Often referred to as the 'Heart of England', the Cotswolds is one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations with a huge choice of cottages to rent. Attracting visitors from all over the world, all year round, this beautiful part of Central England is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales and renowned for its beautiful rolling landscape, fantastic gastropubs, historic market towns and honey-coloured pretty villages. Its close proximity to London makes the Cotswolds a perfect destination for weekend breaks. Read more
High House offers the rare opportunity to stay in an authentic Arts and Crafts house close to the centre of Chipping Campden. Designed by Robert Ashbee and sympathetically renovated to sleep six people in three bedrooms, it is wonderfully comfortable and convenient for shops, cafes, restaurants, and other amenities you need for a self-catering holiday in the Cotswolds. The holiday home is within easy reach of farm parks, gardens, market towns and museums, and under an hour from Bicester, Blenheim Palace, Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon for days of shopping and sightseeing.
A holiday in the Cotswolds is a thing of joy. The Old Chapel is a beautifully converted period chapel in the quiet village of Cleveley and only a few miles from Chipping Norton and Soho Farm House. It sleeps five people in three bedrooms and suits couples, families or friends. Perfect for a country escape and beautiful walks from the doorstep. Enjoy sitting on the desk surrounded by a large private garden. The area is wonderfully rural yet within easy reach of Blenheim Palace, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bicester Village, Shakespeare's Stratford-on-Avon, and the spires of Oxford. It's perfect for a holiday in any season.
Pretty inside and out, this Cotswolds stone 18th Century cottage has lots of original character and provides a welcoming holiday retreat ideally placed in the village of Middle Barton in Oxfordshire. The vibrant town of Chipping Norton is close by with a good range of shops, pubs and restaurants, and an abundance of attractions are within easy reach including nearby Blenheim Palace in Woodstock and Oxford City centre.
Why would you even consider going abroad for your holiday with the beautiful Cotswold Water Park as an option? The 40-square mile nature reserve boasts over 150 lakes and has been carefully developed to protect the natural habitat for birds and wildlife while still being superbly comfortable for holidaymakers. Grey Heron Lodge is a waterfront holiday home with ample space for up to six people, with three comfortable bedrooms, an open-plan living area and a huge wrap-around deck. Guests have use of onsite facilities that include watersports, play areas, and a bar and restaurant. They can fish next to the lodge, and the owners have provided a two-person kayak for them to use on Windrush Lake. Dogs and children are very welcome, making Grey Heron Lodge a firm favourite with families and friends, as well as couples who appreciate a great location, pet friendly accommodation and extra space.
Indulge in 5-Star Gold luxury within walking distance of famous sights and fantastic amenities at Heritage Mews. The modern holiday cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon is only a 10-15 minutes walk from places like Shakespeare's Birthplace, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and the River Avon, offering a very high standard of accommodation for three people in two bedrooms. The cottage has a beautiful private courtyard garden, off-street parking for two cars, and lots of touches that will ensure you're very comfortable in every season. It's a perfect choice for exploring Stratford-upon-Avon and the wider Warwickshire countryside and the nearby Cotswolds. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
Lagoon Villa is in the exclusive Somerford 'Nines' on the Lower Mill Estate overlooking Somerford Lagoon in the Cotswold Water Park. The contemporary holiday home has five bedrooms and three bathrooms and is ideal for families and friends. You couldn't plan a more relaxing self-catering holiday than here, with swimming pools, tennis courts, spa facilities, and watersports readily accessible. The 450-acre park is a haven for birds and wildlife with nature trails and traffic-free cycling routes to make it easy to explore. A well-behaved dog is welcome and the property is child-friendly. Short breaks and extended stays are possible all year round.
A spacious and modern lakeside holiday house located on the highly desirable Lower Mill Estate on The Cotswold Water Park close to the market town of Cirencester. Sleeping 10 guests in 5 bedrooms, and with a large decking area overlooking the water for sundowners in the summer and a log burner for cosy winter nights in, Sorrel House is the perfect self-catering retreat for extended family celebrations and special get togethers. This fabulous holiday house also welcomes up to three dogs and has access to an on-site spa as well as children's play areas, two tennis courts and a 450-acre nature reserve.
