Are you planning a trip to the Cotswold villages this year? This guide should help you plan some brilliant activities, and make sure you don’t miss out on some of the most beautiful things to see. Whether you prefer hunting for vintage antiques or exploring the nature-filled English countryside, there are so many lovely things to get up to in The Cotswolds in 2025!
01. Go Antiquing in Stow-on-the-Wold
This beautiful, old village has some stunning antique stores for anyone who loves digging for unique decor and furnishings. Take a slow walk around the picturesque high street and check out all the independent shops too, you could be in luck and find your unique Cotswolds home style with all this inspiration!
02. Visit The Daylesford Farm Shop
This famous UK farm shop has the perfect Cotswolds aesthetic! Content of this place frequently goes viral, and once you see the stunning decor displays and fresh, organic produce, you’ll understand why. It has fresh produce, homeware, bakery, smoothie counter and several luxury cafe’s on site, you could easily spend a couple of hours here taking in the displays.
03. Walk Around The Broadway Tower
A popular spot known for it’s panoramic views of the beautiful countryside, has to be The Broadway Tower. For a sunny day, this can be a fun little visit and somewhere to sit with a pint and take in the beautiful views.
04. A Cup of Tea at The Cotswold Barn, Moreton-in-Marsh
If you are looking for a cosy lunch spot, look no further than The Cotswold Barn. Out of the way of the busy town centre, the cafe sells a range of local food and has the quiet, village vibe you come to The Cotswolds for!
05. Get Iconic Photos of Castle Combe
For content capturers, Castle Combe is surely high on your list. It’s one of Britain’s most picturesque villages, with rows of old cottages, cosy tea rooms and old pubs, tourists from all over the world come in droves to see Castle Combe. Be warned – you do have to park up a hill and walk to the view points, the roads get very busy and tight. For photos time your visit right and get more photography opportunities!
06. Stop and Explore Flower Fields
The Cotswolds is well known for being an area of outstanding natural beauty. You can find the most amazing view points simply driving around and pulling in to enjoy. Flower fields in this region spread out for several square miles, making it the perfect place to enjoy the quiet countryside. Here is a map link to this stunning location, photographed here in May during late Spring flower season.
07. Hike The Cotswolds Way
Keen hikers know The Cotswolds is a great place to find the most picturesque walks of England. if you want a lengthy trip taking in those Cotswold hills, find the Cotswold’s Way walking trail to follow, tailored to whatever your skill level may be!
08. Relax at Cotswolds Lavender
Cotswold Lavender is the perfect pit stop for a spring trip. Not only is the view and smell amazing, but you can also purchase the natural lavender made products on sight to take home for a souvenir.
09. Have a Picnic at Blenheim Palace
Country houses are perfect for an afternoon enjoying the English sunshine, or indeed the rain. If you want to spend less and simply enjoy the surroundings, pack your own picnic to take and have a short walk around the estate.
10. Cosy Hot Chocolate at The Old Mill
Visit The Old Mill in Lower Slaughter for a cosy hot chocolate from the little coffee van outside. One of the best things you can do in The Cotswolds is simply walk around the prettiest villages and take in the ambience.
11. Have a Pint at The Cotswolds Arms
This cosy, foliage-covered pub in Bibury is the perfect place for a pit stop while exploring this wonderful region. The English countryside is all about enjoying old-world pubs and feeling the cosy ambience of these historical places. Every old pub in England has a unique past!
12. Fly High in a Hot Air Balloon
The truly adventurous will enjoy panoramic views of the English countryside in a luxury Hot Air Balloon experience. There are several companies with lots of reviews to book this with, and it would be the perfect idea for a special occasion or celebration.
13. Visit the Iconic Model Village
The model village may well be the top attraction of the busy market town, Bourton-on-the-Water. For approximately £4.50, you can walk around the model village replica of the beautiful town and take in some local culture.
