Where Are The Cotswolds?
Undulating hills, emerald green valleys and wildflower meadows, bucolic villages, country houses and mighty castles — the Cotswolds is one of England’s truly magical regions. Whether you are young or old, in search of adventure or relaxation, a lover of warm summer days or frosty winter mornings, the Cotswolds is a destination for all. At the Lords of the Manor we are fortunate to be nestled in the heart of this enchanting part of the British Isles.
The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Cotswolds is a region of southwestern and west-central England that covers an area of approximately 800 square miles. Running through the region are the Cotswold Hills, which stretch 25 miles wide and 90 miles long. The hills rise from meadows above the River Thames to a dramatic escarpment called the Cotswold Edge. Evidence of life in the Cotswolds dates back to the Neolithic age and Romans later established settlements. The region gained fame for its wool trade during the Middle Ages and is now among the most-loved holiday destinations in Britain.
Today the Cotswolds is the largest of the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales. It stretches across five counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. A breath-taking natural beauty makes this an ideal place to discover by foot and bike. Some 3,000 miles of trails, footpaths and bridleways, including the Cotswold Way and sections of the Thames Path, traverse the landscape. They lead to market towns and medieval villages decorated with cottages built from the emblematic and honey-coloured Cotswold stone.
Highlights of the Cotswolds
Spend your holidays in the Cotswolds visiting chocolate box towns and villages, where centuries-old stone cottages double up as boutiques, galleries, museums and souvenir shops. Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold are to name but a few. Dabble in quintessentially English culture at tea rooms and traditional country pubs. History blends with superb shopping and great drinking and dining options at the larger towns of Bath, Cheltenham and Cirencester.
Architectural masterpieces sit scattered around the Cotswold countryside. Plan visits to Sudeley Castle and Broadway Tower, a one time retreat of designer William Morris. Enjoy days out at manor houses, stately homes and National Trust properties such as Snowshill Manor. Wander in the shadow of soaring trees and admire wildflower displays at the region’s arboretums. Downton Abbey fans can even walk in the aristocratic footsteps of the Crawleys in Bampton.
Travelling to the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are accessible by road, rail and bus from all corners of England. Cross Country and Great Western Railway train services stop at various regional stations. Travel direct from London to Bath Spa, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Kemble and Stroud. Tewkesbury and Oxford are other gateways into the region with rail links. National Express coaches provide alternative routes to the area’s major towns and cities. Keep an eye out for seasonal coach tours to the beautiful villages of the Cotswolds.
Prefer to set your own pace? Follow A roads and the M4, M5 and M50 motorways before joining meandering country roads. One such is the Fosse Way, a road established almost 2,000 years ago by Roman ancestors that runs the entire length of this glorious region.