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
An idyllic cottage in Ilmington in the north of the Cotswolds, close to Stratford Upon Avon and within easy reach of Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham and Oxford. The two-bedroom courtyard cottage sleeps up to four people and is within a short walk of the village shop and two friendly pubs. Beautiful footpaths and cycling routes go through nearby woodlands and the countryside of the Ilmington Downs. Sansome Cottage is a perfect country escape for couples, families or friends to enjoy in any season.
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.
The Cotswold Water Park is a perennial favourite for its superb amenities and beautiful surroundings. You'll love this waterfront holiday home facing Isis Lake, with its huge deck and outdoor hot tub and stylishly furnished rooms. White Swan Lodge sleeps six people in three bedrooms and has a versatile layout that suits families and friends. You can stroll to South Cerney village with its well-stocked village shop and friendly pubs or stay on-site and make the most of the park's restaurant, play areas, sports courts, and games room. Walking, cycling, fishing, and other watersports are all easily accessible, with equipment hire and tuition available.
Lantern House is exceptionally family-friendly and offers spacious holiday accommodation for five adults/children plus two babies/toddlers under two years in the Wiltshire village of Sherston within the Cotswolds AONB. Close to Westonbirt National Arboretum and the areas many attractions (including Tetbury), this well presented character Cotswolds house provides a good base for exploring Central England.
This welcoming holiday cottage has a wealth of features including an inglenook with wood burner and walled garden for enjoying a glass of your favourite tipple in the sunshine, giving it all year round appeal. With a choice of three pubs, as well an a Victorian Brewery in the village, Rose Cottage in Hook Norton is perfect for exploring Central England including the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and Shakespeare's very own Stratford-upon-Avon. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Stylish, quirky and comfortable, this pretty thatched holiday cottage oozes character and charm. With a king size bed, free standing bath, wood burning stove and beautiful gardens, Goose Green Cottage offers plenty of extra indulgent touches. Located in the picturesque village of Ebrington in the heart of the Cotswolds, with stunning walks from the front door and beautiful towns and villages to explore, this fabulous self-catering cottage is the perfect romantic retreat at any time of the year.
Peace, quiet and stunning views of the Swere Valley will be your lasting impression of Swereview Cottage. The charming annexe is built on the grounds of the owner's property to provide very comfortable accommodation for up to four people. Although perfectly set up for easy self-catering, it is within walking distance of the excellent Boxing Hare Pub (and restaurant) if you do not feel like cooking. Chipping Norton, Blenheim Palace and Banbury are all nearby, while Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon are also within reach. There are some wonderful walks around the area, including to the ancient Rollright Stones. Swereview Cottage is a great choice for couples and families.
On the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds, this self catering holiday cottage offers a comfy affordable base to explore this lovely area and sits in the village of Chadlington with good village pub and butcher. Between Woodstock and Chipping Norton, the areas many attractions are within easy reach of Stable Cottage.
Located in a peaceful village in the middle of the rolling Cotswolds countryside, Vine Cottage is a stunning stone holiday cottage that has been tastefully refurbished to provide luxury self-catering accommodation in the village of Paxford. Sleeping eight guests in four beautiful bedrooms, with an Aga, open fire and enclosed garden, it is the perfect holiday pad for families and friends at any time of the year. Enjoy walks from the front door, pottering around the nearby picturesque market towns, exploring historic castles and gardens, or simply relax and unwind in beautiful surroundings.
Stay in luxurious comfort at Garden Cottage. This charming period property is in the highly desirable Cotswold village of Broad Campden, within a short walk of the excellent Baker's Arms pub and just over a mile from Chipping Campden. The owners have carefully restored original features and added modern touches to create a luxurious holiday retreat where up to six people can enjoy a very high standard of accommodation in three beautiful bedrooms. Days out can include shopping in Cheltenham, a day at the races or watching polo, enjoying long walks and bike rides through the countryside, lazy lunches in country pubs and gastro restaurants and sightseeing in some of the prettiest villages in England.
Sitting in a tranquil position where a stream runs through the grounds, this welcoming self-catering cottage is only a five minute stroll from the heart of the Cotswolds village of Broadway with its superb independent shops, pubs and restaurants. Lower Mill Cottage Two is a great base for exploring the Cotswolds and Central England.
A delightful holiday cottage in an enviable quiet position just a few minutes walk from the heart of the popular village of Broadway - one of the Cotswolds most desirable villages with excellent pubs, restaurants and independent shops to browse.
Set amongst picturesque grounds with stream running through, these two holiday cottages sit in an enviable idyllic quiet location just a few minutes stroll from the centre of Broadway - one of the Cotswolds most beautiful villages with an excellent choice of pubs, restaurants and independent shops. A great base for exploring Central England or simply relaxing.
Beechwood Cottage is perfect for large or multi-generation family holidays in the Cotswolds. The stunning holiday home features panoramic views, a double-height ceiling with full-height windows, a bespoke kitchen, and four gorgeous bedrooms to sleep up to eight people. It's in the village of Sheepscombe, only half a mile from the popular Butcher's Arms pub and two miles from Painswick. Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Cirencester are all within easy reach. There are beautiful walks from the door and a great choice of cycling routes to help you explore.
The Mews is a secluded holiday apartment tucked away in a Quiet Private Mews in the exclusive 'Old Town' Conservation area, just a two minute stroll along the river to the Iconic RSC Theatre, and 'Waterside'. This charming bolthole has a sunny private courtyard with private entrance and parking space directly outside - a rarity in Stratford, especially near the river.
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
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 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.
Popular towns in and around The Cotswolds:
Bourton-on-the-WaterBroadwayBurfordChipping CampdenStow-on-the-WoldStratford-upon-AvonTewkesburySome 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.
