The Cotswolds best villages are full of honey-coloured limestone buildings with deep-pitched roofs, topped with heavy stone tiles. All this nestled in gently undulating countryside, with shallow streams running through the valley filled with trout hunted by egrets and kingfishers.
To see the Cotswolds best villages, get off the main roads and away from the towns. The most adorable villages are found on the quiet country roads that fill the gaps on the map. This comprehensive guide of hand-picked villages provides you with everything you need to know about the best villages in the Cotswolds. I’ve even included individual guides for many of these charming villages so you’ll know the best things to do and places to visit in the Cotswolds.
Here are the best villages in the Cotswolds you need to visit.
Map of the Cotswolds Best Villages and Top Things to Do
Don’t miss my Cotswolds travel guide for more tips
1. Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is a quintessentially English historic town and a great place to spend the day. Start your visit by exploring the historic honey-hued buildings surrounding the old Market Square with its charming shops including excellent antique shops. Pop into Cotswold Sweet Company and treat yourself their locally produced treats. Have an early lunch at The Porch Inn, the Oldest Inn in Britain, which serves incredibly tasty and locally-sourced food. With a satisfied belly, wander over to St. Edward’s Church to see the tree-framed doorway that inspired J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings door into Moria, also known as ‘Doors of Durin’.
Before you leave, make sure to experience the best Afternoon Tea in town. Pop into Lucy’s Tearoom and savour their exquisite scones and decadent cakes. You won’t regret it.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Stow-on-the-Wold.
2. Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh has been a popular town for travellers for over 1700 years. Still today it’s considered a popular hub and entry point to the Cotswolds with direct trains from London, Oxford and Worcester. If you’re short on time, Moreton-in-Marsh is a great choice for a day trip.
Highlights include the Curfew Tower which is the oldest building in the village. Then there’s The Bell Inn which is considered to be the inspiration for the ‘Prancing Pony’, Middle Earth’s most famous pub in J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
Don’t be fooled by the bustling High Street, head towards St. David’s Church where you’ll see a lovely collection of cosy cottages covered with wisteria and other colourful flora.
Located a few minutes from the town centre are other must-see attractions including the elegant Chastleton House, Batsford Arboretum for its 56 acres of beautiful parkland, Bourton House Garden for its award-winning gardens, and Sezincote House for a taste of Hindu and Muslim inspired architecture in this elaborate home.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Moreton-in-Marsh.
3. Bourton-on-the-Hill
Bourton-on-the-Hill is a tiny village located just 2 miles west of Moreton-in-Marsh. With an estimated population of under 300, Bourton on the Hill is a picturesque town and a quick stop on your Cotswold Itinerary. In the heart of the village stand The Parish Church of Saint Lawrence, a historic church overlooking the Evenlode Valley in the North Cotswolds.
4. Bourton-on-the-Water
Famously nicknamed “The Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the Cotswolds best villages. This picturesque riverside village is flanked by elegant Jacobean and Georgian facades and five arched stone bridges cross the River Windrush which flows through Bourton-on-the-Water.
There’s a lot to see and do in Bourton-on-the-Water, from getting lost in The Dragon Maze, to enjoying warm scones for Cream Tea at Bakery-on-the Water. The village’s main attractions include the Model Village, a one-ninth scale and perfect replica of Bourton-on-the-Water at the time it was built between 1936-1940. There’s the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection home to the famous sentient vintage car, Brum.
Last but not least, there’s the Birdland Park and Gardens covering 9 acre and home to over 500 birds including flamingos, pelicans, penguins, cranes, storks, and waterfowl all in a natural water habitat.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water.
5. Lower Slaughter
Its name might sound ominous but Lower Slaughter is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. From the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Slohtre’, it means ‘Marshy place’ or ‘Muddy place’. Lower Slaughter makes up one part of the idyllic twin villages known as The Slaughters. The other is aptly named, Upper Slaughter, and is just short walk north.
You won’t need more than a couple of hours to explore Lower Slaughter. Start your visit with a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Eye which hug the village. Visit the Old Mill which is home to the Lower Slaughter Museum and where you’ll learn about the village’s history through the art of breadmaking.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Lower Slaughter.
6. Upper Slaughter
Upper Slaughter is the equally adorable twin village known collectively as The Slaughters. Even though it’s just a 20-minute walk along a quiet country road, Upper Slaughter receives fewer visitors. Make no mistake, it’s definitely worth visiting. There are plenty of chocolate-box cottages to see and a lovely vantage point of the village from the riverbank. Standing on top of the hill is St. Peter’s Church with lovely views of the rolling hillside.
The main attraction here is Lords of the Manor hotel which dates from 1649. Wander the extensive grounds before enjoying their Afternoon Tea either in the lounge or in the garden.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Upper Slaughter.
