Guide to Cotswolds AONB for Cottage Holidays

For idyllic English countryside, beautiful historical villages and towns, outdoor pursuits galore and unique attractions, the Cotswolds is one of the very best areas of England to enjoy a cottage break.

 

 

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Rolling Countryside Galore Awaits in the Cotswolds 

A national landscape and formerly an AONB, the tranquil Cotswold Hills stretch from the beautiful spa city of Bath in the south, all the way up and east up past Cirencester and all the way up to Chipping Norton and Woodstock in the north east.  The Cotswolds is a quintessentially English, beautiful area of countryside which criss-crosses from Wiltshire across Gloucestershire and in to Oxfordshire and even covers small parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

The Cotswolds Way guides visitors to some of the best of the area.

With abundant natural beauty, the Cotswolds AONB is a popular area for walking, hiking and sightseeing.  The area offers a quintessentially English feel where you can feel like you've stepped back in time and experience a taste of traditional English life.
 

Quaint Cotswold AONB Villages and Towns 

The Cotswolds is home to many pretty towns and villages where the buildings are made from warm toned honey coloured stone, giving the area much charm and appeal.  Often these villages and towns are home to lovely little cafes, country inns and boutique-style shops. Dine out whilst on holiday in the Cotswolds at the local pubs and restaurants selling good quality English fare. Towns obviously have more facilities than the quieter smaller villages.

Gems in the Cotswolds include Bourton on the Water, Burford, Chipping Campden, Chipping Norton, Stow on the Wold and more.   Read our guide to the Cotswold’s most picturesque villages and towns for ideas and inspiration.

 

Unique Attractions and Places to Visit in the Cotswolds National Landscape 

Cotswolds is home to some fascinating local attractions, including historical attractions including stately homes with gardens, and Arboretums where you can enjoy walks amongst greenery and see a fascinating variety of trees.  Unique Cotswold attractions include:

 

•    Batsford Arboretum

•    Blenheim Palace with its extensive parklands, on the edge of Woodstock.

•    Highgrove Gardens.

•    Painswick Rococo Garden.

•    Roman Spa City of Bath (just outside of the Cotswolds, this UNESCO heritage site is an amazing place to visit).

•    Sudeley Castle and Gardens.

•    Westonbirt, the National Arboretum
 

 

Explore the Great Outdoors on Holiday in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking along the Cotswold Way, along the Cross Cotswolds Pathway and ambling across the Thames Path which criss-crosses across the Cotswolds.   There are also various scenic routes where you can cycle or enjoy a spot of wildlife watching.

We hope we’ve inspired you with our guide to the Cotswolds.  From unspoilt tranquil countryside ideal for outdoor pursuits, to charming historic villages and towns, and fascinating attractions, the Cotswolds is one of England’s best loved areas for romantic breaks and getaways with friends and family.