The great thing about living in Oxford is that it’s super simple to visit other parts of the UK, especially the beautiful area of the Cotswolds, even if (like me) you don’t drive it can still be quick and easy to head out of the city and into the countryside, so here are 10 Cotswold villages you should definitely visit.

10 Cotswold Villages You Should Definitely Visit

Bibury

Bibury is a charming, typically Cotswold, village that can become very busy on a sunny summer afternoon, and even attracts visitors on the coldest winter day. There are several places to eat and drink in the village or buy some picnic ingredients at Bibury Trout Farm Shop or the Post Office and Village Shop.

Bourton-in-the-Water

Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ because of the attractive little bridges that cross the River Windrush which runs through the centre of the village. Bourton-on-the-Water also has an eclectic mix of shops including Cotswold Perfumery, a jewellers and pottery giving a wide choice of unique and exciting gifts all year round.

Burford

Of all of the Cotswold villages Burford is particularly popular with visitors, both for its beauty and history but also for its shopping, especially antiques, and for the wide variety of places to eat, with restaurants, pubs and teashops. There are wonderful alleyways and side streets just waiting to be explored.

Castle Combe

Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village often named as the ‘prettiest village in England.’  The village has a rich history and the houses are made up of the honey coloured Cotswold stone, typical for a village of this area.

Kingham

Kingham is a beautiful unspoiled Cotswold village with a large open green and some elegant stone and thatch cottages, a tiny little village that has hundreds of people living there, once you’ve arrived, make sure you pop into The Kingham Plough for a tasty lunch.

Lacock

Lacock is by far one of the prettiest of all of the Cotswold villages, just four miles south of Chippenham it is know by many as a filming location for works such as Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and The Other Boleyn Girl. Today it is also known for the novelty of the absence of power cables, yellow lines and TV aerials from its streets.

Moreton-in-Marsh

As well as the railway station (which provides a direct link to London) Moreton-in-Marsh is well connected to Cheltenham and other towns and villages in the Cotswolds via bus services. The High street offers many art & antique galleries as well as a wonderful selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants. 

Stow-on-the-Wold

The market town of Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the most popular places in the Cotswolds to visit. It’s steeped in history and is well known for the antique and the vast amount of tea shops, there are also a few lovely little pubs around the square. 

Tetbury

While antique shops are a popular attraction throughout the Cotswolds, Tetbury is regarded as the premier town to buy antiques with over thirty stores to choose from.  People travel from all over England and throughout the world to shop in Tetbury. 

Winchcombe

Winchcombe is a delight for visitors, with a good range of traditional retailers, boutique clothing, interior design and antique shops to browse.  The town also boasts a wealth of historic pubs, several tea rooms and galleries to while away the hours. Winchcombe has a wonderfully timeless quality about it, stone cottages, narrow side streets and charming houses make up the centre of this fabulous town.

Which of the Cotswold villages have you visited?

Let me know in the comments.