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Choosing Where to Base Yourself in the Cotswolds

Where to Base Yourself in the Cotswolds

By James Long

Local Cotswolds tour guide and editor of Cotswold Insider

Published: 4 January 2026

Choosing where to base yourself is the single most important decision you’ll make when planning a Cotswolds trip.

Get it right, and the region feels calm and unrushed. Get it wrong, and even beautiful days can feel stressful.

The Cotswolds is not a compact destination. Villages are spread out, roads are slow, and evenings matter more than many visitors expect. This guide will help you choose the right type of base, the right area, and the right balance between convenience and character — without trying to list every possible option.

Already Know Roughly What You Want? Start Here

If you know what type of accommodation you want, you may wish to directly access these accommodation specific guides. You can also read on if you’re still deciding where to base yourself:

→ Hotels in the Cotswolds
→ Cottages in the Cotswolds

→ Self-Catering & Holiday Homes in the Cotswolds
→ Bed & Breakfasts in the Cotswolds
→ Glamping in the Cotswolds
→ Camping & Touring in the Cotswolds
→ Hostels in the Cotswolds

One Base or Move Around?

For most trips, one base works better than moving.

One base (recommended for most people)

Staying in one place reduces friction: no daily packing, no check-out times shaping your plans, and far more flexibility to change course if weather or crowds intervene.

For trips of five days or fewer, a single base is almost always the better choice.

Moving bases (occasionally useful)

Changing accommodation can make sense if:

You’re staying longer than five or six days
You want to experience both north and south Cotswolds
You’re comfortable losing half a day to logistics

For first-time visitors, moving around often creates more stress than benefit.

Towns vs Villages: What Actually Works Best?

This is where expectations often clash with reality.

Why towns usually make better bases

Market towns tend to offer:

More choice for dinner
Easier evening atmosphere
Better parking and transport links

They give you flexibility when plans change or energy dips at the end of the day.

When villages work well

Villages can be a wonderful base if:

You’re happy eating where you stay
You want quiet evenings
You’ve chosen the village deliberately, not because it “looked pretty online”

Villages shine during the day. As bases, they reward intentionality.

North vs South Cotswolds: Choosing the Right Area

There’s no “best” area — only what suits your trip.

North Cotswolds

Often the right choice for first-time visitors.

Classic villages and landscapes
Many well-known highlights
Slightly busier, but easier to stitch together

South Cotswolds

Better for slower, quieter trips.

Greener, hillier terrain
Fewer headline villages, more walking
Often feels less pressured and less crowded

Trying to cover both areas in a short stay usually leads to unnecessary driving.

Read more:
→ One Day North Cotswolds Itinerary

→ One Day South Cotswolds Itinerary

How Transport Should Influence Your Base

Where you stay should change depending on how you’re getting around.

If you have a car

You can base yourself slightly away from honeypots and still explore comfortably. This often leads to quieter evenings and easier mornings.

If you don’t have a car

Your base matters more, not less. Staying near a rail station or in a walkable town can dramatically improve the experience and reduce reliance on taxis.

Car-free trips work best when you accept natural constraints and plan around them, rather than fighting them.

Matching Your Base to Your Priorities

A good base supports what you care about most.

If villages are your priority

Choose somewhere central to a cluster rather than hopping between distant highlights.

If walking is a priority

Look for access to footpaths and countryside rather than proximity to famous names.

If food and pubs matter most

Bases with multiple evening options reduce the need to drive after dark.

This is why deciding priorities first makes choosing a base far easier.

How Long You’re Staying (and Why It Changes Everything)

Length of stay should shape your base choice more than popularity.

1–2 nights: minimise travel; convenience beats perfection
3–4 nights: one strong base near a cluster works well
5+ nights: consider depth over breadth, or one careful move

Trying to “cover ground” with short stays almost always backfires.

Common Base-Selection Mistakes

These come up repeatedly:

Choosing accommodation before deciding priorities
Staying somewhere pretty but impractical
Underestimating evening logistics
Assuming short distances mean short journeys
Treating bases as interchangeable

Avoiding these mistakes often improves trips more than adding extra sights.

Choosing the Right Type of Accommodation

Once you’ve decided where to base yourself, the next step is choosing how you want to stay.

The Cotswolds offers several distinct accommodation types, each suited to different travel styles, group sizes, and lengths of stay. Hotels work well for flexibility and walkable evenings, while cottages and self-catering stays suit families or longer visits. Bed & breakfasts often suit shorter, slower trips, while glamping and camping appeal to more seasonal or outdoors-focused stays. Hostels provide budget-friendly options in a small number of locations.

Exploring accommodation by type makes it easier to narrow down options without getting overwhelmed by individual listings.

→ Hotels in the Cotswolds
→ Cottages in the Cotswolds

→ Self-Catering & Holiday Homes in the Cotswolds
→ Bed & Breakfasts in the Cotswolds
→ Glamping in the Cotswolds
→ Camping & Touring in the Cotswolds
→ Hostels in the Cotswolds