7. Broadway
Broadway’s wide grass-fringed High Street flanked by 16th-century ex-coaching inns, honey-hued Cotswold limestone cottages, cute antique shops, cosy tearooms, art galleries, and luxurious hotels are just a few reasons why Broadway has earned the title of ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’.
For the best fish ‘n chips around, head to go Russell’s Fish & Chips and order ANYthing. Their batter is so light, fresh and crisp. Then head to Tisanes Tea Room for a wonderful traditional Afternoon or Cream tea. This place is so loved that there is usually a queue out the door!
Located just 25-minutes from Stratford-Upon-Avon, Broadway is home to one of the Cotswold famous icons, Broadway Tower. Set within a 50-acre estate of parkland with wild deer roaming the ground, the spiral staircase for a whopping 360-degree view of the surrounding 16 counties.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Broadway.
8. Snowshill
A short 6-minute drive south of Broadway will take you to the quaint and quiet village of Snowshill. This compact village with cosy cottages all huddles around St. Barnabas Church which was featured in the first Bridget Jones film.
While you’re here, visit the 16th-century country house Snowshill Manor to see the treasure-trove of tiny toys, Samurai armour, musical instruments all collected by its previous owner, Charles Paget Wade.
If you’re visiting during summer, be sure to head over to the Cotswold Lavender farm to wander the fields and pick up your favourite lavender-based gifts, soaps, toiletries and body products.
9. Burford
Of all the delightful villages in the Cotswolds, Burford has the best view of the rolling countryside right from its High Street. From the high Wolds (‘hills’), Burford’s main thoroughfare is lined with honey-coloured cottages, boutique shops, and inns as it gently slopes downhill to meet the River Windrush.
Located half-way down the High Street is the Tolsey, where medieval merchants had to pay their tolls. Hence the name Tolsey. At the opposite end of the village is the elaborate St. John the Baptist Church. Inside is the impressive mausoleum of Lawrence Tanfield, James I’s Chancellor of the Exchequer with his wife and the funerary plaque of Edmund Harman who was Henry VIII’s barber and surgeon. The plaque depicts four Amazonian figures, considered the earliest of its kind of native Americans in Britain.
Hungry? Not to be missed are the delicious homepage pies at The Royal Oak or the award-winning meals The Angel at Burford. It’s a hard choice!
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Burford.
10. Castle Combe
It doesn’t get more Cotswolds than the medieval village of Castle Combe. Often called the ‘prettiest village in England’, Castle Combe is a sleepy fairytale-like village and an absolute must-see during your visit to the Cotswolds.
There are plenty of signature Cotswold stone cottages here which were once weavers’ cottages. As you enter the village from the north, look out for the striking yellow Grade II listed Dower House which appeared as the fictional Puddleby-on-the Marsh in the 1967 film Dr. Dolittle. Continue to the centre of town to see the old Market Cross, remnants of the Buttercross and the 15-century ‘wool church’, St. Andrew’s Church.
The most famous vantage point of Castle Combe is from Water Lane looking back towards town. Castle Combe really is a photographer’s dream.
Plan your visit with my guide to the best things to do in Castle Combe.
11. Bibury
Bibury is the epitome of Cotswold charm. Built in the 14th century, the Victorian designer William Morris described Bibury as ‘The most beautiful village in England’. The most famous prospect of Bibury is this row of cottages known at Arlington Row, originally built as a monastic wool store.
Just opposite Arlington Row is The Swan Hotel, a former coaching inn that overlooks the banks of the River Coln. Stop here for lunch in The Swan Brasserie or enjoy afternoon tea by the river. The chef’s freshly baked fruit scones topped with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam are to die for.
12. Blockley
The village of Blockley is an unspoilt haven of historic buildings, full of narrow roads lined with gorgeous golden limestone cottages. After the decline of the wool industry, Blockley turned its attention to silk production. By 1884, the Blockley brook which flows through this adorable village powered an impressive six silk mills.
The village is best explored on foot, with several enjoyable walks leading from the village to the beautiful surrounding countryside.
13. Woodstock
In the far north-easterly corner of the Cotswolds is Woodstock, home to the stunning baroque Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Britain’s greatest stately homes. Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
There are several gardens, temples, monuments and other points of interest to explore within the palace’s extensive grounds. Not to be missed is the majestic 300-year-old Cedar of Lebanon tree known as the Harry Potter Tree, which featured in ‘Order of the Phoenix’.
In town, you can also visit Sir Winston Churchill grave at St Martin’s Church who rests alongside other family members.
14. Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is located in the top north-western corner of the Cotswolds. Located close to the river, its elegant terraced High Street is riddled with a mixture of Tudor and golden limestone Jacobean buildings dating from the 14th century to the 17th century.
At the heart of this delightful village is the impressive 17th-century market hall which provided merchants and farmers of the time shelter as they sold goods like cheese, butter, and poultry.