Serenity is a huge holiday home in The Nines, an exclusive gated part of the Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswold Water Park. With four bedrooms, two of which are ensuite, the modern waterfront property is perfect for big families, multi-generational families or friends who love spending time outdoors in beautiful surroundings. Amenities include a hot tub, heated swimming pool and mini-gym, and access to a spa, bigger gym, outdoor tennis courts and play areas, bar, restaurant and village shop. You'll love starting and ending every day with uninterrupted views over Somerford Lagoon. Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water are nearby, while local attractions include Cotswold Beach and Country Park, Cotswold Farm Park, and Chedworth Roman Villa.
A spacious, contemporary family home in a sought after waterfront location on the Lower Mill Estate in Gloucestershire. Guests have direct access to tennis courts, play areas and a 450-acre nature reserve, as well as a luxurious spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There is also a man-made beach within 2 minute drive. The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is on the doorstep, while places like Cirencester and Westonbirt Arboretum are nearby. It's the perfect place where families can enjoy being together, relaxing and having fun.
The beauty of the English countryside beckons from this gorgeous Cotswold cottage. Well Furlong Cottage is within walking distance of Little Comberton. It sleeps up to six people in three ensuite bedrooms and features loads of luxurious extras including a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room. Worcester, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stratford-Upon-Avon are all within easy reach, as are favourite Cotswold attractions, footpaths and cycling routes.
This fabulous shepherds hut offers guests remote exclusivity with all the luxuries of self-catering. Nestling on the edge of the Cotswolds, you can escape away from the hustle and bustle of every day life and enjoy an abundance of space where children can run free and adults can soak up the tranquility and beauty of the English countryside. The village of Little Comberton is within walking distance and Elmley Castle is just 2-miles away with an exceptionally good pub for long lazy lunches. Worcester, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stratford-Upon-Avon are all within easy reach, as are the many favourite attractions of the Cotswolds. No ordinary glamping experience, this incredible shepherds hut has heaps of traditional appeal and is one of the largest and most luxurious of its kind, with 80-acres of organic farmland to roam.
This spacious four-bedroom house has a layout that is ideal for extended families or friends on holiday together. The west-facing, waterfront property enjoys beautiful views together with use of the excellent facilities that include membership of a gym and spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and seasonal fishing and watersports. As part of the Cotswold Water Park - a 550-acre private nature reserve, there are beautiful walks from the door, while the Cotswold AONB is close by with more lovely scenery, fun attractions and charming towns and villages. Howells Mere 47, Robin Lodge is on the desirable Lower Mill Estate and is a fantastic year-round holiday destination.
A beautiful holiday home in desirable Lower Mill Estate development on the Cotswold Water Park, the house has three bedrooms to comfortably accommodate up to six people who can enjoy the waterfront location and fantastic lake views. Guests in Lower Mill have use of the estate's excellent facilities which include the popular ArtSpa as well as seasonal fishing and watersports. Cirencester is just a short drive from the cottage, opening up the rest of the Cotswolds AONB for exploration and enjoyment. The high standard of accommodation and an excellent location make Clearwater 86, Clouds Keep the perfect year-round holiday destination for families and friends.
This Cotswold stone holiday home is ideal for families as it comfortably sleeps six people in three bedrooms. It overlooks Mill Race and has a lovely sun deck where guests can relax and enjoy the views while they are busy not making the most of the fantastic leisure facilities in the Cotswold Water Park. There is plenty to do in every season both on the estate and in the surrounding area. The location is perfect for exploring the Cotswolds AONB and day trips to exciting places like Bath, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford.
Couples, families and friends all love the Mill Village, and you will appreciate why when you stay in this beautiful two-bedroom holiday cottage. There is ample space for up to four people who can enjoy stunning views, direct access to the lake and use of the estate's excellent facilities that include tennis courts, a heated outdoor swimming pool, bars and restaurants and, of course, seasonal watersports and fishing. Being just five miles from Cirencester makes this location perfect for exploring the Cotswolds AONB and day trips to places like Bath, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford.
Relax and unwind in the serene surroundings of this New England style self-catering lodge. Part of the highly desirable Summer Lake village in the beautiful Cotswold Water Park, the holiday cottage sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms and enjoys uninterrupted views of the lake. Guests have access to the estate's excellent facilities that include water activities, restaurants and a spa, and is only a short drive from Cirencester and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
There will be no complaints when you book your next holiday in this waterside self-catering lodge. It accommodates up to eight people in four bedrooms with fantastic views over Windrush Lake and a restaurant and bar within walking distance - all the right ingredients for a relaxing holiday! As part of the Cotswold Water Park, guests have access to an array of onsite facilities including seasonal fishing and sailing. The village of South Cerney is within walking distance while Cirencester and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are only a few miles away. This lodge is ideal for families and friends who want a relaxing holiday in beautiful surroundings and a choice of activities.
