![\"In](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_1328.jpg?w=496&h=744&ssl=1\" "\\"In")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
You can easily spend an afternoon wandering around Bibury and it\u2019s within easy reach of the historic town of Cirencester which is just on the border of the Cotswolds, too.<\/p>\n
This makes it a perfect stopping point on a wider road trip whilst visiting all the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds to explore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"In](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2022\/12\/08\/11-prettiest-towns-in-the-cotswolds-to-visit\/\")
<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to park up (there\u2019s on-street parking on the main road) and take a wander to Arlington Row. Yes, it might be a small place but it\u2019s totally charming and attracts visitors from all over the globe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After strolling to Arlington Row, be sure to pop into the Swan Hotel for a bite to eat (or book a room to stay the night). The thing we love most about the Cotswolds is that it\u2019s best explored in your own time \u2013 there\u2019s no need to rush.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
That being said, if you\u2019re looking for a historic manor house stay, check into the nearby Barnsley House which was first built in the 1600s.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s such a gorgeous spot and perched right between Bibury and Cirencester.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, one tip; be sure to plan your route efficiently if you\u2019re driving to all the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds. It\u2019s quite easy to get a plan in place to see all these different towns and then realise you\u2019ve been crisscrossing the Cotswolds and ended up wasting your precious time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Have days focused on exploring the south of the Cotswolds, where you can include iconic cities like Bath, too. Then, have other days that prioritise westerly towns, where you can also include spots like Blenheim Palace into your plans.<\/p>\n
This way, you\u2019ll be able to see so much more of the Cotswolds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in the Cotswolds<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Bourton-on-the-water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Larger than Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water is easily one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds that\u2019s right in the heart of this special region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sometimes nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a place that\u2019s filled with shallow river beds and tiny bridges that make it all so quaint to explore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After you park up, head out on food and along these little bridges that cross the River Windrush. It\u2019s such a stunning part of Bourton-on-the-Water and it flows directly through the town.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After taking a stroll around the independent shops and little streets, make sure to pop into one of the little tea rooms that line the street.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find quite a few around town, so I won\u2019t give you a suggestion \u2013 it\u2019s more about which one you spot and like the look of. Just make sure to go for their freshly-brewed tea with warm scones. Yum!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and don\u2019t forget about the cute model village that has earned a name for itself within Bourton-on-the-Water. It\u2019s totally kitsch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3.) Burford<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Known as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, <\/em>Burford is a medieval settlement that\u2019s well worth exploring if you\u2019re venturing west towards Oxford (that isn\u2019t too far away at all).\u00a0<\/p>\nNestled within the streets of Burford are plenty of little shops, cafes and traditional English pubs. We loved the Mermaid Inn for a proper pub lunch. In the winter, they have their open fire roaring and it\u2019s such a beautiful atmosphere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As you wander around, make sure to spot some of the iconic Cotswolds cottages that this area is known for. Oh, and the 12th<\/sup>-century church (St. John the Baptist) which is also a must-see in Burford.<\/p>\nOh, and be sure to pop into Huffkins for one of their tasty baked treats or an afternoon tea. Yum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Oxford<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Castle Combe<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Located in Wiltshire\u2019s idyllic countryside, Castle Combe is a chocolate box village that, in many ways, is my favourite in all of the Cotswolds. Shhh, don\u2019t tell the others!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yes, it\u2019s small (just like most places in the Cotswolds) but it\u2019s just so picture-perfect. We love it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It almost feels as though it\u2019s untouched by time. Trust me, it kind of feels like you\u2019ve gone back many centuries\u2026 minus the odd car or two!\u00a0<\/p>\n
When visiting Castlecombe, you will get to see the ancient honey stone cottages which are so well-preserved, standing out among all the village\u2019s gorgeous main streets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After walking around Castlecombe, pop into the Castle Inn for a drink and check into The Manor House for a stay in the village itself. It\u2019s a stunning manor house from the 1300s, that\u2019s right within Castlecombe.<\/p>\n
Finally, don\u2019t forget to head over to visit the nearby village of Lacock. Yes, I know this isn\u2019t in the Cotswolds but you can\u2019t miss it when you\u2019re already in the area.\u00a0 It\u2019s only about 20 minutes in the car and well worth taking a gander at this beautiful town.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best day trips in England<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Stow-on-the-Wold<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Steeped in history, Slow-on-the-Wold is one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds to visit when driving between Burton-on-the-Water and Broadway. It\u2019s right on the main road area and well worth making a stop for a few hours around lunch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Actually, not just for lunch\u2026 for its history, too!<\/p>\n
You see, the Saxon name of Slow-on-the-Wold means holy place on the hill <\/em>and dates back hundreds of years. Once a thriving little market town where wool was traded, it\u2019s now a picture-perfect village that\u2019s lovely to see.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Now, someone once told me that the reason why Stow-on-the-Wold has narrow alleys and thoroughfares was because of its wool heritage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Apparently, these narrow alleyways helped shepherds herd their sheep as they reached the market. Truthfully, I always thought it was due to a lack of planning!\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watever the case, when you visit Slow-on-the-Wold, you\u2019ll get to explore and spot that iconic countryside architecture that the Cotswolds is so well-known for.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019d like to shop, there are also various shops in the area which you can explore and enjoy the small art galleries, St Edward\u2019s Church, Lucy\u2019s Tearoom, and the Cotswold Sweet Company for some natural liquorice root to eat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, and Make sure to visit The Kings Arms for dinner\u2026 their homemade pies are yummy.<\/p>\n
