12 Best Things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water in The Cotswolds [The Ultimate Guide]

Bourton-on-the-Water is frequently voted one of the prettiest villages in Britain. With its long winding river through town shaded by overhanging trees, this little village couldn’t be more delightful. Here are the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, plus tips on where to stay.

Bourton-on-the-Water is as picturesque as it sounds. This riverside village is flanked by long wide lush greens lined with Jacobean and Georgian facades made from honey coloured Cotswold stone. Five low, arched stone bridges built between 1654 and 1953 cross the River Windrush which flows through this charming village, nicknamed “The Venice of the Cotswolds” – it’s not difficult to see why.

Bourton-on-the-Water is located just 30 minutes from Moreton-in-Marsh, 15 minutes from Stow-on-the-Wold, and 5 minutes from Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter, making it the perfect place to base yourself when visiting the Cotswolds.

From where to stay to where to eat, here are the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.

1. Feel like a giant at The Model Village

Explore Bourton-on-the-Water like a giant at The Model Village where you can see a one-ninth scale replica of this beautiful Cotswold village. Built from 1936 to 1940, this mini village is a perfect reproduction of Bourton-on-the-Water at the time right down to its shop fronts, gardens, trees, and even a tiny version of the River Windrush.

It was constructed by builders rather than model makers which is why the building features incredible details right down to source locally quarried limestone to construct the walls and the roofs made from miniature Cotswold stone slates. No matter your age (or height), a visit to The Model Village is a must.

Opening times: Open daily (except Christmas Day)
- Summer 10am – 6pm (Last admission 5.45pm)
- Winter – 10am – 4pm (Last admission 3.45pm)
Address: Located behind the The Old New Inn, Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, GL54, UK, United Kingdom
For more details, visit the official The Model Village website here

2. Get lost in The Dragonfly Maze

Find yourself lost at The Dragonfly Maze, a classic garden maze with a twist. Along your journey are 14 hidden clues that solve the riddle to reach the centre of the maze where you’ll finally discover the hidden Golden Dragonfly.

Opening times: Open Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Adults – £4.50; 4 -14 years – £3.50; Seniors – £4.00; Under 4 – free.
Address: Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BN
For more details, visit the official The Dragonfly Maze Facebook page.

3. Explore the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection

Take a journey through time as you explore the extensive collection of vintage cars and motoring exhibits at the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection

Also here are historic toys, including the most famous little vintage car of all, Brum! Growing up in Australia, I used to watch The Adventures of Brum, a British children’s television series about the adventures of this small, sentient vintage car. You can imagine my surprise and delight to discover that the car featured in the show is located here at the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection! I’ll be honest, I came here especially just to see him!

Opening times: Open daily 10am – 6pm
Admission: Adult – £6.50; 16 and under – £6.50; Under 8 – Free
Address: The Old Mill, Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BY
For more details, visit the official Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection website here

4. See the Penguins and Flamingos at Birdland Park and Gardens

Located directly across from The Dragonfly Maze is the 9 acre Birdland Park and Gardens home to over 500 birds. Flamingos, pelicans, penguins, cranes, storks, cassowary, and waterfowl can all be seen here in this natural water habitat.

There are also over 50 aviaries featuring parrots, falcons, pheasants, hornbills, touracos, pigeons, ibis and many more. A range of unique experiences are on offer too, including feeding the penguins and being a keeper for a day. After you visit, pop into the Flamingo Point Café which sources local ingredients or you can pack your own lunch and take advantage of its many picnic areas

Opening times: Open daily 10am – 5pm. Last admission 4pm.
Admission: Adult – £10.95; Child (3-15) – £7.97; Under 3 – Free
Address: Rissington Rd, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BN
For more details, visit the official Birdland Park & Gardens website here

5. Have cream tea at Bakery on the Water

From pasties to buns, pick up some of the best baked goods in town at Bakery on the Water. This small family run artisan bakery also has a café and a riverside garden where you can sit and enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Scones are baked constantly throughout the day and served still warm from the oven.

Opening times: Open daily 8am – 5pm
Address: 1 Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BY
For more details, visit the official Bakery on the Water website here

6. Dine at L’Anatra Italian Restaurant

If you’ve had enough of British cuisine, for a purely Italian menu head to L’Anatra (literally, ‘The Duck’). This lovely little Italian restaurant sources local ingredients to make its stone based pizza dough, pasta, risotto, and desserts. Their homemade Tiramisú (literally, ‘pick me up’) is wonderfully decadent and not to be missed!

Address: Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BS
Opening times: L’anatra Italian kitchen serves lunch from midday until 3pm and dinner from 5pm everyday
For more details and to book your table, visit the official L’Anatra website here

7. Indulge your senses at Cotswold Perfumery

Don’t let the exterior of this beautiful Grade II listed, 300-year-old building fool you – this isn’t another souvenir shop. The Cotswold Perfumery creates a range of unique English fragrances that it sells direct to the public from this shop. They even produce bespoke fragrances for companies in the niche perfume market that are sold all over the world under different names.

They also run one-day perfumery courses which cover how to create and blend a fragrance. Included is a guided tour of the perfume garden, laboratory, and compounding room.

Address: Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BU
Opening times: Monday to Saturday – 10am to 5pm; Sundays and bank holidays – 10.30am to 5pm
For more details and to book your own one-day perfumery course experience, visit the official Cotswold Perfumery website here

8. Step back in time at the Bourton Model Railway Exhibition and Shop

Escape into a world of miniature replicas of trains from days gone by at the Model Railway Exhibition. Covering over 500 feet of track are over 40 British and Continental trains running automatically on three main displays.

