While we all are waiting for travel restrictions to be lifted, I would like to feed your wanderlust with the most beautiful towns and villages to see in the Cotswolds.
Castle Combe
In my opinion, Castle Combe is one of the prettiest villages in the whole area and a definite must-visit. The name may sound a little confusing as there is no castle. But the village does take its name from the 12th-century motte and bailey castle which used to be located to the north of nowadays Castle Combe.
The village was used as a location in quite a few movies, some of them being Stardust and War Horse.
While exploring the village, do not miss Manor House Hotel pictured below.
Lower Slaughter
Another lovely village with an even more confusing name! It derives from the Old English term ‘slough’ meaning wet land, and not from what you could have thought. The village is built on the banks of the River Eye which also flows through Upper Slaughter.
Don’t miss the 19th-century watermill that now houses a museum. There’s also a craft shop and a handmade organic ice cream parlour.
The views between the villages aren’t bad either!
Upper Slaughter
The village is slightly smaller than Lower Slaughter and therefore is less touristy. It’s still worth a visit if you are travelling through the area.
Burford
If you fancy a bit of shopping, Burford is the perfect places for it with a relatively busy high street lined up with small shops, pubs and cafes. I always pop in to Lynwood & Co cafe that does the best coffee in the area. On the opposite side of the road, you can find the Cotswolds Cheese Co. shop and The Burford Farm shop that are both worth a visit too.
Bourton-on-the-Water
This charming village is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds and perhaps that is the reason it’s always very busy and full of tourists. it’s also known for its low bridges and quaint limestone houses and is home to the Cotswold Motoring Museum that features vintage cars and a toy collection.
You can also visit The Model Village which is a one-ninth scale replica of the heart of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold, originally called Stow St. Edward or Edwardstow after the town's patron saint Edward, is said to have originated as an Iron Age fort with its defensive position on a hill. Same as Burford, it’s a good place for a bit of shopping or for grabbing a bite to eat.
Don’t miss the medieval St Edward's Parish Church with its famous north door flanked by yew trees and Talbot Square lined with lovely little shops.
Bibury
Last but not least, Bibury was once described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”. A picture of Bibury is seen on the inside cover of all United Kingdom passports, making it the most depicted village in the world. Arlington Row (pictured below), a row of weavers cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln, is a very popular tourist destination. I recommend arriving early if you would like to have the village all to yourself.
