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The Cotswolds is home to some of the most charming and photogenic villages in the UK, with their idyllic countryside settings, stone cottages and cobbled lanes.
If you're wondering which villages to visit, you've come to the right place. In this guide, I'm sharing six of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds that should be at the top of your list.
1. Bibury
Bibury is one of the smallest yet prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, and is everything you'd imagine a classic Cotswold village to be. The most famous spot here is Arlington Row, a cluster of 14th century cottages that sit beside the River Coln.
It's a picture perfect spot with the old stone cottages surrounded by greenery and the peaceful river. Bibury might be small, but it's still a lovely place for a wander, with pretty walking paths that lead you past cottages, old bridges and quiet corners.
We'd recommend coming early if you want to experience it without the crowds, as it does get extremely busy throughout the day. It's the perfect village to add into a Cotswolds day trip as you only need to spend a morning here.
Chloe Butcher
2. Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is a lively and picturesque village built around the River Windrush - often nicknamed the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' with its many stone bridges.
It's one of the prettiest Cotswold villages and is the perfect spot for photography and an afternoon wander. The village is full of tearooms, pubs and gift shops, although we’ve found it a little more touristy compared to other Cotswold villages.
We do prefer other villages for cafés and shopping, but it’s still well worth a visit for its beauty and riverside setting. It’s a popular spot, especially in summer when people line the riverside with their picnics.
3. Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is a historic market town with a slightly grander feel than some of the smaller villages, and is one of our favourites. It has a large market square lined with antique shops, cosy cafés and old coaching inns.
It also has one of the most enchanting spots in the Cotswolds: the acient yew tree framed door of St. Edward’s Church. It's tucked just behind the main square and feels mythical, like something out of a fairytale.
This is one of the quieter and less touristy villages, and is the perfect spot for shopping and lunch. We'd recommend Otis & Belle for light bites and sweet treats!
4. Burford
Burford is a charming hillside village in the east of the Cotswolds. The main road slopes downhill, lined with medieval buildings, traditional pubs, and independent shops.
The buildings here are incredibly photogenic, with mis-matched terraced cottages lining the hillside. Take a walk up the hill to admire the ancient cottages and see the views from the top of the hill.
Burford has plenty of lovely cafes, shops and pubs, so it's perfect for an afternoon walk and a relaxed pub lunch or dinner. Just outside the village you'll also find the Burford Garden Company, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Crocodiles of the world!
5. Broadway
Broadway is one of our favourite Cotswold villages - it feels a bit quieter and less touristy than some of the more well-known spots. Maybe that’s because it’s tucked away on the edge of the Cotswolds, so it doesn’t see quite as many visitors.
The village is full of boutique shops, galleries and cosy cafés, all housed inside quaint cottages and beautiful old stone buildings. We always visit at Christmas when it looks especially magical, covered in twinkling lights and christmas decorations.
Just outside the village sits Broadway Tower, an 18th-century tower sitting on a hilltop with panoramic views across the countryside, which is well worth a visit.
6. Cirencester
Known as the “Capital of the Cotswolds,” Cirencester is the largest town within the Cotswolds and was the second largest town during the Roman era. It's a lively town with beautiful old buildings, independent shops, cafés, markets.
Cirencester definitely has the most going on of any Cotswold town, there’s no shortage of places to eat, shop, and explore. You’ll find Roman ruins, museums and peaceful parks alongside trendy bakeries and boutique stores.
It's one of our favourite spots in the Cotswolds, we highly recommend trying Lynwood & Co for lunch and Jacks for a sweet treat!
What is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds?
Many consider Bibury to be the prettiest village in the Cotswolds, becasue of its iconic Arlington Row and peaceful riverside setting, but i'd also say Bourton-on-the-Water also competes for the title.
Which Cotswold village is the least touristy?
From my experience, i'd say Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway tend to be a bit quieter than other spots like Bibury and Burford. However, all of the Cotswold villages can all get busy during peak seasons (summer & christmas), so always plan to go early.
Can you visit these villages without a car?
Some villages, like Cirencester and Stow-on-the-Wold, have train stations, and others are accessible by bus, but having a car makes it much easier to reach the smaller and more remote spots.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other UK travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
