This guide will provide a day-by-day outline of the Cotswolds, mainly in the Gloucestershire area, including what to do and where to stay!

Cotswolds, UK

Gloucestershire, UK

Cheltenham, UK

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, UK

3 Day Itinerary to 
THE COTSWOLDS

Start the day early by driving or getting public transport to your starting point – we suggest heading towards Oxfordshire to Woodstock. Your first and only stop for the day is at Blenheim Palace – Park @ Blenheim Palace Car Park.

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Seeing as this day has been quite busy and to avoid rushing the day, as well as the trip, we suggest staying over one last night – this may be at the same accommodation or something a little closer to home.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to one of Europe’s most extensive collections of portraits, sculptures and tapestries, but the Palace is better known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The Palace itself is a ‘masterpiece of Baroque architecture’ and with 187 rooms this magnificent building will not struggle to impress you. 

To visit Blenheim Palace, you have three options.

Throughout the year Blenheim Palace offers various exhibitions and events, and during our visit, they held a ‘Royal Connections Crowns and Coronets’ exhibition. This explored the relationship between Queen Anne and the 1st Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, while also displaying numerous outfits that have been designed for TV shows such as The Crown and Bridgerton. The most popular events held at Blenheim are the Battle Proms Picnic Concert, Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Christmas at Blenheim Palace and Salon Privé (car show).

Blenheim Palace can keep you occupied all day but if you finish your exploration with sunlight left, take a meander into Woodstock to visit its many cafes and shops, before heading to your accommodation.

We suggest basing yourself in Bourton-on-the-Water, and the surrounding area, as this is central to all destinations in this trip as well as it being a stunning little village, and in an attempt to save money, we would also suggest booking an Airbnb with a kitchen. So with that, once you have finished in Woodstock head to the town of Kidlington to grab 3-4 days’ worth of groceries from Sainsburys. 

Once at your Airbnb, unload the shopping, unpack your bags, have some homemade dinner and a cosy night in.

Using your groceries brought the day before, you cook up a full English breakfast, prepare a packed lunch and head out to Toddington.

Well actually, you are going to bypass the town and head straight to Toddington Railway Station – Park @ Toddington Station Car Park.

From here you are going to grab either a steam train or a diesel train, or both, to your chosen destination, in this case, we are heading to Broadway.

For a return trip per adult from Toddington to Broadway is £14 and worth every penny. The journey may be short (15 minutes) but the experience of feeling like you are in Harry Potter beats every time.

Next, visit Chipping Campden. Here you can explore more cute shops, cafes and architecture – Roadside Parking. One place we recommend while in Chipping Campden is taking a walk down to St. James Church

The church is nothing out of the norm, but the garden is stunning and feels like something out of Alice in Wonderland (but minus the size).

To finish off the day you will head towards your accommodation and finally venture into Bourton-on-the-Water – Park @ Rissington Road Car Park.

Like Broadway and Chipping Campden, you can explore the shops and cafes, but in Bourton-on-the-Water, you want to spend most of your time strolling along the beauty of the steam. 

Wake up early for breakfast and head to your first of three stops, for the day. With that, you head to Broadway.

Yesterday you would have had a quick glimpse at the town of Broadway but today you will be experiencing Broadway Tower - Park @ Broadway Car Park.

The site not only houses the Tower but is also home to a large park and a Nuclear Bunker (which is open on the weekend between 10am-5pm throughout April-October).

The whole experience of climbing the tower, venturing out into the park, diving down into the bunker and parking, comes at an extremely cheap cost of £20. However, if you are rushed for time, climbing the tower costs £14 and parking is £5.

Once finished, head to Stanway for Stanway Watermill – Roadside Parking. A 13th century fulling mill converted into a modern flour mill. Entrance is £3 per adult (Thurs 10am-12pm, September-May) and (Tues & Thurs 2pm-5pm June, July and August).

Next, move on to Bibury – Roadside Parking - to see the famous Arlington Row.

So last on the agenda for the evening is to watch the sun go down, cook a homemade dinner and pack your bags for an early check out in the morning.

Below are five recommendations for where to stay in The Cotswold.

We have ordered them from lowest to highest price with all accommodation placed within Bourton-on-the-Water.

These places have been selected due to good value for money, location, fit for destination and overall ratings.

The budget for these accommodations ranges from £95 to £135 - a budget we personally would be happy to pay, but you can most definitely go under or over this.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Option 5

For £28 per adult, you can visit the park, the formal gardens and the walled garden.

For £38 per adult, you can visit the above as well as the Palace and its exhibits.It also includes a free annual pass, meaning that throughout the year you can attend as many times as you wish with an additional cost on certain events.

For £48 per adult, you can visit the above as well as get a 15% discount in the shop and restaurants within the Palace.

3 Day Itinerary to THE COTSWOLDS

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