The Cotswolds are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB for short!) nestled along a range of rolling hills, the Cotswolds is a quintessentially English cluster of vibrant market towns and picture-perfect villages.

From chocolate-box cottages to charming manor houses, the Cotswolds are oozing with character, history and untouched nature.

Things to do in the Cotswolds

There are lots of things to do in the Cotswolds, not to mention family attractions and beautiful places to visit. From the best villages to family fun days and walking some, or all, of the Cotswold way, there’s lots of activities in the Cotswolds!

1. Visit the prettiest Cotswold villages

The beauty of the Cotswold Villages really is unrivalled. With their honey-hued stone, twinkling with wisteria, clematis and roses, a tour of the villages is a must. Some of the best Cotswold villages are; Asthall, Snowshill, Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Castle Combe, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Camden. For more information on some of the best Cotswold villages, read the CN Traveller feature on the ‘loveliest corners of the Cotswolds’ for a second opinion!

2. Walk the Cotswold Way

Extending all the way from Chipping Camden to Bath, the Cotswold Way is a 102 mile, famously popular long-distance walk.  The walk includes passing through an AONB, Neolithic burial barrows, battle sites and stately homes.  The winding paths provide a breathtaking range of scenery too, from the River Severn to the Malvern Hills. The Cotswold Way isn’t for the faint hearted,  so for Cotswolds maps, routes and diversions, we’d recommend visiting the NationalTrail website.

3. Visit the Cotswold Farm Park

Originally created to protect certain, rare breeds of farm animals, it’s now a hub of activity for locals and visitors from all over the world, they also offer Cotswold camping. There’s an animal barn, discovery barn, a rare breeds walking trail, wildlife walk, woodland walk and conservation area. 

4. Spend a day at Broadway Tower

Broadway Tower is the second highest point in the Cotswolds. Historically a folly, it’s now a heritage destination set within 200 acres of parkland where you can enjoy the tower museum with roof platform for stunning views, visit the deer park, or simply stroll the grounds with a picnic for a lovely day out in the Cotswolds.

Camping sites in the Cotswolds

There are hundreds of camping sites in the Cotswolds, but here are some of our favourites.

1. Winchcombe Camping site

On Brooklands Farm in Tewkesbury, this Cotswold campsite has hundreds of glowing reviews. It’s got toilets, showers, WiFi and even a designated dog walk! Winchcombe campsite is in the heart of the Cotswolds, near the village of Alderton which makes this site the perfect base for exploring the best Cotswold Villages.

2. Twitey’s Tipis and Camping meadows

Twitey’s Tipis and Camping Meadows are actually situated just over the border, in Warwick but it’s a truly peaceful escape. If you choose to embrace the wild it can be as close to wild camping as is legal in the UK. The team are passionate about preserving the meadow’s tranquility so it would be the perfect place to set up camp, sit back, relax, soak up the view and the sounds of nature. We’d recommend bringing the outside in during your stay with a tent and tarp combination like the Entry Pack TT.

3. Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

In the North Cotswold village of Whichford, camping at Holycombe offers an experience of peace and nature on historic lands. The campsite is on the site of an old Norman castle, with a water-filled moat, so it’s a very unique place to stay! Take advantage of the truly lovely, unspoilt scenery, and the blissfully quiet surroundings.  Enjoy stargazing up at the inky night sky, you might even see a meteor shower…

Best places to eat in the Cotswolds

We’ve listed a few of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, cream tea, or a celebratory supper, these are some of the best places to eat in the Cotswolds.

1. The Old Bakery Tearoom

Serving lunch, brunch, breakfast and drinks, The Old Bakery Tearoom is an English countryside staple in Stow-on-the-Wold. Their menu is packed with old favourites made on the premises. We’d recommend calling in for a cream tea!

2. The Falcon

The Falcon is a traditional pub situated in Wotton-under-Edge. It’s a specialist steakhouse, but there’s much more on the menu! It’s got wonderful reviews and all of the beef is selected from the finest cuts, reared and sourced from the family farm, within a 10-mile radius of the kitchen.

4. The Dining Room at Whatley Manor

For a truly special occasion, we recommend visiting The Dining Room at Whatley Manor. Situated in the heart of Malmesbury, The Dining Room boasts a Michelin Star and won Traveller’s Choice in 2021. With stunning food and a beautiful setting, we can’t think of a better way to complement your stay in the Cotswolds.