There is enough space for the whole family in this comfortable waterfront New-England style self-catering lodge. Three bedrooms plus a sofa bed can accommodate up to eight people who can enjoy a waterfront location and a sun deck overlooking Lake Isis - one of seven lakes on the Cotswold Water Park. Amenities include a children's play area and a games room, while an onsite brasserie and watersports area are both only a ten-minute stroll away. Walking, cycling, fishing and sailing are only a few ways to have fun on holiday, while having the Cotswolds AONB and favourite attractions on the doorstep makes this a fantastic year-round holiday destination.
A spacious deck overhanging the lake and floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the stunning waterfront views in this contemporary lodge which is part of the Waters Edge development of the acclaimed Cotswold Water Park. The self-catering lodge can sleep up to six people in three bedrooms with a versatile layout that makes it a good holiday choice for couples, families and friends. There is a restaurant and bar within walking distance, as well as watersports and other amenities on the estate. Guests are also within walking distance of South Cerney and Cerney Wick, and only five miles from the "Capital of the Cotswolds", Cirencester.
Families love the Cotswold Water Park not only for its peaceful environment with seven lakes, acres of nature reserve and plentiful activities but also for how easy it is to reach, being just 1.5 hours from West London and 15 minutes from Cirencester. Spring Lake 52, Eider Lodge is a fantastic waterfront holiday home within walking distance of both the Lakeside Bar and Restaurant and the Lakeside Ski and Wake activity centre. There is space for up to six people to sleep in three well-appointed bedrooms, with a layout that is ideal for couples, families or friends.
Popular towns in and around The Cotswolds:
Bourton-on-the-WaterBroadwayBurfordChipping CampdenChipping NortonSouth CerneyStow-on-the-WoldStratford-upon-AvonStroudTewkesburySome local suggestions:
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The Cotswolds represent 'quintessential England' and encompasses six counties, namely Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, along with Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire.
Steeped in history, the Cotswolds gained many of its qualities from its medieval sheep trade. Its long history in the wool trade generated much wealth which resulted in building the many fine houses that the Cotswolds is so famous for today. Its landscape still holds much evidence of its history in the wool trade with its dry stone walls that once formed enclosures for the sheep, buildings that were formerly factories for processing wool and market squares approached by narrow little alleyways where the sheep were once driven through to market.
Whatever the weather, the Cotswolds has plenty of great days out with its fine architecture, National Trust properties and gardens, arboretums, museums and pretty villages. There are fantastic, historic towns and cities including the Roman City of Bath, Oxford, Cheltenham and Stratford-Upon-Avon – the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The Cotswolds puts the fun back into shopping with its local farmers markets, antique shops, boutiques, gift shops, old fashioned tea rooms and stylish coffee houses. It is also an incredibly dog-friendly area with plenty of pubs, restaurants, cottages and attractions welcoming dogs.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied too, including walking and cycling the numerous paths and trails, shooting, fishing, golf and hot air ballooning. Horse racing is a popular past time in the Cotswolds with the famous Cheltenham festival, along with other famous equestrian events including Badminton, Blenheim Palace and Gatcombe.
With a wide range of self catering accommodation centrally located in the country, the Cotswolds is perfect for a short break, weekend break or longer holiday at any time of the year.
If you want to stay in one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds then consider Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway. However, if you want to be a little off the beaten tourist trail but still in the heart of the Cotswolds, consider Oddington, Kingham, The Slaughters, Bibury, Bruern or the Cotswolds Water Park for those who love water-based outdoor activities..
Many of our Cotswolds cottages are within easy driving distance of Cheltenham Races. Use our map facility to find the closest locations.
There is a regular train service from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh and Kingham. Many parts of the Cotswolds are also covered by a regular bus service for travelling to your holiday cottage or exploring the area. The cottage owner should be able to help provide local public transport and taxi details.
Every season delivers its own magic. The sparkle of winter frosts are accompanied by the smell of log fires providing a warm welcome in cottages and pubs; or visit in the spring and summer when a myriad of footpaths like the Cotswolds Way beckon. Autumn is also pretty special with places like Westonbirt National Arboretum showcasing a dazzling array of colour.
