Complete Guide - The Cotswolds

Snowshill, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England Photographic Print
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The Cotswolds is a beautiful region of rolling hills and charming villages sometimes called the "Heart of England".

Ideal for short breaks in UK or England vacations, these old "wool towns" with their Cotswold stone houses are quaint and the peaceful countryside will refresh you.

Our first Europe Family Getaway was to this lovely region, combined with a weekend in London.

The beautiful Cotwold villages and towns are a perfect setting for Romantic Weekend Getaways or honeymoons.

It's an area of great beauty, peace and charm. Since English is spoken, it is a great destination for a first trip to Europe for families or couples.

Cotswold Villages

three favorite villages

Best Cotswolds Hotels

These excellent choices for accommodation include Cotswold Manor House, Cotswolds Country House Hotel and Luxury Cotswold Hotels.

Chipping Campden

Charingworth Manor Chipping Campden - 3 miles east of Chipping Campden, 01386/593-555, beautiful views of Cotswold countryside. 14th century Cotswolds Country House Hotel, beautifully decorated rooms with antiques. T.S. Eliot ...guest in the 1930s. Restaurant with traditional and Mediterranean cruise.
Cotswolds House - 1800 Luxury Cotswolds Hotel, recently refurbished with all the "extras", old Grammar School Suite and Garden Cottages for Romantic Weekend Breaks, patio and spacious garden, Juliana's Restaurant and Hick's Brasserie
The Churchill Arms - One mile SE of Chipping Campden, 01386/594-000, small Cotswolds Country House Hotel with 4 rooms, country restaurant/pub with excellent food
Noel Arms Hotel - 600 year old Cotswold Hotel with character on main square, 26 rooms with antiques, restaurant/pub

Stow-in-the-Wold

Wyck Hill House Hotel - elegant 18th century beautiful Manor House hotel, 32 rooms in Main Hotel and Coach-House Annex and Orangery
Grapevine Hotel - rural charm and intamacy, 22 comfortable rooms

Stow Lodge Hotel

Stow Lodge Hotel
01451/830-344, 21 nicely appointed rooms, gardens, on village square
Fosse Manor Hotel - ivy-covered Cotswolds Hotel, 22 rooms, landscaped garden with lily pond, restaurant/pub
The Royalist Hotel - AD947 oldest Inn in the country, 12 rooms with exposed beams, lovely furnishings, two-floor Maugersbury Suite with jacuzzi bath perfect for Romantic Breaks in England, restaurant/pub

Upper Slaughter

Parish Church, Upper Slaughter, the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom Photographic Print
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Lords of the Manor Hotel - elegant Cotswolds Hotel in 17th century house, set on several acres, 27 rooms in Main house, converted granery and barn, antiques and charming decor, gardens and stream, pub and Renown British/French restaurant

Blockley

The Village of Blockley, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, UK Photographic Print
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Crown Inn Blockley - 24 room Cotswold Hotel UK, in quiet village, restaurant/pub

Bibury

Bridge Over the River Colne, Bibury, Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, England, UK Photographic Print
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Swan Hotel - 17th century Luxury Cotswolds Hotel, on the River Coln in the "prettiest village in the Cotswolds", chandeliers and elegant furnishing 18 large unique rooms

Broadway

The Lygon Arms Sign, Broadway, Cotswolds, Hereford & Worcester, England, UK, Europe Photographic Print
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Buckland Manor Hotel - 13th century Elegant Cotswolds Hotel, surrounded by Cotswold fences, luxurious rooms with antiques, special amenities and oversized bathrooms, gardens and formal restaurant
Barcelo Lygon Arms Hotel - 1532 Great old Cotswold Hotel, 69 rooms, older section and more modern annex, 3 acres of beautiful gardens, 2 restaurants/pub

If you aren't sure which village you would like to stay in but would like the best Cotswolds hotel, these Cotswold hotel reviews might be helpful.

Bed Breakfast Cotswolds

Blockley

Lower Brook House

Cotswolds B&B page

Self Catering Cottages Cotswolds

Stow on the Wold

Blenheim Cottage - Cottage located in the village of Oddington about 2 miles east of Stow on the Wold.

Staying in a Cotswold cottage allows you to cook some or all of your meals and to have extra space to relax and "live like a local" on your England vacation.

Check out Cottages UK Directory, listing holiday cottages to rent in the UK with links to their websites....click on "Gloucestershire" under the County Index England section.

Cotswold Tourist Information

Cotswold Transportation

Cotswolds Bus - There are two bus routes through the Cotswolds.....Moreton in Marsh to Chipping Campden and Moreton in Marsh to Stow on the Wold. The Tourist Information Centre has a pamphlet "Exploring the Cotwolds by Bus" if you are considering this option.

Cotswold by Car - This is the best way to explore and discover all of the beautiful, charming villages of the "Heart of England". There is one Car Rental (Car Hire) - Robinson Gross Self Drive www.robgos.co.uk They have one day rentals to explore the Cotswolds.
Bicycle Cotswolds - The roads are narrow, but what a beautiful area to see by bike. Here are three places to rent a bicycle:
- Moreton in Marsh - Toy Shop 01608/650-756
- Chipping Campden - Cotswold Country Cycles 01386/438-706
- Stow on the Wold - Youth Hostel 01451/830-497
Cotswold Horse - For those who love to ride horses check out Jill Carenza's Riding Centre (outside Stanton) - 01386/584-250

Cotswold Gardens

Hidcote Manor Garden - 4 miles NE of Chipping Campden
Snowshill Manor and Gardens - in Snowshill
Snowshill Lavender - 250,000 lavender plants, cafe and shop close to Snowshill
Bourton House Gardens - in Bourton on the Hill

Places to visit Cotswolds

Cotswolds Birdland

Cotswold Birdland - Bourton on the Water - Featuring over 500 birds in garden, water and woodland setting
Cotswold Perfumery - Burton on the Water
Cotswold Model Village - Bourton on the Water model built in 1937 to 1/9th scale
Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection - Bourton on the Water, home of "Brum" the little car from children's TV series
Cotswold Water Park - 3 miles South of Cirencester - Water skiing, windsurfing and swimming
Cotswold Farm Park - near Stow on the Wold, Rare British breeds of farm animals
Cotswold Falconry Centre - Moreton in Marsh
Malmesbury Abbey - by Aldhelm, Present building from 1180AD
Cotswold Wildlife Park - Burford, Over 200 species on over 200 acres of Victorian Manor House

Tourist Information Centres (TIC)

Cotswold Walks

The Cotswolds is ideal for a Walking Holiday UK....or just include some short walks on your Weekend Break in England.

The beautiful scenery, along with quaint villages and many walking paths are a winning combination.

The charming towns are often quite close together, so it is easy to plan breaks for food or rest while walking in the Cotswolds.

Here are some popular Cotswold Paths to check out.

Upper Slaughter to Lower Slaughter is an easy 1/2 mile distance. We did this easy walk (picture to right).
Stow on the Wold to Broadwell is about a 45 minute walk.
Windrush Valley - Bourton on the Water to Windrush - about 5 miles.
Guilting Power to Naughton is a pleasant short walk.
Cleeve Hill across the Hill, which is the highest point in the Cotswolds and has great views, via Belas Knap or Postlip.
Cotswold Way - 90 mile footpath between Bath and Chipping Campden. It would take a week and a half to complete the walk or just do a short part of it.

Now it's your turn!

Have you been to The Cotswolds? Do you have a favorite village, hotel or attraction that everyone should know about?
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Please share your comments or reviews (good and bad!) by clicking on this link. We look forward to hearing from you!

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