The Best Villages in the Cotswolds – Discover the places that you need to visit

Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Bibury is not just hailed as one of the prettiest Cotswolds villages, but one of the most picturesque in England too. With its charming stone cottages, gently flowing River Coln, and lush green surroundings, it feels like a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Arlington Row, a row of 17th-century weavers’ cottages has become one of the most photographed spots in the country. Owned by The National Trust, Arlington Row is one of the most visited place in The Cotswolds, so don’t expect to have this cute little village to yourself.

Strolling through Bibury, you will find a trout farm where you can feed the trout or even catch them and cook on a BBQ for tea, walk along the river and discover a few places to have a bite to eat or drink or cool off with an ice cream.

Scores 10/10 for me on being quintessentially Cotswolds through and through but 3/10 for parking and trying to escape the hordes of tourists.

The Swan is 'the place to stay' here although I haven’t yet tried it myself, we have stayed a few miles up the road In Barnsley at the former Barnsley House Hotel, now The Pig in the Cotswolds, and it's one of my all-time favourite hotels.

Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds," Broadway is another stunning village that perfectly blends history, charm, and natural beauty.

Its Cotswold stone lined high street is teeming with independent boutiques, art galleries, and comfy cafés, making it a delight to explore. The vibe is slightly more “London” here and often you’ll see shiny sports cars parked up and well-dressed people crowding the streets. The gorgeous Lygon Arms hotel is the place to stay.

One of its most famous landmarks is Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly perched on a hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the countryside.

Broadway is the perfect place to have an afternoon tea and people watch and it's one of the prettiest villages to explore.
Scores 9/10 for being aesthetically Cotswolds but a 4/10 for being slightly pretentious and rarely being able to just pop in anywhere for a drink without a long wait.

One of my personal favourite places to visit, often called the "Gateway to the Cotswolds," Burford is a charming medieval town in Oxfordshire known for its picturesque high street, historic stone cottages, and stunning countryside views.

Steeped in history, Burford boasts landmarks like the 12th-century St. John the Baptist Church and a collection of traditional pubs, independent shops, and tearooms. We love to wander up and down the steep(ish) hill lined with shops, stop for a coffee and buy local produce from the fabulous butchers and delis there. Step into The Oxford Shirt Co. Store and take a step back in time, this shop is a hidden maze of traditional clothing and you will not believe how big it is once inside.

Just up the road in Asthall is Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, with its sign featuring his red fox lab and its feature tractor hanging from the ceiling. It’s the place to go to sample his Hawkstone beer or cider – everything sold there is local, tying in with the ethos of his farm shop. We had to queue for around 10 minutes to get a drink inside, the queue for food, however, was about an hour!

Burford scores highly for me, 9/10 for all it has to offer as well as being pretty and a fabulous place to spend a few hours. Just out of the town is the Burford garden centre which is the best I’ve been to and does a delicious English breakfast. Fill a basket with items such as local cheeses, breads and every other premium brand and product you can imagine (if you have the budget) It is stunning and the prices reflect that! I have not stayed In Burford but there is plenty of choice for all budgets here.

Chipping Norton, affectionately known as “Chippy,” is a vibrant market town in the Cotswolds, brimming with history and character. Once a major hub for the wool trade, it retains its heritage through charming stone buildings, a historic market square, and the impressive St. Mary’s Church. Now it is more known for being home to Jeremy Clarkson and features in his top Netflix fly on the wall TV series.

Just outside the town is Diddly Squat the now infamous farm shop belonging to Clarkson. Featured heavily in his series this is also one of the places that everyone who is visiting the Cotswolds wants to go.

Bringing this tiny shop into our living rooms has brought chaos into the surrounding countryside, with thousands of visitors queueing for hours to get a glimpse of Jeremy who often films there. People will wait in line to purchase his merchandise, buy some local 16 mile radius produce or eat/drink in the rustic restaurant there. Love him or hate him Jeremy Clarkson is the current face of this area and brings in many visitors.

Chipping Norton scores a 6/10 for me because I do quite like him, as I mentioned we have passed him many times when visiting this area. What can I say? We love a bit of celeb spotting.

It scores a 2/10 though as the area has so much more to offer than JC and the queues to get in to Diddly can be hours long for what actually only takes about 30 seconds to see once inside. We finally got in with no queue in March (25) we bought some of the bacon and it was very nice 😉

Fairford is a hidden gem in the Cotswolds, a picturesque market town in Gloucestershire, best known for its stunning medieval church, St. Mary’s, which boasts a rare collection of 15th-century stained glass windows.

