The Cotswolds Travel Guide

The Cotswolds is one of my favourite places in the world. I grew up thirty minutes away so I’ve been visiting since I was a baby, and I go back several times a year.

I’ve stayed in over twenty hotels, visited more pubs and restaurants than I can count, and I’ve spent long periods of time in each village.

I’ve written this guide to make it easy for you to plan your trip to The Cotswolds. It includes my favourite villages, restaurants and hotels, plus some information on getting around.

How long do you need in The Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds covers a really large area spanning five different counties, so I’d recommend at least three full days to give you enough time to see the main sights, but don’t expect to see it all in that time.

If you have the time, I’d stay for a week.

Getting around The Cotswolds

I’d recommend hiring a car to give you total flexibility on which villages you visit and when.

The Cotswolds is a very popular destination and it gets extremely busy, especially in summer, so having a car also means you can arrive early to avoid the crowds.

The only downside of hiring a car in The Cotswolds is that the country roads can be very narrow and windy. If you’re not used to driving in the English countryside, I’d recommend booking a day trip.

This small group tour starts in London and takes you to four of the most beautiful villages in The Cotswolds, so you don’t need to worry about anything apart from snapping beautiful photos!