On the Map

On the Map: Explore the Cotswolds

2 September 2022

Travelling through five glorious counties – Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire – the Cotswolds stretch out for almost 800 square miles.

While each area boasts its own unique beauty and character, there are plenty of defining features that let you know exactly where you are. These include villages crafted from golden honey-hued stone, and of course the ‘Wolds’ themselves… lush, rolling hills.

Nature lovers are in serious luck: the Cotswolds are home to over 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways, leading you through picture-perfect wildflower meadows and ancient woodland.

Meanwhile, pay a visit to Cheltenham, Stroud, or Tewkesbury to experience the vibrant Cotswolds buzz, not to mention the UK’s first organic café, and a wealth of thriving independent shops. If you enjoy culture, there are many arts festivals to explore, with bulging events calendars… perfect if you’re looking for creative inspiration.

And the food! The rich, diverse Cotswolds landscape means menus hum happily with local produce, from Stinking Bishop cheese and Hobbs House bread, to Gloucester Old Spot pork, and the Tewkesbury mustard that was mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry IV.  

All we can say is, don’t visit if you’re on a diet.

We’ve selected some of our favourite – and most unusual – Cotswold retreats, so you can indulge your senses fully in this wondrous part of the world.

Author: Nina Jervis
Main Image: Under Catswood | Gloucestershire

Campden Yurts

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England
Make your escape to the glorious Cotswolds all the more memorable by staying at Campden Yurts.
Bedrooms: Studio
Sleeps: 4-5 per yurt
From
£440 (4 nights midweek)

The Glamping Orchard

Longney, Gloucestershire, England
Rural glamping in Longney, Gloucestershire; The Warwick Knight, a restored 1950s caravan with rooftop garden as seen on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, and Belle, a charming bell tent.
Bedrooms: Studio
Sleeps: 4-5 per unit
From
£70-£125 /nt

The Fish Treehouses and Huts

Broadway, Worcestershire, England
Experience an unforgettable countryside escape at The Fish Treehouses & Huts - an exclusive collection of stunning handcrafted dwellings in the Cotswolds.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 2 or 4 per unit
From
£260 / night

Bob's Lodge

Upper Tysoe, Warwickshire, England
A sumptuous and spacious wood-crafted holiday home with a geodome & hot tub, nestled on a working farm in the scenic Cotswolds.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 6
From
£335 / night

Ben's Burrow

Upper Tysoe, Warwickshire, England
A luxury family retreat with an enchanting ‘rabbit warren' feel, complete with a stargazing dome, hot tub, and idyllic views of rural Warwickshire.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 9
From
£560 / night

The Clock Tower Stow

Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, England
Time to relax, in a stylish penthouse apartment in a historic church, gently nestled by a village green in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 5
From
£160 / night

Jess' Tree Bach

Upper Tysoe, Warwickshire, England
A luxurious lodge, complete with a Bluetooth hot tub and a fun children's slide, nestled on a friendly, family-run farm retreat amongst idyllic Warwickshire countryside.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4 (+1 infant)
From
£255 / night

Westley Farm Stone Cottages

Frampton Mansell, Gloucestershire, England
Quintessential English countryside retreats, each set in its own meadow, rich in home comforts and traditional style for a soothing escape amongst glorious Cotswold countryside.
Bedrooms: 2 or 3
Sleeps: 4 or 7 per cottage
From
£225 / night

The Coach House

Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England
A sumptuous couples' hideaway, complete with a games room and a huge freestanding bath, privately nestled amongst 25 picture-perfect acres of Cotswold countryside.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£225 / night

ARC Painswick

Painswick, Gloucestershire, England
A Grade II-listed retreat with a heated outdoor pool for the ultimate in large-group breaks, beautifully restored by a renowned team of architects and secluded in the heart of the "Queen of the Cotswolds".
Bedrooms: 9
Sleeps: 24
From
£2,900 /nt

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