I’ve been to the Cotswolds a number of times now, and each trip has looked completely different depending on where I chose to stay. The first time, we prioritized the location rather than the property itself, choosing to stay within optimal distance of Castle Combe and Bibury. The second, I stayed at a cozy inn with a pub downstairs that was ideal for visiting the Cotswolds with kids. I’ve had shorter trips in between. But this most recent visit, staying in Chipping Campden, has been my favorite experience by far. It felt like I finally found the right home base for this part of England, and this guide is built around that. Whether you’re a first-time visitor planning a dedicated England trip or simply trying to make the most of a week, here’s exactly how I’d plan it.
4-7 DAYS
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BEST TIME TO VISIT – SPRING, SUMMER, OR EARLY FALL; WINTER TENDS TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY RAINY AND HARDER TO NAVIGATE
WEATHER – RAINY AND OVERCAST MUCH OF THE YEAR; SUNNY SPELLS MOSTLY IN SUMMER
GETTING AROUND – RENTAL CAR, YOU NEED IT TO SEE THE VILLAGES PROPERLY
CURRENCY – BRITISH POUNDS (GBP)
LANGUAGE – ENGLISH
NEARBY AIRPORTS – BRISTOL (BRS) AND BIRMINGHAM (BHX) ARE THE CLOSEST OPTIONS. LONDON HEATHROW (LHR) IS THE BEST INTERNATIONAL OPTION, OR WORKS IF YOU’RE PAIRING THIS TRIP WITH LONDON
Photos left to right from top: Streets of Stanton; a walking path by the stream in Blockley; outdoor seating at The Bull restaurant in Charlbury; ancient yew trees surrounding St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold; white daffodils in Snowshill.
About the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is quintessential English countryside, and it really is every bit as charming as you’ve seen in photos. It appears to be genuinely stuck in time, in the best way possible. Each time I visit, I find myself settling into a rhythm here that includes pub lunches, short nature walks, and exploring local villages. It’s become more charming to me with each visit.
This region is vast and you can plan an entire trip around it; but it also works as a long weekend from London (about two hours away by car). A week is a really great amount of time here, and a 7-day Cotswolds itinerary gives you enough room to hit the iconic villages without feeling rushed. Additionally, you could extend to ten days or two weeks and fold in nearby Bath, Oxford, or other parts of the UK worth exploring. However you approach it, the Cotswolds is worth a trip.
Where to Stay: Why I Recommend Chipping Campden
Of all the places I’ve based myself in the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden has been my favorite. It has the perfect balance of feeling genuinely local while still having enough to discover. The high street is incredibly charming, lined with honey-colored stone buildings. It’s quiet and peaceful in the mornings, gradually picking up as the day goes on, but never feeling overwhelmed or overrun.
Chipping Campden’s high street in the morning.
What makes it feel especially local is that it has just one of everything. One butcher, one grocery store, a couple of bakeries. Everything you need is within a short walk. It has that rare small-town charm without feeling sparse or sleepy. And best of all, it sits at nearly the perfect driving distance from most of the towns in the northern Cotswolds, which I’ve found to be the more charming side of the region. From Chipping Campden, you have easy access to Snowshill, Broadway, Burford, Blockley, and the Slaughters, and you can still drive south to the bigger, more famous towns when you want to without making it the whole day.
I stayed in an Airbnb this most recent trip (see similar below), and I’d highly recommend doing the same. There are a handful of charming properties all within a short walk from the high street. Alternatively, the two boutique hotels on Chipping Campden’s high street worth looking at are Noel Arms and Cotswold House Hotel; they are quite literally across the road from each other and could not be more central.
Airbnbs in Chipping Campden
Here are my top picks for Airbnbs if you are also looking to base yourself in Chipping Campden:
- Hook Cottage and Hicks House are my top picks for classic country homes.
- For a stylish stay on Chipping Campden’s high street, check out Butcher’s Flat.
- If you’re looking for a particularly showstopping property, this Iconic 17th Century Thatched Cottage is a dream stay.
Photos from left to right: All from our airbnb; a stone fireplace in the living room; cozy bedroom upstairs with linen sheets; washing strawberries in the farmhouse sink; the winding road outside the property.