Nestled along the River Coln, Fairford offers a tranquil escape with scenic walks, traditional Cotswold stone cottages, and a welcoming feel. We have made this our base for our past few stays in a charming Bridge Alley Cottages air B&B – details below.

There is a guided walk that takes you through the village passing many historic buildings and fantastic views. We did this during our last visit and loved following the map and ticking off the sights as we passed them. The grade 2 listed Bull Hotel a coaching inn is ideal for a hotel stay or dinner/drinks along, and you can enjoy the usual take away type fish and chip shop and little cafes.

Just out of town is the very trendy Lakes By Yoo, a sustainable estate with luxury lodges surrounding the lakes and a lakeside restaurant which serves a delicious menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have eaten here several times and love its décor, food and ambience. We were sat across from Natalie Imbruglia on a previous visit so keep your eyes peeled for the celebs that frequent this insta worthy hang out.

The town is also famous for hosting the annual Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the world’s largest air shows so be prepared for crowds at this time of year.

Fairford gets 10/10 from me for its accessibility, places to eat & stay, and for being relatively undiscovered, it makes it the perfect place to stay. It's based towards the bottom of the Cotswolds so it gets 6/10 for the extra driving if you want to see all of the beautiful villages of the Cotswolds.

The Slaughters are amongst the most beautiful Cotswold’s Villages- despite the name which actually means 'muddy place' - linked by the tiny River Eye, a tributary to the River Windrush. Lower Slaughter is home to a historic watermill, (recorded in the Doomsday book) and a choice of country inn and superior hotel.

Upper Slaughter is one of only 14 'doubly sainted' villages in England, villages that lost no men during either World War I or II. A 17th-century manor house, the historic St Peter’s church will greet you if you walk the scenic walking trail connecting these two village past the mill and through the fields it is one of my favourite things to do.

You can stay as we did in Upper Slaughter at the Lords of the Manor Hotel or in lower Slaughter at a few other lovely hotels and Inns. A 10/10 for being just typically Cotswolds through and through.

One of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe deserves its spot as one of the Cotswolds most beautiful villages. Stone cottages, winding streets, and a tranquil atmosphere makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time.

The village is dominated by the 14th-century St. Andrew’s Church and the picturesque River Bybrook, which flows gently through the heart of the village. Castle Combe's charming beauty has also made it a favourite location for film and TV, including the famous War Horse.

I have stayed at the Manor House, a 17th century Cotswold retreat, with a championship golf course, a Michelin starred restaurant that the best afternoon tea I have ever had, now this is the way to treat yourself to a slice of Cotswolds luxury.

Scoring 10/10 for its picture postcard scenery Castle Combe is always on my list for a stop off when driving home. It's a 4/10 for parking which is difficult. The main car park is a bit of a trek down a steep hill into the village which of course means a hike back up to get back to your car. Also there are no cafes to sit in and just watch the world by.

Castle Combe is so beautiful, which means lots of tourists so the village is rarely as tranquil as it looks in the photos you see online.

Many of these beautiful Cotswolds villages have nicknames and Bourton is no exception, often referred to as the "Venice of the Cotswolds". It is a charming village renowned for its picturesque scenery and it's a tourist hotspot.

Situated along the River Windrush, the village is characterised by its iconic low stone bridges, which span the river and create a sought after photo setting. In the summer children play in the river and tourists crowd the banks (I’ve even seen fake picnic baskets complete with plastic fruit to make the perfect “Cotswold Village” photo).

Bourton-on-the-Water is also home to many attractions, including the Cotswold Motoring Museum and the Birdland Park & Gardens.

With its traditional stone buildings, quaint shops, and riverside walks you can see why it is so popular, but I find it too busy. Generally, in the summer months, I drive right through however out of season you can find the odd parking space and bag a seat in one of the many cafes. We managed it in March.

Whilst very pretty when quiet I score Bourton 6/10 as it is just too busy and has too many tourist style shops overall.

A pretty market town (not village) in the north of the Cotswolds. The chocolate box houses here are built mainly of the honey-coloured stone sourced from the local area.

Moreton-in-Marsh also known as Moreton-in-the-Marsh is also famous for its medieval market place, where a bustling market has been held for centuries. The town is a perfect base for exploring the surrounding countryside and is home to the historic St. David’s Church. Spreading across 60 acres, Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre is found here - home to some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos. You can refresh and refill in the café there.
Maybe not as pretty as some of the smaller villages I’d score Moreton a solid 8/10.

