Is this your first visit to the Cotswolds? We’ve put together an essential guide to help you plan your trip to the Cotswolds, covering all sorts of useful tips.
From walking routes to the best local produce, here’s your Lords of the Manor guide to discovering the Cotswolds.
Book visitor attractions in advance
We all became used to pre-booking visitor attractions during the pandemic, and many places have kept this system in place. It’s good to know that your visit is guaranteed, although you will need to plan ahead a bit more.
Major attractions like the Roman Baths and Sudeley Castle & Gardens have a pre-booked tickets system, and some National Trust properties like Snowshill Manor have timed tickets. For family fun days out like Birdland at Bourton-on-the-Water or Cotswold Farm Park, it’s definitely worth booking in advance to avoid disappointment on busy days.
If you’re coming to the Cotswolds in the main summer season, it can even be worth booking before you get here (with one eye on the long-range weather forecast). The same goes for restaurants and gastropubs, as well as any activities like tours, watersports, hacking or cycle hire.
Buy food and drink locally
Come to the Cotswolds prepared to eat. The lush, fertile landscape is the perfect place for growing crops and rearing animals, and some of Britain’s best food is grown and produced here. From the famous Stinking Bishop cheese to delicate Bibury trout, the local food is fantastic.
Restaurants and pubs have access to an immediate and freshly replenished larder, with home-grown veg and locally reared meat on their doorstep. Tuck into a hearty plate of Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages with seasonal greens and extra-creamy mash, washed down with one of the many locally brewed beers and ciders.
Going on a picnic? Check out your nearest farm shop for cheeses, fresh bread and treats like locally smoked fish. So, don’t stock up on food on your way to the Cotswolds. Buy local, and you’ll be really pleased that you did.
Don’t use the sat nav
The narrow little roads that wind between Cotswold villages were not designed for cars. Sat navs may be able to identify quick routes and direct routes, and even warn of hold ups ahead, but they don’t flag “terrifyingly narrow stretch of road with poor visibility and no passing places”.
Ending up on this sort of lane can be stressful and take the shine off a day out (you don’t want to spend the whole time at a visitor attraction worrying about the return journey). We recommend good old fashioned navigation: plan your route, use a map, follow the signposts. Seek local advice before heading off (our reception team are great at this).
Depending on where you’re staying, you may be able to ditch the car altogether…
Leave your car at your accommodation
We’ve already looked at the scary little lanes; however, even the bigger roads like the A429 and A44 can get busy at peak times (and in a holiday destination, “peak” can translate as “most daylight hours” in the summer). With a bit of planning, you can easily avoid driving in the Cotswolds.
● Use public transport. Most of the villages have a bus service, and some have a branch line train station, and of course, the larger towns and cities are well-served by public transport. GWR sell a combined travel pass that allows you to use the local bus and rail network, which can be a cost-effective way to explore
● Hire a bike. There are plenty of bicycle hire companies across the region, including ones who rent out e-bikes, for super-easy cycling. Here are some recommended Cotswolds cycle routes from Sustrans
● Make the most of the footpaths. The Cotswolds is excellent walking country, with a network of well-managed pathways. Many of our guests use the local paths between the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter, as well as the route into
Bourton-on-the-Water.
Plan your walking routes
As we mentioned earlier, there are lots of great walking routes in the Cotswolds, such as our local riverside Windrush Way. The Cotswold Way is the most famous route in the area. It’s a 102-mile path that runs from Chipping Campden to Bath, and many recommended walks take in at least a stretch of this well-maintained route.
Often, the different routes join up together, so it’s easy to plan a whole day’s hike. Alternatively, you can simply use the paths to get between destinations, such as the pretty mile-long walk between Upper and Lower Slaughter.
We’ve pulled together a selection of our favourite Cotswold walks in our blog.
Pack clothes for all weathers
For many visitors, the Cotswolds is an outdoorsy sort of holiday. There are lots of fantastic walks and beauty spots, as well as National Trust gardens and parkland. This being West Britain, you’re going to need to pack for all weathers.
If you’re here in the summer, you need that good old British combination of sunhat, shades, sunblock and a waterproof. If you’re planning to use the local footpaths, good walking boots or shoes, along with thick socks, are essential even in warm weather.
If you’re coming to the Cotswolds with your four-footed family member, remember to pack an extra towel for your happily muddy dog…
Discover new places in the Cotswolds
Our main piece of advice to anyone coming to the Cotswolds is to find your own favourite spots. We can give you plenty of locals’ advice about things like parking and shopping; however, the best thing to do here is explore this beautiful district and discover the Cotswolds for yourself.
Which is the prettiest Cotswold village? Where’s the best place for the kids on a rainy day? Best view in the Cotswolds? Favourite walk with your dog? Cream tea or pint of Yubby?
Plan your route and book your must-see Cotswold attractions, then explore our beautiful part of the world for yourself. Make sure you have your accommodation booked! Find out more about staying at Lords of the Manor.