A Weekend in the Cotswolds: The Perfect Itinerary

The Cotswolds, with its rolling hills, honey-colored stone villages, and pastoral landscapes, represents a quintessentially English countryside experience. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this 800-square-mile region stretching across five counties offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

What makes the Cotswolds special is the timeless quality of the landscape and villages, many of which appear to have remained unchanged for centuries. From quaint cottages with thatched roofs to grand manor houses set in perfectly manicured gardens, the region delivers picture-postcard scenes at every turn.

In this detailed itinerary, we'll guide you through a perfectly paced weekend that showcases the best of the Cotswolds—allowing you to experience the region's highlights while still having time to soak in its tranquil atmosphere. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a solo exploration, this guide will help you create memorable moments in one of England's most beloved regions.

Before You Go: Essential Planning Tips

To make the most of your Cotswolds weekend, consider these essential planning elements:

Transportation

While public transport serves the larger towns in the region, a car offers the flexibility to explore the more secluded villages and scenic routes. If driving:

• The Cotswolds are approximately a 2-hour drive from London, 1 hour from Birmingham, and 1.5 hours from Bristol.
• Consider renting a smaller car, as many villages have narrow streets and limited parking.
• Navigation apps sometimes suggest unsuitable narrow lanes; a good road map is a worthwhile backup.

If relying on public transport:

• Direct trains run from London Paddington to Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Stroud.
• Local buses connect major towns, but services are limited on Sundays.
• Consider basing yourself in one of the larger towns like Cirencester or Cheltenham for better transport links.

When to Visit

Each season offers a different Cotswolds experience:

• Spring (March-May): Wildflowers bloom in meadows and woodlands, with daffodils, bluebells, and cherry blossoms creating spectacular displays.
• Summer (June-August): The busiest season with the warmest weather, perfect for outdoor activities and alfresco dining.
• Autumn (September-November): The countryside takes on golden hues, temperatures remain mild, and tourist numbers decrease.
• Winter (December-February): Quiet villages take on a magical quality, especially with a dusting of frost or snow. Many attractions have reduced hours, but cozy pubs with roaring fires offer the perfect retreat.

Accommodation Options

For a weekend stay, the Cotswolds offers a range of distinctive accommodation options:

• Historic Inns: Stay in centuries-old coaching inns with character features and traditional British hospitality.
• Luxury Hotels: The region boasts several world-class country house hotels set in expansive grounds.
• Boutique B&Bs: Family-run bed and breakfasts offer personalized service and local knowledge.
• Self-Catering Cottages: Renting a stone cottage provides an authentic experience, though most require minimum stays of 2-3 nights.

Tip: Book accommodation well in advance, especially for summer weekends and bank holidays.

Friday Evening: Arrival and First Impressions

Aim to arrive in the Cotswolds by late afternoon to make the most of your first evening. We suggest beginning your weekend in Cirencester, often referred to as the "Capital of the Cotswolds." This market town has a rich Roman heritage and serves as an excellent introduction to the region.

4:00 PM: Explore Cirencester

Take a leisurely stroll through the historic center, where highlights include:

• The impressive St. John the Baptist Church with its beautiful Perpendicular Gothic architecture
• The Market Place, which has been the heart of the town since Roman times
• Antique shops and independent boutiques along Black Jack Street and Dyer Street

6:00 PM: Check-in and Refresh

The Cotswolds offers exceptional accommodation options. In Cirencester, we recommend:

• The Kings Head Hotel: A centrally located boutique hotel in a beautifully restored building dating back to the 14th century.
• The Fleece: A historic coaching inn with character-filled rooms and an excellent restaurant.

7:30 PM: Dinner in Cirencester

For your first taste of Cotswold cuisine, consider:

• The Malt & Anchor: Award-winning fish and chips in a stylish setting.
• Jesse's Bistro: A cozy restaurant serving seasonal British fare with local ingredients.
• Made by Bob: A relaxed eatery with an open kitchen offering modern European dishes.

9:30 PM: Evening Stroll

Take advantage of the longer summer evenings (or wrap up warm in winter) for a peaceful walk through Cirencester Park, part of the Bathurst Estate. The entrance is on Cecily Hill, and even a short wander along the broad avenue provides a sense of the estate's grandeur.

Saturday: Village Hopping in the Northern Cotswolds

The northern Cotswolds contains some of the region's most iconic villages. This carefully planned route allows you to experience several highlights without feeling rushed.

8:30 AM: Breakfast

Begin with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation or visit one of Cirencester's cafés like Jacks Coffee Shop or He Says She Waffles for something different.

9:30 AM: Drive to Bourton-on-the-Water

Often called the "Venice of the Cotswolds," Bourton-on-the-Water is known for the River Windrush flowing through its center, crossed by a series of low, elegant stone bridges. Arrive early to experience the village before most day-trippers.

Must-see attractions:

• The Model Village: A 1:9 scale replica of Bourton itself, built in the 1930s with incredible attention to detail.
• Cotswold Motoring Museum: Home to vintage cars and the children's TV character Brum.
• Simply wandering along the riverside and exploring the small shops and galleries.

11:30 AM: Drive to Lower Slaughter

Just a mile from Bourton lies one of the Cotswolds' most perfectly preserved and undiscovered villages. Lower Slaughter (whose name comes from the Old English 'slohtre' meaning 'muddy place,' not from any macabre history) offers unspoiled charm with its honey-colored cottages lining the gentle River Eye.

Take a tranquil walk along Copsehill Road—once voted "the most romantic street in Britain"—to the old mill at the end with its working waterwheel and craft shop. Then stroll to Upper Slaughter, an equally picturesque village, via the footpath that connects the two "Slaughters" (approximately 25 minutes round trip).

