Best towns and villlages to visit in the Cotswolds

Best towns and villlages to visit in the Cotswolds

If you are planning a trip to the Cotswolds but have no idea where to start looking then this guide is for you. I have grown up on the edge of the Cotswolds so have lots of knowledge to share from this beautiful part of England. Is this right for you? - You want to take the stress out of finding which places are worth visiting - If you are looking for popular towns but also the non-touritsy villages to visit - If you are looking to do walks and hikes starting from the towns or villages
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Bourton-on-the-Water
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One of the most popular towns in the Cotswolds and a great starting point.
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Lower Slaughter
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A quaint village near to Bourton-on-the-water
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Broadway
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The pretty High Street is lined with horse chestnut trees and includes a mixture of period houses & picturesque honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages which have lured visitors for centuries
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Bibury
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This is where you will find the famous Arlington row. It’s easy to see why William Morris called Bibury ‘The most beautiful village in England’ – wonderful stone buildings strung out along the banks of the River Coln.
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Stow-on-the-Wold
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The Market Square is large and impressive and testifies to the town’s former importance. It is surrounded by town houses, independent shops, antique centres, cosy cafes and inns all built in the mellow local stone, and it has been the focus of town life over many centuries,
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Moreton-in-Marsh
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Moreton in Marsh is a thriving market town with excellent public transport links including a direct rail link to London.
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Cirencester
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Cirencester, known as the Capital of the Cotswolds, is a lovely market town with a fascinating history where you will receive a warm welcome.
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Painswick
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A beautiful small village know as the queen of the Cotswolds not as touristy as some of the other villages
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Snowshill
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Beautiful quaint village set in the countryside about 5 minutes from Broadway
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Stanton
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The medieval parish church has some early 14th century wall paintings and grooves on the packs of pews, marks made when shepherds used to tie their dogs on the Cotswold Way.
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Stanway
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This estate village is centred upon the magnificent Stanway House with its baroque gatehouse and formal gardens with the highest (gravity fed) fountain in the world. The beautiful tithe barn and medieval church are also part of the Stanway estate.
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Burford
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Burford’s famous High Street sweeps downhill towards the River Windrush, its three-arched medieval bridge and its impressive church, both sides of the street flanked by an unbroken line of ancient houses and shops.
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Castle Combe
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One of the most beautiful and quaint villages in the Cotswolds. A very popular destination for tourists in the summer (all year round to be honest). So make sure to arrive early
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If you would like to spend the day visiting some of these beutiful towns and villages but not sure where to start then I have the perfect one-day Cotswold road trip.

If you would like personalised recommendations and/or help planning your Cotswold itinerary then I also offer those services. 

For more free tips and travel itineraries follow me on TikTok and Instagram at Postcardsfromrachael. I also post travel vlogs over on my YouTube channel

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Rachael and I am a travel content creator based in the UK local to the beautiful Cotswolds. I first found my love for travel when I visited South Africa to volunteer for a month back in 2018. Since then I have visited numerous counties on a budget and spent 2 months travelling around Italy in 2022. I have put together extensive travel guides and itineraries from my travels around Europe to help make your next trip an unforgettable experience.
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