The Cotswold is one of the prettiest areas of England I have ever been to. Rolling hills, green valleys, quaint villages, everywhere you look is out of a postcard.
We stayed at The Wood Norton and woke up bright and early to make the most of the 2 days we had in the region. On the first day, we visited Blockley, Kingham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water. It seems like a lot but some villages are teeny tiny so you will only need an hour or so there. On Sunday, we explored Painswick, Miserden and Bibury, before heading back to London.
Now to help you plan your trip to the Cotswolds, I listed all the villages below with a few recommendations here and there. Also, keep scrolling if you like pictures of quaint houses and autumnal foliage. Bundle up and let’s go!
Blockley
Blockley was just waking up when we arrived on Saturday morning. It is a very small village so you won’t need long to explore it. Take a moment to appreciate the local architecture. All houses are built with the local sand colour Cotswold stone.
Walk to the top of the hill for glimpses of the countryside.
There you will find a picturesque church, and you will see that even the cemeteries are pretty in the Cotswolds.
Kingham
Our next stop was another very small, yet very pretty, village. Kingham is on flat land, the exact opposite of Blockley.
It is all about the details in Kingham, the front porches are all ridiculously quaint.
Walk around the main green and wander toward the church.
And if you happen to be in Kingham at lunchtime, make sure to try The Wild Rabbit, we didn’t eat there on this trip but I heard great things about it!
Stow-on-the-Wold
For lunch, we headed to Stow-on-the-Wold, a bigger town and the perfect spot if you are looking for a busier atmosphere and an opportunity to shop!
The place has a lot of local products shops and antique boutiques. Make sure to explore some to find little treasures or souvenir!
If you happen to be there around lunch time, make sure to grab a bite at The Hive, I cannot recommend it enough!
Explore the city centre, everything is so pretty you will feel like you are in a Jane Austen era movie.
Finally, make sure to pay attention when driving out of Stow-on-the-Wold, there are some amazing viewpoints which worth stopping at for a picture or 20 (you should see my memory card).
Lower Slaughter
Lower Slaughter is famous for its network of small canals. The village’s streets follow the path of the water to create the most charming atmosphere.
Walk along the canal and head to the old mill. There you will be able to make friend with the ducks and see the hikers splashing around in the water to wash their muddy boots.
We then headed to the church and happened to run into a bride and a groom, freshly married, who were taking their wedding pictures in the village. I have to say, with that weather and the golden Autumn colours, their pictures will be extremely Pinterest-able.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Our last stop on Saturday was also the busiest place we visited. Bourton-on-the-Water is full of tourists so be warned.
It is absolutely beautiful though so it still worth merging into the crowd to walk along the water.
It is nicknamed the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ and rightly so. It’s all about crossing bridges, feeding the ducks and grabbing a sweet afternoon treat there!
Painswick
On Sunday, we started our day at Painswick. It is a very small village but it has a very noticeable cemetery (Again! I told you cemeteries worth a visit to the Cotswolds). The trees leading to the village’s church are all shaped like mushrooms. This makes for great pictures…
…and ‘avant-garde’ headpieces (I am a very funny person indeed).
The village is also a hub for the serious hikers, so much so that you may struggle to find a free parking spot, even on Sundays.
Miserden
Miserden was one of the prettiest, if not THE prettiest, villages we visited. Teeny tiny but really worth stopping by!
The views of the valley are beautiful, mostly in the Autumn.
The village is very peaceful, the locals friendly, the chickens walk freely in the streets, and honesty boxes are the common way to shop there. A little piece of heaven.
Also make sure to grab a little something at The Nursery on Miserden Estate, a nice spot for a cup of coffee and something sweet.
Bibury
Our last stop was Bibury. This place is probably the closest I will ever get to feel like I am in the Lord of the Ring. Look at the houses! Hobbits could easily live there!
The place is charming and therefore very popular with tourists.
It isn’t very big either, so once you are done walking around, head to The Swan for a warming drink or a Sunday roast (we went for the latter).
