Known for its honey-hued stone cottages and winding streets, dotted with centuries-old churches and pubs that date even further back, the Cotswolds is a classic choice for a weekend break in the UK. But among the smart country retreats and sweet boutique hotels, which are the prettiest villages to seek out? Near Kingham, the Daylesford empire is behind the the smartest pubs, spas and hotels in the Cotswolds, while in Bourton-on-the-Water, a game of football that dates back 100 years draws weekenders to the banks of the River Windrush. We round up the loveliest corners of the Cotswolds, from the big-hitting towns with shops and galleries to the sleepy spots most people pass through but are well worth a pit-stop.
These are the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.
ASTHALL
The honey-hued village of Asthall sits right on the River Windrush and has a rich past, drawing in history buffs and artists alike. The Maytime Inn attracts a serious Sunday roast crowd but the main event is Asthall Manor. It was once the home of the Mitford sisters (four of whom are buried in the nearby church of neighbouring village Swinbrook), and it was here that eldest sibling Nancy Mitford penned most of Love in a Cold Climate. These days, the gardens of the manor open up every other year for large-scale sculpture exhibition On Form.
SNOWSHILL
Snowshill is known for its unspoilt beauty, and the main attractions here are the views over the Severn Vale – if you look carefully, you can even see Broadway tower standing tall to the north. The hilltop village sits in an area of sweeping, gentle peaks and is home to Snowshill Manor and Garden, a National Trust treasure filled with the eclectic collections and finds of English architect Charles Wade.
Broadway
One of the area’s smartest high streets can be found in the north Cotswolds village of Broadway, home to a smattering of art galleries and covetable interiors shops. In Victorian times, it drew artists such as William Morris and John Singer Sargent. Wisteria-draped stores have baskets of fresh produce outside – we particularly like The Broadway Deli for any urgent picnic needs – and the village is home to some of the loveliest hotels in the Cotswolds, including Dormy House, The Lygon Arms and The Fish. For the best views, tramp up to Broadway Tower. Nearby, spend a little longer by taking in the sites by foot along the Cotswold Way, just outside bohemian Stroud, which is beloved as one of the best UK walks.
Read this for more of the best walks in the Cotswolds
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Bourton-on-the-Water
In the summer, locals take to the stream that runs through the heart of Burton-on-the-Water for a game of traditional river football. It dates back over a century and draws hundreds of spectators. But it’s not the only attraction in this village, where the traditional cottages that sit on the riverfront have nearly all been turned into antiques shops, cafés and pubs. Seek out Bakery on the Water for a sticky cinnamon bun and eat it on the sun-trap balcony overlooking the river.
Lower Slaughter
It’s only a five-minute drive from buzzy Bourton-on-the-Water, yet the Cotswold crowds tend to pass through this sleepy village. There aren’t many shops or pubs but caramel-coloured stone houses are set along the low-lying stream, which horses regularly trot through. Near the village’s water mill there’s a museum/café, which sells hand-churned ice cream – on sunny days, grab a cone and sit on one of the stone bridges.
Upper Slaughter
The walk from Lower to Upper Slaughter follows the River Eye, which flows through the neighbouring villages. It’s part of the 14-mile Wardens’ Way, a walking trail between Winchcombe and Bourton-on-the-Water, but this stretch is about a two-hour round trip, past sweet houses and over ancient footbridges. In Upper Slaughter, stop for lunch at Lords of the Manor, a 17th-century hotel which has a dining room overlooking the gardens, for a tasting menu including dishes such as preserved lemon with scallops and veal.
Painswick
Set on top of a hill south of Cheltenham, Painswick’s sloping streets lead the eye to the surrounding unspoiled countryside, where walkers can stomp across the Painswick Valley. There’s a biennial arts festival celebrating local artists and cool hideout The Painswick, which has a Michelin-recommended restaurant.
Burford
Technically a town rather than a village, tiny Burford is known for its thatched-roof cottages and 12th-century church. There are smart restaurants (we like The Lamb Inn for Sunday lunch) and even a cool gardening centre, Burford Garden Company, which draws green-fingered local fans such as Kate Moss and Liz Hurley.
Castle Combe
With its sleepy, winding streets, this untouched Wiltshire village has been used in a handful of period films and TV series, including Downton Abbey and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.
Stow-on-the-Wold
The town square of Stow-on-the-Wold is hemmed by typically ivy-clad buildings. This is where you’ll find what claims to be England’s oldest inn, The Porch House, founded in 947 AD, with its cosy open fires and low ceilings. St Edward’s Church could be the prettiest church in the area; with a squat traditional door flanked by ancient trees it looks like something from a Tolkien story (pictured).
Blockley
The pretty village green at Blockley overlooks a hill that sweeps down to the Norman church. It’s an under-the-radar corner of the Cotswolds, which means you can stroll the peaceful streets without contending with daytrippers. A short drive away in busier Moreton-on-Marsh, the Cotswold Cheese Co draws dairy lovers with more than 80 artisan cheeses from whisky-smoked brie to Oxford Blue Round.
Chipping Campden
Classic Cotswold-stone cottages and shops line the main street of Chipping Campden, one of the most popular villages in the area. There’s an open-walled 17th-century Market Hall that’s part of the National Trust on the high street, and the Old Silk Mill is now an artists’ co-operative and exhibition space.
Kingham
The most cosmopolitan of the Cotswold villages, Kingham is where in-the-know Londoners decamp to when they need a break from the city. Nearby is Daylesford, the game-changing organic farm shop and spa, as well as the very smart Wild Rabbit (pictured), also owned by the Bamford family and one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds. Sleep over in one of the flagstone rooms for a full country getaway or opt take over the Old Bakehouse, one of our picks of the best Airbnbs in the Cotswolds.
The best Airbnbs in the Cotswolds, UK
Stanton
At the foot of the Cotswold escarpment (basically a steep hill), Gloucestershire’s Stanton is built almost completely out of golden-tinged Jurassic limestone, or Cotswold stone. The handsome village has retained a sense of authenticity, lacking the tea rooms and cute shops that dominate others.
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