Cotswolds from London: The best Cotswolds villages and things to do!
Photos, stories and tips from exploring the Cotswolds of England
In this blog you’ll find food, drink and hotel recommendations, as well as some stories of exploring the English countryside!
First, a few important things to note:
I recommend driving, but you can also book tours on buses to explore the Cotswolds, or chauffeur services.
The food in the countryside is SO much better than the food in London! A lot of restaurants source their food locally, and the taste is divine.
A lot of the roads in the countryside are very small, and in some places one car must pull to the side slightly while another passes.
Public parking can be tricky. I’ve noted which towns have paid lots for visitors to park in. If not noted, you should be able to find street parking.
Spring and fall are my personal favorite times to visit. Just be sure to wear layers and bring rainy day materials.
A couple of these towns are very small, quiet and don’t have much to do outside of marveling at their history.
Burford
This village was my introduction to the Cotswolds, and I immediately fell in love!
It is a vibrant place full of shops, delicious places to eat and drink, and adorable inns. The fish and chips I had at The Angel was the best I had my entire trip to England! The best breakfast I had was at The Priory Burford. This is a great town to shop in too! You could easily spend a couple days enjoying this town.
Special things to note: there’s a bridge over water at the north end of town and a sheep pasture that is very pretty to look at. The area around St John the Baptist Church is also very lovely, especially early in the morning.
A picturesque home in the Cotswolds - Burford
Castle Combe
This is one of the most historic villages in the Cotswolds. Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century, and no new houses have been built since about 1600. This is a very quiet village that doesn’t have much to do, but it’s still worth a visit to view the historical buildings, visit St Andrew’s church, and have a meal or drink at The Castle Inn or The White Hart. This village will make you feel like you’ve truly stepped back in time, or into a storybook. You will likely spend only an hour or two here.
While I realize we often don’t prefer traveling and exploring in the rain, I will say, there was something very magical about exploring Castle Combe on foot in a rain jacket. It also chased a lot of tourists away who preferred to stay dry. If you dress appropriately and bring an umbrella, you’ll enjoy your time. If you’re driving, be prepared for some very skinny roads!
Ivy covered homes in Castle Combe in the autumn.
Bibury
This was a village recommended by a shop owner in Burford, and a place I was not originally planning to stop at. The famous Arlington Row houses are located here, and this town is famous for their trout! I had a delicious trout lunch at Eleven Bibury, and I’ve also heard good things about The Catherine Wheel. If you’re driving, there’s a paid public parking lot you’ll park at near the far, and then walk into the main part of town. You will probably only spend a couple of hours here.
Arlington Row on a rainy day in Bibury.
Bourton-On-The-Water
This beautiful town has a river running through it, and it has tons of shops and places to eat, drink and shop. There’s a lovely little bakery called Bakery On The Water that I stopped by to enjoy a pastry and coffee while waiting for the rain to let up. If you’re just stopping here for a few hours, there’s a paid public parking lot to park your car and then walk through the town and explore. If you prefer more of a city vibe than a countryside one, this would be a good town to stay in for two to three days.
Nothing says “Cotswolds” like yellow brick homes and flowers blooming everywhere!
Cotswolds Best Hotels:
If you’re planning to stay the night in the Cotswolds, here are my top recommendations, along with some notes about each town.
The Angel Inn in Burford - there’s plenty to do in this town, so this is a good place if you’re wanting to keep yourself busy while still enjoying the peacefulness of the countryside
The Duke of Wellington in Bourton-On-The-Water - this village feels less like you’re in the countryside and is busier
The Castle Inn in Castle Combe - if you’re looking to stay somewhere in the Cotswolds full of inspiring history, this is an epic place
The Swan Hotel in Bibury - there isn’t a lot to do here, but it is very beautiful and a peaceful place to stay. It would be a great spot for an intimate wedding!
Exploring more of the English Countryside near the Cotswolds
It was a rainy afternoon and I was driving from one village to the next when I passed this red phone booth, covered in ivy. This is such an iconic thing in London, and many visitors love taking photos of them. It doesn’t feel like it belongs, and yet it’s beginning to merge with the nature surrounding it. This image is available for purchase in my print shop, among others!
If you have a car, I highly recommend driving through the Cotswolds so you can explore at your leisure. You never know what you may discover…
If you love Pride and Prejudice the movie (2005)…
Then let me introduce you to Stourhead! An estate just south of the Cotswolds, this is a beautiful place where scenes from the 2025 Pride & Prejudice were filmed. I spent a few hours wandering the grounds and touring the mansion, and it was an absolute dream!
The Temple of Apollo, Stourhead. Located just south of the Cotswolds.
I arrived at Stourhead after breakfast, but fairly early in the day, so it would be a little less crowded. After making my way down into the valley, I caught a glimpse of the bridge Elizabeth Bennet walked over in the rain. I continued on my way in search of the path that would take me to the temple of Apollo. I eventually found it - a little moss covered cave with stairs leading up. Once I arrived at the top, I happened upon a couple who had gotten engaged moments before, and in the exact spot where Mr. Darcy proposed to Elizabeth! I ended up snapping some photos for them, and I shared them and the story on another blog - click here to read it!
My biggest regret from visiting the Cotswolds…
This is such a beautiful area of England, and I fit a lot into only three days. I wish that I would have taken more time to stay in place and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you’re someone who enjoys the beauty of the countryside, I recommend staying the night and not rushing from town to town.