Airbnbs in other Cotswolds Villages
While Chipping Campden is my first-choice village for where to base yourself, take a look at some of my other favorite properties dotted around the Cotswolds.
- In Stow-on-the-Wold, I recommend this Rustic Hideaway Cottage or Enoch’s Cottage.
- For more charming cottages, take a look at this Old World Cottage in Bourton-on-the-Water, or in Bibury, check out this Charming Cotswold Garden Cottage or this Lovely Cottage.
Left: Bourton-on-the-Water on a sunny day; Right: the view of town from the church at Stow-on-the-Wold.
Best Hotels in the Cotswolds, England (Plan A Stay Around These)
Some properties in this region just make the entire Cotswolds experience and are worth choosing as your base for the stay alone. Here are my top dream stays in the English Countryside:
- The Lygon Arms (Broadway) – A historic hotel with beautiful character, well-positioned in Broadway.
- The Pig in the Cotswolds (Cirencester) – A stunning country house hotel with that warm, garden-to-table feel.
- The Swan Hotel (Bibury) – The ivy-covered icon on the stream; staying here means waking up in Bibury before anyone else arrives.
- The Manor House (Castle Combe) – A 14th-century country house with beautiful Italian gardens; staying here completely transforms the Castle Combe experience.
View All Hotels and Homes in the Cotswolds, England
Photos from left to right: Arlington Row in Bibury; Swans in Bibury,; the ivy-covered façade of The Swan Hotel.
One Thing to Consider Before Booking
If two villages top your must-see list, it’s worth reading this before deciding where to stay.
Bibury and Castle Combe are two of the most iconic villages in the Cotswolds, and both are worth visiting. But Castle Combe sits about an hour and a half south of Chipping Campden, which makes it a real commitment as a day trip. Every other village featured in this guide is between 5 and 40 minutes away. If Castle Combe is non-negotiable for you and you want to visit more than once or spend significant time there, it might make more sense to base yourself further south. In that case, The Manor House in Castle Combe or an Airbnb in or near Bibury would both be great options.
That said, I still recommend Chipping Campden first and foremost. Every other village in this itinerary is comfortably within reach, and the base itself is one of the most enjoyable places to be.
Cotswolds Highlights
The food scene – The restaurant and pub scene in the Cotswolds has gotten better and better over the years. Spending an afternoon in a proper English pub, with a warm meal and a pint while looking out at a stone village, is one of those experiences that feels completely irreplaceable. Don’t rush it. A favorite from this trip was The Bull in Charlbury and a casual and delicious outdoor lunch at Pit Kitchen.
Visiting during a season change – If you can time your visit for fall, the leaves changing over the hills and stone villages is stunning. In spring, the gardens are in bloom, particularly at Snowshill, and it feels like the whole countryside has woken up. Either season adds a layer to the experience that photos can’t quite capture.
Traveling with kids – The Cotswolds is genuinely excellent for families. On this most recent trip, we traveled alongside another family, so our two sons got to experience the countryside together. Almost every single village has a great playground, and many of them are nature-based with beautiful hilltop settings. The one in Blockley (perched on top of a hill) and the one in Chipping Campden (large enough to spend an entire afternoon at) are both highlights.
Also nearby is Cotswold Farm Park, a kid-friendly farm that hosts activities and lets you bottle feed baby lambs. Our sons loved taking a steam train from Toddington to Broadway on this most recent trip. A visit to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is a great stop for the museum and trains that actually let you hop from one village to another (or just ride for fun!).
Left: The train at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway; Right: the interior of The Bull restaurant in Charlbury.
Hikes and walks – Even if you’re not an avid hiker, the short walks here are worth doing. In Blockley, you can walk along the stream through the village, and it’s one of the most peaceful twenty minutes you’ll spend. The Cotswold Way runs through much of the region, offering everything from flat strolls to hillside routes with sweeping views. Even a ten or twenty-minute walk gets you into scenery that feels removed from everything else.
