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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.

river and old stone cottages of Arlington Row in Bibury

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.

River and old stone houses surrounded by trees in Bibury, Cotswolds

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.

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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.

old stone bridge over River Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water
Photo edited with our Adventure Collection Presets

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.

buildings and shops with fairy lights in stow on the wold

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.

ancient yew tree-framed doorway of St. Edward’s Church with woman standing in middle

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.

row of old stone houses in burford, cotswolds

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.

cars and people standing outside of Broadway Deli in the Cotswolds

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.

aerial view of broadway tower at sunset in the cotswolds

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.

old stone buildings in cirencester

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.

a group of people walking down a path in cirencester park

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.