While it’s impossible to see them all in a single weekend, many are just a short drive apart, making it easy to combine several into a memorable road trip.

If you’re visiting for the first time, I’d recommend choosing a base such as Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold or Burford, then exploring the surrounding villages from there.

You’ll spend less time in the car and more time enjoying everything that makes the Cotswolds so special.

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