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.
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.
Riverside is a prestigious Cotswold holiday home on the bank of the River Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water. Built from the characteristically beautiful Cotswold Stone with mullioned stone windows and an AGA, it sleeps six people in three bedrooms with three bathrooms and a walled garden. The self-catering cottage is perfect for families or friends, including those with children. You're close to fantastic restaurants, pubs and independently owned shops and within easy reach of favourite Cotswold attractions, towns and villages for days out.
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.
How can you resist staying in this charming Cotswold cottage? Windsor Cottage is just steps away from Winchcombe High Street with its great pubs like the Plaisterers Arms and the Lion Inn, shops and restaurants. The property can sleep up to four and is popular with families or couples who want the benefit of staying in a pretty village without being overrun by tourists. The Cotswold Way and Gloucestershire Way are just two of seven waymarked footpaths that run through the village, which is a short drive or cycle from well known Cotswold places including Cheltenham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden and Broadway. Sudeley Castle is nearby, and the village has a good local museum and lovely church with interesting features. Staying at Windsor Cottage is a wonderful way to experience the charm of the Cotswolds in comfort, with the convenience of a central location in a village favoured by locals but as yet undiscovered by day trippers.
With spectacular views in all directions, The Old Stables is a perfect holiday cottage for people who love long countryside walks. The Cotswold Way passes nearby, and Hailes Abbey, Sudeley Castle and Winchcombe are within a few miles. It's impossible to decide whether the Cotswolds are more beautiful in spring, summer, autumn or winter. Still, with holiday bookings available all year round and short breaks possible, you can stay at The Old Stables in any season and enjoy being close to Cheltenham, Broadway, and Stow-on-the-Wold, and less than an hour from Blenheim Palace and Stratford-Upon-Avon. With self-catering accommodation for four people in two bedrooms with two bathrooms, there is ample room for couples, families or friends.
Amberley is a peaceful village just a few miles from Stroud and surrounded by the picturesque Cotswold countryside. Bakehouse Cottage sits on Minchinhampton Common, a beautiful area managed by the National Trust that gives the village a wonderfully traditional atmosphere. The holiday cottage provides space for four people to sleep in two bedrooms, and is within easy walking distance of two excellent pubs - the Amberley Inn and The Black Horse, and the new community shop and cafe. It is ideal for couples who will appreciate its unique history and welcoming charm. A dog is welcome as are children!
Is there anything quite as lovely as a holiday in the Cotswolds? Number Six is a beautiful terraced stone holiday cottage on historic Sheep Street in Chipping Campden. Although only a short stroll from bars, cafes, pubs, restaurants and fantastic shops, it's still peaceful and quiet - especially in the courtyard garden. Spend happy days exploring the scenic countryside and visiting picturesque towns and villages, including Stratford-Upon-Avon, Bath, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Oxford, and Blenheim Palace. The cottage sleeps four people and suits couples and families.
Crafty Cottage is in the heart of historic Chipping Campden, one of the most picturesque of the Cotswold wool towns. It's a beautiful holiday cottage for couples and individuals, with a spacious ensuite bedroom, cosy log burner, and pretty garden inspired by those just a few miles away at Hidcote. Bars, cafes, delicatessens, independent shops, and Chipping Campden's market square are all within a short walk of the door. Favourite Cotswold attractions, Cheltenham, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Gloucester and Blenheim Palace are also within easy reach. Crafty Cottage is dog-friendly (for an extra charge) and available for self-catering holidays all year round.
This lovely holiday cottage is in the pretty village of Swerford and surrounded by rolling Oxfordshire countryside. Guests are within walking distance of a great pub and only a stone's throw from the Cotswolds AONB and the shops and restaurants of Chipping Norton. Favourite attractions like Blenheim Palace, Banbury and Charleston House are all nearby, while Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Slaughters and Bourton-on-the-Water are also within easy reach. The 200-year old cottage has been sympathetically modernised without losing its period charm and can sleep up to five people in three bedrooms.
A Cotswold holiday home ideally situated behind Chipping Campden's delightful historic high street with shops, pubs and restaurants just a 1 minute walk away. Perfect for simply relaxing and exploring the areas many attractions with lovely walks from the front door.
Bring your dream Cotswold holiday to life at Cotswold Farm Lodge. Sleeping six people in three bedrooms, this gorgeous Cotswold stone house - once the gatehouse of a substantial estate - is set in nearly 200 acres of private fields and farmland. It offers peace and privacy, yet is only two miles from Woodmancote village and the excellent Bathurst Arms pub. Walking, cycling, horse riding and golf are all popular ways to be active in some of Britain's most beautiful countryside, while towns such as Cirencester and Cheltenham provide ample opportunity for combining shopping, sightseeing and eating.
A cosy Cotswolds cottage for four in an idyllic position in the charming Cotswolds village of Ebrington with an excellent pub and superb walks on the doorstep and an abundance of attractions close by including Chipping Campden and Hidcote Manor Gardens (NT) just a short drive away.
Number Five is a mid-terraced stone holiday cottage on Sheep Street in Chipping Campden. Dating from 1901, it has been beautifully restored and recently modernised (Feb' 24) to offer spacious self catering accommodation for one or two people in one large bedroom. Just a stone's throw from cafes, shops, bars, restaurants, pubs and the town's historic market square. Local attractions include Hidcote Manor, Broadway Tower, Court Barn Museum and the Old Silk Mill. Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Oxford, Bath, and Blenheim Palace are all within easy reach for fantastic days out.
Combine the convenience and comfort of a hotel with the space and privacy of a self-catering property at Brookside Cottage. Dating from 1635 with plenty of original charm and character, the cottage is part of the reputable Burnside Hotel. It has been carefully updated to offer a high standard of accommodation for up to six people in three bedrooms. Anne Hathaway's Cottage is a short walk away along a pretty woodland path, while Stratford-Upon-Avon is just over a mile from the door. Warwick and the Cotswolds are within easy reach, as are Birmingham, Worcester and Royal Leamington Spa.
A quaint self-catering holiday cottage located on the hill of a Cotswold farm, offering panoramic rural views over woodlands and the countryside of Gloucestershire. A great self-catering base for exploring the many attractions of Central England and enjoying a taste of country life with wonderful walks and scenery on the doorstep.
A charming stone holiday cottage ideally situated in the lovely market town of Winchcombe in the heart of the North Cotswold's with excellent eating establishments and amenities on the doorstep. A great self-catering base for exploring Central England and its many attractions.
A quaint self-catering holiday cottage located in an elevated position on a Cotswold farm offering panoramic rural views over woodland and the countryside of Gloucestershire. Sitting in a haven for wildlife, this beautiful valley is dotted with arts and crafts workshops, cheese makers, farmers markets, microbreweries and pubs within walking distance - a pleasure to visit at any time of the year!
Located on the outskirts of the Cotswolds, these two holiday cottages offer comfortable self-catering accommodation conveniently placed within easy reach of Cheltenham, the Roman City of Bath, Forest of Dean, Bristol, Gloucester and the numerous ancient towns and villages of the area. Set within extensive grounds, the cottages offer plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy walking, cycling and outdoor activities.
A delightful barn conversion on the outskirts of the Cotswolds providing a great self-catering base for exploring Cheltenham, Bath, the Forest of Dean, Bristol, Gloucester and many historical towns and villages - all within easy reach by car.
Popular towns in and around The Cotswolds:
Bourton-on-the-WaterBroadwayBurfordCheltenhamChipping CampdenChipping NortonEveshamSouth CerneyStow-on-the-WoldStratford-Upon-AvonStroudWinchcombeSome local suggestions:
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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.