Steeped in history, the Cotswolds gained many of its settlements from the mediaeval sheep trade. Its long history in the wool industry generated much wealth which resulted in building the many fine houses that the Cotswolds is so famous for today.
The landscape in the Cotswolds 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.
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 accommodation and iconic Cotswold 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. Its proximity to London makes the Cotswolds a perfect destination for weekend breaks in holiday cottages. Read more
A lovely bolthole for two in the beautiful popular Cotswolds market town of Tetbury with lovely shops, traditional inns and restaurants on the doorstep. Highgrove and Chavenage (better known as 'Trenwith' and the family home of the Poldarks!) are under two miles away, as are a host of other attractions just waiting to be discovered!
You can stop dreaming if a romantic self-catering break in the Cotswolds is on your "maybe one day" list. Climbing Rose Cottage is a pretty period stone holiday cottage in Oddington, within walking distance of two friendly pubs and a late-medieval Church and close to Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and other popular Cotswold attractions. Features include oak beams, a log burner and an AGA range cooker. Spend happy days walking, cycling and sightseeing in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Oxford and Blenheim Palace, and nights soaking in the deep roll-top bath and watching Netflix in front of the fire.
Stunning Grade II listed farmhouse sitting on the edge of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just a stone's throw away from the city of Oxford and the pretty market towns of Witney, Woodstock and Burford. Sleeping up to 20 people in seven gorgeous bedrooms, and with 3 reception rooms, 8 acres of gardens and paddocks, and a Jacuzzi Hot Tub, New Yatt Farm is perfect for a large family gathering or celebrating a special occasion. There are miles of stunning footpaths on your doorstep as well as stately homes, kids attractions and picturesque villages and towns to explore. Two well behaved dogs are welcome and short breaks are available all year round.
The party starts here! Cheltenham Chase is a big holiday home in the Cotswolds. Sleeping 24 people in a quiet location three miles from Cheltenham, the 10-bedroom property is perfect for your hen weekend, family reunion, or hosting your wedding party and guests for your celebration. The house has superb self-catering facilities and an acre of landscaped grounds, an indoor swimming pool, a games room and a terrace with a barbecue. Spend a day relaxing by the pool before getting ready to dine out and hit the town or explore picturesque villages and historic market towns.
A holiday in the Cotswolds should be at the top of your "to-do" list, especially when you can stay somewhere like Clock Tower. This spacious self-catering holiday penthouse overlooks the green and market square in historic Stow-on-the-Wold, putting you within steps of incredible places to eat, drink and shop. It sleeps four people in two ensuite bedrooms, with the option of a travel cot or an extra bed to increase accommodation. Couples, friends and families all love the superb standard of accommodation and a fantastic location close to sights, attractions, and the beautiful countryside walks for which the Cotswolds are famous.
If you ask anyone to describe the quintessential English holiday cottage, chances are it would look a lot like Lavender Lodge. This welcoming Cotswold property is a short stroll from the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water and close to places like Stow-on-the-Wold and Tetbury. It is beautifully furnished to a high standard and sleeps four people in two bedrooms with two bathrooms. The cottage is ideal for couples or families, with the location being perfect for walking, cycling, and seeing favourite Cotswolds sights and attractions. Go shopping in pretty market towns or spend happy days in Bath, Oxford, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Blenheim Palace, and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
With off-road parking, a sunny garden and log burner, this fabulous Grade II listed cottage provides a stylish holiday retreat with immense character in the historic market town of Cirencester. Sleeping up to four guests in two double bedrooms (sorry but no children), The Cottage is just perfect for couples who want a romantic holiday or friends looking for a weekend away catching up. A great base for exploring the Cotswolds at any time of the year.
Varden House is a welcoming barn conversion in rural Worcestershire, close to Pershore and within easy reach of Worcester. There is a wealth of things to do during your stay from fishing onsite to walking through ancient woodland, mountain biking in the Malvern Hills AONB, admiring abbeys, castles and heritage buildings, or exploring historic places like Stratford-Upon-Avon. Birmingham and Cheltenham are easy to reach by car, as are Cotswolds towns like Broadway and Chipping Campden. The holiday cottage sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms and has a layout that suits families, extended families and friends.
