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
The Old Reading Room, Bledington
Self catering in OxfordshireCentral England
The Old Reading Room self catering accommodation in Bledington, Oxfordshire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden Open Fire/woodburner . Prices at The Old Reading Room start from £554 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about The Old Reading Room
Jasmine Cottage, Windrush
Self catering in OxfordshireCentral England
Jasmine Cottage self catering accommodation in Windrush, Oxfordshire sleeps 3. This 2 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Jasmine Cottage does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Jasmine Cottage start from £346 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Jasmine Cottage
Shepherds Hay, Stanton
Self catering in WorcestershireWest England
Shepherds Hay self catering accommodation in Stanton, Worcestershire sleeps 2. This 2 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Activities close by include horse riding . Shepherds Hay does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Shepherds Hay start from £565 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Shepherds Hay
The Hide, Somerton
Self catering in OxfordshireCentral England
The Hide self catering accommodation in Somerton, Oxfordshire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Prices at The Hide start from £415 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about The Hide
Batemans, Nailsworth
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Batemans self catering accommodation in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire sleeps 5. This 3 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden . Prices at Batemans start from £706 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Batemans
Fox Cottage, Aston Magna
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Fox Cottage self catering accommodation in Aston Magna, Gloucestershire sleeps 3. This 2 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays . Prices at Fox Cottage start from £303 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Fox Cottage
The Granary, Newent
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
The Granary self catering accommodation in Newent, Gloucestershire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. Activities close by include golf fishing . Prices at The Granary start from £303 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about The Granary
Thames Cottage, Somerford Keynes
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Thames Cottage self catering accommodation in Somerford Keynes, Gloucestershire sleeps 2. This 1 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden Swimming Pool Open Fire/woodburner . It is listed as wheelchair accessible but please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Thames Cottage start from £695 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Thames Cottage
Ingleside Cottage, Broad Campden
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Ingleside Cottage self catering accommodation in Broad Campden, Gloucestershire sleeps 4. This 2 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Garden . It also has Internet access. Activities close by include fishing . Ingleside Cottage does allow pet dogs although this may be limited, so please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Ingleside Cottage start from £326 for a short break but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Ingleside Cottage
Mere Coach House, Fairford
Self catering in GloucestershireSouth West England
Mere Coach House self catering accommodation in Fairford, Gloucestershire sleeps 8. This 4 bedroom Cottage is a perfect base for your holidays and features include: Detached Garden Open Fire/woodburner . It also has Internet access. It is listed as wheelchair accessible but please check direct prior to booking. Prices at Mere Coach House start from £2015 for a weeks stay but this will depend upon length of stay and time of year. ... more about Mere Coach 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.