Eight of the most beautiful Cotswold towns and villages you must visit

Spanning five counties, the Cotswolds is known for its breathtaking natural beauty across miles of sprawling countryside, with flower-rich grasslands, ancient woodlands and undulating hills.

Tucked within valleys or perched on high ground, visitors will discover the equally as impressive historic market towns and chocolate-box villages that evoke quintessential country life.

Recognisable by distinctive honey-hued limestone buildings, historic market squares and independent local artisans setting up shop, the Cotswolds’ towns and villages have become sought-after destinations to get a taste of rural English charm.

That being said, the Cotswolds can get busy with tourists in the summer, but if you visit out of season or aim for one of the smaller villages, you can enjoy a peaceful stay. Spend your days wandering characterful lanes and village greens, before cosying up in front of an open fire at a quaint country inn.

As you’re absolutely spoilt for choice, let our round-up of the most beautiful Cotswolds towns and villages help you plan your trip.

Most beautiful Cotswolds towns and villages

1. Kingham

Dotted with thatched cottages, a charming village green and a Norman parish church, the village of Kingham offers a serene retreat. Despite its petite size, there are pickings of excellent food and drink. Choose from its two highly rated pubs, the Kingham Plough and The Wild Rabbit, or trot down to The Fox in the next-door village of Oddington. For amenities, the Kingham village store is irresistible. Thanks to the organic farmshop and luxury spa Daylesford, the village has become a stylish destination.

Where to stay

The Wild Rabbit is a former 18th-century inn that has been transformed into an elegant restaurant and hotel while retaining its country period features. Choose from hotel rooms with rustic but cosy features and exposed beams, or one of the self-catering cottages dotted around the village.

Read more: The best Cotswolds hotels for luxury spa breaks and countryside cuisine

2. Snowshill

Set in a valley escarpment, the winding roads leading to the idyllic village of Snowshill mean it remains a serene destination. Adorned with red post boxes, honey-coloured houses, and exceptional views of the Severn Vale, it’s no wonder this village was picked to star in Bridget Jones’ Diary. Snowshill is best known for the National Trust property Snowshill Manor. Once owned by King Henry VIII, the house and gardens were restored by architect and artist Charles Paget Wade. During a delightful day trip, peruse his eccentric collection of oddities that drew many famous visitors, including J B Priestley and Virginia Woolf. If you’re visiting in summer, soak up the fragrance of the Cotswolds’ Lavender Fields, which are home to over 35 types of lavender.

Where to stay

Snowshill is a small village and accommodation options are limited, so we’d suggest heading to Russell’s of Broadway, just a few minutes’ drive away. Once the workshop of designer Sir Gordon Russell, the hotel showcases the arts and crafts movement he was at the forefront of, from the staircase to cutlery. The food here is renowned – enjoy fresh produce from the Vale of Evesham and Cotswolds with the daily menu.

Read more: The best hotels in the Cotswolds for budget-friendly breaks and affordable rooms

3. Broadway

Crowned by some as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”, Broadway is a postcard-perfect village which offers plenty to fill your time. Its atmosphere is best soaked up by promenading its tree-lined high street where you’ll find a handful of pretty shops, as well as art galleries, museums and restaurants. The Gordon Russell Design Museum, celebrating the renowned 20th-century furniture designer, is among the most popular. For a view over the rolling hills, climb to the top of Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly created in Saxon-style.

Where to stay

The luxury hotel Abbots Grange Manor House has a seriously impressive guestbook with previous visitors including Claude Monet and Oscar Wilde. Wake up in a four-poster bed with plush furnishings and medieval features, before a game of croquet on the lawn.

Read more: The best boutique hotels in the Cotswolds

4. Chipping Campden

The market town Chipping Campden holds historic and cultural charm. For a window into the area’s development, discover Chipping Campden’s prosperity as a wool trading centre in the Middle Ages at the Court Barn Museum. Later, its market, or “chipping” in Old English, transformed the town into a bustling trading hub where local traders flocked to sell cheese, butter and poultry. The 17th-century Market Hall is wonderfully preserved. The curiosities continue with the Cotswold Olimpick Games in nearby Dover’s Hill. Founded in the 17th century, the bizarre mix of sports, games and village festivities, including the renowned ‘shin kicking’ contest, still attracts a large crowd.