14. Have Afternoon Tea at Lucy’s Tea Room
Tucked away in Stow-on-the-Wold, is this little tea room where you can enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea. Lucy’s tea room sits directly on the market square and is also a family run B&B. Their exterior makes the perfect café stop photo opportunity, and their products are just as pretty.
15. Rent a Cosy Cottage
One of the best things you can do when exploring The Cotswolds, is to stay for longer than a day trip and rent a cosy cottage for a few nights. Whether you want to stay in a delightful market town, or prefer somewhere more quiet and rural, you could plan an unforgettable weekend for a group with tons of brilliant activities. Check out Air BnB for some stunning options!
16. Painswick Rococo Garden
For a lovely nature-filled walk, visit the Painswick Rococo Garden for a quiet afternoon. This place is considered a ‘hidden gem’ of The Cotswolds, and the beautiful gardens will make for beautiful country vibe photographs.
17. Walk The Arlington Row
Britain’s most photographed street in Bibury is in the heart of the Cotswolds. It really is the county’s most beautiful village street, and is the perfect place to visit for lovers of old-world England and architecture.
18. Get Lost in The Dragonfly Maze
Back to Bourton-on-the-Water, you will find The Dragonfly Maze tourist attraction. While walking the old village streets, why not take a mysterious stroll around the maze and hope you don’t get lost!
19. See One of Britain’s Oldest Churches
St Edward’s Church, Stow-on-the-Wold, is a stunning photography spot. The earliest references of this very church date back to 986 AD in the history books, and getting up-close to the old doors is certainly a step back in time.
20. Eat at The Waterside Kitchen
Book an experience private pod dining at The Waterside Kitchen. The Japanese inspired menu host a range of sushi and other colourful & aesthetic dishes. All to be enjoyed whilst enjoying the vibrant atmosphere in your private glass pod.
21. Ride The Gloucestershire Train Route
The best part about The Cotswolds, has to be the rolling hills and areas of outstanding natural beauty. There is no better way of seeing this then from the train window. If you plan to visit Cotswolds towns by train, make sure you book a window seat to truly take in the view.
22. Have a Drink at Britain’s Oldest Pub
The Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold is a historic pub full of old-world charm and atmosphere. Touring England will always involve visiting lots of pubs – and this is one of the better places to enjoy a historical pint.
23. Feel The Foliage in Cirencester Park
For an autumnal visit, a lovely walk through Cirencester Park is a must to catch the best of the foliage colours.
24. View Historic Buildings in Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is a very popular option of the Cotswolds towns, especially for lovers of historic sites. It’s an absolute must to walk through the village centre and see the old cottages and market square and soak up the British ambience. There are plenty of cosy cafe’s, and even National Trust locations nearby to enjoy.
25. Drive Out to Prior Park
Slightly outside of The Cotswolds towards Bath, is the famous Prior Park. Pride & Prejudice fans will treasure this historical site, even though it takes you a little further from The Cotswolds. The landscape gardens and famous bridge are perfect for an afternoon walk.
26. Go Glamping at The Water Park Retreat
For a luxury stay, try a glamping retreat at The Water Park. The Cotswolds is an ideal place to visit for a big celebration with family and friends, and booking a luxury stay in the summer months would make for an unforgettable weekend.
27. Take a Bike Tour Around Chipping Norton
For a truly idyllic tour around the small towns of The Cotswolds, rent a bike and move at your own pace. Chipping Norton is a beloved Cotswolds village, and has several bike rental locations nearby to allow you to tour the beautiful places slowly.
28. Book a Cosy Night at The Mousetrap Inn
For a stay with unique, old-world charm, book a night at The Mousetrap in when passing through The Cotswolds. Located in Bourton-on-the-Water, this 19th century inn has cosy rooms, an onsite pub and restaurant and is within walking distance of the beautiful, old village.
29. The Flower Covered Homes of Bibury
Cotswold towns are known for the stunning old cottages, and Bibury is home to some of the best. For those perfect shots of floral-covered buildings, take a walking tour around the village at the perfect time to get the most amazing photographs you’ll treasure forever.