6.) Painswick<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Set on top of the rolling hills, Painswick is one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds to visit on the way south from Gloucester.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, just like most of the towns in the Cotswolds, Painswick is pretty intimate and small. This means a good few hours and you\u2019ve seen most spots. Which, in my opinion, is part of the charm of the Cotswolds, generally. You can hop around the area finding all the little gems you love most.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, make sure to pop into the Painswick Rococo Garden which dates all the way back to the 1700s. Also, be sure to grab dinner at The Painswick Restaurant which has an incredible tasting menu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only that, but a biennial arts festival is also held in Painswick to celebrate local artists which are well worth checking out if you\u2019re around in June.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best cities in England to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n7.) Chipping Campden<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
When you see Chipping Campden, you\u2019ll realise what all the fuss is about, especially if you love little villages and quaint Cotswold-stone cottages.\u00a0They\u2019re gorgeous!\u00a0<\/p>\n
That being said, Chipping Campden can feel a little quieter and smaller compared to some of the other prettiest towns in the Cotswolds. This is why I\u2019d only recommend popping over for an hour or two.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, check out The Market Hall, which is open-walled, and is steeped in history. Also, nearby, you\u2019ll find a few cosy galleries like Campden Gallery and Art Cotswold that are well worth taking a peek inside.<\/p>\n
You can buy some lovely local art.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Not your thing? Then head over to the Old Silk Mill which currently serves as a cooperative and exhibition space for artists.<\/p>\n
Oh, and grab an afternoon tea at The Bantam Tea Rooms. It\u2019s lovely and their tea is so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in the South of England<\/strong><\/p>\n8.) Broadway<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Broadway is right up there as one of my favourite and prettiest towns in the Cotswolds to see when you\u2019re travelling around the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Way back, in the Middle Ages, the wool trade was a thriving part of Broadway\u2019s economy. Like lots of towns in the Cotswolds. Though, nowadays, you won\u2019t find any bleeding sheep wandering the roads here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once here, be sure to check out the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery and pop inside the Gordon Russell Design Museum.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re after some typically unfussy British fish and chips, head to Russell\u2019s Fish and Chips. Their beer-battered cod and chips are one of the best in all of the Cotswolds.<\/p>\n
All wish lashings of vinegar, of course!<\/p>\n
To work off lunch, take a stroll around the folly that is the Broadway Tower. It\u2019s well worth taking a stroll up the rolling hills to get there \u2013 especially on a sunny day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, you can easily drive over to the nearby village of Bretforton. Although not within the official boundaries of the Cotswolds, it\u2019s not too far from Broadway (around 10 minutes), so you can visit both places if you have the time.<\/p>\n
One spot you have to visit in Bretforton is The Fleece Inn. It\u2019s a hugely historic pub which is 15 centuries old containing historic interiors and the most charming rooms. It\u2019s now run by the National Trust looks after the property and keeps its charm and heritage alive for us all to enjoy today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Plus, they have an epic beer garden, especially as you can sit in the cosy horseboxes in the apple orchard. It\u2019s lovely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to visit in the West of England<\/strong><\/p>\n9.) Winchcombe<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Winchcombe is another gem to visit in the Cotswolds that\u2019s right on the fringes of the northern border.<\/p>\n
Here, you\u2019ll find plenty of antique shops and the Winchcombe Antiques Centre. There are several little rooms and a quaint tea room where you can easily spend a little time within.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, and on the outskirts of the market town are Belas Knapp, Hailes Abbey, and Sudeley Castle. The latter is a stately home which you can visit, dating back to the 1400s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in the North of England<\/strong><\/p>\n10.) Tetbury\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Perched on an ancient fort that once overlooked this area, Tetbury is one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds that\u2019s relatively large in comparison to some other gems.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s museums you love, check out the intimate and small Tetbury Police Museum. Alternately, spot the Tetbury Market House.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We stayed for a few days in Tetbury and used it as our base to explore more of this area of the Cotswolds. We booked The Royal Oak Tetbury which we totally loved.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/6I9A6515.jpg?w=496&h=744&ssl=1\" "\\"A")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/6I9A6568.jpg?w=496&h=744&ssl=1\" "\\"A")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The rooms are cosy and the pub is so nice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, be sure to check out the Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. It\u2019s a whopping tree garden that dates back to Victorian times.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/6I9A6391.jpg?w=496&h=744&ssl=1\" "\\"A")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/6I9A6374.jpg?w=496&h=744&ssl=1\" "\\"A")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
We spent around 1 hour here and loved it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tetbury really is a gorgeous town in the Cotswolds.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: What to see in Tetbury<\/strong><\/p>\n11.) Upper and Lower Slaughters (The Slaughters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n
Now, I know these two spots sound pretty ominous! Their names don\u2019t exactly sell them as places to go\u2026 but hear me out!\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Slaughters are two very small places that you can easily visit as they are right next to Bourton-on-the-Water.\u00a0Now, this will be like a 20-minute stop (unless you go for a longer stroll), so there\u2019s no need to go planning your whole day around The Slaughters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget to pop into The Old Mill ice cream parlour for some creamy scoops and walk over the cute Ford Bridge that goes over the River Eye.<\/p>\n
Finally, if you want to book a stay, check into The Slaughters Manor House. Built back in the 1600s, it\u2019s a total gem and a stunning place to stay. Plus, their English Breakfast is top-notch!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Prettiest places in England to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe 19 Prettiest And Best Places To Visit In England<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n