A two-bedroom cottage in a converted Victorian barn on a family-run farm close to Pershore and Worcester. Broad Iron sleeps four people and suits couples, families, friends and even solo visitors in the area for work. There is fishing onsite and lots of opportunity for walking and cycling through the countryside whilst on holiday. Rural Worcestershire is gorgeous in all seasons with a fantastic mix of space and easy accessibility to places like Worcester, Birmingham, Cheltenham, and Stratford-on-Avon.
Field End is a blissful haven in the Oxfordshire countryside. It's part of the Great Tew Estate, within walking distance of The Boxing Hare pub and within easy reach of Blenheim Palace, Oxford, Bicester Village and Chipping Norton. It's ideal for a romantic break, shopping with the girls (or boys) or a gastronomic treat with farmer's markets, delis, gastropubs, and Michelin starred restaurants close by. Treat yourself to a cooking class at Daylesford Organic, or harness the creativity this landscape inspires with an artists workshop run by the owners.
A relaxing holiday in rural Oxfordshire is the perfect balance to a busy, stressful life. The Artist's House is a gorgeous space where you can slow down, unwind and indulge in the luxury of time - time to do the things you enjoy with people you love in a setting that is inspirationally beautiful. The cottage is five miles from the Cotswolds, 12 miles from the M40 and 20 miles from Oxford, and within easy reach of Soho Farmhouse, Bicester Village and Blenheim Palace. It sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms with a flexible layout that makes it ideal for families or friends.
Stay in a newly renovated single-storey holiday cottage on the edge of the Cotswolds AONB. Granary Barn is on Downhouse Farm near Dursley, a thriving market town with an award-winning pub, shops and other amenities. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is child and dog-friendly. Couples and families appreciate the peaceful location that gives direct access to the Cotswold Way and is close to other fantastic footpaths. Local attractions include Westonbirt Arboretum, Slimbridge, Berkeley Castle, and the Cattle Country Farm Park. Bristol, Bath and Cheltenham are all close enough for memorable day trips of eating, shopping and sightseeing.
This beautiful 18th-Century Farmhouse is steps away from The Cotswold Way and offers guests plenty of space to relax both inside and out. With four bedrooms sleeping eight to ten guests (with extra beds/cot), and two reception rooms where people can spread out, it is ideal for large or extended families or groups of friends. Nearby attractions include Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Berkeley Castle, and Westonbirt Arboretum, plus the cities of Bristol, Bath and Cheltenham.
This fabulous property sleeps ten in comfort and has a fantastic completely private heated indoor swimming pool for your exclusive use - ideal for groups of friends or large families who wish to holiday together in complete comfort. Just three miles from Stratford-upon–Avon and with loads of restaurants and numerous attractions to visit locally. To book you just pay a 30% deposit once your dates are agreed with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
A spacious two bedroom ground floor holiday lodge located in the grounds of a country house with indoor swimming pool. Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley in Arden are only three miles away with an abundance of attractions and great days out within easy reach. A good self-catering base for exploring Central England. To book you just pay a 30% deposit once your dates are agreed with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
A Cotswold stone holiday cottage offering a high standard of self-catering accommodation near to the lovely Cotswolds towns of Painswick and Stroud. Barn Cottage is ideal for families, friends or couples who want to explore the areas many attractions, pretty villages and historic towns. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
Nestling in a quiet position within eleven acres of the beautiful Windrush Valley in the Cotswolds village of Temple Guiting, this welcoming coach house provides a lovely retreat for couples and is a great base for exploring the many attractions, pretty villages and historic towns of the area including Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden and Winchcombe to name just a few. Two very good pubs in walking distance.
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, a wood-fired hot tub, and six gorgeous bedrooms to sleep up to twelve 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.
An idyllic cottage in Ilmington in the north of the Cotswolds, close to Stratford Upon Avon and Chipping Campden and within easy reach of Moreton in Marsh, Chipping Norton, Stow on the Wold, with Cheltenham and Oxford both about 30 miles away. 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 the countryside of the Ilmington Downs. Sansome Cottage is a perfect country escape for couples, families or friends to enjoy in any season.
Mutton Barn provides luxurious holiday accommodation with a wood-fired Hot tub and boasts a wonderful rural location with breathtaking views of Warwickshires spectacular countryside. A haven for wildlife, this impressive barn set in the Heart of England Forest is just 7 miles from Stratford upon Avon and is an ideal base for exploring Central England including Warwickshire and the Cotswolds.
