Planning a trip to the Cotswolds, and looking for the best places to visit, well you have come to the right place. Cotswolds Guided Tours, run by local husband & wife team understand that an import part of your holiday is planning where you would like to visit. We have combined a list of the top 10 must see locations in the Cotswolds to help you plan your perfect holiday. P.S Below are our top ten from our Cotswold tours, in no particular order - how could be choose : )
1. Bourton on the Water - The Venice of the Cotswolds.
A visit to the Cotswolds would not be complete without a stop in Bourton on the Water. This has to be the most famous village in the Cotswolds and is a must for travellers. Try to plan your trip to this village as early as possible in the summer months to avoid the crowds. There is a reason why this village is so busy, you have the stunnign River Windrush running through the centre, a selection of little shops to explore, tearooms galore & pubs a plenty. This is a bustling little village and one that is included as a morning stop on our Famous Cotswolds Tour.
2. The Slaughters (Upper & Lower)
Nearby to Bourton on the Water are the stunning sister villages of Upper & Lower Slaughter. Lower Slaughter was once awarded the most romantic street in England. So do take some time to stroll along this peaceful location & make sure you head to the Old Mill, a quirky gift shop, selling all manner of items (perfect for you or as a gift to take home) and maybe stop for a coffee & a piece of cake at the Mill tearooms, where you can sit and look out over the mill pond. Further on you will find the beautiful hillside village of Upper Slaughter, with its impressive manor house, said to be the finest example of an Elizabethian Manor House in the Cotswolds, take a look at the church & wander down the hill, past the iconic telephone kiosk to the River Eye, this is a great place for a photo or even a picnic. Our Famous Cotswolds Tour visits both of these locations.
3. Snowshill
If you love Bridget Jones, then this village is where the openning scene was filmed, wander around this peaceful location & enjoy the beautiful cottages laid out around the village focal point, the small (& perfectly formed) St Barnabas's Church. There is a row of National Trust cottages & if you are a fan of the eclectic then why not spend time at Snowshill Manor, where you can marvel at the hord of objects collected by Charles Wade from around the world. Just outside the village you have the famous Snowshill Lavender, which is open to the public to wander through the lavender fields, or you can head to the cafe & enjoy the array of tasty cakes or lavender icecream. Our guests love exploring the village of Snowshill on the Cotswold Highlights Tour.
4. Broadway
Well if you love a little time to shop, then Broadway is the perfect place to relax & unwind. We visit Broadway as a lunch stop on the Cotswold Highlights Tour, guests love the mixture of shops along the wide main street & particularly love popping into the Crown & Trumpet for a spot of lunch. If you have space after the delights of the Fish Pie, or Worcestershire Sauce Pie, then do try to fit in a desert here, they are simply delicious. The staff are always friendly so this pub welcomes, locals & visitors alike. If you are a fan of modern twentieth century furniture, then why not spend some time at the Gordon Russell museum. Or why not sit back & relax on the large village green & watch the world go by!
5. Stanway
If you love cricket then this little hamlet has the best example of a thatched cricket pavilion in the Cotswolds. There is also a fairy - tale connection attached the manor house. Spend some time exploring the church and admire the Cotswolds stone masons, cheeky characters. Stanway House is an impressive building, the gate house is superb & dates back to the 1630's. What we love about this location is the fact that the house has been in the same family since the 1590's - incredible! We love showing guests around this tiny slice of paradise, if you take our Cotswold Highlights Tour you can learn all the secrets too!
6. Stanton
This is a hidden gem, not easy to reach unless you are walking the 102 miles along the Cotswolds Way. It is said to be one of the best preserved villages in the Cotswolds, thanks to Sir Philip Stott. Check out the quirky Stott lamps, the fairy-tale thatched cottages. Stay on the look out as you may bump into Kangaroo's, Foxes, Ducklings & Owls here. Our guests love this beautiful village with its stunning views across Worcestershire. We even take you into St Michael's & All Angels Church to show you the unusual features. Perfect day out on our Cotswold Highlights Tour.
7. Stow on the Wold
Well if you are visiting the Gloucestershire Cotswold's then you must see the highest market town! Whilst here you have the oldest inn in England, dating back to 947AD, Tolkien's Door with its fabulous yew trees. You can even try out the village stocks (we promised we won't throw rotten veggie's at you) explore the little independent shops & have a spot of lunch on our Famous Cotswolds Tour. If you are looking for a pub lunch then there are plenty to choose from, or why not enjoy a cream tea at 'Lucy's Tearooms' our guests always rave about the delicious items on offer.
8. Broadway Tower
There is nothing quite like the views from the top of the Tower here! It is said you can see up to 16 counties on a clear day! Whilst you are exploring, do keep your eyes peeled for the herd of
red deer. Explore the Tower, used by William Morris as a holiday retreat or sit back and soak up the stunning scenery with a morning coffee from the Barn Café. This is our first stop on our Cotswold Highlights Tour and sets the scene for the day exploring this beautiful region.
9. Great Tew
Well if it is thatched cottages your after then Great Tew in the Oxfordshire cottages has them by the bucket load! This picture perfect village, with the very fashionable Soho Farmhouse on the outskirts is a popular favourite for guests on our Famous Cotswolds Tour. The Great Tew estate with it's impressive manor house, 3500+ acres, its our airstrip, plus an amazing pub is a wonderful location to explore.
10. Chipping Campden
Well this market town has history at every corner, from the wonderful St James Church (a famous Cotswolds 'wool' church) to the ruins of Campden House, a casualty of the English Civil War. You can explore the main street, with its historic market hall & the wonderful independent shops, some of which have links back to the Arts & Crafts movement. After a full day exploring on the Cotswold Highlights Tour, many guests like to soak up the atmosphere but stopping off in one of the many tearooms, Badger's Hall would be a perfect choice & enjoy a delicious Cream Tea or a slice of tempting cake.
Just remember as local guides we know all the best places to visit in the Cotswolds. If you are looking for a fun & affordable way to travel then book a 6 hour guided tour with us. We take out 7 guests each day & tickets are priced at £45 per person. Leaving the driving to us & enjoy exploring this wonderful region. We can't wait to meet you & show you around on one of our Cotswolds Tours.
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