Bibury is a typical Cotswold village with lots of gorgeous Cotswold cottages lining the streets.  It is located between Cirencester and Burford and is of course most famous for Arlington Row, a line of 17th century weaver’s cottages.

These cottages were once nominated as one of the icons of Britain, loved by William Morris, and nearly shipped to the USA for the benefit of Henry Ford!  These must be some of the most photographed cottages (and certainly most photographed Cotswold cottages) in the country.  What was once a row of weavers cottages is now famous across the world.

Other attractions in Bibury include the charity duck race down the river on Boxing day and the Bibury trout farm,where you can buy both fresh and smoked local fish and if you’re feeling activce you can hire bikes from here too.

Of course what Cotswold village would be complete without a classic Cotswold cream tea or a refreshing pint of real ale by the river.  Well both of these can be found in the Bibury Court Hotel or the traditional Cotswold pubs within the village.

Cotswold cottages we have located close to Bibury:

• Lakeside House in Fossebridge (Sleeps 10 and welcomes dogs)
• Lodge 4 in the Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 8)
• Little Cinders in the Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 6)
• Wishbone Cottage in Fairford (Sleeps 4 + 1)

Voted one of the prettiest villages in England, there is plenty here for the visitor.  With the Cotswold stone houses, the River Windrush passing through and many attractions to visit, this is one of the most popular spots in the Cotswolds.

There’s plenty of attractions for children such as the
Model Railway, Model village, Cotswold Motor Museum and Birdland all ready to interest your children.
As well as the Dragonfly Maze, Cotswold Perfumery and Cotswold Pottery.
…and of course there’s plenty of small cafes and shops to browse around between visiting all the attractions.

Broadway is one of the delightful villages in the North of the Cotswolds, so much so that it is referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’.

A good base to explore the Cotswolds with the plenty of walks close by and the Romantic Road starting here.  Close by there is the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway, and a selection of gardens such as Kiftsgate Court Garden, Hidcote Manor Garden, Snowshill Manor and Stanway House and Water Fountain.  There’s a wide choice of tea shops and restaurants including the Lygon Arms to reinvigorate you after all that effort.  Stratford-On-Avon, Worcester and Cheltenham are all within easy reach.

For children there is the Broadway Tower and an excellent playground which is set just behind the high street.

Jasmine Cottage is located just outside Broadway.  It can accommodate 4 (+1) and welcomes dogs.

Stepping Stone is located in Broadway.  It sleeps 6 and one dog is welcomed.

Holly Cottage is in Childswickham near Broadway.  It accommodates 2 (+1) and one small dog.

Traditionally known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’, Burford is a beautiful town within the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.  Its High Street is on a slope, from where you can see beautiful views across the Cotswolds down to the Windrush valley.

The main street is lined with ancient cottages and shops that have changed little since the Tudor times winding down to the medieval bridge over the River Windrush.  A footpath westwards from this bridge takes you on a pleasant walk along the river where you can appreciate the beauty of rural Oxfordshire.

Wonderful little side streets, traditional pubs, tea rooms and antique shops aplenty make Burford a superb place to explore.  And for the kids, the Cotswold Wildlife Park is only 2 miles outside.

Cotswold cottages we have close to Burford:

• Owl Barn in Chimney, near Bampton (Sleeps 10 (+2)) and welcomes dogs
• Snipe Barn in Chimney, near Bampton (Sleep 9 (+2)) and welcomes dogs
• Rose Barn in Chimney, near Bampton (Sleeps 7)
• Cleeveley Cottage near Burford sleeps (4 (+2))
• Betty’s Cottage in Taynton near Burford (Sleeps 4) and welcomes dogs
• Bay Tree Cottage in Shipton Under Wychwood (Sleeps 2)

A small market town in the north of the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden was once a rich wool trading centre, famous throughout Europe.  Today it is notable for its elegant terraced high street dating back to the 14th century with its fabulous restaurants, specialist shops and traditional pubs.

It is not hard to see why Chipping Campden is a popular tourist destination.  Chocolate box cottages with thatched roofs are in abundance and the High Street is lined with honey coloured limestone the Cotswolds is so famous for.  This lovely town oozes history and character.

Every summer, Chipping Campden becomes the host to the Cotswold Olimpick Games, a championship of rural games including shin kicking!  Set on Dover’s Hill it provides a wonderful setting with extensive views over the Vale of Evesham.  Even if the thought of participating and having your shins kicked doesn’t appeal, the bands, bonfire, fireworks and dance displays may be more attractive!

Nearby, those of us with green fingers will be pleased to hear that there are a couple of particularly famous gardens.  Hidcote Manor Garden and Snowshill Manor and Gardens are both owned by the National Trust but have their own distinctive style.

