Prettiest Villages and Towns in the Cotswolds

Do you want to discover some of the prettiest towns and villages in the Cotswolds? With buildings made from warm toned honey coloured stone, the Cotswolds has plenty of charm, character and appeal. Often these villages and towns are home to lovely little cafes as well as boutique-style shops, and many have good walks nearby.
 

What Makes Cotswold Villages So Very Pretty?

Many of the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds are historical places with lovely buildings and cottages built largely in medieval times when this area of England grew rich from the wool trade which was a real money spinner! Rich wool merchants built beautiful houses, as well as churches, to display their wealth. Many of the prettiest quaint smaller cottages were originally weaver’s cottages. Watermills in which the wool was spun and processed are also a feature of many of these villages.

 

Which are the Prettiest Villages and Towns in the Cotswolds?

Everyone has their own favourite when it comes to the most beautiful towns and villages in the Cotswolds. Here’s our pick of our 10 favourites.

Bibury 

Bibury is a celebrated Cotswolds village that is definitely on the tourist map! Described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ this really is a very beautiful hamlet which with its location by the River Coln in Gloucestershire is a joy to wander around. The cottages in Arlington Row are much photographed and extremely pretty with their quintessentially Cotswold honey-coloured stone. There are a couple of country inns in Bibury where you can stop off for a drink or a pub meal, as well as tea rooms.
 

Broadway 

The small village of Broadway in Worcestershire in the Cotswolds with its fine honey-coloured buildings and long straight tree-lined High Street is no well kept secret. Although small, you will find a scattering of interesting antique shops, boutique shops, galleries and eateries in picture-perfect Broadway. Nearby attractions include Broadway Tower where you can soak up what are said to be some of the best views of the Cotswolds countryside from this fascinating tower house.
 

Bourton on the Water

Bourton on the Water with its gift shops selling cute trinkets, and good assortment of tea rooms and cafes, combined with its historical charm and picture-perfect setting, is a Cotswold Gem. The town has a river flowing right through the heart of it, with small bridges crossing across it, making Bourton on the Water one of the most charming places. It’s no well kept secret though!
 

Burford 

The pretty Cotswold village of Burford features a scattering of shops and country inns selling good quality English fare. One of the most striking features of this village are the country views that can be enjoyed from the main street, adding to the charm and atmosphere.
 

Castle Combe 

One of the most photographed villages in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is picture-perfect. So attractive is this village, that it has been dubbed the prettiest village in the Cotswolds, and even the prettiest village in England! Visit and discover if it’s your favourite. So picturesque is this place, it’s pretty much essential to bring a camera!
 

Chipping Campden

This traditional Cotswold town is resplendent with over 270 listed buildings, giving this town ample historical charm. The town is home to pubs, country inns, gift shops, St James’ Church and the Court Barn Museum where you can find out more about the craftspeople who lived in the town.
 

Chipping Norton

Another pretty Cotswold market town, Chipping Norton's claim to fame is that it’s the highest town in Oxfordshire! There is a good selection of shops, eateries and cafes at Chipping Norton, as well as a museum and Bliss Tweed Mill. The town plays host to the annual Chipping Norton Literary festival.
 

Lower Slaughter & Upper Slaughter 

Compared to some of the other pretty villages and towns in the Cotswolds, Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter are still well kept secrets. Visit these quiet little villages in Gloucestershire and chances are you will be able to enjoy them without the presence of too many tourists. In Upper Slaughter, enjoy a walk past the impressive honey coloured Manor House (now a hotel) that dates back to the 15th century and wander down to the pretty village of Lower Slaughter. Lower Slaughter has been voted the Cotswolds’ most beautiful village and there is an old watermill there which is now a museum, plus a riverside tea room, and some very picturesque cottages. Upper and Lower Slaughter are two of the most tranquil villages to be found in the English Cotswolds where you can enjoy a taste of a time gone by.
 

Painswick

This village is small but beautifully formed. The buildings in Painswick are some of the most beautiful and elegant to be found in the whole of the Cotswolds and country views can be enjoyed from some streets. The historic Church of St Mary is famous for being set next to 99 yew trees and the Rococo gardens are close by.
 

Stow on the Wold

The elegant Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the more bustling places in the Cotswolds, with a large market square, along with various independent shops, cafes and eateries. The town boasts ample historic appeal with buildings made from the wealth of the wool trade. Stow on the Wold’s large market square plays host to a monthly farmers’ market.
 

 

 

 

Look to book a holiday in the Cotswolds?

Search cottages in the Cotswolds National Landscape

We hope we’ve inspired you with our list of some of the Cotswold’s most picturesque villages and towns, and hope you have the very best of times exploring the area.