From here it’s just a short walk to the majestic wool church of St James. As you pass the almshouses you’ll see a sunken cartwheel wash just opposite. From St James’ graveyard, you can see the remains of Old Campden House and Gateway. In 1613 Sir Baptist Hicks began building a new home in the very latest style, unfortunately, it was burnt to the ground by retreating Royalist soldiers, only this single fragment remains.
For a relaxing lunch or the best afternoon tea in town, head to Badgers Hall Tea Room located on the High Street. From here head to the Court Barn Museum to learn how the Arts and Crafts movement shaped life in the north Cotswolds.
If you’re feeling more adventurous and want to stretch your legs, Chipping Campden marks the start of The Cotswold Way, a 102 mile (164Km) long National Trail running between this small market town to the city of Bath in the south.
Just north of Chipping Campden village is Hidcote Manor Garden. This not-to-be-missed garden is one of the best-known and most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain. Also located nearby is Kiftsgate Court Gardens famed for its roses, the creation of three generations of women gardeners.
15. Naunton
Naunton is located in a picturesque valley where the River Windrush flows and winds its way around this charming Cotswold village. Often overlooked by visitors, Naunton is home to a famous dovecote erected in 1660 which was used to house pigeons or doves and provide a source of food.
The village has two churches, St Andrew’s Church, which dates from the 13th century and rebuilt in the 15th century, when a tower was added and Naunton Baptist Chapel.
If you visit the local tourism board website, they mention that you can ‘climb the hill for a really good view of church and village’. When I visited I tried to find this mysterious vantage point but was on;y met with private land. The best view I got was from the main road B4068, which isn’t a safe place to stop. If you find a better route, please let me know! 🙂
If you have time, definitely visit the famous Cotswold Farm Park which has been helping protect rare breeds of farm animals since 1971. Specialising in historical farm animals, including those from the Bronze and Iron Ages, Roman, Viking and Norman periods, Cotswold Farm Park even supplied period-correct animals for Mel Gibson’s film, Braveheart.
16. Painswick
Called ‘The Queen of the Cotswolds’, Painswick is a gorgeous town of steeply winding streets with ancient buildings jostling for space. It is one of the best-preserved settlements in the Cotswolds, built from mellow honey-coloured stone quarried from nearby Painswick Beacon.
While you’re here, don’t miss taking a wander down Bisley Street, flanked by mostly fourteenth-century buildings and St Mary’s Church with a spire that dominates the village. Take your time to wander through the churchyard, where 99 yew trees, surround a collection of 17th and 18th-century table tombs. As the legend goes, there are exactly 99 trees, and the Devil himself brings death every time someone has tried to plant a hundredth.
Other places to visit in Painswick include the Painswick Rococo Garden, a short walk from the centre. Designed as a flamboyant garden in the mid-1700s, it also features a world-renowned collection of snowdrops.
17. Tetbury
Often claimed as the Cotswolds’ most royal village thanks to the estates of Prince Charles and Princess Anne located nearby, Tetbury is a charming town full of medieval cottages, old townhouses and Georgian buildings.
Tetbury is a historic wool town which prospered from the wool trade. Many of the wool merchants’ houses remain largely untouched since the 16th and 17th century. Tetbury’s Grade I listed 17th-century Market House has been the heart of the town for centuries. Still today, markets are held here every Wednesday and Saturday.
Dominating the skyline is The Parish Church of St Mary’s with one of the tallest and most elegant spires in the UK.
The Chipping (which is now a car park) means ‘market’ and for centuries was the site of the mop fairs, where local farmhands, labourers and domestic staff offered themselves for employment. The cobbled Chipping Steps are flanked by weavers’ cottages and where you’ll get some of the most iconic views of the town.
Also worth visiting is The Police Museum in the Old Court House which houses the world-renowned Alex Nicols collection of handcuffs and restraints, together with Gloucester policing memorabilia.
A short 12-minute drive south of Tetbury village is Westonbirt, the National Arboretum with a staggering collection of plants and trees from all over the world. From towering Champion trees to rare and threatened trees, Westonbirt has it all.
18. Great Tew
With a population of under 200, Great Tew is a tiny English village and civil parish. Right in the centre is a Primary school surrounded by thatched-roofed homes, a couple of village shops, and the village’s only pub, the cosy Falkland Arms.
Set behind a marvellous stone gateway, don’t miss visiting St. Michael and All Angels for its beautiful blend of different architectural styles. Much of it from the 13th and 14th century.
19. Stanway
Stanway is a small crossroads village centred around Stanway House, a superb Jacobean manor and home to the tallest gravity fed fountain in the world at just over 300 feet.
From its baroque gatehouse, 18th-century water garden, 14th-century Tithe Barn, Stanway is an absolute delight. Even St Peter’s Church, which was rebuilt in the 12th century and restored in 1896 makes up part of Stanway estate.