Cotswold cottages we have located in Chipping Campden and the nearby area:

Wolds End House in Chipping Campden (Sleeps 8)

Elkstones in Chipping Campden (Sleeps 10)

Orchard End in Darlingscott, near Chipping Campden (Sleeps 3)

Twine Cottage in Chipping Campden (Sleeps 2) and one dog is welcomed

Cheltenham, is often referred to as the centre for The Cotswolds, and it’s not hard to see why.  Strategically positioned roughly equidistant between the Northern and Southern extremities of The Cotswolds many people chose to use it as a base.

Cheltenham became a spa town in 1716, and whilst visitors for the spa waters are rare these days the town itself is one of the most complete examples of Regency Architecture. The architecture is complimented by its many parks and gardens the largest of which is Pittville park just outside of the town centre.  Here there are formal gardens, a boating lake and places for the children to play.  It is also home to Pittville Pump room one of the finest examples of the architecture of the day.

Other attractions include the Holst museum, a good selection of shops – many unusual and independent as well as a wide variety of restaurants such as Raymond Blanc’s brasserie and the 2-star Michelin awarded ‘Le Champigon Sauvage’.

Cheltenham also has a variety of festivals including the International Literature Festival, Music Festival, and perhaps most famous of all the National Hunt Festival.

Properties we have in or close to Cheltenham:

• The Granary in Southam, near Cheltenham (Sleeps 4)
• Bredon Cottage in Prestbury, near Cheltenham (Sleeps 4)
• Leckhampton Cottage in Prestbury, near Cheltenham (Sleeps 4)

Situated in the North Cotswolds it is one of the few towns to have its own railway station.  It has a selection of shops and restaurants, but is not large enough for many chains to have an outlet, giving the town a more independent feel.

The town is on the Fosse Way and there is still evidence of the town’s history with details of tolls still shown in the centre, a market with over 100 stalls each Tuesday and a mid-19th Century market hall.

Cotswold Cottages we have in or near Moreton in Marsh:

• Little Cottage, Moreton in Marsh (Sleeps 2)
• The Gatehouse, Blockley (Sleeps 2)
• Slatters Cottage, Bourton on the Hill (Sleeps 3 and welcomes one small dog)
• The Gable, Bourton on the Hill (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)

South Cerney is a thriving Cotswold village lying just a few miles South of Cirencester.  It is most famous for being set in the heart of the Cotswold Water Park where there is a wide selection of water and land based activities available.

Water sports include sailing, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing to name but a few, whilst on land there’s angling, horse riding, golfing – The list is endless.  If sport is your thing, then this is a great place to be.

Cotswold Cottages we have in or near South Cerney:

• Little Cinders, a contemporary New England style lodge within the Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 6)
• Lodge 4, a New England style,contemporary lodge within the Watermark development which overlooks Isis Lake (Sleeps 8)

Set on a hill-top, Stow is one of the most well know Cotswold towns.  With its fine market square and many of its properties built from the classic honey coloured Cotswold stone it is perhaps the most quintessential Cotswold town.

There’s a fine selection of shops in which to browse (Scotts of Stow, boutique style shops antique shops) and with the Cotswold countryside near by, it is one of the most popular places to base a holiday in the Cotswolds especially if walking is a favoured pastime.  When its time to eat The Old Butchers and The White Hart are both well known establishments serving a selection of local food.

Cotswold Cottages we have in or near Stow on the Wold:

• Teagles Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 7)

• Posting House Barn, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 6)

• Coniston House, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 6 and welcomes dogs)

• Pear Tree Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 6 and welcomes dogs)

• Carters Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)

• 2 Manor Farm Cottages in Nether Swell, near Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 4)

• Devon House Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 4)

• The Old Band Room in Naunton, a few miles from Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 4+1 and welcomes dogs)

• Spinners Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold (Sleeps 4 and dogs welcomed)

Stratford-Upon-Avon is one of the most well known tourist spots in England.  Located a few miles north of one end of the Cotswold Way it is of course famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

There are many properties to visit such as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and of course his plays are performed regularly by the Royal Shakespeare Company.  For a modern presentation of the bard’s life and legacy try The Shakespearience.

But Stratford is not just about Shakespeare, it is a lovely town with the River Avon running through its centre, which also allows a variety of water based craft to be hired for your enjoyment some of which you can enjoy on your own, others will take you to places without you having to life a finger.  The attractions are too numerous to list but there’s a butterfly farm and brass rubbing centre in Stratford whilst further afield there is Warwick Castle and Charlecote Park.

Plenty to keep everyone busy for several days.

Useful links:

Royal Shakespeare Company
Charlecote Park
Warwick Castle

Cottages we have close to Stratford upon Avon:

• Wolds End House, Chipping Campden (Sleeps 8)

• Orchard End in Darlingscott, near Chipping Campden (Sleeps 3)

• Twine Cottage, Chipping Campden (Sleeps 2)