If you fancy building your very own locomotive world, pick up one of their model kits and accessories in the Bourton Model Railway Shop located next door.

Exhibition Opening times:
- June – August – Open daily including Sundays, 11.00am – 5.00pm
- September – May (Excluding January) – Open Weekends (Sat & Sun) 11.00am – 5.00pm
- January Limited Opening – Please website before visiting
Admission: Adult – £3.00; Child – £2.50
Address: Box Bush, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2AN
For more details visit the official Bourton Model Railway Exhibition website here

9. Enjoy a Picnic and a stroll along the River Windrush

Whether you pick up an afternoon treat at the Bakery on the Water or bring a packed lunch, a great way to enjoy the views of Bourton-on-the-Water is by sitting on the green lawn along the River Windrush with loved ones. After a lazy lunch, take time to wander along the waterside path and admire all the pretty buildings and cottages lining the river.

10. Bourton on the Water Farmers’ & Producers’ Market

If you time your visit right, visit the farmer’s market for high quality local produce sold direct from local farmers and producers. The market is held on the fourth Sunday of each month and located in the Royal British Legion Car Park from 9am – 12:30pm

11. Try the Cotswolds Dry Gin at Cotswolds Distillery Shop

Try the award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin and Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky in this cosy shop – the first off-site shop opened by the famous local distillery.

Browse the range of ‘distillery exclusive’ spirits and liqueurs not found elsewhere and find the perfect distillery gifts, including glassware and accessories. The friendly staff are always more than happy to offer a taster or two!

Address: 2, The Forge, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AN
Opening times: Monday to Saturday – 9:30am – 5:30pm; Sunday – 10:30am – 5pm
For more details, visit the official Cotswolds Distillery website here

12. Visit St Lawrence’s Church

Just behind the High Street is the beautiful church of St. Lawrence. Evidence shows there’s been a church on this site as far back at 709 AD when a wooden church was built on land donated by the local king.

During your visit, take some time to wander around the churchyard and spot the Cotswold bale tombs, carved to resemble bales of wool. Bale tombs are a special variation on the typical chest tomb, found in the Cotswolds and the Windrush Valley in particular. Most date from circa 1660-1700 and are found in the ‘wool-Gothic’ churches.

Address: The Rectory, School Hill, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2AW
Opening times: Monday to Saturday – 9:30am – 5pm (or sunset)
For more details, visit the official St Lawrence’s Church website here

Want to see more of the Cotswolds? Join one of these top-rated tours.

Don’t miss my Cotswolds travel guide for more tips

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a great place to base yourself when visiting the Cotswolds. There are loads of charming villages close by that all be reached in as little as 15-30 minutes. These include Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter Below are my top recommendations for accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water.

Luxury – The Landsdowne

For a luxurious stay in Bourton-on-the-Water, stay at The Landsdowne. This lovely boutique award winning guest house has 14 individually designed rooms including a superior Cottage with a private garden. Located just 200 metres from the centre of town, the stylishly decorated bedrooms all feature superb high quality en-suite facilities, free internet access, and tea and coffee making facilities. If you stay in one of the Superior rooms, you’ll even get your own in-room NESPRESSO machines. There is plenty of free parking on site too, making it a perfect choice if you’re travelling around by car. Each morning they serve an award winning English breakfast as well as a selection of pastries, fresh fruit and cereals and muesli. So you’ll be well fuelled for the rest of your day. Check availability and book your stay here

Mid-Budget – The Mousetrap Inn

Located right on the High Street, The Mousetrap Inn is a traditional Cotswold Inn built in the early 19th century that combines a relaxed, homely atmosphere in its 11 individually decorated rooms. There is a bustling bar and restaurant serving an extensive breakfast menu. All rooms have en suite bathrooms with showers, a HD smart TV, tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer, complimentary toiletries, free WiFi, fresh towels daily and an iron and ironing board on request. Some rooms are quieter than others and can be booked accordingly. Check availability and book your stay here

Budget – Old Manse Hotel by Greene King Inns

The Old Manse Hotel offers home-from-home comfort in this Cotswold-stone country inn that dates from 1748. Brimming with character and charm, there is a lovely terrace with views of the gentle River Windrush. The Old Manse Hotel has 15 comfy en-suite bedrooms, each with a work desk, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, TV, cosy beds, fluffy towels and crisp linen to ensure a good night’s sleep. Some rooms boast wonderful period features and views of the river. Check availability and book your stay here.

For more places to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water, you can check the latest prices here.

Airbnb

For an alternative accommodation option, I would recommend renting out an apartment or room through Airbnb. Cute Airbnb options are popping up all over the the area so you’ll find some really beautiful places at very affordable prices. Airbnb has numerous convenient options to choose from. If it’s your first time get US$65 OFF here or get £50 OFF your first stay here, when you sign up using my unique reader referral link. If not, compare prices and book your stay here. For more inspiration, visit my guide to the most unique cottages on Airbnb.

Here’s a handy map to see all available stays.

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The Cotswolds

2 comments

Agnetha October 19, 2020 - 20:37

I went to Bourton on the Water on a school trip in 1969. We visited the Model Village and Birdland and our teacher bought everyone an ice cream. Best trip I ever had.

Michele October 22, 2020 - 17:37

What an awesome school trip! That’s so cool to think that both places are still around to entertain future generations 🙂 Thanks for sharing Agnetha 🙂