With its fairy-tale villages, green rolling hills, and honey-hued cottages, Cotswold is one dreamy land that takes you through a sublime English countryside. No other place in the UK is as romanticized as Cotswold because of its scenic beauty. So, if you plan to travel down, take a look at our guide on how to spend a weekend in the Cotswolds.
The charming beauty of Cotswold has attracted millions of tourists in the past. It is mainly because of its backdrop setting that makes your visit worthwhile. With 800 miles of total area, it covers a total of 6 counties in the region, including Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
With plenty of activities to do & numerous villages to visit, you can easily get lost in the romantic land of Cotswold. If you get the chance to visit, you should lookout for a long weekend on the calendar. This amazing Cotswolds itinerary will help you down in planning a perfect trip to the countryside, ensuring a visit to many of the highlights of the region. You can also take a glance at a more comprehensive Cotswold guide, for a list of beautiful villages & towns in the area.
Since there is so much to do here, the opportunities to explore Cotswold are endless. Either cramp everything in your itinerary or simply explore the most-visited ones. You can even choose to go on day trips in the Cotswolds – if you’re short on time.
For now, the below 3-Day Cotswolds itinerary will help you in planning a perfect trip.
Itinerary for Weekend in the Cotswolds
- The Western Cotswold – Cheltenham – Snowshill – Chipping Camden.
- The Central Cotswold – Cirencester – Bibury – Bourton-on-the-Water.
- The Southern Cotswold – Castle Combe – Chippenham.
Day 1: The Western Cotswolds
You will start your morning by visiting one of the famous villages of Cotswold – Cheltenham. This picturesque town is considered to be ‘the Western Gateway to the Cotswold’. The lively spa town is famous for its regency architecture, beautiful gardens, and pristine parks. Explore the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum which houses numerous ancient artifacts & intriguing objects – celebrating local pioneers. It’s a great place to understand the rich history & culture of the town. Later, wander off to explore Imperial Square and Gardens that display beautiful Georgian houses. The main focal points around the garden are the tree-lined Promenade and Montpellier Walk that surrounds the area.
Snowshill – Post your short travel at Cheltenham, and you will travel to Chipping Camden. But before, let’s take a short detour and stop by Snowshill to admire the famous Broadway Tower. Climb up to the top of the tower, and ge09t a scenic view of the surrounding rolling hills & villages. Snowshill is known for its picturesque views & it will spoil you with its treasures. After your Broadway Tower visit, you will make your way to Cotswold Lavender Farm. The best time to visit this place is from June to early August.
Chipping Camden – Snowshill to Chipping Camden is only a 12-minute drive away. One of the most beautiful towns in Cotswold, there is plenty of things to do here. The town is home to some important historical sites like St. James’ Church, Ancient Market Hall, and Alms Houses. Take a short trip to Dover’s Hill, a 10-minute drive from the main city. On top of the hill, you will find a trig point and a toposcope defining many of the attractions visible. A great place to sit, relax and unwind whilst watching the sunset.
Overnight stay in Chipping Camden.
Day 2: The Central Cotswolds
Further to our weekend in the Cotswolds, we move to the central region of Cotswold. Home to many other important attractions, you will explore some of the highlighted places here.
You will travel down to Cirencester from Chipping Camden (a 44-minute drive). Considered to be the capital of Cotswold, the town brims with rich history & culture. You can start by taking a walking tour of the medieval-styled buildings & narrow alleyways. Explore the local markets, shops & stalls selling local produce & souvenirs. Later on, visit the St. John the Baptist – a classic medieval gothic-styled structure influenced by Roman British. You can also find your place at Market Square, known to be the biggest market here in Cirencester. Optional – You can take a guided tour of the Corinium Museum which houses a huge collection of intriguing objects & artifacts.
In the afternoon, you will travel to Bibury. Located only a 15-minute drive from Cirencester, it is one of the loveliest towns that I’ve visited. Opt to explore the St. Mary Church, which still holds the Saxon remains. Most of the original objects here were restored at the British Museum. The major highlight of your visit to Bibury is the Arlington Row – a group of old-fashioned cottages, with steeply pitched roofs lined up together, that date back to the 16th century. William Morris called this town ‘the most beautiful village in England’. Post your exploration, you can also visit the Bibury Trout Farm, to buy local wines & eat delicious smoked trout.
