The Cotswolds is an area of gentle hills lying between the enticing cities of Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and Oxford. It’s quintessential England, with pretty villages of honey-coloured stone, manor houses, charming churches, dry-stone walls and country pubs. These days it’s also rather chic with great places to eat, celebrity residents, fashionable places to be seen and lively cultural events.
Memory of Cotswold Way
“I never realised that there was such beauty in my own country”
Ian Jarrett, Manchester
Cuture and Heritage
The Cotswolds owe much to the superior quality of their medieval sheep. Wealth from wool established the great “wool” churches and created the landscape with its dry-stone walls to enclose the animals. The area includes a variety of other notable architecture, including black and white medieval buildings at Tewkesbury and elegant Regency houses in Cheltenham.
Shopping
From traditional antique shops at Stow-on-the-Wold and Tetbury to contemporary crafts in Cirencester, you’ll find a whole range of great local shops. There is also fashionable clothes and gift shopping in Regency Cheltenham, high quality items at Prince Charles’s Highgrove shop in Tetbury, and food shopping, including delicious local fare at Daylesford Organic Farmshop.
Attractions
The Cotswolds has one of the most enchanting natural settings in Britain. Visit leafy gardens, both large and small, two arboretums, National Trust properties, and some small but lovely museums. Of national importance are the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, Gloucester Cathedral, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt and Hidcote Manor Garden.
Sport
The Cotswolds is horseriding heaven, with the National Hunt Festival (including the Gold Cup) taking over for a week in March, plus more horse-related events at Gatcombe and Badminton. There are also well regarded cricket festivals at Gloucester and Cheltenham, and, of course, the “cherry and whites” – Rugby at Gloucester.
Food and Drink
Gloucestershire has a large section of excellent pubs, from smart gastropubs to traditional inns. Many serve a great choice of wines as well as local beers. You’ll also find farmers’ markets, delis, farm shops and prize-winning cheese producers all selling the freshest local produce.
Music and Nightlife
From festivals of folk, classical music and Jazz, to summer opera and concerts in the open air, there’s music playing all year long throughout the Cotswolds. There’s also the prestigious classical music celebration, the Three Choirs Festival every three years.
Buy before you fly
To make your trip to the Cotswolds easier, you can buy tickets to attractions, travel passes, and much more at our online shop, and avoid the queues! The BritRail GB Flexi Pass (www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-AU/detail.aspx?ProductCode=T3) allows you to explore the country at your own pace, and the Great British Heritage Pass (www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-AU/detail.aspx?ProductCode=Tp1) gives you free entry to nearly 600 of Britain’s finest historic houses, gardens and monuments. For more great offers, go to VisitBritain Direct (www.visitbritaindirect.com/en-au/).
Must see and do
| Top daytime must-do's |
Top night time must-do's |
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| - Catch a play at the historic Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (a Frank Matcham designed building).
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| - Stay out for the lively Festival of Literature or Jazz.
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| - Eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a great country pub.
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