Short Breaks in The Cotswolds
“Quintessentially English” is a term commonly used to describe The Cotswolds area in England. The Cotswolds is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and covers almost 800 square miles over parts of the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. The landscape is famed for is rolling green hills, stone walls, and enchanting small towns and villages with their buildings of honey-coloured Cotswold stone. It’s all very quaint and English and is a very popular destination for visitors. And guess what that means? It’s going to be very difficult to choose one of the many great short breaks in the Cotswolds.
Perhaps start your decision-making with the type of break you most enjoy.
Do you want to discover grand buildings, stately homes, and gardens, relax and explore the cities, villages, and towns, learn about the history, or use your own power to experience the glorious countryside?
There are short breaks catering for all manner of activities, too. And with the many beautiful places the Cotswolds offer, choosing the right short break in the Cotswolds will not be easy.
My first experience of The Cotswolds was not that pleasant, as I had an uncomfortable ride in the 120-mile international Tour of The Cotswolds cycle race. The weather was wet and cold and starting from Gloucester the race went up and down, left, and right along twisting, narrow roads. I didn’t get to see much of the Cotswolds' famed beauty as I struggled in the race, but I do remember Bibury being pretty as we flashed through. Little did I know that about 10 years later The Cotswolds were to be my home for almost 16 years and my first cycle ride from our new home was out through Bibury!
Lakeside View of Blenheim Palace © essentially-england.comHere are some of my favourite Cotswolds places.
|
Bibury |
Arlington
Row, Trout Farm, & watching the trout swimming in the River Coln whilst eating ice cream. |
|
Castle Combe |
Often called the prettiest village in England. |
|
Lacock |
A pretty National Trust village that is popular for filming period dramas. Lacock Abbey. |
|
Stanton |
Lovely village with thatched cottages. |
|
Upper & Lower Slaughter |
Two lovely villages and close rivals to Castle Combe. |
|
Bourton-on-the-Water |
Busy town with
lots of attractions and often referred to as the Venice of The Cotswolds. |
|
Broadway |
Lovely
town with a heritage railway and climb to Broadway Tower for great views. |
|
Burford |
Historic
town beside the River Windrush. Lots of gorgeous little artisan shops! |
|
Chipping Campden |
Lively Cotswold town with lots of nice “Cotswoldy” buildings. |
|
Stow-on-the-Wold |
Busy market town with plenty of independent shops. Must see St Edwards Church and its "Tolkien-like" door. |
|
Stratford-upon-Avon |
Birthplace of William Shakespeare with many old, half-timbered buildings and a peaceful riverside walk. |
Short Breaks in The Cotswolds
I've listed some of my favourite Cotswold places, and I haven't even started to list all the great sites. Take a look a some of these fantastic short breaks in The Cotswolds. You're spoilt for choice!
Charming Cotswolds
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Cheltenham hotel & back from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Bourton-on-the-Water & Stow-on-the-Wold.
- Travel on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway to Broadway & Snowshill Manor.
- Optional extra day out to the city of Worcester.
Highgrove & The Cotswolds
4 Days / 3 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Gloucester hotel & back from various pick-up points from London.
Visit
- Rodmarton Manor house & gardens.
- Hidcote Manor Gardens & Kiftsgate Court.
- Discover Highgrove gardens, country home of His Majesty The King.
- 17th century Misarden Park & Westonbirt National Arboretum.
Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Coach travel to Warwickshire hotel & back from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Wonderful Warwick & historic Warwick Castle.
- Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare.
- Traditional Cotswolds towns of Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, & Moreton-in-Marsh.
Oxford & Cream of The Cotswolds
4 Days / 3 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel to Warwickshire Hotel from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Discover the wonderful buildings, parks, and riverside of the university city of Oxford.
- Cotswolds tour including the two delightful towns of Bourton-on-the-Water & Stow-on-the-Wold.
Classic Cotswolds Villages
3 Days / 2 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel to Warwickshire Hotel from various pick-up points.
Visit
- Learn about the life of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Admire the architecture & parkland in Leamington Spa.
- Bourton-on-the-Water & Stow-on-the-Wold.
Heart of England
6 Days / 5 Nights
Travel
Start & finish in London. Hotels in London, Stratford, & Bath.
Visit
- Guided walking tour of Oxford, & visit Chipping Camden.
- Stratford-upon-Avon & Cotswold tour.
- Lacock & Bath.
- Longleat House & Avebury.
A Cotswold Scene - The Ford at Shilton © essentially-england.comActivity Breaks in The Cotswolds
Walking in The Cotswolds
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your hotel between Bath & Chippenham.
Visit
- Discover the historic wool town of Painswick.
- Walk the five valleys walk starting from Painswick (12km/7.5 miles).
-
Wonder at the Roman Baths and Georgian architecture in Bath.
- Step back in time in peaceful Lacock which is owned by The National Trust and often used as a film location for period dramas.
- Bibury & Arlington Row walk (7km/4.3 miles).
- Explore Bourton-on-the-Water which is often called The Venice of the Cotswolds.
Best of The Cotswolds Cycling
7 Days / 6Nights
Travel
Make your own way to Broadway hotel & from Bourton-on-the-Water.
Visit
- Bike hire & luggage transfers included.
- Circular route to Winchcombe & back via historic Studley Castle, Hailes Abbey, & Stanton (47km/29 miles).
- Circular route to Chipping Campden via Broadway Tower & Snowshill Manor (29km/18 miles).
- Broadway to Bourton-on-the-Water (40km/25 miles).
- Circular route via Burford (44km/27 miles).
- Circular route to Stow-on-the-Wold (44km/27 miles).
The Cotswolds Way Walk
10 Days / 9 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to Chipping Campden hotel & from Bath.
Visit
- Chipping Campden to Stanton (16km/10 miles).
- Stanton to Prestbury Hill (25km/15 miles).
- Prestbury Hill to Birdlip (21km/13 miles).
- Birdlip to Leonard Stanley (27km/17 miles).
- Leonard Stanley to Wotton-under-Edge (24km/15 miles).
- Wotton-under-Edge to Old Sodbury (21km/13 miles).
- Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton (14km/9 miles).
- Cold Ashton to Bath(16km/10 miles).
Travelling on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway © essentially-england.comSpecial Interest Short Breaks in The Cotswolds
Gardens of The Cotswolds
4 Days / 3 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your Gloucestershire hotel.
Visit
- Introductory talk from horticulturalist tour guide, Tony Russell.
- Hidcote Manor Garden & Kiftsgate Court.
- Rodmarton Manor & Batsford Arboretum.
- The Gardens at Miserden & Highgrove House Gardens including 2-course lunch.
Charming Houses of The Cotswolds
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Make your own way to/from your Gloucestershire hotel.
Visit
- Themed evening lecture.
- Guided tours of Rodmarton Manor & Chavenage House.
- Afternoon tea at
Chavenage House.
- Sudeley Castle & Stanway House.
- Enjoy a train ride on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
- Broadway & Sezincote House.
Castles & Houses of The Cotswolds
5 Days / 4 Nights
Travel
Return coach travel from London to your Gloucestershire hotel.
Visit
- Blenheim Palace.
- Chavenage House, Bourton-on-the-Water, & Sudeley Castle and Gardens.
- Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway trip to Broadway, Snowshill Manor, & Hidcote Manor Gardens.
- Eythrope Garden & Waddesdon Manor and Gardens.
There are some brilliant tours around and hopefully my examples have stimulated your plans for a wonderful visit to The Cotswolds. For even more short breaks in The Cotswolds click here.
Happy travels...
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