The best Cotswolds day trips: villages, towns and photo spots

Planning some Cotswolds day trips? Between the small towns, pretty villages and historic Roman city of Bath, all set in rolling green countryside, this is one of the most rewarding parts of England to explore.

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I’ve rounded up my favourite places here, with tips on what to see, where to eat and the best photo spots in each. I’ll also cover how to get around, where to stay and how to plan your route so you can fit the most in without rushing. If you’re after a pretty staycation in the UK, this one is for you, and my guide to the best UK staycations has more ideas.

Where are the Cotswolds?

The Cotswolds is the largest protected landscape of its kind in England and Wales, with quaint stone-walled towns and villages dotted between the hills. It sits in central western England, stretching from the South Warwickshire border and Worcestershire through to West Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and it also takes in parts of Wiltshire and North East Somerset. That puts a day trip from London or Oxford well within reach.

Getting around the Cotswolds

By car

A car lets you hop quickly from one village to the next without relying on public transport, which tends to be sparse in rural parts of the UK. For an extra special break, you could even splash out on a classic car rental. What could be more romantic in summer than driving through old cobbled streets with the roof down?

By bus and on foot

If you’re sticking to bigger places such as Cheltenham, Bath and Cirencester, local buses will get you around quite easily. Once you’re there, exploring on foot is your best option, with plenty of coffee stops, of course.

The best Cotswolds villages for a day trip

The Cotswolds are famous for postcard-perfect villages, but you’ll probably struggle to fit more than three comfortably into a day. These are my must-visits. Don’t forget your camera.

Castle Combe

Castle Combe is one of the most popular places in the Cotswolds. What it lacks in size (you could walk from one side to the other in half an hour), it more than makes up for in charm, and it’s frequently voted England’s prettiest village. It’s also a filming location, including for Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.

It was a pretty dreary October day when I last visited, so after a wander with my camera we were glad to find The White Hart, a dog-friendly pub with lots of dark wood and an inviting glow from the fireplace. We didn’t eat, but there seemed to be a good menu.

The best photo spots in Castle Combe

Whether you’re into landscapes or want a backdrop for your next Instagram post, these are the most picturesque spots.

The Manor House: The Manor House is a hotel with weddings and golf. The 14th-century building oozes romantic charm, especially in autumn when the trailing vines turn fiery red.

The bridge: if you only take one photo, make it this one. The flowing river, honey-coloured cottages, church spire and countryside behind make the perfect composition.

The cottages: these couldn’t be any more ‘hygge’ if they tried, and you won’t find jarring architecture spoiling the view, as no new cottages have been built here since the 1600s.

Burford

Burford is fantastic if you enjoy window shopping and bakery treats. It has a livelier energy than Castle Combe, with plenty of historic charm. The main shopping street is on a hill, but it’s comfortable enough when you’re stopping at shop windows every couple of minutes. You’ll find handmade gifts, a workshop where you can paint your own pottery, delicious baked goods and a pub or two.

One of my favourite finds was The Burford Emporium, a wonderful hodge-podge indoor market with pre-loved books, clothes and jewellery, as well as new handcrafted pieces. Check its opening days before you travel.

Do explore the side streets. I found this very patriotic spot outside a pub just off the main street, and it’s much easier to get a shot there without dodging cars. At the bottom of the hill, by the main car park, there’s a lovely church next to a small garden centre. There are plenty of countryside trails from here too, so pack your walking shoes.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is a Gloucestershire market town, bigger than Castle Combe but with plenty of cosy Cotswolds feel. Its large market square makes sense when you learn it has been a trading hub since the Iron Age. It’s great for an afternoon of shopping for outdoorsy clothing, handmade gifts and treats, with a dizzying choice of cafés, tea rooms and pubs. If you want to stay, read my review of Coniston House in Stow-on-the-Wold.

The best Cotswolds towns and cities for a day trip

You don’t have to spend the whole day village hopping. Bath, Cirencester and Cheltenham all deserve a spot on your itinerary.

Bath

Bath is one of the UK’s most famous cities, best known for its baths dating back to the 1st century AD. Its thermal baths are the only place in Britain where you can bathe in a natural thermal spring. Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage Roman Baths, you’ll find grand Georgian buildings in honey-coloured stone, and if you don’t mind stairs, Bath Abbey Tower gives a great view from above.

It’s also a fantastic destination for food and shopping. Stop at Bath Guildhall Market for a coffee and cake, and see my guide to free and cheap things to do in Bath for more.

Bath’s best photo spots

Pulteney Bridge: this iconic bridge has shops built across both sides, making it one of only four bridges in the world built in this style.

Parade Gardens: by the riverside and looking across to the bridge, the Parade Gardens make a great backdrop for portraits, especially in autumn.

The Royal Crescent: the architecture of the Royal Crescent is great if you like to play with lines and angles.

Cirencester

Cirencester is great for independent shops. I happily spent a few hours on the cobbled streets, ducking into courtyards selling everything from clothes to handmade pottery. The church grounds are lovely on a warm day, and if you’re driving, head out of town to the Elemental Sculpture Park, a large open-air museum.

A popular choice for dinner is family-run tapas restaurant Tierra & Mar. I love tapas because you can try a bit of everything. It books up quickly, so reserve in advance.

Cheltenham

For a touch of glamour, add Cheltenham to your itinerary. We stayed here for an October weekend and it felt like a luxury destination. There’s a great selection of independent boutiques alongside the high street names, and the gorgeous architecture and green spaces reminded me of affluent parts of central London.

You can splash out at award-winning and Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are budget-friendly options as well.

Where to eat in Cheltenham: The Coconut Tree

Sometimes I research every meal. Other times I wing it, and this was one of those times when winging it paid off. The Coconut Tree serves really good Sri Lankan street food, with a menu of small dishes you can mix and match endlessly. Think of it as Sri Lankan tapas.

If you’ve never tried Sri Lankan food, order a hopper: a coconut milk pancake shaped into a bowl and filled with sambal and other tasty flavours. My other favourites were the black pork and king fish curry, and the waiters are happy to make recommendations.

Where to stay in the Cotswolds

From London or Oxford you can get away with driving over for the day, but from further afield it’s worth staying overnight. We chose Cheltenham, which is a great base because it’s fairly central, with more accommodation and places to eat than the smaller villages.

We stayed at the beautiful Queens Hotel, a lovely treat with opulent decor and impressive architecture. I found a deal on Voyage Prive, with a reduced room rate and the option to add breakfast, which made it cheaper than you might think. For cottages, I’d also recommend reading about Well Furlong Cottage.

How to plan your Cotswolds day trip itinerary

There are too many lovely places to see in a day or even a weekend, so it pays to plan ahead.

• Narrow down your options. Pick three or four places: I’d suggest one bigger town, then a couple of villages or countryside walks.
• Plot your route. Drop pins on Google Maps for everywhere you’ve chosen, plus your accommodation, to work out the best order and keep travel time down.
• List your activities. Put your must-sees at the top, then add a few alternatives in case things don’t go to plan.

Final thoughts

Whether you want sleepy villages, independent shops, Roman history or a fancy dinner, a day trip in the Cotswolds has it covered. Pick a handful of places, plan your route and leave time for a cosy pub stop or two.

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