Wandering the Cotswolds: The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages

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).