The Top 5 Villages You Have to Visit in the Cotswolds
Here is a list of our top 5 favourite Cotswold villages to visit!
The Cotswolds is a region in the central southwest side of England. It is the jewel of the English countryside and is perfect for those wanting to get away from neighbouring cities like Oxford and Birmingham to enjoy a slower pace of life. Before moving to England, I had been traveling to the United Kingdom for years. The one place we consistently went to was the Cotswolds. It’s my happy place, and you’ll understand as you drive around this quaint landscape of countless towns and villages spread across 800 square miles, with about 80 percent of it being farmland. The Cotswolds is spread across 5 counties with endless sites, so it can be a bit overwhelming to determine where to go. Well, we’ve been to the Cotswolds many times and have compiled a list of 5 places that we just keep coming back to. Don’t get me wrong, everywhere is beautiful and unique, so you should look into other places too, but we feel the best of the best are the ones mentioned in this blog. So, let’s talk about them!
#5 - Bampton
When you drive into Bampton, it may just seem like a typical Cotswold village, but it actually has some fun explorations to visit, especially if you’re a Downton Abbey fan. If you’re a fan of the show like I am, you will notice some familiar sites. This is the village that was used as a filming location for the show. They filmed all the scenes involving the church weddings/funerals, Dr. Clarkson’s office, Downton Abbey funfair, Downton Post Office, The Grantham Arms, Isobel Crawley’s house, and more. What’s interesting about Bampton is that it isn’t overrun by tourists like other filming locations around England. It’s a very quiet community with not much activity. There are a few pubs and shops, but it’s mainly a place to walk around, enjoy the landscape, and engage with the locals.
#4 - Lower Slaughter
There are actually two parts to this area: Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. Although both are traditionally “Cotswold,” we agree that Lower Slaughter is the more beautiful of the two. This is because there is a relaxing walking trail that runs along the River Eye, which is a river that has been flowing through the Slaughters for more than a century. Here, you will also find The Slaughters Manor House, a mansion that has been sitting in Lower Slaughter since 1004, although it looks different with many additions and alterations added since the late 1600’s. There are also patio restaurants and a couple gift shops. And, if you were a fan of the 2020 film Emma, you will recognise this place, as it was used as a filming location for the movie.
#3 - Castle Combe
Castle Combe is full of history in its gorgeous Cotswold display. With its name being called Castle Combe, it did indeed house a castle at one point, but it was destroyed many centuries ago. When I learned about this the first time, I was a little disappointed. However, there’s a lot that makes up for its lack of castle. One fascinating bit of history about this place is that it once belonged to Roman occupants. It was discovered recently that there was a bath house, corn drying ovens, and a villa. Later on in the 14th century, Castle Combe became a village to hold weekly markets and showcase their mastery in the cloth industry. When you travel here, you can see the original market centre along with the wells that were used during that period. During WWII, Royal Air Force (RAF) Castle Combe was established nearby, housing runways, a control tower, and hangers to support the airmen and their planes. Airfield buildings were used to provide temporary housing for military members from Poland. And, you can see filming locations from 1967’s Doctor Dolittle, Stardust, War Horse (you can see photos in the local church), Downton Abbey, and many others. Are you picking up on the trend yet?
#2 - Bourton-on-the-Water
The only problem I have with Bourton-on-the-Water is that everybody loves it here, so it can get quite busy! This beautiful Cotswold village was my introduction to the Cotswolds many years ago. It wasn’t crowded then, but many people have discovered it as being one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in all of the Cotswolds. Often nicknamed “Venice of the Cotswolds,” It is host to the stunning River Windrush, which pretty much goes through the entire village. You can take it in by walking on the many bridges, bringing a picnic, or enjoying one of the many bistros and cafes near the river. You can also get the chance to see one of my childhood heroes, Brum, at the Cotswold Motoring Museum, go antiquing/purchasing souvenirs, wander through the hedges at The Dragonfly Maze, or simply dip your toes in the shallow parts of the river. Personally, I think there is more to do here than in other areas of the Cotswolds. It also has several activities for children, so it is a great choice for those who have smaller children with them.
#1 - Bibury
When you see pictures on social media of the Cotswolds, it’s probably photos of Bibury. This is the crown jewel of the Cotswolds. Why? Because it perfectly encapsulates everything about the Cotswolds in a single village. You will see the traditional Cotswold limestone 14th century cottages easily seen on the Arlington Row, the tranquil river Coln flowing through streams against many small bridges, and wildflowers growing throughout the village to paint a landscape for beauty and simplicity. It’s no wonder why the 19th century artist William Morris described Bibury as “the most beautiful village in England.” However, it wasn’t until 1898 that author Joseph Gibbs really put Bibury on the map with his book A Cotswold Village. In 1921, the crown prince of Japan, Hirohito, stayed in Bibury while on his European visit, recounting his time in Bibury as some of the happiest moments of his life. His time here may have influenced the popular Manga Kin-iro Mosaic and the Japanese studios Bibury Animation Studios. However, Bibury probably looks a little different from when the former Prince Hirohito came while on his tour. Many of the cottages were restructured and merged together in the 1970’s to provide more comfort for the 21st century needs. You will find some charming B&B’s, gift shops, and famous Cotswold lavender chocolates, among other goods. If you only have time to visit one Cotswold village, Bibury is our suggestion so you can really get a sense of the natural beauty of Cotswold life!