Going antiquing – The Cotswolds is a genuinely great region for antiques, with a few towns that stand out in particular. Stow-on-the-Wold has one of the highest concentrations of antique dealers in the area, with shops lining the streets around the central square and spilling into converted stone buildings. Winchcombe is a quieter, more local-feeling town that’s well worth an afternoon browse. And a standalone stop I recommend is Station Mill Antiques, a multi-dealer warehouse with tons of gems.
Enjoying a high tea – Sitting down for a proper cream tea or afternoon tea somewhere beautiful is one of those Cotswolds experiences I’d call non-negotiable. The region has no shortage of options, from atmospheric tea rooms in village high streets to more elevated settings inside country house hotels. On this trip we had high tea in Chipping Campden at The Bantam Tea Rooms (GF scones included) and in Stow-on-the-Wold at Lucy’s Tea Room (more traditional and also have GF options, highly recommend this one!). Wherever you end up, arrive hungry: the scones, clotted cream, and jam situation here is serious.
Visiting the gardens – The Cotswolds has some of the most beautiful English gardens in the country, and visiting at least one is worth building into your itinerary. Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property, is especially magical in spring when everything is in bloom and the walled terraces are at their most lush and colorful. Chastleton House and Garden is another National Trust gem: a remarkably intact Jacobean manor with a garden that feels genuinely unchanged, overgrown in the most wonderful way. And Hidcote Manor Garden, also National Trust and just a short drive from Chipping Campden, is considered one of the greatest gardens in England. Designed in the early 20th century, it’s laid out as a series of outdoor “rooms” separated by hedges and stone walls, each with its own distinct character. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, but it holds its own across all seasons.
The gardens in Snowshill.
Read Post: The Most Beautiful Villages in the Cotswolds
7-Day Cotswolds Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chipping Campden
Fly into Bristol, Birmingham, or London and make your way to Chipping Campden. Once you’ve checked in, take an easy evening stroll down the high street to get your bearings. It’s lined with shops, cafés, and old stone buildings that glow in the late afternoon light. Have dinner in town and ease into the rhythm of things.
- Afternoon/Evening: Arrive and check in
- Evening: Stroll the high street, dinner in town
Morning on the high street in Chipping Campden.
Day 2: Bourton-on-the-Water + The Slaughters (+ Optional Stow-on-the-Wold)
Start early and head to Bourton-on-the-Water before the tour buses arrive. This is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds for a reason: low stone footbridges cross a shallow river running through the center of town, willow trees drape over the water, and the whole scene is classic Cotswolds. Aim to arrive around 9 am, grab a coffee at The Den (it has a noticeably more local feel), and spend the morning at the river before it gets busy. Bonus points if the sun is out; the village really shines with good weather.
From there, head to Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter for a quieter, slower afternoon. These two villages are connected by gentle country lanes and peaceful rivers winding past stone cottages. Lower Slaughter has a slightly more visited feel; Upper Slaughter feels a bit more tucked away and residential. Both are best enjoyed by simply wandering. There’s no checklist here, just the scenery.
Parking notes: Parking just outside Bourton and walking in is the easiest approach. The Slaughters have limited parking, so arriving a bit earlier in the day helps.
If you still have energy and daylight to spare, Stow-on-the-Wold is a great add-on. It’s one of the more well-rounded market towns in the Cotswolds, with a handsome central square, boutiques, antique shops, and plenty of restaurants to choose from for a late lunch or early dinner. It’s easy to wander without a plan and feel like you’ve seen a lot.
- Morning (ideally around 9am): Bourton-on-the-Water
- Afternoon: Upper Slaughter + Lower Slaughter
- Late afternoon (optional): Stow-on-the-Wold
Photos: Bourton-on-the-Water (top); The Slaughters Manor House Hotel in Upper Slaughter (bottom).
Day 3: Bibury + Burford
Make Bibury your first stop, and make it an early one. If you want to experience Arlington Row, one of the most photographed streets in England, before the crowds arrive, you need to be there before 9 am, ideally closer to 8 am. The medieval stone cottages lining the road, with the ivy-covered Swan Hotel facing the stream, feel almost dreamlike when it’s quiet. Once the tour buses pull in, the mood shifts quickly. The village is small and concentrated, so timing is everything here.
