The Cotswolds

You could never run out of things to do in the Cotswolds! The Cotswold hills cover a vast area of natural beauty, historic sites, and family-friendly attractions, that makes it so perfect for a memorable visit or holiday. The Cotswolds is the UK’s second largest protected landscape and its ancient beech woodlands, thatched cottages, honey-coloured dry stone walls and centuries-old buildings will leave you feeling like you have travelled back in time.

Things to do in the Cotswolds

Walk through the towns and explore the beautiful cottages and local arts and crafts. The wool trade, which made the Cotswolds very wealthy centuries ago, contributed to the building of many churches which are now known as ‘wool churches’. St James’ Church in Chipping Camden is a fine example of the wealth contributed towards building such beautiful churches. There are also century-old skills still being practiced that contributes to restoring and building more dry stone walls; the skill of dry-stone walling is still being practiced and taught since 5,500 years ago and also thatching. William Morris, the Victorian poet, designer, craftsman, socialist and founding father of the Arts and Crafts movement, chose Kelmscott Manor as his inspirational Cotswold retreat and the country house and gardens are open to the public to explore from April to October each year.

Not to miss are the Rollright Stones Monuments, an ancient site which legend tells a story of a failed king who was turned into a solitary stone, while his guards were turned into standing stones and arranged into a giant circle, the Stroud Farmers Market on Saturdays in the market town of Stroud, the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a long and diverse history and also where Sir Winton Churchill was born, and visiting the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water located next to the River Windrush. Located in the heart of Woodstock, you can also find The Oxfordshire Museum with galleries exploring Oxfordshire’s story from the Jurassic period through to Anglo-Saxons and Victorians.

Explore the Cotswolds with Go Cotswolds, an award-winning, family-run guided tour company providing fun and friendly group tours of the area. Choose from a great range of options, including Cotswolds in a Day Tour, Secret Cotswolds Tour and Cotswolds Walks & Villages Tour.

Things to do in the Cotswolds with families

Explore the fantastic Cotswold Farm Park – a great day out for all ages where you can interact closely with over 50 rare breeds of farm animals and learn about farming, both past and present.

Pay a visit to the enchanted Fairytale Farm! With their exciting adventure playground, an enchanted walk with a surprise around every corner and a chance to meet their amazing animals, there is so much to see and do. It is a sensory and learning wonderland for all the family.

Places to visit in the Cotswolds

TV & Film Locations in the Cotswolds

There are many filming locations around the Cotswolds that have been used in mega movies such as Harry Potter, Sherlock, and Bridget Jones Diaries. But the most popular show that brings many visitors to Oxfordshire villages Bampton, Cogges, Swinbrook, and Shilton is Downton Abbey. The charming village of Bampton was used to film the village of ‘Downton’ and is, therefore, one of the most popular places to visit for Downton Abbey fans along with Cogges Manor Farm, used in the TV drama as the Yew Tree Farm.

Walks in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds has some beautiful walks and is a glorious area for walking with pretty villages and beautiful countryside. If you like walking and you are looking for some of the best routes to explore, here are 10 great walks in The Cotswolds that you can find on the Oxfordshire Walks app.

Read on to find out more about what you can see and do to experience the Cotswolds that will leave you wanting to visit again!

Places to stay in the Cotswolds

StayCotswold has an unrivalled range of cottages and beautifully renovated barns with over 30 properties located in Oxfordshire. From secluded rural locations, to village and town properties the StayCotswold portfolio has something for everyone. You can also book a cottage, apartment or lodge holidays with Snaptrip Holiday Cottages for your next break and choose from a wide range of prices and styles.

In Woodstock, The Bear Hotel is a former 13th-century coaching inn and combines history and culture with luxurious facilities. Just a 10-minute drive from Witney, the Old Swan and Minster Mill are both nestled in the picturesque village of Minster Lovell.

Located in Burford, The Cotswold Letting Agency is a trusted expert in lettings, with deep-rooted knowledge of the local area.

Where is the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds is an area in South-central, West Midlands and South West England. It covers an area of 800 square miles and runs through five counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. It is easy to get around the Cotswolds by public transport, by rail (ideally situated at the heart of the British Rail network), by bus (with the National Express network) or by road (with excellent links to the M4, M5 and M40). It is also possible to travel to the Cotswolds by air – the closest airports are Birmingham and Bristol, approximately 1 to 1.5 hour drive away.

Where is The Cotswolds?

How to get to The Cotswolds

Royal Cars

Royal Cars is Oxford's largest taxi company offering all types of work, from local runs to airport tranfers to long-distance pickups and drop offs, weddings and occasionally have crossed the channel.
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S6: Oxford to Swindon

The Stagecoach bus route S6 runs from Oxford to Swindon via Faringdon, Bessels Leigh, Fyfield, Southmoor and Buckland.
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7: Oxford to Blenheim Palace and Woodstock via Oxford Parkway

The 7 service connects Oxford to Blenheim Palace and Woodstock via Summertown, Oxford Parkway and Kidlington. Buses depart every 30 minutes.
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S1: Oxford to Witney and Carterton

Take the S1 service connects Oxford Botley, Eynsham, Witney, Curbridge and Carterton departing up to every 15 minutes.
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S2: Oxford to Witney and Cheltenham

The S2 connects Oxford and Cheltenham, via Summertown, Eynsham, Witney and Burford. Buses depart hourly to Witney and two hourly to Cheltenham.
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