The prettiest Cotswold villages to visit

Defined by its chocolate-box cottages adorned in rose climbers and wisteria, nestled amidst rolling green countryside grazed by sheep, the Cotswolds is an English rural idyll. Home to some of the prettiest villages in the UK, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a superb choice for a staycation. 

It’s the kind of place where you can wander from one sleepy Cotswolds village to the next, exploring antique emporiums, old-fashioned book shops, historical houses and a wealth of attractions, before tucking yourself away in a quaint tearoom or a cosy country pub with a glowing fire. There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, including gorgeous landscape gardens, curious museums, and natural landmarks galore.

We have chosen some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and get away from it all for a while. Treat yourself to a relaxing break in one of our Cotswolds holiday cottages by clicking the button below and uncover some of the best Cotswolds villages to stay in and visit.

Cotswolds cottages

Blockley

This absolutely charming village is one of the nicest in the north of the Cotswolds. Blockley is famous for its houses built from the classic honey-coloured stone; it is also a peaceful and lesser-known destination for a quiet holiday retreat. Just 4 miles from the busier Broadway, this Cotswold village has its own selection of local delights. 

Blockley has a great choice of restaurants and independent shops to discover and is a good location for visiting more of the most beautiful Cotswold villages. After days full of exploration and adventure with your family, retire to a welcoming country pub for good food by the fire before cosying up at your welcoming holiday cottage.

Blockley cottages

Castle Combe

Nestled in Wiltshire, the peaceful village of Castle Combe should be a stop on any Cotswolds holiday, dotted with treacle-toned cottages with floral hanging baskets and stone-tiled roofs. With the feeling of stepping into a fairy tale, it’s no wonder this beautiful village in the Cotswolds has won the coveted ‘Prettiest Village in England’ award several times and has been featured on the silver screen, including the noteworthy films of ‘Stardust’ and Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’. 

Explore its picture-postcard main street, adorable side streets, intriguing shops, and tearooms with sweet little teapot signs overhead where you can enjoy some of the best cream teas in the Cotswolds.

Castle Combe cottages

Bibury

Straight out of the pages of a storybook with its higgledy-piggledy golden cottages fronted by flower-filled gardens, Bibury in Gloucestershire makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. 

One of the most quintessential Cotswolds villages, was once famously described by the celebrated artist William Morris as, “The most beautiful village in England,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Bibury has a host of wild walking trails that originate in the village or can be joined nearby too; read our guide to the best walking trails in the Cotswolds for inspiration.

Bibury cottages

Snowshill

One of the most picturesque Cotswolds villages you could ever find is Snowshill. Nestled in green hills, you can enjoy wide views across the Severn Vale; its houses are exceptionally picturesque. 

Snowshill is home to some of the Cotswolds’ best-loved visitor attractions as well as being conveniently located for days out in Cotswold market towns such as Moreton-in-Marsh with its own historic buildings boasting honey-coloured stonework and a bustling weekly market, or Tewkesbury with its ancient abbey.

Snowshill cottages

Lower Slaughter

The epitome of idyllic Cotswolds charm, the timeless neighbouring villages of Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter are the places to go if you’re looking for that quaint, English country feel. 

Two of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds to visit, they are built on the shallow banks of the River Eye and have been widely used as backdrops to films and TV series, including the recent cinematic production of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’. A scenic walking path links the village to Upper Slaughter if you’d like to experience both during your trip.

Lower Slaughter cottages

Bourton-on-the-Water

Loved by many as one of the top Cotswolds villages, Bourton-on-the-Water boasts a wonderful array of friendly little tearooms, bakeries, boutique shops and unique attractions, set on the pretty banks of the River Windrush. Fondly known as England’s answer to ‘Little Venice’, this captivating riverside village flaunts traditional English charm with its ensemble of distinctive honey-hued cottages and charming cobbled bridges crisscrossing the glittering river. 

This is also one of the best Cotswold villages to visit if you’re bringing the kids on holiday as there are so many exciting attractions to keep all ages entertained, including the Dragonfly Maze, Birdland Park and Gardens, and the Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum. It's also a great place for a walking holiday: read our guide to the best walks in Bourton-on-the-Water for some inspiration.

Bourton-on-the-Water cottages

Broadway

With its grand golden houses and beautiful village green lined with horse chestnut trees, Broadway in Worcestershire certainly belongs on our list of the nicest villages in the Cotswolds. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, Broadway attracts visitors from far and wide and has attracted many influential artists, designers and writers over the years including William Morris, John Singer Sargent and J.M. Barrie. 

The furniture designer Gordon Russell also grew up in Broadway and had a workshop here, which now houses the fantastic Gordon Russell Design Museum. When you’re feeling peckish, The Lygon Arms offers an elegant venue in the village for a classic afternoon tea - in its time it has hosted both Charles I and Oliver Cromwell!

Broadway cottages

Painswick

Fondly known as the Queen of the Cotswolds, Painswick is a wonderful place full of the signature honey limestone buildings associated with the region. Local highlights include Cotswold Commons and a golf course, so make sure your pack your clubs. 

There are lots of natural landmarks and beauty spots around Painswick too if you love countryside walks. Painswick is also just 5 miles from one of the most loved Cotswold towns, Stroud (see our guide to Stroud), and 7.5 miles from Gloucester, making it a great base for a holiday in the westerly part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Painswick cottages

Winchcombe

Pretty Winchcombe is situated in a gorgeous Cotswold valley. Home to cosy inns, restaurants, tearooms and independent shops, Winchcombe is a traditional and small Cotswolds place to fall in love with. 

Local attractions include Sudeley Castle, and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, which runs across Winchcombe linking it to Cheltenham Racecourse in the south and Broadway in the north. Winchcombe is also 8.5 miles from Cheltenham and 18 miles from Stow-on-the-Wold, both of which are some of the best towns in the Cotswolds and great days out.

Winchcombe cottages

Stay with us in the Cotswolds

Have any of these beautiful Cotswold villages caught your eye? If you feel inspired to explore these captivating destinations and everything the area has to offer, then click the button below to browse our cottages in the Cotswolds to enjoy the complete experience.

Cotswolds cottages