Perched at nearly 800ft, Stow is the highest town in the Cotswolds. It sits on the Roman Fosse Way, its impressive Market Square, surrounded by charming townhouses, independent shops, antique centres, cosy cafes, and inns all built from local stone, has been the heart of the town for centuries. At one end, you’ll find the medieval stocks, at the other, the ancient market cross, and in the centre, St. Edward’s Hall.

Just a short walk from the town centre, you can explore the old wells in Well Lane, where the ramparts of an Iron Age fort can still be seen.

It is another of the Cotswolds most visited towns and villages so parking isn’t always easy, we have stayed nearby and you can easily pass a few hours wandering around the shops looking for some Cotswolds souvenirs.

I have to say, I had the worst fish and chips we have ever had in Stow on the Wold, but maybe it was just an off day. There are so many other lovely places to eat here, don't let that put you off! It's a 6/10 for me due to the popularity and poor chips 😉

Tetbury is one of those Cotswold towns that feels like it’s straight out of a history book. It's bigger and it's a town rather than a typical Cotswold village, much of it looks just as it did back in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was thriving as a busy wool town – and you can really feel that sense of history as you wander through which is why I’ve included it in my list.

Right in the heart of town is the eye-catching Market House, built in 1655, with its chunky stone pillars and open arches. It was originally used for selling wool and yarn, but today it’s still a lively spot, hosting farmers' markets and community events.

Just around the corner, take a stroll down the old Chipping Steps and along Gumstool Hill to see rows of charming 17th-century weavers’ cottages – a lovely glimpse into Tetbury’s past that’s still very much part of its charm today. You will also find a wide selection of places to eat and stay which makes it an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds.

Westonbirt the National Arboretum is just up the road, with over 15,000 trees from all over the world and there are events for families year round to keep the kids amused.

Scoring a 7/10 for its amenities and history albeit not as chocolate box as some of the others. There are a few nice looking places to stay here such as The Priory Inn, but we opted for The Hare & Hounds just outside of town.

Tucked away in the prettiest countryside, Painswick – fondly known as “The Queen of the Cotswolds” – is a real gem, and one of my favourites.

It’s one of the best-preserved Cotswold towns, full of charm, character, and history around every corner. Wander the narrow, winding streets and you’ll spot rows of stunning honey-coloured stone buildings, including the oldest building in England to have housed a Post Office! Over on New Street, you’ll also find the country’s oldest bowling green and the beautiful parish church of St. Mary, famous for its 99 perfectly manicured yew trees – it’s one of the most striking churchyards you’ll ever see.

Painswick is also the perfect base for walking, sitting right at the halfway point of the Cotswold Way. Just a short stroll from the centre you’ll find the magical Rococo Gardens, the sweeping views from Painswick Beacon, and charming nearby villages such as Sheepscombe. If you’re up for a walk with a view, the route up to Painswick Beacon is a must – on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Malvern Hills and even the Brecon Beacons!

We spent a few days here when the weather was super hot and Painswick has a lot of steep hills, what began as a leisurely stroll downhill to the river was not quite so fun on the way back up 😉

It gets 9/10 on my list for its beauty and peace, and loses just 1 mark for being a bit steep and slightly out of the way. We stayed at The Painswick Hotel which is set high up with great views. They serve a wonderful savoury afternoon tea which we enjoyed sitting in their country gardens.

Tucked away in the beautiful Evenlode Valley, Kingham is a peaceful and picture-perfect village that somehow manages to feel completely secluded while still being super accessible—London is just 90 minutes away by train!

Kingham has all the charm you'd hope for in a Cotswold village, wide open greens, rows of elegant 17th and 18th-century cottages, a lovely little village shop, a welcoming church, and not one but two great pubs. It's the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, breathe in the country air, and stay a while.

It’s also a fantastic base for walkers and cyclists, with plenty of scenic routes right from the village. Nearby spots like the Churchill and Sarsden Heritage Centre and the ever-popular Daylesford Organic are perfect for a day out. We love going to Daylesford, it sells everything you’d want from a loaf of bread to beautiful dining ware, like many things in the Cotswolds though, it does come with a price tag!

If you’re into food, Kingham seriously delivers. The village is home to two foodie favourites—the Kingham Plough and The Wild Rabbit, both known for their locally-sourced, beautifully crafted menus. We have stayed at the Wild Rabbit and can highly recommend it if you like a country pub feel with a fair touch of luxury. It hosts The Big Feastival each year, a lively celebration of food and music at Blur bassist Alex James’s nearby farm.

My final score is 8/10 for a beautiful village, that's less well known, with easy access to good food and places to visit.

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