Quintessential Villages & Towns

Northleach A quiet market town with a rich medieval past, featuring the impressive Church of St Peter and St Paul and a traditional market square. Its central location makes it a useful base for exploring the wider Cotswolds. 📌 Map Location

Bourton-on-the-Water Known for its picturesque low bridges spanning the River Windrush, this village offers riverside cafés, a model village, and a motoring museum. Popular for its scenic charm and walkable centre. 📌 Map Location

Stow-on-the-Wold A market town with a large central square, antique shops, and historic inns. Notable for its elevated position and the ancient yew-framed doorway at St Edward’s Church. 📌 Map Location

The Slaughters Lower and Upper Slaughter are linked by a scenic footpath and feature stone cottages, a gentle stream, and a peaceful rural atmosphere. A classic example of unspoiled Cotswold beauty. 📌 Map Location

Bibury Famous for Arlington Row, a line of historic weavers’ cottages. The River Coln runs through the village, and the surrounding countryside is ideal for gentle exploration. Also home to a working trout farm. 📌 Map Location

Burford A historic hilltop town with a sloping High Street lined with independent shops, galleries, and tearooms. The town offers expansive views and retains much of its medieval character. 📌 Map Location

Winchcombe A Saxon town with narrow streets and historic buildings. Nearby Sudeley Castle adds depth to its appeal, with landscaped gardens and royal connections. The town itself is known for its quiet charm. 📌 Map Location

Broadway A wide, grass-fringed High Street lined with honey-coloured stone buildings, shops, and cafés. Known for its Arts and Crafts heritage and as a gateway to the northern Cotswolds. 📌 Map Location

Snowshill A small village with dramatic views and a manor house filled with eclectic collections. The surrounding hills and seasonal lavender fields add to its visual appeal. 📌 Map Location

Chipping Campden Renowned for its elegant High Street and links to the Arts & Crafts movement. The town features fine architecture, historic almshouses, and a strong sense of heritage. 📌 Map Location

Cirencester Often called the “Capital of the Cotswolds,” this historic market town blends Roman heritage with modern charm. Highlights include the Corinium Museum, Church of St John the Baptist, and a lively town centre with shops, cafés, and green spaces. 📌 Map Location

Cheltenham A Regency spa town known for its elegant architecture, cultural festivals, and landscaped parks. The town offers a mix of independent shops, galleries, and dining, with highlights including Pittville Pump Room, Montpellier Gardens, and the Promenade. 📌 Map Location

Painswick Noted for its Rococo Garden and the sculpted yew trees in St Mary’s Churchyard. The village’s narrow streets and stone buildings reflect its long history and artistic leanings. 📌 Map Location

Castle Combe Often described as one of England’s prettiest villages, with cobbled streets, a stone bridge, and a timeless atmosphere. The village has remained largely unchanged for centuries. 📌 Map Location

Gardens and Estates

Sherborne Park Estate A vast National Trust landscape of meadows, woodlands, and historic parkland near Northleach. Features England’s only surviving 17th-century grandstand at Lodge Park, along with waymarked trails, wildlife habitats, and seasonal access to the Great Room. The estate blends natural beauty with architectural heritage. 📌 Map Location

Batsford Arboretum Known for its Japanese maples and seasonal colour, this 56-acre arboretum offers winding paths and hillside views. Located next to Sezincote and ideal for a combined visit. 📌 Map Location

Westonbirt Arboretum A vast collection of over 15,000 trees from around the world, spread across 600 acres. Especially popular in autumn for its fiery foliage and treetop walkway. 📌 Map Location

Painswick Rococo Garden England’s only surviving complete Rococo garden, designed in the 1740s. Features whimsical follies, winding paths, and seasonal snowdrops in a hidden valley setting. 📌 Map Location

Sezincote House & Garden A striking 19th-century estate with Mughal-inspired architecture, onion domes, and water gardens. The landscape includes bridges, pools, and an orangery tearoom. 📌 Map Location

Kiftsgate Court Gardens A family-run garden with dramatic terraces, a wild garden, and far-reaching views over the Vale of Evesham. Known for the vigorous Kiftsgate rose. 📌 Map Location

Hidcote Manor Garden A National Trust property celebrated for its series of outdoor “garden rooms,” each with distinct planting styles. Designed by Arts & Crafts gardener Lawrence Johnston. 📌 Map Location

Historic & Cultural Sites

Chedworth Roman Villa One of Britain’s largest and most elaborate Roman villas, set in a wooded valley near the River Coln. Features include intricate mosaics, bathhouse remains, and a modern conservation centre. 📌 Map Location

Corinium Museum Located in Cirencester, this museum showcases artefacts from Roman Britain, including mosaics, sculptures, and everyday objects from the ancient town of Corinium Dobunnorum. 📌 Map Location

