Cottage Breaks in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are one of Britain's most popular cottage short breaks and tourist regions, and little wonder when you view the gentle limestone hillsides, wonderful countryside and picture-book villages that dot the glorious landscape.
To be found in the south west and western England, the Cotswolds are a range of hills mainly to be found in the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, although they do extend to include parts of Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Somerset.
The largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, the Cotswolds are some 790 square miles and it's the second largest protected landscape in England (behind the Lake District National Park).
This was once a thriving commercial region whose wealth was derived from wool and clothing merchants as far back as the 16th Century, leaving behind a wonderful legacy of buildings, but was bypassed by the Industrial Revolution and fell in to commercial decline. However, being left untouched and unspoilt by industry has made the Cotswolds what attracts visitors - some 38 million day visits each year - to the area. It's truly like stepping back in time from the honey coloured villages built from the Cotswold stone to the beautifully preserved architecture of churches and to the wonderfully eccentric English Morris Dancing!
The best way to explore the Cotswolds is on foot with walkers heading for the Cotswold Way which is a National Trail that runs for over 100 miles along the top ridge taking in Chipping Campden, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Bath. The Trail is largely flat and comfortable walking so is enjoyable for an afternoon stroll or a longer hike.
The winding lanes of the Cotswolds also are great for a cycling break and are an ideal way to explore the area travelling between the villages and coffee shops.
So where do people head on a Cotswold Break? Here are a few suggestions:
- Cleeve Hill. This is the highest point in Cotswolds and therefore provides some of the best views of Cheltenham to the west and Winchcombe to the north.
- Bourton-on-the-Water lays claim to the most visited village in the Cotswolds.
- The largest of the Gothic churches in the Cotswolds is the St John Baptist Church in Cirencester although St John's church at Elkstone is a beautiful historic Norman church that is well worth a visit.
- The village of Burford is simply stunning. The High Street slopes down to the bridge across the River Windrush and is little changed since the times of the wool trade. You can find beautiful stone cottages, Cotswold Town houses, almshouses and the wonderful Church of St John the Baptist.
- The biggest real town of the Cotswolds, Cirencester is an elegant, affluent and charming town. Check out the Market Square with Victorian and 18th century architecture and one of England's largest parish churches, Church of St John the Baptist.
- Stow on the Wold attracts plenty of visitors to its old Marketplace with its narrow walled alleyways that were actually designed to funnel sheep to the market.
- Chipping Campden is where to head to see what a thriving Cotswold wool town would have looked like in medieval times. Now a pretty, unspoilt village, the High Street has some lovely stone cottages, historic homes and ancient inns.
- A wonderfully pretty village, Broadway has all the quintessentially English honey colour cottages and so much more.
- Other villages worth visiting are Moreton-in-Marsh, Bibury (featured above), Chipping Norton and Winchcombe.
This list could go on and on, which is why the Cotswolds are so popular for a weekend, short break or holiday throughout the year. There are simply hundreds of villages and towns to explore, mile upon mile of hills and countryside to walk or cycle and some super self catering holiday accommodation available. So if you are planning a Cotswolds break take a look at some of the cottages and apartments we have selected which are ideal for a short break or holiday.
Cotswold Cottage Breaks and Holiday Accommodation
Stepwell, Barton On The Heath
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Stepwell self catering accommodation in Barton On The Heath, Gloucestershire sleeps 8. This 3 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Activities close by include horse riding . Prices at Stepwell start from £2015 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Stepwell
Coach House, Hawling
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Coach House self catering accommodation in Hawling, Gloucestershire sleeps 5. This 3 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Prices at Coach House start from £443 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Coach House
Dovecote Barn, Doughton
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Dovecote Barn self catering accommodation in Doughton, Gloucestershire sleeps 8. This 4 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Dovecote Barn does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Dovecote Barn start from £2269 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Dovecote Barn
Peewit House, Barton-on-the-Heath
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Peewit House self catering accommodation in Barton-on-the-Heath, Gloucestershire sleeps 10. This 5 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Prices at Peewit House start from £2926 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Peewit House
Tallet Barn, Little Rissington
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Tallet Barn self catering accommodation in Little Rissington, Gloucestershire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden . Tallet Barn does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Tallet Barn start from £582 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Tallet Barn
Merlin House, Somerford Keynes
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Merlin House self catering accommodation in Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire sleeps 8. This 4 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Swimming Pool Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Prices at Merlin House start from £1857 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Merlin House
Catalpa Cottage, Tetbury
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Catalpa Cottage self catering accommodation in Tetbury, Gloucestershire sleeps 5. This 3 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . Prices at Catalpa Cottage start from £483 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Catalpa Cottage
Elmhurst Cottage, Lower Quinton
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Elmhurst Cottage self catering accommodation in Lower Quinton, Gloucestershire sleeps 8. This 4 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden Open Fire/woodburner . Elmhurst Cottage does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Elmhurst Cottage start from £1632 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Elmhurst Cottage
Bow House Cottage, Bourton-on-the-Water
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Bow House Cottage self catering accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden . It also has Internet access. Prices at Bow House Cottage start from £530 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Bow House Cottage
Oat House, Snowshill
Self catering in WorcestershireWest England
Oat House self catering accommodation in Snowshill, Worcestershire sleeps 7. This 4 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Prices at Oat House start from £658 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Oat House
What have we missed?
We have provided just a flavour of what a Cotswold holiday or short break can offer but I am sure we have missed some of your favourites. So if we have, why not let us know via our Facebook page or our Blog, we would love to hear from you.