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.
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.
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.
Just a short stroll from the ancient market square in Stow-on-the-Wold, this holiday cottage provides an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds and its many places of interest. A great choice of pubs, shops and restaurants on the doorstep with lovely walks to pretty villages including the Slaughters.
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.
Farthing Cottage is a pretty stone Cotswolds cottage in an enviable position sitting in a quiet backwater with off-road parking and garden, just two minutes stroll from the centre of the historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Beautiful countryside, great restaurants, pubs and independent shops on the doorstep and a host of attractions within a short drive make this romantic retreat with log burner and four poster bed an excellent choice right in the very heart of the Cotswolds.
A lovely Cotswolds stone holiday cottage in the very heart of the historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold with great pubs/restaurants and lovely independent boutiques on the doorstep. Nicely presented throughout, lots of character and ideal for exploring the Cotswolds with wonderful walks from the front door and a host of attractions for day trips out. Perfect for couples or families and ideal all year round with log burner in the inglenook for cosy winter breaks and a courtyard for relaxing when the sunshines with a glass of wine.
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.
Nestling amongst the rolling Cotswolds Hills in the village of Long Compton, this pretty Cotswolds Cottage has an excellent pub and lovely walks on the doorstep. A superb base for exploring the areas many attractions and easily accessible from the North, Wales and London, making it a good place to meet up with friends and family.
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.
A charming first floor holiday apartment with lovely views over South Warwickshire rolling countryside. Just two miles from the historic market town of Shipston-on-Stour and within easy driving distance of Moreton in Marsh, Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold, this is an ideal self-catering base for exploring the pretty villages and historic towns of the Cotswolds. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
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.
Relax in this gorgeous riverfront beauty. Peaceavon sits serenely beside the bank of the River Avon in the charming Worcestershire village of Wyre Piddle. It sleeps eight people in four superbly appointed bedrooms, two with ensuites, with fantastic views from the bedrooms and the living areas. The upside-down layout makes the most of the incredible views and allows for a huge balcony on the upper level and a patio and terraced garden on the ground floor. There's a pub within walking distance, and Pershore is two miles along the river with shops and places to eat and drink. The Cotswolds, Worcester, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick Castle, and Cadbury World are all within reach for a day out.
Daisy Chain is a super holiday home on the desirable Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswold Water Park. It's right next to Somerford Lagoon with uninterrupted water views from all three levels. The house sleeps nine people in five spacious bedrooms, two of which have their own waterfront sundeck. Guests can use the estate's facilities that include a spa with a gym and swimming pools, tennis court and sports court, restaurant and village shop. The owners have provided a Canadian canoe with life vests, and there are lots of footpaths and cycling trails from the door. Cirencester is around a 15-minute drive away.
A mews style holiday cottage in the heart of the popular Cotswolds village of Broadway providing an ideal base for exploring the Cotswolds and Central England. Shops and superb eateries on the doorstep and lovely walks from the front door.
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.
Popular towns in and around The Cotswolds:
Bourton-on-the-WaterBroadwayBurfordChipping CampdenStow-on-the-WoldStratford-upon-AvonTewkesburySome local suggestions:
Dog friendly Cotswolds cottagesLuxury Cotswolds holiday cottagesLast minute Cotswolds cottagesRomantic Cotswolds cottagesOr search further afield:
Search within Central England
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.
