5 things to do in the Cotswolds

5 things to do in the Cotswolds

Author: Horizon Cottages - December 31, 2021
Last updated: September 17, 2024

Whether you are visting the Cotswolds on a day trip, or you are having a week away in a Cotswolds holiday cottage, there's so much to see and do. The Cotswolds is a popular tourist destination for those who like to relax and unwind, but there's also lots of things to do! Here are 5 things to do in the Cotswolds.

Arlington Row in the Cotswolds
Arlington Row in the Cotswolds

Explore a Cotswold village

One of the most popular activities is to go on a walk through the local villages, many people visit Cotswolds for just this reason. No matter which part of the Cotswolds you choose to stay in, you're never far away from a beautiful Cotswold village.

If you plan on exploring the Cotswolds, then it's wise to do some research before you arrive so that you don't miss out on something special. Try to see and do as much as you can, it's a large area, but also leave enough time to appreciate the beauty of the Cotswolds and uniqueness around every corner.

You may have heard of "famous" Cotswold villages such as Bibury, Castle Combe and Snowshill, but you may not have heard of some of the less well-known villages including Blockley, Stanton and Naunton.

Take some time to visit a few Cotswold villages, their beauty will reward you.

Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water

Explore a Cotswold town

If you've ticked off all of the Cotswold villages you want to visit, then head to one of the Cotswold market towns. From Chipping Campden in the north Cotswolds to the likes of Tetbury and Bath (actually a city) in the south Cotswolds, there's so many to choose from.

Cirencester is known as the Capital of the Cotswolds and makes an excellent base from which to explore the area as it has good road links and a train station in nearby Kemble.

The pretty old market town of Stow-on-the-Wold sits just off the Fosse Way, a Roman road built in Roman Britain during the first and second centuries AD. Stow is almost equidistant from Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water (about 4 miles) so all three of these Cotswold market towns can be visited on the same day.

Cotswold Way sign in Chipping Campden
Cotswold Way sign in Chipping Campden

Walk the Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102 mile footpath, running along the Cotswold Edge escarpment of the Cotswold Hills. It was officially inaugurated as a National Trail on 24 May 2007 and several new rights of way have been created.

While you may not be planning to walk the whole length of the Cotswold Way, walking part of the route is a great way to see some beautiful countryside and places off the beaten track.

Visit a country house, garden and even a palace!

It won't surprise you to hear that this area of rolling hills, beautiful countryside and wide open spaces is home to some of the most beautiful country houses, gardens and estates in Great Britain.

From the Arts and Crafts gardens at Hidcote to the Painswick Rococo Gardens, the 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace at Sezincote to the magnificent Blenheim Palace, there's a huge choice, so have fun deciding which to visit.

The magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire
The magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire
Rhinoceros at the Cotswold Wildlife Park
Rhinoceros at the Cotswold Wildlife Park
Say hello to a rhinoceros

Yes, you read that right. A rhinoceros!

The Cotswolds is perhaps not the place you would expect to come face to face (albeit at a safe distance) with a rhinoceros, but you can do just that at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

The Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is set in 160 acres of landscaped parkland and gardens, 2 miles south of Burford, on the A361, Oxfordshire.

With over 130 different species of birds, a collection of mammals second to none, reptiles & amphibians and glorious gardens, Cotswold Wildlife Park is a fantastic family day out in the Cotswolds.

Holiday cottages in the Cotswolds

Inspired to take a break in the Cotswolds? Here are some holiday cottages in the Cotswolds area.

Holiday cottage, Minchinhampton ()

Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Pershore ()

Pershore, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    5
  • Bedrooms
    3
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Bourton-on-the-Water ()

Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Cote ()

Cote, Oxfordshire

  • Sleeps
    10
  • Bedrooms
    5
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Northleach ()

Northleach, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
Holiday cottage, Evesham ()

Evesham, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
Holiday cottage, Winchcombe ()

Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    6
  • Bedrooms
    3
  • Dogs
    2
Holiday cottage, Oxford ()

Oxford, Oxfordshire

  • Sleeps
    5
  • Bedrooms
    2
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Burford ()

Burford, Oxfordshire

  • Sleeps
    6
  • Bedrooms
    3
Holiday cottage, Bushley ()

Bushley, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    2
  • Bedrooms
    2
Holiday cottage, Honeybourne ()

Honeybourne, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    2
  • Bedrooms
    1
Holiday cottage, Lechlade-on-Thames ()

Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    12
  • Bedrooms
    6
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Whiteshill ()

Whiteshill, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    2
  • Bedrooms
    1
Holiday cottage, Honeybourne ()

Honeybourne, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    2
  • Bedrooms
    1
Holiday cottage, Fifield ()

Fifield, Oxfordshire

  • Sleeps
    6
  • Bedrooms
    3
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Peopleton ()

Peopleton, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
  • Dogs
    2
Holiday cottage, Upper Quinton ()

Upper Quinton, Warwickshire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
Holiday cottage, Neweys Hill ()

Neweys Hill, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    6
  • Bedrooms
    3
Holiday cottage, Broadway ()

Broadway, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    4
  • Bedrooms
    2
  • Dogs
    1
Holiday cottage, Yorkley ()

Yorkley, Gloucestershire

  • Sleeps
    14
  • Bedrooms
    6
  • Dogs
    9
Holiday cottage, Broadway ()

Broadway, Worcestershire

  • Sleeps
    2
  • Bedrooms
    1
  • Dogs
    1
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