Where to stay

Enjoy a tranquil retreat at the Cotswolds Hotel and Spa. Soak up the serenity at the pool and spa, which boasts a hydrotherapy pool, a hammam room and six treatment rooms, or pick a suite with a private hot tub for some undisturbed bliss.

Read more: The best spa hotels in the Cotswolds

5. Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water offers a great base to immerse yourself in the surrounding greenery and sites of the north Cotswolds. Explore by hiring a tandem from Hartwell’s cycle shop or set off on foot via the many paths. Save some time to enjoy the wild nature reserve at Greystones Farm. Free to visit, the reserve includes an Iron Age fort and camp called Salmonsbury Camp, which was once a meeting place during Neolithic and Iron Age periods. If you’re lucky, you might spot otters and water voles. Nicknamed “the Venice of the Cotswolds”, the village itself is delightful but can become busy with visitors keen to admire its many low bridges crossing the River Windrush.

Where to stay

The Old New Inn has been reworked from its role as a coaching inn into a stylish but laid-back nine-bedroom hotel with period features notable throughout. After breakfast, guests gain unique early access to the world-famous Model Village before it opens to the public.

Read more: Seven of the best walks in the Cotswolds

6. Lower Slaughter

Despite its macabre name, Lower Slaughter is arguably one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. Stone footbridges sweeping over the River Eye, cottages draped in flowers, and a peaceful parish church – it’s spellbinding. Once voted the most romantic street in Britain, stroll along Copsehill Road for wonderful views and picture-perfect cottages nestled up to the Victorian village hall, which now hosts a range of events and art exhibitions.

Where to stay

The Slaughters Manor House is a luxurious country stay. With crisp linen and plumped pillows, the rooms are enticing and boast views over the hotel’s five acres of landscaped gardens.

Read more: How to have a Rivals-style stay in the Cotswolds

7. Painswick

Known as the “Queen of the Cotswolds”, the historic hilltop town of Painswick is known for the well-preserved stone buildings that line its streets, including the oldest Post Office building in England. Deep in the Gloucestershire countryside, visitors can spend an entire day in Painswick meandering in and out of the charming boutiques, local artisan shops and galleries, as well as stopping at a tearoom or a cafe. A trip to this countryside town would not be complete without visiting the two-acre yard of St Mary’s Church to see the medieval place of worship, with its impressive stone spire, surrounded by 99 manicured yew trees. Another prime example of pristine cultivated grounds can be found at the Painswick Rococo Gardens, the UK’s only complete surviving gardens of its kind.

Where to stay

At approximately the halfway point of the Cotswolds Way, Painswick is an ideal place to stop and rest. One of the most recognisable stays in the town, and indeed the entirety of the Cotswolds, is The Painswick Hotel. Here, 17 boutique rooms and suites await guests with sprawling views of the surrounding countryside, while the hotel’s restaurant, Sauce, serves up classic dishes using local produce.

Read more: Can I visit Diddly Squat and The Farmer’s Dog? Our guide to Clarkson’s Farm Cotswold locations

8. Stow-on-the-Wold

One of the highest Cotswolds market towns, found 800 feet above sea level, Stow-on-the-Wold makes for some pretty impressive views of the nearby woodland and rolling hills. With its high position on the Roman Fosse Way, the town became a meeting point and a popular hub for trade for centuries. Evidence of the town’s historical importance can be seen in its Market Square, still the beating heart of Stow-on-the-Wold, surrounded by elegant stone houses, shops, antique stores and traditional pubs. One of the most spectacular spots to visit is the famous North Door at the medieval St Edward’s Church, which is flanked by two ancient yew trees that have merged into the door’s stone archway, making it look like an enchanted entrance found in a storybook. It is widely rumoured to have inspired the Doors of Durin in the Lord of the Rings franchise.

Where to stay

Stay within Stow-on-the-Wold’s market square at The Stag at Stow, a traditional pub with 23 rooms. Choose from doubles at the inn itself or suites at the “lodge”, the pub’s nearby Georgian townhouse. Locally sourced and seasonal dishes are served at the inn’s relaxed gastropub.

Read more: This luxury Cotswolds retreat is perfect for adventure-seeking families