Things to do in the Cotswolds
Synonymous with rolling hills and picture-postcard villages, the Cotswolds is a dream location – whether you’re looking for a fun-filled summer day trip or a peaceful autumn weekend escape. Stretching across six counties from Somerset to Warwickshire, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is awash with colour all year round; just two hours’ drive from London, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
However, that’s not to say there’s a lack of things to do in the Cotswolds. We’ve made a list of our favourites, from sustainable foodie havens to secluded wild swimming spots.
WALK THE COTSWOLD WAY
The perfect way to soak up the beauty of the Cotswolds is on foot; the Cotswold Way runs from Bath on the south edge to Chipping Campden on the north edge. Of course, you don’t have to do it all – pick any section of the trail for breath-taking views and a picturesque village or two.
A shorter option is a section of the Five Valleys Walk; the 21-mile round walks through the valleys and villages near Stroud. There are many other stunning trails to be found throughout the Cotswolds; check out the Cotswolds website for inspiration.
Top tip: Visit the charming village of Broadway and walk up to Broadway Tower for views to die for over the Malvern hills. Keep an eye out – on a clear day, you can see as far as Wales!
HOPE ON A BIKE
At Travelling Whale, we’re all about sustainable ways to travel. Why explore the Cotswold roads by car when you could soak up the vistas on a bicycle? The Cotswolds offers cycle routes a-plenty; for a shorter, scenic route with a classic Cotswolds feel, cycle from Hawling village to Guiting Power, or take the 11.5-mile hilly trail from Honeybourne to Moreton-in-Marsh if you’re looking for something a bit more challenging.
LOCALLY SOURCED COTSWOLD FOOD
The Cotswolds are famous for farming – from cheese and jam to meat and fish, you can find any food you need, all locally sourced. The Wheatsheaf Inn, a 17th-century coaching inn with a fantastic restaurant, offers beautifully simple meals made with the best local, seasonal produce. The Kingham Plough boasts a mix of modern British cuisine and pub classics, with a delicious breakfast on offer for those who stay the night. Kingham is also home to the Big Feastival, an annual festival of food and music.
For the ultimate sustainable food experience, head to Daylesford Organic Farm Shop – 2,350 acres of Cotswold farmland dedicated to fresh, local produce and farm-to-fork eating. Meat, poultry, cheese, milk, fruit, veg, bread and more all produced on-site. Book yourself a cookery course, grab some lunch or enjoy an unforgettable dinner at their inn just down the road, The Wild Rabbit. Expect roaring fires and cosy vibes.
If you’re a fish lover, the Bibury Trout Farm is the spot for you; you can catch your dinner and cook it on-site, adding wine and locally sourced deli products from the farm shop for a full feast.
PICTURE PERFECT COTSWOLD TOWNS
One of the most important things to do in the Cotswolds is to enjoy the quaint towns; visit world-famous beauty spots such as Bibury, described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England. Admire its quintessentially Cotswold honey-coloured stone houses, and take a look at Arlington Row, it’s a much-photographed street of 14th-century cottages.
The picturesque town of Burford is also worth a visit, boasting a great selection of pubs and restaurants. We’d recommend the Lamb Inn for homely vibes and fine-dining with generous portions, and a trip to The Burford Garden Company, a famous garden centre with a beautiful plant nursery and various shops, from vintage furniture to kitchen essentials.
Make a trip to Stow-on-the-Wold for a picturesque and characterful town with a reputation for excellent antique shops, or visit Swinbrook, famous as the former home of the Mitford sisters, and treat yourself to a walk and dinner at the idyllic Swan Inn.
VISIT A COUNTRY HOUSE
The Cotswolds are full of country houses just waiting to be visited; castles, manors and ancestral family homes packed with history and fun for all ages. Try Sudeley Castle for 1000 years of history and ten gardens to explore; a scenic café with tasty treats and a good programme of events make this a great day trip.
For a full day’s worth of history and beautiful grounds, visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Admire the baroque architecture and opulent interior, hire a rowing boat on the lake, eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes and take a walk in the surrounding gardens, woods and fields. A trip on the miniature train is perfect for kids (and those of us who are kids at heart); don’t miss the maze and the butterfly house.
APPRECIATE NATURE AT AN ARBORETUM
For the plant lovers among us, Batsford Arboretum is a real treat. Home to the UK’s most extensive collection of trees and shrubs, it makes for a wonderfully peaceful afternoon with its leafy walkways and multipurpose visitors centre, an icon of sustainable architecture. Treat yourself to afternoon tea at the Garden Terrace café, all home-baked or locally sourced.
Westonbirt Arboretum is also worth a visit, named by the Forestry Commission as one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world. Take in some fresh air among the 3,000 trees and shrubs, and check the calendar for live music concerts, workshops and more.
WILDLIFE PARK
When thinking of things to do in the Cotswolds, seeing exotic animals doesn’t immediately come to mind. However, the Cotswold Wildlife Park is unmissable – especially for those with kids. Spot more than 260 species of animal, from grazing rhinos to diving penguins, in over 120 acres of parkland.
TAKE A DIP IN THE WINDRUSH
If you want to cool down on a hot summer’s day – or get your blood flowing in winter, if that’s your style – the Cotswolds offers a spread of wild swimming spots. There’s a lovely stretch of river where the Windrush runs through Minster Lovell village, with shallow spots for children nearer the bridge.
The village of Asthall also has a great swim spot on the Windrush; head downstream of the bridge and swim surrounded by fields and farmland. Take a picnic, and make sure to drop in on Asthall Manor for beautiful scenery, workshops and the on-form stone sculpture exhibition that takes place every summer.
There are so many things to do in the Cotswolds that you’re bound to find yourself returning time after time; there are always more views to see, trails to walk, restaurants to try. The landscape changes colour with each season, so no two visits to this peaceful corner of England will be the same.
Freelance travel writer