After Bibury, head to Burford for the rest of the morning. It doesn’t get as much attention as some of the bigger names in the Cotswolds, but it’s one of the most charming stops on this itinerary. Walk up to the top of the hill, and you’ll get a beautiful view back over the town and the rolling hills behind it. There’s a lovely main street to explore with good cafés and shops, and it’s relaxed and easy to navigate.
Parking notes for Bibury: The main car park is just off the road near the stream. Arrive early to get a spot without any hassle.
- Early morning (by 8am): Bibury
- Mid-morning into afternoon: Burford
Photos from left to right: Overlooking the high street and rolling hills in Burford; a charming house in Burford; Arlington Row in Bibury.
Day 4: Castle Combe (Day Trip) OR Blockley + Moreton-in-Marsh
If Castle Combe is a must for you: Set aside most of the day for this one. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Chipping Campden, so you’re looking at three hours of driving round-trip. That said, it is genuinely stunning, and many people consider it the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds. A small bridge at the entrance frames the entire scene, stone cottages line the gently rising street, and there’s something almost cinematic about the way it all comes together. Visit early or later in the day for the best experience, as the village is small and can feel busy quickly. The Manor House and its Italian gardens are worth the short walk from the village center.
If Castle Combe isn’t a priority: Use this day to explore Blockley and Moreton-in-Marsh, two very different but complementary stops that are both close to Chipping Campden. Blockley is set into the hills with a fast-flowing stream running through the center and a more residential, local-feeling atmosphere. You won’t find hordes of tourists here. Moreton-in-Marsh is a working market town with a wider high street, practical shops, and a good selection of places to eat. Together, they make for a relaxed, easy day.
Parking notes for Blockley: Primarily street parking, which can be limited. Arriving earlier in the day is the better approach.
- Option A — Full day: Castle Combe (depart early, allow for 1.5-hour drive each way)
- Option B — Morning: Blockley; Afternoon: Moreton-in-Marsh
Photos left to right: entering Castle Combe; the village of Blockley; a garden door in Blockley.
Day 5: Snowshill + Broadway + Stanton
Begin the day at Snowshill, heading to Snowshill Manor and Gardens when it opens. The garden is a National Trust property that’s especially beautiful in spring when the gardens are in full bloom. Take your time walking the grounds. It’s a great place to slow down and settle in. After exploring, head to the Snowshill Arms for lunch. The pub is right in the village and is a classic spot. There’s also a small playground behind the pub, which is a bonus if you’re traveling with kids.
Note: Cotswold Lavender fields are nearby and worth visiting if you’re here in summer.
From Snowshill, head to Broadway, which is often underrated. The main street is notably wide compared to most Cotswolds villages, giving it a different feel, a bit more open, with really great shops and a picturesque bakery at the far end of the street that’s worth seeking out. Broadway Tower is also just outside of town: an iconic stone folly perched at the top of a hill with views over several counties on a clear day. It’s worth the short drive up for the photo and the view.
End the day with a stroll through Stanton, if you’re up for one last stop. This is the quietest village on the list. There’s almost nothing to do here, which is entirely the point. Beautiful half-timbered and limestone cottages, very few visitors, and a peaceful village lane that feels genuinely untouched. When we visited, people on horseback passed through town. It was one of those unexpectedly charming moments that the Cotswolds is full of. The Mount Inn is the only pub in the village and a nice place to stop.
- Morning: Snowshill Manor and Gardens, lunch at Snowshill Arms
- Afternoon: Broadway + Broadway Tower
- Late afternoon (optional): Stanton
Photos from left to right: Flower garden in Snowshill; a telephone booth in Snowshill; a storefront in Broadway; the façade of The Lygon Arms Hotel in Broadway.
Day 6: Daylesford + Catch-Up Day
Daylesford Organic is a really enjoyable stop to add into your last full day. It’s more of a destination than a village, with a beautifully designed farm shop and café that’s worth visiting for the aesthetic alone. Have lunch there and browse the shop. It’s a different kind of Cotswolds stop, but it’s a fun one.
