Searching for the perfect Cotswolds itinerary? The Cotswolds are very popular as a day trip from London but, since there is so much to do/see, I would suggest spending a weekend. Regardless of what you decide to do, in this post, you will get insider tips for your visit, how to get from London to Cotswolds, best places to stay, the best things to do, where to eat, and a wonderful 2 days in Cotswolds itinerary, which can be customized to one day as well.
The rural sprawl of the Cotswolds unfold like a series of paintings. The Area of Natural Beauty is made up of rolling hills and pastures, medieval villages of honey-coloured homes, resplendent manors on royal estates and carefully manicured gardens.
This south central England region has flourished under textile production and later, artistic movement. Now, it’s one of the most popular places in England for people to go on a weekend away.
I love to spend the day out in the Cotswolds, sampling the pretty sights. I recently went for the weekend. I know from experience that planning a trip to the Cotswolds can seem overwhelming, mainly because there’s so much to see.
Here I’ll share some of the best activities to do in the Cotswolds, to include in your itinerary. My weekend in the Cotswolds was wonderful, so I want you to enjoy it as much as I did!
Tips for visiting the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds encompasses 800 square miles and five counties – Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Warwickshire. You could easily be in all five on a weekend in the Cotswolds, if that’s what you want.
In the Cotswolds there are plenty of landscapes and villages to admire. I recommend building your itinerary around a theme to help scale down your options. It could be hiking focused, feature the most popular villages of the Cotswolds, or maybe even be literary themed.
I also absolutely recommend hiring a car, or bringing your own, to really get the most from the Cotswolds experience. The roads can seem thin at points, but trust me, you’ll make it through. Driving round the Cotswolds is all part of the fun!
London to Cotswolds: How to get to Cotswolds from London
Visiting the Cotswolds for the day from London is easy. If you drive, it’s around two hours, depending on where you’re driving to and from. If you want to take public transport, London to Cotswolds by train is easy enough.
You can take the train from London Paddington to Moreton in the Marsh, in the north of the Cotswolds, in an hour and a half. Or you can come into Kemble, which is right by Cirencester, also from Paddington. From Moreton in the Marsh and Kemble you can reach all of the train stations in the Cotswolds.
If you can, I’d suggest renting a car for your day trip to the Cotswolds, just so you can visit the smaller villages, and enjoy the countryside of this Area of Natural Beauty. Life is a lot easier in the Cotswolds with a car!
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Suggested places to stay in the Cotswolds
Whether cozy inns with fireplaces or luxury cottages, you can choose from a range of accommodations. I suggest picking your place to stay based on your Cotswolds itinerary. It’s a good idea to set base near a town you’re invested in exploring or somewhere you can easily access the places on your itinerary.
Barnsley House, Cirencester – If you’re looking to escape into the rolling landscape but keep close to town, the gorgeous Barnsley House tucked within Cirencester is a great compromise. Even better, it has its own set of formal gardens for romantic strolls. It’s an utter dream!
Oak House No. 1, Tetbury – I haven’t personally stayed in this private house, but it’s an opulent treat for those willing to splash out. Bold décor and modern art are the tip of the iceberg; expect chaise lounges, four-poster beds and even a personal library in the Cavalier Suite.
The Lamb Inn, Burford – For homey comforts, turn to the Lamb Inn. Poised at the edge of charming Burford, you can experience the quiet life in a historical village. The layout is charmingly random too, since later additions have created rambling passageways. You’ll fall in love with the stone fireplaces and garden out back; I know I did.
The Wild Rabbit, Chipping Norton – Exuding rustic-chic charm with stone walls, light-wood flourishes and soft linens, you’ll find all 15 rooms extremely restful. Combine the stylish rooms with its on-site restaurant and you’re set with a hearty supper and mellow sleep space.
Booking.comCotswolds 2 Day Itinerary
Here’s where I’d suggest you go, on a weekend trip to the Cotswolds.
Day one in the Cotswolds
1. Combine manor visit with tea
Start your 2 days in the Cotswolds at Stanway House, near Cheltenham. It’s a Jacobean manor with a long history (and juicy stories), and one of England’s best stately homes.
The highlight is the restored water garden with the highest fountain in the country. Guests can also enjoy cold drinks, tea and ice cream on the grounds at the cafe. Getting some food in beautiful surroundings is always a great start to a trip in my eyes!
You could carry on to experience the delights of Cheltenham – Pittville Park, The Wilson Arts and Crafts Centre and Sandford Parks Lido are just some of the highlights. Expect a prettier, quainter version of England’s typical high street.
Or, you can drive straight on through to see some of the most impressive gardens in the Cotswolds.
2. Tour Hidcote Manor Garden
One of the UK’s most stunning gardens lay in the Cotswolds and it deserves a top spot on your Cotswolds itinerary. An Arts and Crafts garden designed by Major Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote is a sculpted landscape of carefully positioned hedges, exotic trees, herbaceous borders and colourful blooms.
Make sure to take your camera with you; there’s no shortage of photo ops in among those flowerbeds.
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3. Flow alongside Bourton-on-Water
Next up on your Cotswolds itinerary is the River Windrush. You’ll see as it carves shallow streams through the charming Bourton-on-Water – one of my favourite villages to visit in the Cotswolds thanks to its Venice-like design. Feel free to go wandering over the stone bridges that cross the waterways.
For a bird’s-eye-view of the streets visit the Model Village for a mini-replica. There’s also a beautiful bird estate, Birdland Park and Gardens, for a scenic stroll through.
4. Go on a hike between Upper and Lower Slaughter
Some people plan their Cotswolds itinerary around hiking but if you only have time for one walk, I suggest strolling between Upper and Lower Slaughter. The name might sound butcher-y but don’t be put off!