The Cotswolds are the perfect Autumnal destination, and it was the perfect weekend away with the great weather we had! We came home rested and with (maybe) a bit of a tan.
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Claire Imaginarium 
Great pictures…. would visit some day…. Is it really an offbeat one>??
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What a beautiful village! I sure love towns like these. Looking forward to visiting one day!
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Only this year I started travelling UK a little bit more and realised that it has a lot to offer. These little villages are extremely pretty, you just need to be lucky with the weather!
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These pictures of Cotswold villages stole my heart! There is so much to be discovered. The place seems to have an amazing rustic charm and a sense of mystical beauty. Having been to England twice, I would echo your expression that “…The Cotswold is one of the prettiest areas of England…” as seen here through your lens!
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Following your blog made me want to travel and discover U.K. more than I thought I would, ça fait vraiment plaisir!
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Beautiful pictures. I actually originally come from a quaint little town similar to the Cotswolds. I’m from a medieval, market town called Shrewsbury in Shropshire. I take it for granted seeing sights like this, it’s so great to see other people appreciate them so much 🙂
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Those villages have so much charm! Makes me want to book a flight to Europe ASAP.
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Ahhh.. got to make a trip to Cotswold soon on one of the weekends. These pictures look beautiful, perfect gateaway from the city.
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I can’t wait to get back to the UK and see beautuful old buildings like this. It’s going to fun being a tourist there, Cotswolds are now officially on my list 😀
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I want to visit the Cotswolds so much! Your photos made me fall all the more in love with those picture-perfect villages! Thanks for all the info!
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Wow, this area looks straight out of a fairytale. I’d love to visit one day!
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Omg! Your pics are just so beautiful, they made me wanna go there so much!
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Wow, loved all the pretty pics on your post! We were in England last Fall and loved every minute but couldn’t fit in a visit to the Cotswolds, totally plan to go there sometime! We also loved the sunday roasts, so much good food!
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Bonjour Claire, magnifique ton Blog! I like the English villages, they have so much characters. well done. @packedagain from Corina
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Those pictures looks so idilical 🙂 what do you think what is the best season to visit England villages? 🙂
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Honestly i think i would have clicked and clicked away like crazy , i was wondering how awesome would be the quality of life in places such as these , i guess they have all the modern facilities as well in addition to the countryside beauty
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I hope we can make it here next time we travel over. This place looks beautiful. And I love the cemetery pictures.
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Awesome impressions of the truly outstandingly beautiful Cotswolds.
I wished I’d read your blog before we made our visit though … 😉
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Thanks!!! Use it for next time!
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We are truly blessed to live here, everyday is beautiful whatever the weather. We chart the seasons by the flowers, the trees, newborn and growing lambs, heaven couldn’t be a finer place.
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The Cotswolds are a magical collection of villages but I have to say I fell in love with the quaint villages in the Peak District just as much this year, and less tourists too
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Gorgeous photos! Your post has made me extremely nostalgic for home – oh, and that roast dinner looks amazing! 🙂
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Never heard of Cotswolds. Such beautiful photos. I love how you also include tips such as where to eat throughout.
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Wow, I was just lost in the beautiful English countryside reading your blog, I loved everything about Cotswold, I can not wait to visit the little villages you have mentioned here, love the photos 🙂
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Beautiful photos. Takes me back to when I was there, so very quaint and very English! Some of these villages look as though they are straight out of a fairy tale
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Your description of the rustic feel of English countryside is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
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I grew up near the Cotswolds – some great picks for best villages to explore, particularly Bibury!
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Lucky you to grow up there!
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Oh I miss being in the U.K soooo much. Absolutely love the british countryside. I used to study at the Sutton Bonington Campus of Uni of Nottingham and it was such a quite and nice surrounding. Can’t wait to be back!
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You’ve made me want to return to the Cotswolds soon! I have only been to Bibury and fell in love with it. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful villages in the UK.
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