Beautiful Cotswold Villages

The is a stunning region in the south-west of , near to London, Bristol, Birmingham and Wales. Spreading across 800 square miles, the Cotswolds cover , Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and parts of north-east Somerset. Cotswold villages are some of the most beautiful places in England, often found far down country lanes. Charming Cotswold villages have plenty of character in a beautiful setting with a strong local community. Quaint thatched cottages sit on the sides of roads, with beautifully kept cottage gardens and wood burning stoves smoke from the chimneys on a winter’s day. There are often large stately homes at the end of a sweeping drive behind wrought iron gates, an ancient local church, a village green and a friendly pub serving delicious food and local ale.

‘The Most Beautiful Village in the Cotswolds’…

The charming village of is set on the River Coln between Burford and in Gloucestershire. Bibury village has a stunning village church called St Mary’s, founded in the 8th century and home to unusual architecture with Norman carvings and Medieval windows. The village of Bibury was once named as “the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds” by artisit and designer William Morris. The village is famous for a line of weaver’s cottages called Arlington Row, an ancient cluster of cottages that date back to the 16th century. They were originally built in 1830 to be a monastic wool store where cloth was produced then transported to Arlington Mill where it was hung out on timber frames. Tourists and visitors flock from all over the world to discover Arlington Row and it has become a very well-known attraction on Cotswolds tours. Arlington Row is preserved by the Royal College of Arts and can be seen as a famous setting in many popular blockbuster movies such as Bridget Jones’s Diary and Stardust.

The Village of Great Tew

The village of Great Tew is popular with tourists because it is a perfect vision of a Cotswold village. The beautiful village of Great Tew is found down long country tracks in the Cotswold hills close to Banbury and Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. The village has many pretty, thatched cottages with unusual gabled roofs, stunning cottage gardens and mullioned windows. Great Tew village is self-sufficient, with has a great primary school, a charming pub, a local village church and a useful shop. Great Tew Estate has been renovated over the last 50 years, sympathetically restored from a derelict state and now a beautiful example of stately home perfection in the Cotswolds. The famous Soho Farmhouse sits in the manor grounds, a beautiful converted farmhouse with farm buildings, set in a 100-acres of picturesque Cotswold land where celebrities come and stay. Soho Farmhouse is a members only club, offering a place to stay for those who want to get away for a weekend in the Cotswolds.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Bourton-on-the-Water is a beautiful village in Gloucestershire, between Stow-on-the-Wold and . The centre of the village has a pretty green that sits next to the shallow, slow flowing , a beautiful place for families to have picnics in the summer. Bourton village has cafes, antiques, gift shops, boutiques and restaurants, providing the perfect experience on a visit. The tourist attraction of Birdland is home to many rare birds including penguins, parrots and flamingo’s. The Model Village on the edge of the village is a charming and perfect replica of Bourton village itself, standing waist height with houses and trees. It’s no surprise that Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular place for visitors who come from far and wide.

Secret Cottage Cotswolds Tour

The Cotswolds have been named as the second largest area of outstanding natural beauty in England so it’s no wonder that people come from all over the world to visit. If you’re planning a trip to England and staying in London, then a day trip to the Cotswolds is the best way to see one of the most beautiful regions in the south-west. It only takes 1 hour and 40 minutes on a direct train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh where we pick you up. Our guests do not only enjoy a 6-hour fascinating Cotswold tour, but we invite you into our home at the Secret Cottage and give you a tour of our 400-year old cottage. We also provide a delicious homemade lunch for guests, and a traditional Cotswold cream tea in the afternoon. Book your seats now to experience a unique Cotswold tour with the Secret Cottage!