20. Winchcombe
Dent’s Terrace
Winchcombe, which literally means ‘valley with a bend’ is one of the Cotswolds best villages to visit. Winchcombe has several drawcards, from its long main thoroughfare lined with a stunning medley of mellow yellow limestone and half-timbered buildings, Dent’s Terrace with ten Grade 2 listed charming cottages, to the magnificent Sudeley Castle with its award-winning gardens and where the last of King Henry VIII’s wives, Katherine Parr, lived and is buried.
Once the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia, Winchcombe has a long and interesting history which reaches as far back as the Stone Age when people settled in the hills leaving a stone-lined, burial chamber known as the Belas Knap long barrow which you can visit.
During the Middle Ages Winchcombe became a thriving wool town and centre for pilgrims who travelled to Hailes Abbey. Visitors travelled far and wide to see a phial that was said to contain the Blood of Christ – known as the Holy Blood of Hailes. It was so famous that Geoffrey Chaucer mentions it in The Canterbury Tales. Today, you can visit the tranquil ruins of Hailes Abbey and explore the beautiful surviving stonework.
Just west of Wincombe is St. Kenelm’s Well, named after the son of a Mercian king Kenwulph. At only 7 years old, Kenelm became an Anglo-Saxon saint after being murdered by his foster-father Asceberht and sister Quendryth in their plot to gain power.
As you leave Winchcombe, stop by Hayles Fruit farm to pick up some apples and pears or have afternoon tea before heading south to Cleeve Common to see the wild, windswept countryside from the highest point in the Cotswolds.
21. Kingham
Named by Country Life magazine as ‘England’s favourite village’, Kingham is an unspoiled village set in the wide Evenlode valley. Kingham is where you come to hit the reset button and enjoy the quiet country life. Kingham is best explored by its many walks and bike trails that all centre around the village.
Take a stroll around the village greens, bordered by elegant cottages from the 17th and 18th centuries before visiting St. Andrew’s Church, a Norman church with a fine old rectory built in the 17th century.
With two highly-rated pubs, the Kingham Plough and The Wild Rabbit, Kingham is great for foodies. If that wasn’t enough, each year Jamie Oliver and Alex James host The Big Feastival on August Bank Holiday.
Less than 2 miles from the village is the fantastic Daylesford Organic Farm selling premium deli items of all kinds and delicious, award-winning organic food in its village shop.
Despite its modest size, Kingham has its own train station with services from London taking just 90 minutes, making it the ideal destination for a day trip.
22. Chipping Norton
Lovingly nicknamed ‘Chippy’, Chipping Norton was once a centre for the Cotswold wool trade. While Chipping Norton may not be the prettiest village in the Cotswolds when compared with fairy-tale villages such as Castle Combe or Bourton-on-the-Water, it does sit in one of the least explored and scenic corners of the region.
Start your visit in the Market Square where many of the original houses were rebuilt in the more fashionable Georgian style. Browse the antique shops, visit the medieval Guildhall, St Mary’s Church and a row of handsome almshouses, before heading to the Chipping Norton Museum to learn more about the history of the town dating back to the time of the Romans.
Chipping Norton offers a good choice of places to eat too. Located next to the theatre is The Chequers, an atmospheric pub with three softly lit beamed rooms with low ochre ceilings and log fires and an airy conservatory. Then there’s The Red Lion, the smallest pub in town and still a local favourite. Dating from 1684, The Red Lion serves local Hook Norton ales you can enjoy while playing on darts.
If you have time, I highly recommend visiting The Rollright Stones, located just 4 miles from Chipping Norton. This complex of three Neolithic and Bronze Age megalithic monuments provide a fascinating look at the region’s past. Each monument was erected during a period where there was a continuous tradition of ritual behaviour on sacred ground, from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BCE.
So, there you have it, the Cotswold best villages and what to do and places to visit in each of them. To help you plan your trip, check out my guide on how to get to the Cotswolds and the most unique Cotswold cottages on Airbnb.
Want to see more of the Cotswolds? Join one of these top-rated tours.
- Cotswolds & Downton Abbey Locations
- Small-Group Tour of Cotswold Villages
- Private Cotswold Village Tour (for your group only)
- Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle Day Trip from London
- Lunch in the Cotswolds Tour from London
- Downton Abbey Village, Blenheim Palace and Cotswolds Day Trip from London
- Small-Group Day Trip to Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon from London
- Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath Full Day Trip from London
Don’t miss my Cotswolds travel guide for more tips
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Visiting the UK? Check out my other posts
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- 14 Unique Things to Do in Broadway [The Jewel of the Cotswolds]
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- Top 12 Things to do in Stow-on-the-Wold, The Cotswolds
- 12 Best Things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, The Cotswolds
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