What are the Cotswolds?

Located in the Southcentral, West Midlands, and South West areas of England, the Cotswolds is a region that spans over 800 square miles. This region is one of the United Kingdom's national treasures, even being dubbed the 'Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' with thousands flocking to its rolling hills and postcard-perfect villages every year. There are various towns and villages situated within this region, all with the same characterising features of lush, green landscapes and honey-coloured, stone architecture. The Cotswolds is a popular spot for travelers wanting a weekend away, perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs. 

Where are the Cotswolds? 

The Cotswolds are located in the South Western and West Central areas of England (as stated above), making them an easy day trip away from other destinations such as London and Wales. The Cotswolds are mainly made up of rural regions with tonnes of villages and towns amongst kilometres of footpaths, natural walkways and trails both through rolling meadows, wide-open fields and forested woodland. 

The Cotswolds is also divided by stone walls located through the landscape making it easy to determine different counties and villages. 

What county are the Cotswolds in?

The Cotswolds encompass several counties including Somerset, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire but are primarily located in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. While each different area has the same characterising features of expansive greenery and romantic, villages made out of stone, they also each have a lot more to offer from traipsing through castles to taking in the individual history of each county. 

Where to go in the Cotswolds 

There are a lot of different places to explore in the Cotswolds, each one as beautiful and picturesque as the next. However, some of the more popular places to visit are: 

  • Chipping Campden

  • Stow-on-the-wold

  • Stanton

  • Upper and Lower Slaughter

  • Bourton-on-the-water

Each one of these destinations has features that will keep you occupied for hours, as well as a rich, deep history that's just waiting to be learned about and explored. 

Regardless of which villages you decided to visit, each destination offers an array of quaint and welcoming eateries from centuries-old pubs to world-class restaurants, all with a focus on serving fresh, local produce that's sure to satisfy your tastebuds. 

Finding someplace to stay in the Cotswolds isn't too hard either with a range of hotels, B&Bs, and manor houses available to rent in whatever village you decided to spend some more time in. 

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