The Cotswolds is filled with charming villages and picturesque areas, each with its own unique appeal. If you are wondering which villages to visit, how to plan your route, where to stay, or where to eat, I hope this guide will be helpful. There is so much to see in the Cotswolds.
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For those wondering where to go with limited time, I will introduce my recommended villages and areas from a woman traveler’s perspective — split into two parts. This is Part 1.
- Villages we actually visited in the Cotswolds
- Our top pick: Bourton-on-the-Water
- Barnsley — home to the stunning Barnsley House garden (THE PIG hotel)
- Bibury — famous but disappointing due to overcrowding
In the Cotswolds area, we visited Bourton-on-the-Water, Barnsley, Bibury, Broadway, Snowshill, Castle Combe, and — while not technically in the Cotswolds — the area around Highclere Castle (about 15 minutes by taxi from Newbury station).
I consulted the following travel books for ideas on how to structure a day trip or a two-night, three-day itinerary through the region.
Looking for guided tours from London to the Cotswolds? Check out the options on Viator — a great resource for day trips: London & Cotswolds Tours on Viator →
📑 Contents
Our Top Recommendation: Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is absolutely a must-visit. We actually loved it so much that — after spending only about 30 minutes there on our first day — we took a taxi back on a separate day just to spend more time. It is that good.
Both times we arrived just after 9:00 AM, which meant we had the riverside walk almost entirely to ourselves — magical. By around 9:30 AM, however, large tour buses started pulling in and the crowds built up quickly. In summer, I would suggest arriving by 8:30 AM if possible.
We stopped at the popular “Bakery on the Water” — partly to use the restroom — and picked up a muffin and a pie. Both were delicious, though the prices were a bit of a shock: roughly £5 for the muffin and £7 for the pie. They were quite large, so we spread them out over several snack breaks throughout the day.
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🥧 British Pie Cookbook (sweet & savoury) on Amazon →
Barnsley: A Village with a Stunning English Garden
Barnsley House — now home to THE PIG hotel — features a magnificent English garden designed by the same landscape designer who worked on gardens for King Charles. Whether you stay the night or just visit for a meal, the garden alone makes it worth the trip. If you have any interest in English gardens, I highly recommend a visit.
Bibury: Famous but Disappointing Due to Crowds
Bibury is just about 10 minutes by car from Barnsley. It appears in virtually every Cotswolds guidebook and travel feature — but honestly, I was disappointed. When we arrived, tour buses were pulling up one after another, and the village was packed with visitors from all over the world. The scene looked nothing like the serene photos you see in brochures.
Visitor behavior left something to be desired, and there was no pleasant spot to sit down for a quiet cup of tea. If I return to the Cotswolds someday, Bibury will not be on my list again.
👉 Continue to Part 2: Broadway, Snowshill & Castle Combe — including magical Castle Combe and The Manor House, my single favourite spot in the whole Cotswolds.
Recommended Books for Cotswolds Travel
Slow Travel: The Cotswolds (Bradt Travel Guide)
The Cotswolds: A Cultural History (Landscapes of the Imagination)
England’s Cotswolds: A Walkers Guide
Planning Your Trip to the Cotswolds from London
Book your London hotel and Cotswolds day tours early — popular options fill up fast!
More England inspiration: Cotswolds Part 2 · Visiting Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) — Part 1 · Highclere Afternoon Tea — Part 2