After Bibury, you will travel to one of Cotswold’s charming villages – Bourton-on-the-Water. This village is only a 34-minute drive from Bibury. It’s considered to be the ‘Little Venice’ of Cotswold because of the River Windrush streaming down the elegant low bridges. You can take an aromatic tour of the Cotswold Perfumery museum shop where personalized scents are made for the Queen. Or you can opt to visit the Model Railway Exhibition – a place with some of the finest indoor models layout of railways. Later, in the evening, you can take a stroll to the Lower and Upper Slaughter. Collectively, both the picturesque villages are referred to as ‘The Slaughters’.
Overnight stay in Cirencester.
Day 3: The Southern Cotswolds
Start your southern Cotswold tour by arriving at Castle Combe. A 60-minute drive will take you to this enchanting village. From meandering rivers to beautifully preserved cottages, Castle Combe is one of its kind. Strolling around the village will take your experience back to the 17th century.
Later, drive down to Chippenham – one of the best market towns in the country. Here you will get to visit the Lacock Abbey, a country house with monastic roots. You can take a stroll around the gardens and visit the Fox Talbot Museum. Post exploration, you will travel towards one of the magnificent gardens of Cotswold – Bowood House & Gardens. You can opt for a guided tour here, which approx. takes 90 minutes. It’s considered to be one of the most scenic gardens in the UK, with an area spreading across 100-acre.
Finish off your weekend in the Cotswolds by taking a walk around these gardens, admiring the interiors of the room, and exploring places like Robert Adam’s Library & Dr. Joseph’s Laboratory.
Overnight stay at Castle Comb.
Visit Other Best Villages in Cotswolds
Your weekend in the Cotswolds ends here but there’s plenty more to do if you wish to stay any longer. You can always add up more destinations to your itinerary to get more out of Cotswold. Here’s some of the best villages in Cotswolds to check out –
Chedworth Roman Villa – Influenced by Romano-British villa, this place is a favorite amongst history-lovers. There are audio guides as well taking you back to the establishment of the site.
Blenheim Palace – One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the UK, this country mansion is famous for its history & beautiful gardens. Do visit the Marlborough Maze and Butterfly House, where most of the movie scenes were shit. Bath – Located towards the south of Cotswold, Bath is one of the most popular historic spa towns. Opt for a walking tour & explore the beautiful Roman Baths. Experience the thermal waters for a nice, warm traditional soak.
Accommodation for Weekend Breaks in Cotswolds
With a high range of caliber & plethora of options, Cotswold is home to a beautiful set of hotels to stay in. Considering the budget of a traveler, it’s easy to find your type very easily.
Based on the above Cotswolds itinerary & overnight stays, below are some of the best cottages in Cotswolds for weekend breaks. Also, browse more options from the famous Cotswold accommodation list.
- Cheltenham – The Greenway Hotel and Spa, Cleeve Cottage, Cotswold Grange, and the Green Dragon.
- Cirencester – Kings Head Hotel, Sykes Holiday Cottages, the Swan Hotel, and Sapperton Yurt & Yurt Reynolds.
- Castle Comb – The White Hart, the Castle Inn, and Stable Cottage.
Note – Hotels mentioned are a mixed list of budget & luxury ones. You can always customize it according to your certain requirement.
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Cotswolds
Cotswold has earned the reputation of being a foodie destination, not just among locals but also tourists. With numerous cafes & restaurants and pubs & bars, be assured to find anything you love at your favorite place.
Most of the towns & villages will have their traditional touch to the cuisine so that travelers get the taste of Cotswold’s most interesting dishes.
Below I’ve recommended some of the best options that will suit your weekend in the Cotswolds. Moreover, feel free to explore more of Cotswold’s food & drink selection.
- The Western Cotswold – Huffkins Café& Bakery (cafe), the Garden Restaurant, No.131, Morris and Brown Café at Broadway Tower, and Noel Arms Hotel.
- The Central Cotswold – Teatro, the Gateway Café, the Garden Café at Miserden, the Swan Hotel, and the Village Pub.
- The Southern Cotswold – The Salutation Inn, the Old Stables Coffee Shop, the Fox & Hounds, Castle Inn Restaurant, and Allington Café.
Best Time to Visit Cotswolds
The weather in Cotswold is unpredictable, just like the rest of the UK. January is the coldest of all months & February is the driest. You can expect rain throughout the year. Hence, it’s essential to pack your rain gear when you plan to travel.
You can visit Cotswold at any time of the year, with some fair weather conditions. But rather it’s always advisable to check the weather forecast before you travel.