Popular towns in and around The Cotswolds:
Bourton-on-the-WaterBroadwayBurfordCheltenhamChipping CampdenChipping NortonEveshamSouth CerneyStow-on-the-WoldStratford-Upon-AvonStroudWinchcombeSome local suggestions:
Dog friendly Cotswolds cottagesLuxury Cotswolds holiday cottagesLast minute Cotswolds cottagesRomantic Cotswolds cottagesOr search further afield:
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The Cotswolds represent 'quintessential England' and encompass six counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, along with Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire.
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 offers lots of shopping with its local farmer's 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, Cotswold accommodation, holiday cottages and attractions welcoming dogs.
Before booking your holiday cottage in the Cotswolds, you can find all the information you need for your trip here. For more tips, check out our complete Cotswolds Guide.
Every season delivers its own magic in the Cotswolds. The sparkle of winter frosts is accompanied by the smell of log fires providing a warm welcome in cottages and pubs. A visit in spring or summer allows for 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 colours.
Summers in the Cotswolds are generally mild and warm with some infrequent hotter days. With more daylight, this means that you can spend much of your time outdoors when visiting the Cotswolds during this time. It is typically overcast with average temperatures of around 21°C, providing comfortable weather to enjoy the numerous activities in the county.
The Cotswolds in spring is utterly breathtaking with an array of daffodils and tulips popping up all over the gardens and countryside. Spring is a great time to get active in the outdoors as the temperatures drop to around 15°C, making for comfortable hiking weather.
Winter in the Cotswolds is great for those who are looking for a cosy, festive getaway with multiple Christmas markets popping up throughout the towns. Temperatures drop to a much cooler 7°C, however, there can be the occasional crisp, sunny day during winter.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied on Cotswolds holidays, including walking and cycling the numerous paths and trails, shooting, fishing, golf and hot air ballooning. Horse racing is a popular pastime in the Cotswolds with the famous Cheltenham Festival, along with other renowned equestrian events including Badminton, Blenheim Palace and Gatcombe. That's if you can bare to leave the haven of our holiday cottages, of course!
If you are travelling from one of the major cities in the UK, below shows an average distance to the Cotswolds, so you know what to expect when choosing to visit by car.
London: 83 miles
Birmingham: 69 miles
Glasgow: 351 miles
Liverpool: 160 miles
Bristol: 53 miles
Manchester: 150 miles
Leeds: 171 miles
Edinburgh: 357 miles
Newcastle: 260 miles
There are multiple ways to travel to the Cotswolds. Its excellent public transport links mean you can journey by train or bus from many major UK cities. If you travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip, as well as alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on.
The Cotswolds is one of England's greatest treasures. Stretching across six counties, its bucolic appeal is protected as the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK. From Bath to Berkeley and Stow-on-the-Wold to Stroud, there is something for everyone whether your tastes are sophisticated or simple.
The scale and diversity of The Cotswolds make it the sort of place you can visit year after year and always discover something new. Two thousand years of history are visible everywhere you look, from the miles of stone walls to the straight Roman roads and elegant Georgian architecture of Bath and Cheltenham.
If you want to stay in one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds then consider our Cotswolds holiday cottages in 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, Upper or Lower Slaughter, Bibury, Bruern or the Cotswolds Water Park for those who love water-based outdoor activities not fair from their holiday cottage.
The Cotswolds is mainly famous for its art and antique shops, having the largest offering outside of London. Its quaint villages, rolling countryside and tranquil atmosphere is another reason why the Cotswolds is so popular among tourists, along with the iconic golden stone that many buildings are constructed from. For a truly iconic experience, book one of our luxury holiday cottages that's straight out of a fairytale.
Living in the Cotswolds is known for being particularly expensive, as there are some of the most luxurious properties in the UK situated here. Its rural location and beautiful surroundings provide other reasons why this area is more expensive than others for self-catering accommodation in England.
However, when visiting the Cotswolds you will find that it doesn’t have to cost a lot. With the numerous places to explore in the outdoors, and plenty of towns and villages to stroll around, there are countless things to do here, as well as self-catering holiday cottages, that don’t need to break the bank.
There are a number of pretty towns situated in the Cotswolds, many of which offer their own unique setting. Although, one that stands out in particular is Castle Combe, known for being one of the prettiest villages in England.
The housing here hasn’t been developed since the 1600s, which is why the old cottages have such an ancient feel about them. The historic bridge in the village that hovers over a river and surrounding greenery makes it a picturesque town that is absolutely worth visiting.