1:00 PM: Lunch in Stow-on-the-Wold

A short drive brings you to Stow-on-the-Wold, a market town perched on an 800-foot hill. The town's large market square testifies to its former importance as a trading center, particularly for the wool industry that made the Cotswolds prosperous.

Lunch options:

• The Old Butchers: A casual restaurant serving seasonal British dishes.
• The Queen's Head: A traditional pub with excellent food and local ales.
• Huffkins: A historic tearoom offering light lunches and delicious cakes.

After lunch, take time to browse the town's antique shops and art galleries. Don't miss St. Edward's Church with its magical north door flanked by ancient yew trees—reportedly the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings.

3:00 PM: Broadway and Broadway Tower

Head to the charming village of Broadway, known for its wide high street lined with chestnut trees and an excellent selection of shops, galleries, and cafes housed in honey-colored Cotswold limestone buildings.

After exploring the village, drive to Broadway Tower, a folly perched on an ancient beacon site, which offers spectacular views across 16 counties on a clear day. The tower houses exhibitions on its history, including its use as a countryside retreat for members of the Arts and Crafts movement. The surrounding country park is perfect for a refreshing walk with grazing deer often visible in the distance.

5:30 PM: Return Drive via Chipping Campden

On your way back to your accommodation, stop briefly in Chipping Campden, considered by many to be the most beautiful town in the Cotswolds with its elegant terraced High Street dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. If time allows, visit the ancient Market Hall and St. James Church.

7:30 PM: Dinner

Return to Cirencester for dinner, or if you're staying elsewhere, the Cotswolds is blessed with numerous excellent dining options, from traditional pubs to fine dining restaurants. For a special Saturday night meal, consider:

• The Wild Rabbit in Kingham: A sophisticated yet comfortable pub with rooms, serving innovative dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients.
• The Feathered Nest in Nether Westcote: A country pub with spectacular views and outstanding food.
• The Swan at Southrop: A cozy pub serving excellent food in a charming village setting.

Sunday: Southern Cotswolds and Scenic Landscapes

Your second day focuses on the less-visited southern Cotswolds, with its rolling landscapes and hidden villages.

9:00 AM: Breakfast and Check-out

If you're changing accommodation, pack up and check out after breakfast. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed start to your day.

10:00 AM: Painswick and the Rococo Garden

Drive to Painswick, known as "The Queen of the Cotswolds" and one of the best-preserved settlements in the region. The town's narrow streets are lined with historic buildings built from locally quarried stone.

Visit St. Mary's Church with its famous 99 yew trees in the churchyard (legend says the devil would not allow the 100th to grow) before heading to Painswick Rococo Garden. Created in the 1740s as a fanciful pleasure garden, this is the only surviving garden of the Rococo period in Britain. Wander among the restored follies, woodland walks, and kitchen garden, which are particularly beautiful in spring when snowdrops carpet the ground.

12:00 PM: Scenic Drive to Slad Valley

From Painswick, take a short drive through the idyllic Slad Valley, made famous by Laurie Lee's memoir "Cider with Rosie." Stop at the Woolpack Inn, Lee's local pub, for lunch—this authentic country pub offers excellent food and stunning views across the valley.

2:00 PM: Minchinhampton Common and Rodborough Common

Spend the afternoon exploring these magnificent open spaces. The commons are home to free-roaming cattle in summer and offer spectacular panoramic views of the Stroud valleys and beyond. There are numerous walking routes of varying lengths, and the area is rich in butterfly species and wildflowers.

Don't miss stopping at Winstones Ice Cream on Rodborough Common—a local institution making delicious ice cream since 1925, perfect for a sweet treat as you enjoy the views.

4:00 PM: Castle Combe

For the final stop on your Cotswolds weekend, head to Castle Combe, often cited as "the prettiest village in England" and recognizable from films like "War Horse" and "Stardust." This perfectly preserved village appears almost untouched by the modern world, with no new buildings added since the 1600s.

Park at the top of the village and walk down into the heart of Castle Combe, where you'll find the Market Cross and St Andrew's Church. Don't miss the view from the bridge over the By Brook, looking back at the row of weavers' cottages—one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes.

5:30 PM: Homeward Journey

As your Cotswolds weekend draws to a close, begin your journey home. If time allows, consider stopping for an early dinner at The Castle Inn in Castle Combe or The Rattlebone Inn in nearby Sherston for a final taste of Cotswold hospitality.

Seasonal Variations and Special Events

While this itinerary works year-round, consider these seasonal adjustments:

Spring

• Add Kiftsgate Court Gardens or Hidcote Manor Garden to see magnificent spring blooms.
• Look out for lambs in the fields and bluebell woods in May.

Summer

• Start earlier each day to avoid crowds at popular villages.
• Consider visiting during weekdays if possible.
• Add outdoor activities like swimming at the Cotswold Water Park.

Autumn

• Allow extra time for woodland walks to enjoy the autumn colors.
• Look for seasonal game dishes on restaurant menus.

Winter

• Focus more on indoor attractions and cozy pubs.
• Consider visiting Christmas markets in larger towns like Cirencester.
• Check opening hours as some attractions have reduced winter schedules.

Special Interest Additions

Depending on your interests, consider adding these specialized elements to your itinerary:

For Food Lovers

• Visit Daylesford Organic Farm Shop near Kingham
• Take a tour and tasting at Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton
• Explore the farmer's market if your visit coincides (Stroud on Saturdays, Cirencester on Fridays)

For History Enthusiasts

• Visit Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe, the final resting place of Katherine Parr
• Explore Roman history at Chedworth Roman Villa
• Walk a section of the Cotswold Way long-distance footpath

For Families

• Add Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford to your itinerary
• Visit Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park
• Explore the puzzles and mazes at Dragonfly Maze in Bourton-on-the-Water