Cotswolds is perhaps the easiest weekend trip to take from London. In just under 2 hours, you can find yourself in a place of outstanding natural beauty. So why not use this guide to plan a Cotswolds weekend break?
There is really no right or wrong way to spend a weekend in the Cotswolds, but here I will give you some tips on how to make the most of your short break.
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How to get to the Cotswolds
There are a few ways to get from London to the Cotswolds:
🚘 By car
Taking the car to Cotswolds is by far the easiest way to get there. It takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on where you are driving to. This is also because getting around Cotswolds very much requires a car, as the villages do not all have individual train stations. Driving there also gives you a lot more flexibility and you can visit the villages at your own pace.
🚆 By train
You can also take the train from London Paddington to Chippenham, which takes about 1 hour.
🚌 By bus
Taking the bus is more affordable than the train and pretty quick and easy too. You can take the National Express bus from Victoria Coach Station, and you will be in the Cotswolds in about 2 hours.
When to visit the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is great to visit pretty much at any time. During summer, you can find the perfect holiday cottages here to take a trip with your friends and have a nice BBQ in the sun. Summer is also the best time to go if you want to really enjoy and explore the villages.
Winter however is also nice in the Cotswolds. The cozy village vibe is ideal even during the cold months, and you can cozy up by the fireplace with a blanket and a glass of wine.
Where to stay in the Cotswolds
Chippenham
This is the area where we stayed for our weekend break in the Cotswolds. We found that it was very convenient and close to pretty much everything. Chippenham is also the town where the train from London Paddington arrives to, making this the ideal place to stay particularly if you are not traveling by car. Chippenham is also located only 15 minutes drive away from Castle Combe is in close proximity with a few other must visit villages.
We booked the property we stayed on AirBnb. It was a barn converted into an AirBnb and we had a huge space all to ourselves! It was absolutely perfect as we all had new, comfortable rooms and lots of indoor and outdoor space. This is the perfect place if you are travelling with friends or a big family and want a space to cook, party and have a BBQ!
You can see the pictures below and by googling “the Cowsheds” and if you want to book then you can do so here.
Otherwise, you can also check below for properties that are available on booking.com:
Cirencester
Cirencester is usually considered to be the heart of the Cotswolds. One of the biggest towns in the Cotswolds, Cirencester is known for its market. It is also located pretty centrally and has everything you need in terms of shops, restaurants and much more.
A nice hotel I can recommend here is the King’s Head Hotel. This stylish boutique hotel is located in the heart of Cirencester and has a spa, multiple restaurants and will guarantee you to have a comfortable stay in the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds weekend itinerary
Day 1
Cirencester
Depending on whether you have a full day or a half day, I would recommend starting your day by visiting Cirencester.
Cirencester is the biggest town in the Cotswolds and is absolutely worth seeing. It is a town known for its market, which is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays – ideal if you are traveling there on a weekend! At the market, you will find a lot of things, including antiques, jewellery, furs, and much more. So if you want to do a little bit of shopping during your Cotswolds weekend break, then this is the place to buy some souvenirs!
You can spend a few hours here, browsing the streets and visiting the cute shops and bakeries. There is also a park you can visit called Cirencester Park, which is open 8 am till 5 pm each day. If you get lucky with the weather, you can spend time by walking around here and enjoying the scenery.
Bibury
After Cirencester, visit Bibury, one of the cutest towns in the Cotswolds and only 20 minutes drive away from Cirencester. It has been named the most beautiful village in England many times and for good reason.
Bibury is known for Arlington Row and its 17th-century cottages, which have remained almost untouched since. The cottages were used to supply cloth to the Arlington Mill and are now still residences for the locals.
You can take a stroll along the Arlington Row, discover a local pub and get lost among the picturesque streets!
Stow-on-the-wold
If you are looking to get the famous Instagram shot by the mystical door, then you really should visit Stow-on-the Wold. However, this village is much more than just the Instagrammable door. It is also a beautiful town to explore, full of nice restaurants, pubs and cute shops.
It is also the highest of the Cotswolds towns at 800 feet, so it offers some of the most beautiful views of the Cotswolds. Some more things to do include antique shopping and visiting the St Edward’s Church, an ancient church build between the 11t and the 15th centuries.
I would recommend spending about 30-40 minutes here depending on how much of the town you want to see.
Day 2
Castle Combe
if you asked me to name one must see place in the Cotswolds, I would say Castle Combe. The village has been named ‘the prettiest village in England’ multiple times and for a good reason.
This historical village will have you feeling like you just stepped back to the 1600s. There is not a single modern building, the streets are narrow, and people live in cottages that haven’t been changed since the 17th century.
Castle Combe has also been used as the filming location for a lot iconic movies, including Downtown Abbey and War Horse.
I would recommend spending some time to walk around here, and also check out the famous Manor House Hotel.
Broadway
Broadway is another beautiful village, famous for its art galleries and interior shops. As the name suggests, Broadway has a main street where you will find shops, restaurants, antiques shops and much more.
Bourton-on-the-water
Often referred to as Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-water is known for its idyllic scenery and traditional cottages. It is a great place to relax and have some afternoon tea. However, if you fancy doing some walking on your Cotswolds weekend break, then there is also a popular walking route, leading you from Bourton to the Upper and Lower Slaughters.
Day 3
Lunch at The Potting Shed
The Potting Shed is a pub that you absolutely must visit when you are in the Cotswolds. This cosy pub is located in Wiltshire, and serves some of the best food in the Cotswolds made with seasonal produce. It is of course British cuisine, but presented in a very sophisticated and luxury way.
They have an outside seating area as well as some space inside, so it is the perfect place to visit whatever the weather. But make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment!
Optional stopover at Dalesford farm
If you are driving back from Cotswolds to London, then a great option is to stop over at the Dalesford farm, which is located not too far from Oxford. Here you will find an organic farm shop with a lot of amazing products, food and drinks. This is also a great place to enjoy the weather if it is sunny and also to have some food. Or, if you are in a rush to go home, this can also be a stop over for some coffee or a snack.
Optional stopover at Port Meadow, Oxford
This stop is also completely optional and weather dependent. At Port Meadow, you will find a huge beer garden and a river you can swim in. It is also a beautiful place to have a drink and unwind after a long drive.
Other places to visit
There are so any places to visit in the Cotswolds, and the above list doesn’t cover nearly everything!
Another place I would recommend you to visit is Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Cheltenham is known as a spa town, due to the mineral springs that were discovered here in the 18th century. It is also very well known for the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Cheltenham Food and Drinks festival, and the Gold Cup, which is a horse racing festival. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, Cheltenham is a great place to visit with a lot to do.
Chpping Camdpden is another lovely little town you can visit if you want to explore more of the Cotswolds towns. The streets here date back to the 14th century and have a lot of historical value. It acted as a wool trading centre in the Middle Ages and today it is a very popular tourist destination. Chpping Campden is located much closer to Cheltenham than to Chippenham, so if you want to visit both of these then I would recommend staying in a hotel near here for a night.
A hotel that I would recommend is called is No.131 in Cheltenham. This is a really stunning hotel with very tasteful interior, a few beautiful restaurants and a cocktail bar.
I hope you enjoyed this Cotswolds itinerary and that you found it useful. Whether it is your first time in the Cotswolds or your 50th, you will always find something new to discover. Let me know in the comments if there is anything else you would add to this Cotswolds weekend break itinerary.
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