Experience the

Pretty Cotswold villages and quaint market towns sprinkle the landscape throughout several counties, including , Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and parts of north-east Somerset. The villages and towns are built from honey-coloured Cotswold stone which is a famous limestone in the area. Around half a decade ago, the region of the Cotswolds was named as an area of outstanding natural beauty and it’s no wonder to anyone who comes to the area. The Cotswolds is a stunning region in the south-west of , surrounded by rolling hills and wildflower meadows that spread for miles across the beautiful countryside. Experience the Cotswolds on a day tour to see villages, market towns and stunning countryside.

Cotswolds History

The Cotswolds cover 800 square miles with a population of around 139,000 people. The region is well-known for being one of the biggest contributors to the wool trade in Europe. After the cloth trade moved to the north of England during the industrial revolution, sheep farming reduced in the area and the region remained idyllic and unspoilt. The ‘wolds’ is the name given to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and the region is one of the biggest 38 areas of outstanding natural beauty in England and Wales. Residents of the Cotswolds include the Prince of Wales, Princess Anne and Zara Phillips. There are also celebrities who live in the Cotswolds, including Liz Hurley, Kate Moss, Amanda Holden, Alex James from Blur, Kate Winslet, Damien Hirst and Jeremy Clarkson. It is also believed that David and Victoria Beckham have recently bought a property in the Cotswolds. Hidden Gardens and Beautiful Walks

If you enjoy exploring beautiful gardens in the English countryside, then Hidcote Manor is one of the most famous artistic and craft gardens in England. It was created by Major Lawrence Johnston, a well-known horticulturist and the gardens include beautiful blooming flower beds, herbaceous borders and perfectly sculpted hedges. Batsford Arboretum is also an incredible place to visit where in the summer you can admire the trees and flowers and in the autumn when the trees are changing colour, you are taken back by breath-taking acres of beautiful land. If you enjoy discovering far-reached views and walking, then there are some astounding walking trails in the Cotswolds including the Cotswold trail which has views as far as the Welsh mountains on a clear day.

Pretty Cotswold Villages

The Cotswolds is the perfect place to explore many wonderful cities including Cheltenham, Oxford and Bath which offer a fantastic shopping experience. Cotswold villages are perhaps one of the most well-known aspects of the Cotswolds with dreamy countryside and cosy cottages, undoubtedly there are some very romantic places in the Cotswolds. Villages are found down country lanes, often near dense woodland and trickling rivers. The Cotswolds has some of the prettiest villages around including Great Tew, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chastleton, Broadway and Lower Slaughter. Copse Hill Road in Lower Slaughter has been named as one of the most romantic streets in England by Google Maps. Cotswold villages have beautiful stone cottages with thatched roofs and log burning stoves and there are often large estates or stately homes on the edge of the villages. Village life is very much friendly, often with a local pub that serves good food.

Book the Secret Cottage Tour

Experience the best way of seeing the Cotswolds on a 6-hour tour with the Secret Cottage. The Secret Cottage Tour take our guests on a day tour of the Cotswolds but also invite you into our home. The Secret Cottage is nearly 500 years old and is a typical, pretty Cotswold stone cottage. We give guests a hot drink and pastry in the morning, then a delicious homemade buffet lunch. We also treat guests to a traditional Cotswold cream tea in the afternoon! Discover hidden villages, majestic stately homes, quaint market towns and some of the most beautiful countryside views you will ever see. We pick our guests up from Moreton-in-Marsh train station in our luxury minibus and take you on an exciting 6-hour tour around the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is one of the most breath-taking places in England, so if you’re planning a trip to the , then don’t miss out! We have over a 1,000 5* reviews on Trip Advisor – read what our previous guests have said!