Places to Visit in The Cotswolds and Things to Do

A guide to the Cotswolds and all the fun things to see and do while in the area. The Cotswolds are an area in the South West of England, including the Cotswold Hills. The hills rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment known as the Cotswold Edge.

The @aboutglos guide includes information about the many villages, events, and tourist attractions in the area. They classify the area as a “National Landscape”, making the hills a great place for walkers. This includes the Cotswold way walk, which navigates you the length of the Cotswold hills. There are also many companies offering to show you around all the premier sites in the area. Thus, it is a great place for a holiday in the region.

About The Cotswolds

The official area of the Cotswolds National Landscape is a big 790 square miles. It is the largest National Landscape in England and Wales, stretching from the border regions of South Warwickshire and Worcestershire through West Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and taking in parts of Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset in the South.

Places To Visit: Towns and Villages in The Cotswolds

Wotton-under-Edge

The town of Wotton-under-Edge is on the south side of the county and is a nice place to visit. It is on the Cotswold way route with some great local walks. A highlight of my visit was ghost hunting at the 13th-century Ancient Ram Inn.

Wotton-under-Edge also has many other interesting sights, including the parish church, Wotton Auction rooms and a heritage centre. The town centre has a good selection of independent shops, pubs and restaurants. For foodies the Falcon is a good place for steaks and The Star a vibrant local pub.

Roman Town of Cirencester

Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire and is affectionately known as “The Capital of The Cotswolds”. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames. It is also the largest town in the Cotswold District. The town dates back to before Roman times and celebrates its past in the local museum.

There are many things for visitors to Cirencester to do. The Corinium Museum‘s major collection consists of important finds from the Roman town of Corinium. It’s a fantastic museum to visit, especially if you have an interest in Roman History. There are also some nice churches, the picturesque cirencester park and a diverse selection of places to dine out.

Painswick

Painswick is a beautiful place to visit in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. Painswick is one of England’s oldest Wool Towns, thus money from the wool industry enabled lots of nice buildings to be built in the town. It is one of many nice places to visit on the famous Cotswold Way Walk.

Stroud

There are many things to see in the town of Stroud, which is located where five valleys meet. There are many nice buildings to see, including a pretty church. It is also home to the fantastic Stroud market, which is a great place to enjoy local food. I enjoy visiting the town as part of longer walks in the area.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in the Cotswolds on the beautiful River Windrush. People know the village for its low bridges and traditional stone houses, making it very picturesque. The village has many attractions and also has great places to dine out.

Tetbury

Tetbury is a lovely town to visit, and there are lots of pleasant aspects to it. The town is a great option to visit on a tour of the Cotswolds.

It lies on the site of an ancient hill fort on which an Anglo-Saxon monastery was built. Tetbury is the most famous for hosting the annual Tetbury Woolsack Races each year.

The town centre is pretty and has some good options for places to dine out and pubs to relax in.

My Favorite Things to Do in the Cotswolds

There are lots of places to visit and things to see or do in the area. Options include many outdoor activities, such as walking or visiting historical sights. The Cotswolds is a great place for photography, with beautiful countryside and picturesque villages.

Hike on The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile footpath, running along the Cotswold Edge escarpment of the Cotswold Hills. It is a popular route for multi-day or week-long hikes through the area, as well as for day-long walks in sections of it. The Cotswold Way became a National Trail on 24 May 2007.

The route of the Cotswold Way runs from Bath to Chipping Campden or in reverse, depending on where you wish to end. Villages and towns on the route include Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley, Stroud, Painswick, Cranham, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Winchcombe, Stanway and Broadway. Highlights of the walk include Sudley Castle, Cleeve Hill, Hailes Abbey, and the iconic Broadway Tower. There are many other options for hikes in the Cotswold Hills.

Have Fun at Cotswold Wildlife Park

The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens exhibits mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates from all around the world. The gardens and grounds are part of the Bradwell Grove estate.

The manor house at Bradwell Grove dates from 1804. They planted many of the mature trees in the park in the 19th century. In 1970, the owner, John Heyworth, opened the gardens to the public with 230 animals from 40 species exhibited. http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Fountain at Stanway House

Visit Stanway House and Fountain, a Jacobean Manor House and the world’s tallest gravity-fed fountain. Family home of the Earl of Wemyss with water gardens and a 14th-century tithe barn. Restored working watermill next door to the main house. On the Cotswold Way. Tues and Thurs afternoons in June, July and August. Groups, however, can visit by appointment any time of year. www.stanwayfountain.co.uk

Westonbirt Arboretum

The historic, Victorian, picturesque landscape and internationally important tree and shrub collection. The Forestry Commission manages this; however, it is supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. This is a stunning place to visit in all seasons but shines with colour in autumn.

Woodchester Mansion

Woodchester Mansion is an unfinished Gothic revival mansion in Woodchester Park, near Nympsfield. It is on the site of an earlier house known as Spring Park. Woodchester Mansion is a Grade I listed building, built on the site of a former house called Spring Park. They recorded land in the village of Woodchester in the Domesday Book; they completed the Domesday book in 1086. In the middle ages, the manor had many owners, including William Leigh, who built the house.

They constructed the building in the Victorian Gothic style; the property is unique because it is unfinished. This means visitors can actually see how parts of the property and others of this period were constructed. Ideal for those with an interest in architecture. Self-guided tours are available most weekends. These cost £8.50 and must be booked in advance. Woodchester Mansion is nestled in a wooded valley with parkland, lakes, and pastures. They call this Woodchester Park. The park is a National Trust property and is free to explore the beautiful countryside here.

Great British Food Festival

The Great British Food Festival serves up a tasty menu of exhibitors as it comes to The Cotswolds. There are also activities for all ages. The festival typically features an artisan market, food challenges, and also an interactive baking stage. Festival-goers can browse everything from cheeses, sauces and fresh fruit juices to barbecue and international specialities.

Westonbirt House

Westonbirt House is a country house in The Cotswold and is about 3 miles southwest of Tetbury. It belonged to the Holford family from 1665 until 1926. They constructed the house of high-quality ashlar masonry on a grand scale. The exterior is in an Elizabethan style, with a symmetrical main building and asymmetric wings. However, one of them contains a conservatory. The interiors are in a sumptuous classical style.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

In the picturesque Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, you can visit Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a beautiful place to visit. This garden is a living canvas that has been lovingly nurtured and cultivated for generations. Kiftsgate Court Gardens’ history dates back to the early 20th century.

The design of Kiftsgate Court Gardens beautifully blends formal and informal elements. When visiting, you can see elegant terraces adorned with vibrant roses, winding pathways, and secluded corners. One of the most iconic features of Kiftsgate Court Gardens is the famous Kiftsgate Rose. This is a white-flowered climbing rose that cascades over a pergola. The garden is open to visitors from spring to autumn, and each season brings its own unique charm. You can find out more on their website.

Dine Out

Throughout the area are many fantastic places to dine out, including cafes, pubs and restaurants. Many of these specialise in locally sourced seasonal produce and have excellent menus. My preference is the country pubs that you find when exploring the trails in the hills. Places I enjoy dining out, including in Painswick, Cirencester, Stroud and the surrounding countryside