The 6 best Cotswold villages to visit in 2025
The Cotswolds, with its charming honey-coloured cottages, rolling hills, and picturesque villages, has long been a favourite destination for travellers seeking a quintessentially English escape.
Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to uncover more of this magical area, the Cotswolds is brimming with delightful villages that promise to capture your heart.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of my favourite Cotswolds villages to visit this year, each offering its own unique charm and character, perfect for those in search of idyllic landscapes, rich history, and authentic local experiences.
*Whilst the Cotswolds is incredibly photogenic and can feel like you are walking through a story book, please remember that these villages are also people’s homes and please be mindful and respectful of the local residents when visiting.
The Slaughters
Upper Slaughter - Wandering with Katherine
Okay so maybe this is cheating to include two places for number one! Upper and Lower Slaughter are two villages that you should definitely add to your Cotswold itinerary this year. Whilst the names might sound rather scary, I can assure you that these beautiful villages will give you the opportunity to experience all the peacefulness and tranquillity that you are looking for during your trip to the English countryside.
Upper Slaughter is known for its peaceful atmosphere, picturesque stone cottages, and of course the beautiful ford (pictured). Meanwhile, Lower Slaughter offers a similarly idyllic setting, with its historic mill and peaceful walking trails.
The two villages are just a short, delightful walk apart, taking around 20 minutes to travel between them along a serene footpath that winds through the fields, offering stunning views of the river and surrounding meadows (make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear as this can get muddy after some rain!).
2. Chipping Campden
Kiftsgate Court Gardens - Wandering with Katherine
The wonderful Chipping Campden is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in the Cotswolds. With its wide, tree-lined High Street, you’ll find an array of honey-coloured limestone buildings, including the magnificent Market Hall, a 17th-century structure that stands as a symbol of the town's rich history.
If visiting in spring or summer, I would highly recommend visiting some of the nearby gardens, such as Hidcote (National Trust) or Kiftsgate Court Gardens, both of which are around a ten minute drive from Chipping Campden. During the warmer seasons, these gardens burst into bloom and are a true photographer’s paradise.
3. Stow on the Wold
St Edward’s Church - Wandering with Katherine
Next up, we have the wonderful Stow on the Wold - otherwise known as the heart of the Cotswolds. If you have seen pictures of the Cotswolds before, you may recognise this insta-famous doorway. Whilst this unique, twisted yew tree doorway is beautiful in it’s own right, it is also said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of The Rings who had strong ties to the area. This is a beautiful spot and so, many people choose to stop and snap a shot for the gram. If you do, please be mindful and respectful of the cemetery around you.
Stow on the Wold is also home to a number of boutique shops, traditional tea rooms, and inviting pubs, making it a perfect stop for anyone exploring the Cotswolds. A personal favourite is Huffkins Tea Rooms - the perfect place to stop for a scone with jam and cream and cup of tea. If you are staying later into the evening, I would highly recommend a fish and chips from Greedy’s (and so would some celebrities apparently!). With David Beckham reportedly being a regular there for a while!
4. Castle Combe
Castle Combe - Wandering with Katherine
The fairytale village of Castle Combe is often referred to as one of the prettiest villages in England and it is not hard to see why. The village is home to the impressive 14th-century St. Andrew's Church, a medieval market cross and of course the spectacular 14th-century Manor House. Originally built as a grand home for wealthy landowners, it has since been transformed into a renowned hotel and golf resort. A lovely place to stop for a drink or even a luxurious afternoon tea! If you would prefer something a bit more relaxed, some of the locals sell drinks and cakes from their homes along the main street - which is lovely.
As I am sure you can imagine, this village can get quite busy during peak seasons and even has a coach park! If you are hoping to experience the true magic of Castle Combe I would highly recommend heading there early in the morning, or even basing yourself there.
5. Broadway
Broadway - Wandering with Katherine
Broadway will always have a special place in my heart as it was one of the first Cotswold villages I ever visited. Broadway is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds," and, during the month of May, many of the buildings are draped in exquisite wisteria. Delicate purple flowers cascade over stone walls, climbing up cottages and weaving through garden trellises, creating a stunning display of nature's beauty - which also smells out of this world!!
Broadway has something for everyone, whether you love boutique shops, art galleries, countryside walks or cosy tea rooms, you will find something that captures your heart. If you love nature as much as I do, I would recommend a visit to Broadway Tower - there are lots of walks that will take you there, but if you prefer you can drive straight up to it for stunning views across the Worcestershire countryside, and usually you will catch sight of some deer!
6. Bibury
Arlington Row - Wandering with Katherine
Last, but by no means least, we have the lovely Bibury. Known for its charming stone cottages with thatched roofs and its tranquil setting along the River Coln, Bibury exudes a timeless beauty that feels like you are stepping into a painting. The village’s most iconic spot, Arlington Row, is a collection of historic weaver’s cottages dating back to the 14th century. You may even recognise this row of homes, as Arlington Row was featured on the UK’s old £5 banknote!!
As strange as it sounds - one of the main attractions in this village is the trout farm. I was a little sceptical at first, but we had a really lovely wander around, fed the fish and enjoyed the beauty of the area around us!
Again, as this village is quite well known, I would recommend getting there early to have the opportunity to experience this village’s true, tranquil beauty.
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