When talking about vacationing in the UK, it would be impossible not to include England as one of the countries to visit. No wonder, because England is endowed with magnificent places. If you travel to the south central and south west of England, you will come across an area that boasts pretty rolling hills and meadows, among others, and this place is called Cotswolds. Other than the lush landscape, Cotswolds is also known for its honey-colored houses and buildings in many of its villages and towns. They are just too picture-perfect for you to ignore. Keep reading and you will learn more about the most beautiful villages in Cotswolds, the UK.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on August 17, 2024.
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1. Bourton-on-the-Water (from USD 193)
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.
Chester House Hotel
Address: Victoria Street
14.14 km (8.8 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
2. Upper Slaughter (from USD 502)
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.
Lords Of The Manor
Address: Upper Slaughter, Bourton-On-The-Water, Stow-On-The-Wold
16.96 km (10.6 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
3. Broadway (from USD 350)
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.
The Lygon Arms - an Iconic Luxury Hotel
Address: High Street
32.45 km (20.2 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Bibury (from USD 373)
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.
The Swan Hotel
Address: Bibury
12.99 km (8.1 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
5. Kingham (from USD 141)
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.
The Kingham Plough
Address: The Green Kingham
15.65 km (9.8 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
6. Slad (from USD 387)
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we enjoyed eating dinner on the patio in the evenings it was very cozythe space is inviting and comfortable with all of the creature comforts you'd want for a home-away-from-homethe bedrooms and bathrooms are all super and the communal accommodation was generousthe house was perfect for the 7 of us comfortable spacious and wholly equippedinside a lovely modern kitchen modern comfortable beds finest linenCleanliness:
a beautiful place to stay - everything perfectly clean and luxuriousnice extra touches (the tasty cake) very clean and presentableit is fabulously decorated with lots of personal touches beautifully clean and extremely well equippedit was very clean and a lot of thought had been put into the decor etcthe house is cozy and private was spotlessly clean and decorated lovinglyHost:
amazing place with the most attentive hosteverything was perfect wonderfull house very nice hostchris is a great host very welcoming and helpfulchris is the nicest host and we would highly recommend himchris is a great host a very good communicatorRead more reviewsLocation:
we loved the country location of this housegreat location for lots of walking close to stroud and easy to get toin fact the house and the location are amazingfabulous place in a wonderful location recommend to everyonevery comfortable and particularly enjoyed the extra thoughtfulness from chris knowing that we were working close by
Superhost
7. Lower Slaughter (from USD 441)
Reasonable pricing for the stunning location and amenities offered.
Beautiful property with lovely grounds and spacious, comfortable rooms.
Idyllic setting in a picturesque Cotswold village, with easy access to hiking trails and nearby attractions.
Excellent dining experiences with delicious breakfast and dinner options, though some minor menu and service improvements could be made.
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.
The Slaughters Country Inn
Address: Lower Slaughter
16.01 km (10.0 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
plus there is a big car park in one of the side streetsThe house is perfect for four people with every possible amenityHost:
The owners were really helpful with arrangements and very welcoming when we arrivedWe had a great visit and hope to returnOwners were very responsive and helpfulThe quality of the renovation and furnishings is very tasteful and a lot of effort has clearly gone into the propertyGina gave us everything we needed for a very comfortable stayRead more reviewsLocation:
the nearest town has a great choice of restaurants pubs and shopsThe village of Stanton is a beautiful Cotswold village with the requisite Pub within walking distance and virtually no tourists Highly recommendedThe cottage sits on the Cotswold Way and is perfect place to start walks to nearby towns and pubsThe cottage puts you in easy reach of some great Cotwsold spotsIt 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...
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.
Old Fox Cottage
Address: Bretforton, Bretforton, United Kingdom, WR11 7JJ
38.16 km (23.8 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
10. Castle Combe
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.
The Castle Inn
Address: Nr Chippenham
50.93 km (31.7 mi) from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
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.
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