Holiday homes & rentals in the Cotswolds

Few areas of the United Kingdom are as unspoilt and as quintessentially English as the Cotswolds. From delightful villages to vibrant market towns, visitors can expect a warm welcome and a truly enchanting holiday.

Larger towns, such as Bath and Gloucester, effortlessly blend urban sophistication with a distinctive rural charm. Choose from a selection of conveniently located cottages and holiday home in the Cotswolds, and you'll be able to explore traditional English villages and historic market towns featuring typical stone architecture of centuries past. Unwind after a long day with a visit to a traditional pub, surrounded by the characteristic lush, green rolling hills.

Getting to the Cotswolds

Getting to your Cotswolds cottage or holiday letting is easy, thanks to an extensive road and rail network. Main line stations offer regular services through all larger towns. Local bus services operate between towns and villages, while the M4, M5 and M40 provide easy access from national motorways. Taxi and hire car services are readily available throughout the region, and bountiful walking and cycling routes provide the ideal opportunity to appreciate the landscape.

What to eat in the Cotswolds

From award-winning microbreweries and gastropubs to Michelin-starred restaurants, virtually every village or town you visit will have cafés, restaurants and pubs worthy of discovery. Visitors staying in self-catering Cotswolds holiday homes can also stack up on tasty supplies at one of the many local farmer’s markets.

Cotswolds weather

Spring and summer are the most popular times for booking Cotswolds holiday homes. Watching the sun set over rolling green hills and honey-coloured stone cottages is a marvellous sight. Spring temperatures vary between 9°C and 17°C, with the possibility of showers. Summer boasts the longest days and temperatures between 19°C and 22°C. Autumns are mild and rich in colour, though expect more unpredictable weather. Winters are generally crisp and clear, with Christmas markets and traditional fairs on hand to brighten the trip.

What to see in the Cotswolds

Cotswolds holiday homes are perfect for making the most of a city break or longer family holiday. Visitors will be happy to discover that there's no shortage of unique destinations for a fantastic day out.

Bath is usually top of the list of towns to visit in the Cotswolds. In addition to its famous Roman baths, historic spas and magnificent medieval abbey, it is also home to some of the finest Georgian architecture in the UK. The sweeping Royal Crescent is probably the most impressive example and has made numerous appearances in film and TV.

Another must-see is the charming village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”. Numerous old stone footbridges cross the River Windrush as it flows tranquilly through the village. Visitors in summer should not miss the rather eccentric game of football held each year on August Bank Holiday Monday in the river itself.

Painswick, near Stroud, sits on a hilltop and is one of the best preserved historic villages in the Cotswolds, as well as one of the prettiest. As a bonus, walkers and cyclists can enjoy superb views of the Severn Valley and Welsh mountains from the surrounding countryside.

The Cotswolds are famed for their arboretum gardens, and one of the loveliest is Batsford Arboretum, near Moreton on Marsh. Covering 56 acres of breathtaking countryside, its colours and fragrances are a feast for the senses.

Art and culture in the Cotswolds

Culture vultures are also well served by Cotswolds holiday lettings. Bath is home to the Fashion Museum and a number of collections of British, European and East Asian art. Gloucester hosts the oldest music festival in the world, the Three Choirs Festival, and many more events and festivals throughout the year. Kelmscott Manor, the summer residence of William Morris, was an inspiration to the artist and its beauty remains undiminished.

Holidays in the Cotswolds With Kids: Reconnect With Nature and Wildlife

Children can never be bored in the Cotswolds as there is a wide range of activities and attractions to keep them entertained. Take your kids to the Cotswold Farm Park and enjoy a wildlife walk to explore a rare breeds trail. They will certainly relish a chance to visit the animal and adventure barns that give this park an idyllic, pastoral feel.

Head to the Corinium Museum where you can browse through different British-Roman artefacts including mosaics and coins. It has a play area where the kids can participate in creative workshops and the exciting treasure hunts. If they love history, then stop at the beautifully displayed exhibits with matching explanations and let them delve into the past.

A visit to Cotswolds won’t be complete without taking your kids to the Water Park. It’s a breath-taking site with numerous lakes harbouring thousands of birds among the other flora and fauna. Among the popular activities that the kids will love are bird-spotting and an array of water sports; taking the family for an inflatable ride is highly recommended to enjoy being speedily towed along on rubber rings.

Finally, take your kids to the Bird and Deer Park, one of the biggest pets’ spots in England. Besides getting close to the furry and feathered wildlife, they’ll have a chance to groom the donkeys and feed the fish. The park also has nice picnic spots where the kids can take a break.

Historically Significant Buildings and Activities

The Cotswolds are scattered with numerous castles, palaces, and restored traditional houses, one of which could be your holiday cottage! Visit a quintessential English village to get an idea of life in previous centuries, and marvel at the honey-coloured buildings typical of the region.

Tewkesbury Abbey Take a veritable trip through time at the gigantic Tewkesbury Abbey. The church itself dates back to the 10th century while the 15th-century stained glass and the 17th-century organ display more recent interventions.

Stow-on-the-Wold One of the most-visited villages in the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold is a traditional market town. The village centre has an array of antique and craft shops, art galleries, traditional pubs, and elegant townhouses.

Chavenage House This Elizabethan manor house has been used for numerous television series, where you can take guided tours around the stately interior and enjoy the classic tea and scones at the end of your visit.

Pubs Whether in front of the fire on a cold, dark Winter's day or in the beer garden soaking up the Summer sunshine, a traditional countryside Cotswold pub is the perfect place to catch up with friends, relax with a book, or enjoy a hearty meal.

Nature and the Great Outdoors

There are no major cities in the Cotswolds, and there's a feeling of purity in the air throughout the region. You'll appreciate the green, rolling hills, freshwater creeks and streams, and the bright colours of wildflowers that surround your holiday cottage all year long.

Dursley and Winchcombe: These two villages are popular bases for a selection of walks, offering access to stunning views of the Cotswold countryside. Each village offers a variety of walks catering for all fitness levels.

The Cotswold Garden Route: Work your way along the best locations to view local flora and fauna. spring and summer aren't the only time to see flowers blooming either: try Westonbirt in autumn for the Japanese maples, while Blenheim Place has formal gardens on show throughout the year.

Cycling: If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, the Cotswolds is a fantastic location for both road and off-road cycling. It's a great way to see, smell, and hear the countryside up close. You can choose from small cycle paths in and around villages to large, multi-day events covering the entire region.

Cotswolds holiday attractions

Gloucester Cathedral

Located in the north of the city, this magnificent cathedral stands near the River Severn. It is one of the finest medieval buildings in England and the burial place of royalty.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

This fascinating venue exhibits more than 260 species of animals, including giraffes, lemurs, and rhinos, in beautiful parkland surroundings.

Tewkesbury Abbey

The abbey is the second-largest parish church in England and was formerly a Benedictine monastery. On site, the Touching Souls Tea Room offers tasty cakes and snacks.

Cotswold Falconry Centre

The Cotswold Falconry Centre in Batsford is home to 130 different species, from pygmy owls to larger eagles and vultures, and offers daily flying displays.

Castle Combe Village

Rightfully named ‘The Prettiest Village in England’, Castle Combe is a picturesque Wiltshire town and home to several attractive medieval buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions