Self-catering holiday cottages in the Cotswolds

A wonderful area for an outdoor holiday, the Cotswold hills are dotted with charming villages of the local honey coloured stone.  Designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty',  you will discover  romantic cottages with roses rambling over the porch and thriving country cottage gardens overflowing with plants and flowers. 

The Cotswolds is a great place to take a self catering cottage holiday.  Enjoy browsing through these country cottages and self catering cottages in the Cotswolds:

The main cities in the Cotswolds are: Cheltenham - famed for its Regency architecture, Gloucester with the magnificent Cathedral, elegant Stroud, Roman Cirencester, Tewkesbury and numerous pretty villages set in the hills.  It's good country for walking and outdoor pursuits with numerous tourist attractions for added interest.

The name ' Cotswolds' is derived from 'Cots' which is the old Saxon word for sheepfolds and 'Wolds' from the high open pastures.  Much of the wealth of the area was generated by sheep farming in the past. 

Holiday Cottage with lovely view in the Cotswolds
Sleeps 6-8,  4 stars

The Old Dairy, set in 4 acres of meadowland on an escarpment overlooking Regency Cheltenham offers wonderful views.  It's a remodelled 19th Century stone-built dairy that now features a 30ft vaulted sitting room with oak floors with a gallery and a wood burning stove.  Ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside.

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Self-catering holiday cottages with exposed beams in the Cotswolds

Sleep 2-6,  4 stars
Five barn conversions of a high standard can be found at Glebe Farm in Barnsley, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Each is beautifully furnished in a traditional style with antiques and pine. Old oak beams and exposed stonework add to their natural charm. Pets are welcome. Primroses and bluebell woods are well worth visiting in early May.

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Luxury holiday cottages in the Cotswolds
Sleep 2-8,  5 stars

Bruern Holiday Cottages in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire are self-catering at its best.  A collection of luxuriously furnished, 5 star stone conversions near the Cotswolds is the best that you will find anywhere.  Go for a swim in the evening after exploring the magnificent countryside and historic towns and villages - Bruern has its own outdoor swimming pool. The facilities and customer service are second to none.  

 

Self-catering holiday cottage near Cheltenham in the Cotswolds
Sleeps 2-4,  3 stars

Priory Cottage in Southam near Cheltenham, with some walls of original Cotswold stone has its own small garden for sitting out on warm summer evenings and enjoying the sunshine.  A wood burning stove in the sitting room keeps the house cosy.  You have to go up a small winding staircase to get to the two bedrooms. Pets are welcome.

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The Stable is a new self-catering conversion in the Cotswolds near Gloucester
Sleeps 2-5 in Whitminster, near Gloucester

The Stable.  Formerly used for cider-making and stabling working horses, this thoughtfully converted 200-year old detached cottage features a wealth of splendid elm timbering. Located on a working farm, it's cosy and comfortable with oil-fired central heating, electricity, linen and towels provided. Downstairs: large, well-equipped Kitchen/Dining Room with oil-fired Range Cooker, CD/Radio and sitting area. Upstairs: spacious bed/sitting room with king-size bed, sofa, widescreen TV, Video and views across the garden to fields; a twin-bedroom with additional pullout bed; separate bathroom/WC with shower over bath. Outside: fenced-in, lawned garden lined with mixed trees; patio with garden furniture and barbecue. The village, half a mile away, has a post office, Chinese Takeaway/Chip Shop, shop and pub serving meals. Public Footpaths can be joined directly from the farm.

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Points of interest in the Cotswolds:

  • The Cotswold Way for walkers runs for 95 miles from Chipping Campden to Bath
  • The Cotswolds are convenient for day trips to Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, all of which are about 1 hour's drive away
  • Stow-on-the-Wold was originally a major sheep market 
  • Nan Tow a local witch is believed to be buried  in a large Bronze Age round barrow on the A46 near Birdlip and Crickley Hills.
  • Find weavers' cottages in Bilbury
  • Gloucester has one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in the UK

Events in the Cotswolds

  • May - September, polo at Cirencester Park every Sunday
  • Badminton (May) and Gatcombe Horse trials
  • Cheltenham Races - March and November
  • Fairford Air Show
  • Cheltenham Music Festival in July
  • Cheltenham Three Choirs Festival in August