Where To Stay In The Cotswolds: 12 Towns And Several Options

Have you ever thought about the beautiful Cotswold town? Or heard about honey-hued architecture and tranquil countryside, the town features? If you have ever heard of any of these things, there is no way you can resist the charming towns of the Cotswolds, and the absolute beauty of the golden architecture will lure you into its enchanting woods and the rural world.

The beautiful villages of Cotswolds stretch from the south of Stratford-Upon-Avon to the south of Bath. The Cotswolds is the home of picturesque villages that make the best picture backdrop.

As much as we look forward to visiting postcard-perfect places for a relaxing break and diving into making trending reels and stories, none of our trips goes without muddles like how to reach the destination, which mode of transport to use or where to stay? So let’s look into the solution to “where to stay in the Cotswolds“.

About Rustic Villages Of The Cotswolds

The region of the Cotswolds runs through parts of 5 countries along rolling green hills. The area is known for the rural towns and villages built in the underlying Cotswold stone, a golden-yellow oolitic limestone. People from England and other parts of the world come to see these rustic, majestic honey-hued hamlets to feel and be a part of the history they could never be a part of.

With its Instagram-worthy pastures, honey-hued architecture, cosy country pubs and delicious local produce, the Cotswolds gives you the perfect getaway of your dreams. Where to stay in the Cotswolds is no longer an issue; choose your halt from several places discussed here and enjoy your stay.

Best Places To Stay In The Cotswolds

Before we plunge into the issue of deciding which hotels to stay in, in the Cotswolds, let’s first look at the best villages that offer unforgettable stays, accessibility, shops, restaurants and closeness to the major attractions.

1. Moreton-In-Marsh

Located on the main railway line from London, this market town is “the gateway to the Cotswolds”. And as it is connected to most of the highways and has a train station, Moreton-in-Marsh is the best base for someone who wants to tour all the major villages of the Cotswolds.

Country manors like Batsford Arboretum and Hidcote Manor are just a 15-minute drive from this gold-hued hamlet. Let’s have a look at some of the hotels in Moreton-in-Marsh.

• White Hart Royal is also known as Coaching Inn; earlier, this historic inn was located near the rail station.
• The Manor House hotel country is also a four-star property with an on-site fine dining restaurant serving delicious local produce. It also features contemporary rooms with private hot tubs.

2. Chipping Campden

William Morris founds the town as an ideal base for people looking for classic Cotswold Village charm. With beautiful village pubs, quirky independent shops, and centuries-old elegant high street, the village is home to classic thatched rooftops. The town also features a footpath stretching for 100 miles to Bath.

The town is famous for Cotswolds Olimpick games that date back to the 17th century. Within proximity to Stow-on-the-Wold, The town is also home to art galleries and affluent antique shops. Significant attractions include Broadway Tower and Hidcote manor. Let’s look at some of the Cotswolds hotels in Chipping Campden.

• Rose Cottage with its delightful garden, this thatched cottage is well-equipped, offering the best of old-world charm.
• Eight Bells Inn is a traditional Cotswold inn offers a bar with a terraced garden and courtyard. Rooms are fully equipped along with free wi-fi.

3. Stow-On-The-Wold

A picturesque market town perched on an 800-foot hill, Stow-on-the-Wold, is one of the best places to look for antique shops, independent boutiques, and charming tea shops to have a quiet afternoon tea.

The town is a heaven for people with a sweet tooth, as it features the vintage Cotswold Sweet Company. The town also features Cotswold Cricket Museum, to swing by if you are a cricket fan. Let’s look at your “stay in the Cotswolds” options in this beautiful town.

• Stow Lodge Hotel sits in the middle of beautifully landscaped gardens in a perfect central location with cosy rooms and lovely staff.
• The Hive Holiday home with fully furnished rooms, a kitchen, and a sitting room with a 5-star rating.

4. Bourton-On-The-Water

Also known as “the Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water has the river Windrush running through its centre, needing the footbridges that give the village a feel of Venice. The village is quite popular among couples on a romantic break.

Significant attractions include traditional pubs, the model village and Cotswold Brewing Company. Let’s look at the places to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water.

• Chester House Hotel is a family hotel with chic rooms and delicious food.
• Vine House 17th-century cottage that can host a family of up to six people.

5. Broadway village

Another lovely market town with stunning countryside views in honey-hued stone with tea shops and galleries.

The high streets are lined with red and green chestnut trees and many boutiques and tea shops. Let’s have a look at the hotels to stay in this village.

• The Lygon Arms Hotel, a known coaching inn in the 16th century, features a swimming pool.
• Russell’s Of Broadway, a romantic escape with chic, large rooms with high ceilings and exposed stone walls.
• Buckland Manor with individually designed rooms, this stylish manor supports local produce.

6. Tetbury

With quaint cobblestone streets and cute cottages, the town has plenty of antique shops, cafes and traditional pubs. Major attractions in the town are Westonbirt Arboretum and Tetbury Police Museum and Courtroom.

South of Tetbury is Highgrove House, home to Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Hence making the town mightily posh. The options to stay here are also quite cosy.