Use the rest of the day to revisit anywhere you didn’t get to, or want to see again. A few good options depending on what you’ve missed:
- Morning: Daylesford Organic for lunch and browsing
- Afternoon: Revisit a missed village or a slower final afternoon in Chipping Campden
- Stow-on-the-Wold if you skipped it on Day 2
- Blockley if you did the Castle Combe day trip instead
- Winchcombe, which is known for its antique shops and is a lovely, low-key addition
- A slower afternoon back in Chipping Campden before your last evening
Day 7: Last Morning in Chipping Campden
Spend the morning back on the high street. Stop in at the local coffee shop, pick up something from the bakery, and have one last cream tea if you can manage it. Walk the length of the main road one more time and appreciate what a genuinely special place this is to have spent a week.
- Morning: High street walk, local coffee shop, cream tea
- Midday: Depart
What I’d Do Differently
The answer here really depends on the kind of trip you want. A few scenarios worth thinking about before you book:
If your goal is to check off the most iconic villages, consider staying in or near Bibury, at The Swan Hotel or a nearby Airbnb. You’ll have the stream and Arlington Row right outside your door before anyone else arrives, and you won’t have to plan around a long drive to get there.
If you want the best combination of lesser-known villages alongside the famous ones, stay in Chipping Campden at an Airbnb like this one or this one. It’s the option I’d recommend for its overall feel and ease of access to other beautiful villages.
And if you’re visiting with kids and want space and flexibility, Chipping Campden still works really well, as does nearby Blockley. Be willing to let the pace shift though, as you’ll likely spend more time in certain villages and less time trying to squeeze in every stop. The playgrounds in the Cotswolds are genuinely excellent and nature-based, and they’re a highlight in their own right.
Left: A rainbow over a farm outside of Chipping Campden; Right: historic church in Upper Slaughter.
Practical Tips
Getting There: Bristol Airport (BRS) and Birmingham Airport (BHX) are the most convenient. London Heathrow (LHR) is the main international option and works well if you’re pairing this with a few days in London.
Getting Around: A rental car is essential. The villages are spread across the countryside, and there’s no practical way to see more than one or two without driving. The roads are narrow and winding, so leave more time than the map suggests.
Parking: Parking varies significantly from village to village. Some towns are easy, others are limited to street parking with tight availability. Early mornings are almost always easier. I go into more detail on parking for each village in my Best Cotswolds Villages guide.
When to Visit: Spring, summer, and early fall are all great. I’d avoid winter and too early in spring, as the weather tends to be especially rainy and grey, which makes navigating the countryside harder and less enjoyable. The shoulder seasons, particularly May to June and September to October, offer the best combination of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Budget: There’s a wide range here. With an Airbnb and casual pub meals, you can keep things reasonably mid-range. If you want to stay at The Pig or The Manor House and seek out the top restaurants, the budget goes up quickly. The Cotswolds does both well.
Looking for more on the Cotswolds? Check out my guide to the Best Villages in the Cotswolds for a deeper look at stops on this itinerary.
FAQs
Do you need a car to visit the Cotswolds?
Yes, a rental car is essential. The villages are spread across the countryside with no practical public transportation connecting them, and the best experiences here involve moving between multiple towns in a single day. Keep in mind the roads are narrow and winding, which is part of the charm, but build extra time into your drives.
How many days do you need in the Cotswolds?
Between 4-7 days is the sweet spot for most first-time visitors. Four days gives you a solid introduction to the highlights; seven days lets you move at a slower pace, revisit favorites, and explore the lesser-known villages that tend to be the most memorable. If you want to visit Bath or Oxford in addition, plan for ten days. A long weekend from London is also worthwhile if that’s all you have.
What is the best village to stay in the Cotswolds?
Chipping Campden is my top recommendation, particularly for first-time visitors. It’s genuinely local, incredibly charming, and sits within easy driving distance of almost every village worth visiting in the northern Cotswolds. If Bibury and Castle Combe are your top priorities, consider staying closer to Bibury instead, since Castle Combe is about an hour and a half south of Chipping Campden and makes for a long day trip.
How far is the Cotswolds from London?
The Cotswolds is roughly two hours from London by car, making it an easy addition to any UK trip. Bristol and Birmingham airports are the most convenient entry points if you’re flying directly into the region, both sitting under an hour away from the heart of the Cotswolds. If you’re combining this with London, Heathrow is the most practical airport to use.