The two villages are actually named with the Anglo-Saxon term for mud.
Track the length of River Eye using flower-decorated cottages as your guide. You’ll pass by an old flour mill turned craft shop and museum, where the path opens up into the pastures. It’s an easy, mile-long walk totally worth the exercise.
These are two of the most popular places to visit in the Cotswolds, and need to make it onto your itinerary.
5. Find a fairytale in Stow-on-the-Wold
Next up and we’re hitting the heart of your Tolkien fantasies, Stow-on-the-Wold. This is a Cotswold village filled with character: apart from boutique shops and antique wares, it is also home to some of the best eateries in Cotswolds.
Take a stroll and try and get lost. You won’t be able to and who knows what you might discover along the way. One of the main things to do here is seek out the door at St Edward’s Church.
I’d suggest looking at the list of accommodations below and stay around here for the night. The Wild Rabbit at Chipping Norton would be a good one to go for.
Day two in the Cotswolds
6. Experience farm life at Daylesford
Perhaps the most famous organic farm shop in the Cotswolds, Daylesford can take up a few hours of your Cotswolds itinerary. Here you can experience life from farm to table; you can learn butchery and foraging or stick to a cookery course. In fact, the 2350-acre farm highlights Cotswolds famed produce: cheese.
Start the day by grabbing a bite of their onsite-produced dairy products – you won’t find anything like it elsewhere.
7. Track down literary roots in Swinbrook
Quiet and sweet Swinbrook isn’t the most colourful village but it’s perfect if want you want a country escape. It’s best known as the hometown of the Mitford Sisters, and their former residence Asthall Manor is open for literature fans to visit. The Mitford Sisters were like the Kardashians of the 40s, except they had brains, style and instead of sex tapes, a lot of political ideology. In Swinbrook you can pop by the church for some Fettiplace monument appreciation.
Swinbrook is close by the quaint Burford, which features a plethora of cozy pubs and eateries. If you hit up Swinbrook in the morning, this neighbouring town is your lunch spot. Like Bourton-on-Water, its High Street sits on the River Windrush to offer three arched medieval bridges. Filed along it are 17th and 18th century buildings that house antique shops.
8. Bibury: a heritage portal
Bibury is the quintessential UK village – cosy stone cottages with shingled roofs, narrow paths edged in green and a riverside location. The 17th-century weavers’ cottages sit in contrast to the wilder colours of homegrown gardens. I absolutely love it here! It’s also a comfortable 9 miles from Burford, so I suggest dropping by in the afternoon when the lighting is at its warmest.
Just be warned, Bibury is the most popular village in the Cotswolds thanks to its run of super pretty houses. I’m not exaggerating when I say you can expect bus loads of tourists coming to take a picture next to them.
Can’t even imagine how annoying it must be for the residents there.
9. Visit Cirencester – the capital of the Cotswolds
Perched on the crossroads of ancient Roman origins, Cirencester market town is considered the capital of the Cotswolds. An attraction tailored for history buffs, you’ll find Roman, Norman and Saxon remains at Corinium Museum; there’s even an amphitheater on the outskirts.
Among the colourful buildings are other historical sites such as the stunning St John the Baptist church.
Enjoy the high street with its colourful buildings and great places to eat. All of England should look like Cirencester.
10. Catch a glimpse of royal living
It’s no surprise that even royalty deigned the Cotswolds an ideal retreat. Highgrove Estate and Corsham Court are the literal crowning jewels among the many mansions in the region, belonging to the royal family.
Open to public, the former is the private residence of the Prince of Wales; he dedicated years to cultivating a captivating garden series. From secret doors hidden in ivy-ridden walls to hedge sculptures, Highgrove Estate is a must-visit on your Cotswolds itinerary. Corsham Court speaks with a significant art collection instead, featuring lavish rooms with gold-framed paintings. It’s harder to get to but worth the visit if you have time.
Backing Highgrove Estate is another must-see attraction: Westonbirt Arboretum. Registered as a historic park and garden, the 600-acre land is meticulously arranged with regal avenues, traditional woodland and shrubbery. Consider adding it to your 2-day Cotswolds itinerary!
Suggested places to eat
Stroud Farmers’ Market – Gritty Stroud carries a surreal charm but it is the weekly famers’ markets that lure in regular visitors. If you’re in the area on a Saturday, be sure to grab servings of fresh falafel in warm pitta bread; local cheeses and Gloucester Old Spot sausages make a surprisingly tasty combo as well.
The Wild Rabbit – Pub and accommodation collide at The Wild Rabbit to serve richly flavored food created from organic produce. Delicious and grounded menu!
Tisanes Tea Room – Tea is an essential part of any Englishman’s day so pack yourself off to this 17th-century establishment. Serving over 30 tea blends and piping hot scones, this Broadway-inspired setting will hit you in the feels.
The Old Butchers – Grab a hearty meal at this Stow-on-the-Wold favourite. Butchers turned restaurant, you get equal share of meat and seafood.
The Bell at Sapperton – Flagstone floors, log fires and beamed ceilings complete this medieval dream. Grab seasonal dishes and local British fare at this restaurant.
The Lamb Inn – Burford treats with this bar-restaurant; a solid beer selection, traditional English dishes with option of finer dining. Expect fishcakes, ale sausages and venison loin to keep you fuelled.Â
Jack’s Tea Room & Cafe – Amazing place for brunch in Cirencester. Go through and out the back to sit in the pretty courtyard, and try one of their buddha breakfast bowls. The coffee was great too!
These suggestions are by no means all there is to do when spending 2 days in the Cotswolds! Hopefully, they give you an idea of where to start exploring the many villages in this incredible part of England.
Route map of this Cotswolds itinerary:
This is a guest post by Victoria Philpott, from DayOutinEngland.com
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