• Calcot Manor Hotel is a 14th-century manor house with an outdoor hot tub and an indoor swimming pool
• Hare And Hounds Hotel, is a country house hotel with an outdoor hot tub offering beautiful views of stunning countryside.

7. Cirencester

Being the largest town in the Cotswolds, it is often referred to as “the Capital of the Cotswolds”. Cirencester is a town that celebrates the Roman relics and the treasure of the remains of Roman footprints that the town received when it boomed under the Roman empire and became the second largest town in Roman Britain after London.

 

Significant attractions include Chedworth Roman Villa and Corinium Museum. Let’s see where to dwell in this town instead of thinking of where to stay in the Cotswolds.

• Barnsley House is a boutique hotel and a classic rural abode with luxury and contemporary British cuisine and a reputed cookery school nearby.
• Stratton Milla is the perfect romantic getaway for two, set in the middle of water meadows and peaceful grounds on the edge of River Churn.

8. The Slaughters

Upper and lower slaughter are two twin villages together, known as The Slaughters. A vast meadow along with the River Eye divides the two villages.

The two villages are one of the best places to stay in the Cotswolds, as their iconic and picturesque buildings look lovely, especially around sunset.
The villages are ancient as there has been no new construction that has happened since 1906.

Let us look here for some “stay options” in Lower and Upper Slaughter.

• The Slaughters Manor House is beautifully furnished, 19 different rooms feature four-poster beds with a restaurant serving gourmet meals.
• The Slaughters Country Inn is a country house hotel with beamed ceilings, restaurant, bar and riverside terrace.
• Lords Of Manor Hotel is an understated country-style manor in Upper Slaughter with parkland, a walled garden and a lake.

9. Kingham

An isolated village surrounded by gently rolling hills and beautiful meadows: Kingham is the best option to stay in the Cotswolds if you are a walker, a runner or a nature lover. Also, the village is in proximity to the famous- Daylesford Organic Farm to buy fresh produce. This factor makes Kingham a hub for foodies as well.

Alongside the Daylesford farm, Kingham is the home to enchanting woods and lush, vast meadows, giving you an unforgettable experience. Let’s have a look at the options for your stay in Kingham.

• The Kingham Plough is a traditional country pub with cosy, spacious rooms close to Daylesford farm shop.
• The Wild Rabbit is a stay with an option to stay in pub rooms or in cottages which are beautifully decorated and fully equipped. If you want to live in cottages in Kingham or on the Daylesford farm, there is also an option to choose from.

10. Painswick

Surrounded by rolling green countryside, this village is quite close to Stroud and village green. It is often said to be “Queen of the Cotswolds”.

The narrow streets of Painswick include major attractions like St. Mary’s Church, Rococo Garden, and Ashton Beer Collection. Let’s have a look at staying options in Painswick.

• The Painswick 18th-century abode that has been restored has 16 rooms decorated in soft colours in country style.
• Wilfred Manora’s vast Grade 1 listed manor house can sleep up to 26 people at a time.

11. Burford

A market town best for history lovers and hikers, Burford is an Eden to your eyes as you stroll down the steep slopes of the High Street towards a three-arched medieval bridge that crosses the River Windrush. Burford is near Bourton-on-the-Water and takes a few minutes drives.

With Blenheim Palace just a 20-minute drive away, other attractions in this town include the Church of St. John-The Baptist and Kilkenny Lane Country Park. Let’s see where to stay while you are in Burford.

• The Swann Inn is a riverside inn with beautiful boutique rooms within the prime walking territory of the serene, undisturbed countryside.
• The Lamb Inn 15th-century cottage with 17 individually designed rooms located in a central location. Offers an open log fireplace, flagstone floors and a traditional bar.

12. Bibury

William Morris once described this town as the most beautiful village in England. The rustic streets of Bibury are the epitome of the elegant, rustic, old charm of the Cotswolds, which makes it a significant attraction for people visiting the Cotswolds. One of the major attractions is the Bibury trout farm which supplies native brown trout.

The village near River Coln is one of the most photographed sites in the UK and has been featured in Bridget Jones’s Diary. Have a look at some options for a stay in Bibury.

• The Swan Hotel 17th-century coaching inn features a private hot tub in one of the cottages and the views of viridescent gardens with the River Coln.

Conclusion

While I bet after reading the whole piece, deciding on where to stay in the Cotswolds will be easier for you. You must also now know that the Cotswolds has one of the most amazing, cosy and the best hotels in the UK that have seemingly been lost in time.

The rivers, the cobblestone streets, and the ecstatic, cosy shops feel more like a home than a tourist place. The architecture takes you back in time. While roaming the streets of idyllic little villages, you might want to gain some grains of unfathomable knowledge of the history and events the Cotswolds have seen over the period.

So why not much over the most delicious fudges from Stow-on-the-Wold and lose yourself in the quaint hamlet of Burford. Stay in the Cotswolds, beautiful countryside, honey-coloured hamlets and enjoy the history in your own time. Admire the beauty of Bourton-on-the-Water and enjoy the green views of Kingham.