The perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds might surprise you…
In fact, basing yourself in a nearby city like Gloucester can be one of the smartest ways to explore the Cotswolds - especially if you’re travelling as a family, in a group, or during peak seasons.
Gloucester
We chose Gloucester as our base for a short trip, using it as a springboard for village hopping across the Cotswolds. What we found was a city with plenty of charm in its own right, combined with easy access to some of the region’s most famous villages without the price tags or parking stress that often come with staying in the heart of them.
Starting in Gloucester
Gloucester has a historic feel that often surprises first-time visitors. The city centre is compact and walkable, with winding streets and a sense of history that’s immediately anchored by Gloucester Cathedral. Entry is free (with donations encouraged), and the scale of it is genuinely breathtaking – even more so when you realise it was used as filming locations for several Harry Potter scenes.
Beyond the cathedral, Gloucester offers plenty to fill a day before heading out into the countryside. From the Beatrix Potter Museum to spending time at Gloucester Quays. Set around the docks, it’s a lively spot with shops, cafés, and seasonal attractions, including ice skating during the winter months, making it a great family-friendly stop.
It’s this mix of history, amenities, and space that makes Gloucester such a practical base. Accommodation tends to be more generous, parking is more manageable, and you still have everything you need close by before setting off to explore the villages.
Village Hopping from the City
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Cotswolds is that you need to stay deep within the villages to enjoy them. From Gloucester, many of the most popular spots are an easy drive away, making day trips simple and flexible.
Bibury
Our first village stop was Bibury, often described as one of the prettiest villages in England. Home to the famously photographed Arlington Row, it’s undeniably charming, but it was also one of the busiest places we visited. Narrow streets were packed with cars and coaches, parking was a challenge, and it quickly became clear that this tiny village wasn’t designed to handle the volume of visitors it now attracts.
That said, arriving early and lingering a little longer pays off. Once you move beyond the main photo spot, a gentle countryside walk offers a much quieter and more peaceful way to experience the area.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Next on the itinerary was Bourton-on-the-Water, often dubbed the Venice of the Cotswolds. With its low humpbacked bridges crossing the river and cosy pubs lining the banks, it felt romantic and lively in equal measure. There’s also far more to do here – independent shops, gardens, restaurants, and attractions like the model village, which makes it particularly popular with families.
Learn more about the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds in our round-up, or check out this cute book of 40 walks in the Cotswolds and surrounding areas
This was easily the busiest stop of our trip. Parking required patience, traffic was slow, and the crowds were constant, but there was also a real buzz to the place. It felt sociable and vibrant, and unlike some of the smaller villages, it’s somewhere I’d happily stay overnight, provided parking was sorted.
Stow-on-the-Wold
We also drove through Stow-on-the-Wold, beautifully decorated for Christmas at the time of our visit. While we didn’t stop, the festive atmosphere was obvious – as were the crowds and limited parking. It’s a village that clearly draws people in, particularly during peak seasons.
The Reality of Peak Season
Seeing these beautiful villages so busy was, at times, a little bittersweet. While there’s no denying their charm, it did feel as though some places were being stretched beyond what they were built for. This is where staying in a city like Gloucester really comes into its own – giving you the flexibility to dip in and out, rather than feeling locked into the busiest areas.
Next time, I’d plan more off-peak visits or seek out quieter, lesser-known villages – something Sarah at Girl About Dorset and the New Forest covers brilliantly in her Cotswolds guide, where she rates villages out of ten and highlights some wonderful alternatives.
A Slower Ending at Croome
We ended our trip with a visit to Croome, a National Trust property near Worcester, and it was the perfect way to slow things down after the busier villages. With wide-open countryside walks, a historic mansion and church, a café, and a play area for the kids, it felt calm, spacious, and restorative.
It was also a reminder that the Cotswolds experience isn’t just about ticking off famous villages – it’s about balance.
Why Gloucester Works
Basing yourself in Gloucester offers the best of both worlds: a historic city with plenty to see and do, and easy access to some of the Cotswolds’ most iconic locations. It’s a particularly good option for families, larger groups, or anyone visiting during busy periods who still want flexibility and breathing room.
Gloucester isn’t the only city that works well as a base for exploring the Cotswolds. Nearby Cheltenham offers elegance, great food spots and easy access to the northern villages, while Cirencester, often called the capital of the Cotswolds, sits right on the edge of the countryside. Both make excellent alternatives if you want city convenience paired with effortless village hopping – proof that you don’t have to stay deep in the Cotswolds to enjoy them properly.
The villages are beautiful – there’s no question about that – but sometimes the smartest way to enjoy them is from just outside their borders.
And if this trip taught me anything, it’s that I’ll definitely be back – just not in summer, or at Christmas.
Follow along on my other trips this year at @girlabout.cheshire on Instagram.
Image credits – Sarah Grant and Dreamstime