Sudeley Castle A historic Tudor castle with award-winning gardens and royal connections. Home to the tomb of Queen Katherine Parr and exhibitions covering centuries of English history. 📌 Map Location

Snowshill Manor A National Trust property known for its eccentric collections amassed by Charles Wade. Includes Samurai armour, toys, musical instruments, and Arts & Crafts-style gardens. 📌 Map Location

Broadway Tower A striking 18th-century folly on one of the highest points in the Cotswolds. Offers panoramic views, a deer park, and access to walking trails along the Cotswold Way. 📌 Map Location

Kelmscott Manor The former country home of William Morris, showcasing Arts & Crafts interiors, original furnishings, and a tranquil riverside garden. A Grade I listed building preserved by the Society of Antiquaries. 📌 Map Location

Artisan Shopping & Local Finds

Burford High Street A historic shopping street lined with independent boutiques, antique shops, galleries, and tearooms. Known for its characterful buildings and hilltop views. 📌 Map Location

Daylesford Organic Farmshop A luxury destination for organic produce, homeware, wellness treatments, and seasonal events. Includes a café, spa, and cookery school. 📌 Map Location

Cotswolds Distillery An award-winning distillery crafting single malt whisky, dry gin, and seasonal liqueurs using locally sourced ingredients. Offers guided tours, tastings, blending masterclasses, and a café in a honey-stone visitor centre. 📌 Map Location

Cotswold Lavender A seasonal attraction near Snowshill with sweeping purple fields, a farm shop, and lavender-based products. Best visited mid-summer during peak bloom. 📌 Map Location

Donnington Brewery A historic watermill brewery near Stow-on-the-Wold producing traditional ales and Cotswold Gin. The site features a trout-filled lake and offers tours, tastings, and a shop with local products. 📌 Map Location

Swindon Designer Outlet One of Europe’s largest covered designer outlets, housed in the historic Great Western Railway Works. Offers over 100 brands at reduced prices, plus cafés, restaurants, and access to the STEAM Museum. 📌 Map Location

Quirky & Offbeat

Cotswold Motoring Museum A nostalgic collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, enamel signs, and toys. Famous for featuring Brum, the iconic children’s TV car. 📌 Map Location

Dragonfly Maze A traditional hedge maze with a twist - solve clues along the way to uncover the final puzzle. Fun for puzzle lovers. 📌 Map Location

Model Village A one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water, complete with miniature buildings, gardens, and even a model of the model village. 📌 Map Location

Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway A heritage railway offering vintage steam and diesel rides through scenic Cotswold countryside. Runs between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway, with restored stations and panoramic views. 📌 Map Location

Bibury Trout Farm England’s oldest working trout farm, founded in 1902. Offers catch-your-own fishing, BBQ hire, a gift shop, and a café serving fresh trout dishes. Set in landscaped grounds beside the River Coln. 📌 Map Location

Birdland Park & Gardens A wildlife park in Bourton-on-the-Water featuring over 500 birds, including flamingos, penguins, and parrots. Includes a Jurassic-themed trail and hatchery. 📌 Map Location

Cotswold Farm Park Founded by Adam Henson, this working farm showcases rare breeds, seasonal activities, and hands-on animal encounters. Includes a wildlife walk, play areas, and a farm shop. 📌 Map Location

Clarkson's Farm, Pub and Brewery

Diddly Squat Farm Shop Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop near Chipping Norton, offering potatoes, jams, Hawkstone beer, and tongue-in-cheek merchandise. Known for long queues, bold branding, and its role in the Clarkson’s Farm series. 📌 Map Location

The Farmer’s Dog Clarkson’s countryside pub near Burford, serving British-reared meat, Hawkstone drinks, and seasonal dishes. Includes a butcher and bottle shop (Hops & Chops) and a food tent known as The Farmer’s Puppy. 📌 Map Location

Hawkstone Brewery Brewery behind Clarkson’s Hawkstone Lager, Cider, and Vodka. Offers guided tours, tastings, and a taproom bar at College Farm near Bourton-on-the-Water. 📌 Map Location

Golf & Horse Riding

Shipton Golf Course A relaxed 9-hole pay-and-play parkland course near Andoversford. Features mature trees, a stream, and a pond for a scenic yet challenging round. No booking required — just turn up and play. 📌 Map Location

Naunton Downs Golf Club A scenic 18-hole course set in rolling countryside just west of Northleach. Offers a relaxed clubhouse, driving range, and open fairways ideal for all skill levels. 📌 Map Location

Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre Offers guided hacks through the Slaughters and river rides for beginners. Friendly staff and well-trained horses make it ideal for all ages. 📌 Map Location

Cotswolds Riding (Stanton) A long-established centre offering lessons and scenic hacks near Broadway. 📌 Map Location