The Cotswolds are one of England’s most enduring landscapes. Villages of warm stone sit pretty along green hills, shaped by centuries of trade, farming, and quiet country life. From fan-favorites to tucked-away corners, these are eight of the most beautiful towns and villages in the Cotswolds.
Castle Combe
Often hailed as the prettiest village in England, Castle Combe seems almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. Its cottages curve along a narrow street toward the old market cross, where wool once traded hands.
The Bybrook River slips beneath an arched stone bridge, and the 14th-century church of St. Andrew still rings its bells across the valley. It’s a song you don’t want to miss – and won’t soon forget.
Visitors come for the picture-perfect setting, but it’s worth stopping to wander slowly. All you have to do is have a pint at The Castle Inn, step into the church to admire its medieval clock, and walk down to the water’s edge to admire a village that folds right into the landscape.
Bibury
Bibury has been admired for centuries, and it was William Morris who famously called it the most beautiful village in England. Arlington Row, with its 14th-century weavers’ cottages, is one of the most photographed streets in the country.
You’ll find a tranquil kind of beauty here. Stop to watch the River Coln wind through watery meadows as the trout pop in and out of its peaceful shallows.
You can also spend some time wandering the village green, visiting the Bibury Trout Farm, and just taking gentle walks along the riverbanks. The Swan Hotel makes for a fireside stop for tea or lunch. Its gardens open onto the river. The thing that’s always stayed with us is that Bibury is as much legend as it is daily life.
Bourton-on-the-Water
The River Windrush runs straight through Bourton-on-the-Water, giving it the name “Venice of the Cotswolds.” Low stone bridges arch over the shallow stream and, on warm days, families gather on the grassy banks while children paddle in the clear water. The whole village hums with an easy charm, especially in the summertime.
But, there’s more to explore here beyond the river. The Model Village, a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton itself, captures the whimsy of English village life, while the Cotswold Motoring Museum offers a delightful dose of nostalgia. Tearooms line the High Street, and the cozy pubs will invite you to linger a little while longer by the fire.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Perched high on a hill, Stow-on-the-Wold has been a market town since medieval times. Its vast square once held sheep fairs where tens of thousands of animals were sold, a reminder of the wool trade that built the Cotswolds’ wealth. Today, the square is lined with beautiful antique shops, galleries, and centuries-old inns that still welcome travelers.
The most enchanting sight is St. Edward’s Church. It’s always featured in Cotswolds videos because its north door is framed by ancient yew trees that guard the entrance. The door looks like it was drawn from a fantasy novel, and many believe it’s inspired quite a few tales (The Lord of the Rings, perhaps).
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is one of the Cotswolds’ greatest treasures. Its long, curving High Street is built almost entirely out of honey-gold stone. Once among the richest wool towns, it later became a center for the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century. Even today, it continues to draw artists and designers to its secret corners. You’ll sense that creative spirit in its workshops, galleries, and the Court Barn Museum.
The 17th-century Market Hall, with its weathered arches, still stands tall at the center of town, while the Church of St. James is just as proud. Walking here is a lesson in elegance. The stone cottages are softened by their gardens; the inns have low beams and open fires; and the streetscapes remain unchanged, even after hundreds of years.
Burford
Known as the gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford tumbles down a steep High Street toward the River Windrush. The view from the top is one of the most showstopping in the area. Beautifully restored coaching inns and stone cottages line the slope. In the 17th century, it was a major stop for travelers, and many of those old inns still offer a clean bed, a warm meal, and a hearty pint today.
St. John the Baptist Church is one of the largest in the Cotswolds, and it’s filled with monuments that speak to centuries of local history. Be sure to browse the antique shops, pause for a cream tea, and follow the street down to the river meadows.
Painswick
Often called the Queen of the Cotswolds, Painswick is built from pale limestone that glows, even on cloudy days. Its history is tied to the cloth trade, and its streets still curve with an elegant hush. At the center lies St. Mary’s Church. Its churchyard is lined with 99 sculpted yews that make it one of the most atmospheric settings in England.
Painswick is also home to the Rococo Garden, an 18th-century landscape filled with follies, orchards, and blooms that change with the seasons. Beyond the gardens, you’ll find narrow streets, charming cottages, and beautiful views around every bend in the road.
Snowshill
Snowshill is a hidden delight, perched on a hillside where cottages cluster around a small green. In the summertime, the surrounding lavender fields turn the air fragrant and purple. All you’ll want to do is wander among the blooms.
The main attraction here is Snowshill Manor, once the home of Charles Wade, an eccentric collector who filled it with curiosities from around the world. His treasures are still on display, giving the manor a magical, otherworldly feel. Whether you come for the lavender, the manor, or the village itself, you’ll see how Snowshill captures the whimsy of the Cotswolds in one compact jewel.
A Countryside Etched in Memory
Each town and village in the Cotswolds carries its own story, shaped by stone, river, and time. We can guarantee you’ll leave here with memories of timeless streets, church bells, and the quiet rhythm of England.
After the Cotswolds have had their say, take another stroll through our library of destination guides. We’ll help you carry on, into the streets of London, across the Scottish highlands, and along Ireland’s rugged coastlines. And, if all goes well, maybe one day we’ll share a fireside cup of tea with you in Bibury!