Explore the Best Things to Do in Cotswolds
- James Long
- Oct 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 16
Last updated: 24 December 2025
Why the Cotswolds is worth visiting
The Cotswolds isn’t just one destination — it’s a patchwork of market towns, villages, walking routes, gardens, and historic sites spread across a surprisingly large area of central England. Done well, it’s calm, beautiful, and deeply satisfying. Done badly, it can feel crowded, rushed, and underwhelming.
This guide focuses on what’s genuinely worth your time, how to combine places sensibly, and how to experience the Cotswolds without spending half your visit stuck in traffic or queues. Here are the best things to do in the Cotswolds.
At a glance: the Cotswolds highlights
If you’re short on time, these are the experiences most visitors come for — and that genuinely deliver.
Classic villages: Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Lower Slaughter
Market towns: Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, Broadway
Historic sites: Sudeley Castle, Broadway Tower
Gardens: Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Walking countryside: Cotswold Way, riverside and village-to-village walks
This article focuses on highlights and priorities. If you want a broader view of activities — from walks and gardens to historic sites and quieter alternatives — start with the Things to Do in the Cotswolds overview.
The villages everyone wants to see (and how to see them properly)
Bourton-on-the-Water
Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s still worth seeing.
The key is timing. Early morning or late afternoon transforms the experience. The stone bridges and River Windrush are at their best when you can slow down and wander without feeling shepherded.
Insider note: Combine Bourton-on-the-Water with Lower Slaughter on foot or by car rather than hopping between multiple “Instagram villages” in one day.
You can read more about this lovely village in our article Bourton on the Water - How to Visit without the Crowds.
Bibury
Bibury is small and intensely photogenic — which is both its charm and its challenge.
Arlington Row is the headline, but it’s not a long stop. Treat Bibury as a short visit, ideally early in the day, and pair it with the Coln Valley villages rather than as a standalone destination.
Insider note: Many visitors rush in, take photos, and leave frustrated. Ten calm minutes beats an hour in a crowd.
To read more about this picturesque village visit Bibury: a quintessential Cotswold Village.
Market towns that anchor a good Cotswolds trip
Stow-on-the-Wold
A practical base with plenty of places to eat, browse, and pause. Good for lunch stops and gentle wandering rather than ticking sights.
To learn more about Stow-on-the-Wold and how best to visit read Stow on the Wold: A Practical Local Guide.
Chipping Campden
The northern gateway to the Cotswold Way. A better choice if walking is part of your plan.
To explore whether you would like to visit this charming town read Chipping Campden: A Practical Local Guide.
Broadway
One of the most complete Cotswold towns: shops, views, and easy access to Broadway Tower.
To read more about this iconic Cotswold town visit Ultimate Guide to Broadway.
Historic places worth prioritising
Sudeley Castle
A strong choice if you want history plus gardens, not just a grand house. The castle’s royal connections and landscaped grounds make it one of the most rounded attractions in the region.
Broadway Tower
Best experienced as part of a broader day in the north Cotswolds. The views are excellent, but it’s not a full-day attraction on its own.
For comprehensive visitor information about visiting Broadway Tower read Broadway Tower: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Cotswolds' Iconic Folly.
Gardens and outdoor experiences
If you enjoy gardens, the Cotswolds punches well above its weight.
Hidcote Manor Garden – structured, formal, internationally recognised
Kiftsgate Court Gardens – more personal, dramatic, and less polished
Pair one garden visit with villages or walking — two in one day is usually too much.
What to do in the Cotswolds in one day (realistic version)
If you only have one day, resist the temptation to cram.
A balanced day looks like:
Morning: Bibury or Bourton-on-the-Water
Lunch: Stow-on-the-Wold or Broadway
Afternoon: Sudeley Castle or a garden
Late afternoon: Broadway Tower or a short walk
Anything more becomes rushed.
Insider Notes (what most guides don’t tell you)
Distances are deceptive — the Cotswolds is larger than it looks on a map.
Public transport works between towns, but villages are hard without a car.
The most beautiful moments often happen between headline attractions.
Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) are noticeably calmer.
Common mistakes to avoid when exploring the best things to do in the Cotswolds
Trying to visit 5–6 villages in one day
Treating Bibury or Bourton as half-day destinations
Ignoring walking opportunities in favour of constant driving
Visiting only midday, peak-crowd windows
FAQs — things people commonly ask
How many days do you need in the Cotswolds?
Two days gives you a taste. Three to four days allows a relaxed, well-paced visit.
Is the Cotswolds worth visiting without a car?
It’s possible, but limiting. Choose one base (Moreton-in-Marsh or Kingham) and explore locally.
Is the Cotswolds expensive?
It can be, but doesn’t have to be. Costs depend more on accommodation choices than attractions.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of weather, colour, and crowd levels.
Related Cotswold Insider guides
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