10 Most Beautiful Villages In The Cotswolds, England - Updated 2024

1. Bourton-on-the-Water (from USD 252)

Welcome to the magical world of Bourton-on-the-Water that sits along River Windrush. As soon as you set foot in this village, you will realize that you can spend the entire day just to admire the beauty of the river and its calm and clear water. Your eyes will be pleased and your mood will be elevated. If you take a closer look, you can also see that it is not just the river that makes Bourton-on-the-Water pretty. The traditional houses that are made of stone and the low bridges are the prominent features of the village. Moreover, you should also visit Birdland and let various species of birds, such as king penguins and parrots, take over for a little while. Car enthusiasts should also visit Cotswold Motoring Museum that features an impressive collection of vintage cars.

2. Upper Slaughter (from USD 315)

It is hard to leave Bourton-on-the-Water, but you need to move on to another village that will also take your breath away. This village is called Upper Slaughter. Situated adjacent to Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper Slaughter also sits elegantly on a river called River Eye. You can enjoy beautiful houses along with greenery and animals like sheep often grazing by. There are not too many attractions to visit in Upper Slaughter, except for its medieval-built almshouses right in the center of the village and St. Peter’s Church that was built in the 12th century. But they are more than enough to let you create beautiful memories.

3. Broadway (from USD 253)

Next on the list is Broadway, a village that is considered among the largest in Cotswolds. In addition to the stunning houses, Broadway is livelier because of its numerous restaurants, antique shops, stores, and hotels. The Lygon Arms, which has become a popular accommodation in Broadway, used to be a manor house and its architecture is worth admiring. You should also find your way to St. Eadburgha’s Church to breathe in the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

4. Bibury (from USD 284)

Sitting along the banks of River Coln, Bibury is another village in Cotswold whose beauty is not something that you will forget anytime soon. The stone buildings in every corner of Bibury are not something you would want to look away from. They may be just buildings that are made of stone, but somehow they will make you stunned - perhaps because of the lush surrounding and the serenity of the neighborhood. The most important feature of Bibury is Arlington Row, which used to be a wool store that had been converted into weavers’ cottages. Arlington Row is one of the most frequently photographed sites in the country. See for yourself why.

5. Kingham (from USD 126)

For the most pleasant views of the countryside, you need to visit Kingham, a village that is renowned for its massive green space and idyllic cottages that were originally built in between the 17th and 18th centuries. While exploring Kingham, you may want to stop for a bit to indulge in a delicious lunch at The Wild Rabbit. The pretty restaurant is known for its crispy potatoes. Cotswold Farm Park is another must-visit attraction. Be ready to meet sheep, pigs, and goats, among other cattle wandering around.

6. Slad (from USD 259)

Slad is more than just scenic vistas of the meadows and houses. Many of the local people visit Slad because of the attractions it offers. If you are into skiing, you should visit Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Center. You can enjoy either skiing or snowboarding on artificial ski slopes. Once done, head to the on-site bar to enjoy a drink or two for relaxation and refueling. Then, make a stop at Thames and Severn Canal for the most wonderful views of the canal and river in Slad.

The Chairman's Retreat in Slad, Gloucestershire.

Slad, England, United Kingdom
37.02 km (23.0 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

189 reviews   Superhost

Entire cottage 5 Beds 8 Guests 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

we enjoyed eating dinner on the patio in the evenings it was very cozy

the space is inviting and comfortable with all of the creature comforts you'd want for a home-away-from-home

the bedrooms and bathrooms are all super and the communal accommodation was generous

the house was perfect for the 7 of us comfortable spacious and wholly equipped

inside a lovely modern kitchen modern comfortable beds finest linen

Cleanliness:

a beautiful place to stay - everything perfectly clean and luxurious

nice extra touches (the tasty cake) very clean and presentable

it is fabulously decorated with lots of personal touches beautifully clean and extremely well equipped

it was very clean and a lot of thought had been put into the decor etc

the house is cozy and private was spotlessly clean and decorated lovingly

Host:

amazing place with the most attentive host

everything was perfect wonderfull house very nice host

chris is a great host very welcoming and helpful

chris is the nicest host and we would highly recommend him

chris is a great host a very good communicator

Location:

we loved the country location of this house

great location for lots of walking close to stroud and easy to get to

in fact the house and the location are amazing

fabulous place in a wonderful location recommend to everyone

very comfortable and particularly enjoyed the extra thoughtfulness from chris knowing that we were working close by

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from USD

259

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7. Lower Slaughter (from USD 185)

You have seen Upper Slaughter - there is also a village called Lower Slaughter that enjoys the slow and quiet stream of River Eye as well. A remarkable landmark of Lower Slaughter is The Parish Church of Saint Mary Lower Slaughter. Marvel at the architecture of the church before taking a pleasant stroll around. If you like fishing, you are welcome to fish at River Dikler. Be sure to also stop by Old Mill at Lower Slaughter, a museum that will help you understand more about the process of making bread and how a corn mill functions.

8. Stanton (from USD 287)

Let the beauty of a 17th-century village captivate your heart, soul, and mind. Visit Stanton for a whimsical journey in England as there are tons of activities that you can do here. Church of St. Michael & All Angels should be your first stop. Wonder at the remarkable beauty of the church, particularly the three Normal pillars, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, and have a relaxed stroll afterward. You can also explore the village by riding a horse starting from Jill Carenza’s Cotswold Riding.

Cotswold Cottage in historic village of Stanton with views over open fields

30.9 km (19.2 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

16 reviews  

cottage 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

plus there is a big car park in one of the side streets

The house is perfect for four people with every possible amenity

Host:

The owners were really helpful with arrangements and very welcoming when we arrived

We had a great visit and hope to return

Owners were very responsive and helpful

The quality of the renovation and furnishings is very tasteful and a lot of effort has clearly gone into the property

Gina gave us everything we needed for a very comfortable stay

Location:

the nearest town has a great choice of restaurants pubs and shops

The village of Stanton is a beautiful Cotswold village with the requisite Pub within walking distance and virtually no tourists Highly recommended

The cottage sits on the Cotswold Way and is perfect place to start walks to nearby towns and pubs

The cottage puts you in easy reach of some great Cotwsold spots

It has a high standard of equipment from the kitchen to the bathrooms plus lots of hot water from a massive tank Beautiful view across fields of sheep and horses and the cottage is on the Cotswold...

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from USD

287

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9. Bretforton (from USD 280)

Last but not least is Bretforton. The thatched cottages are so bright that it would be hard for you to look the other way. You will also fall in love with the Victorian terraces in many of the houses in Bretforton. While having the best time of your life admiring the beautiful buildings here, be sure to satisfy your appetite at The Fleece Inn Pub, which also features live music every now and then.

10. Castle Combe (from USD 271)

Set in a valley, Castle Combe has been claimed to be among the loveliest villages across the country. When visiting Castle Combe, make sure to visit both parts, namely the Upper Castle Combe that can be found on higher ground and the other one on the lower ground in a narrow valley called By Brook. Throughout the village, you can please your eyes with the honey-colored houses, sheep wandering around on the greenery, and weavers’ cottages. Other attractions worth visiting at Castle Combe include St. Andrew’s Church and Norman Knight monument.

Visit only the most beautiful villages for the most beautiful vacation in Cotswolds

Now that you have reached the end of the article and seen the stunning pictures of all the villages, you understand why Cotswolds is worth your time. When you come to Cotswolds and start exploring, the beauty of the villages is going to wow you even more. So, if you are looking to have the most beautiful vacation in the UK, it would be the right decision to visit Cotswolds and all of its most beautiful villages.