It’s hard to beat the Cotswolds for English countryside beauty. The thatched-roof cottages and chocolate-box villages come straight out of a storybook. I’ve visited this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) countless times over the years, and I’ve shared many of my itineraries with you here on the blog. Today I want to put them all in one place. I’ve included a map, too.
Cotswolds Itineraries
One of the things I like most about being a professional travel blogger is that I get to help people plan their trips. Whether it’s through my blog or my travel planning services, I love ensuring people have had a better experience in London or further afield.
I often get asked for tips on how to visit the Cotswolds, so today I want to share my guides. From villages to towns and my favorite places to eat, drink, and walk, they have a range of things to do and see in the region.
You can adjust any itinerary on my list to fit your interests, time, and travel style. Whether you want to go independently, with or without driving, or on a guided tour, there’s something for you. Whatever you do, you’ll get a good overview of what the Cotswolds have to offer.
You can use my list of pretty villages, my guide to National Trust properties in the Cotswolds, and my overview of the best Cotswolds walks to fill in any gaps and find specific things that interest you as well.
I have more Cotswolds itineraries in the pipeline, too. I’ll add the new ones to this blog post as I publish them. If you want to bookmark or pin this post on Pinterest, you can use it as a reference to find all my guides in one easy place.
You can see additional itineraries and find further details in the Cotswolds Travel Guide book as well. You can get it on Amazon here. It has seasonal trip planners, cultural gems, practical tips, and more.
If you prefer a guided tour, there are lots of great Cotswolds day tours you can take. As you’ll see below, I’ve done many myself over the years.
From tours that go to the most famous towns and villages to ones that include Oxford and day trips that will take you to Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle, I’ve covered a lot of ground.
If you’re interested, you can see a range of options for guided tours and book one here. They’re great alternatives to traveling by car or train, and they can take you to some of the classic spots you can’t get to by rail.
1. Day Trip to the Cotswolds
First on my list of Cotswolds itineraries is a day trip to some of the most famous towns and villages in the AONB. From Bibury to Burford, it will show you a variety of popular places in the region.
A driving itinerary, this guide also includes stops in quintessential villages like Lower and Upper Slaughter, pretty towns like Bourton-on-the-Water, and a drink at a historic village pub.
If that all appeals, you can find the full itinerary and all the details on my blog post about how to take a day trip to the Cotswolds. This is a great one if you’re a first-time visitor and you want to see the classics.
2. Day Tour to the Cotswolds
Next on my list is a small-group day tour. It will take you to some of the same towns and villages as the previous itinerary, plus places like Stow-on-the-Wold.
The thing I love about this tour is that it offers a good balance of guided and independent sightseeing. While you’re on the road, the driver/guide will share information and stories about the places you’re about to see. Once you’re there, you have the freedom to explore on your own.
If that appeals to your inner traveler, you can find the full itinerary and all the details on my blog post about a Cotswolds day tour. This one is ideal if you want to discover the highlights of the region without driving.
3. Day Trip to Moreton-in-Marsh
My next Cotswolds itinerary is a day trip to Moreton-in-Marsh. A historic market town in the Evenlode Valley, this is a popular place to visit in the region. You can get here by train, too.
Moreton-in-Marsh is home to everything from famous pubs to a heritage town hall. Its Cotswold stone houses are picture-pretty, and there are delicious tearooms and bakeries in town. There are great country walks you can do here, too.
If traveling to the Cotswolds by rail for a day sounds good to you, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about how to take a day trip to Moreton-in-Marsh. It’s a good one if you don’t have a car or if you’ve been to the Cotswolds before and want to do a deep dive into one town.
4. Hotel & Spa Getaway
Next on my list is an itinerary for a relaxing overnight getaway to one of the best hotels in the Cotswolds. If you love cozy luxury and beautiful spas in equal measure, this one is for you.
The itinerary is centered around a stay at Dormy House. Located near the town of Broadway, this boutique bolthole is the perfect place to get away from it all in the English countryside.
If that appeals, you can find the details on my blog post about Dormy House Hotel. It’s ideal if you’ve been to the Cotswolds before and you’re looking for a peaceful escape to the countryside.
5. 2 Days in Kingham
Next on my list of Cotswolds itineraries is an overnight getaway to Kingham. From topiary hedges to thatched-roof cottages, this charming place is a countryside classic. It’s easy to get to by train from London, too.
The itinerary includes a beautiful local hotel and restaurant, village highlights, and a walk to the famous Daylesford Organic Farm (it’s replete with boutiques, cafes, a spa, and a garden center).
If that sounds good, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about a country escape in the Cotswolds. It’s ideal if you’ve visited the region before and you’re looking to spend a couple days in one of the most beautiful villages here.
6. 36 Hours in Cirencester
My next Cotswolds itinerary is one that centers around Cirencester. Often referred to as the Capital of the Cotswolds, this historic market town in Gloucestershire is worth a special trip.
Cirencester was the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. Today it’s known for its pretty streets, bustling markets, expansive park, and cultural attractions. My itinerary covers a range of them, as well as a country pub and a great place to stay.
If that appeals, you can see all the details on my blog post about how to spend 36 hours in Cirencester. It’s a good one if you have a car and you want to get to know one of the most famous towns in the area.
7. Winter Weekend in the Cotswolds
My next itinerary is for a winter weekend getaway. This is a great time to visit the AONB. Not only is it less crowded than in the summer, but the landscapes are also moody and atmospheric with everything from mist to snow and soft light.
My itinerary features the picture-pretty village of Painswick, cozy country pubs in Slad and Sheepscombe, and the iconic Arlington Row in Bibury. It also includes a stint in nearby Cheltenham.
If that sounds good to you, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about how to spend a winter weekend in the Cotswolds. It’s great if you’re visiting during the cooler months and you want to see both the highlights and local spots in the region.
8. Spring Weekend in the Cotswolds
If you’re visiting in spring, I have just the itinerary for you. This is a beautiful time to be in the Cotswolds, as the seasonal blooms grace the countryside with their cheerful hues.
My itinerary covers two days in the area. Using the pretty town of Chipping Campden as a base, it will show you everything from stunning gardens to the village of Broadway, a romantic 18th-century folly overlooking the countryside, a historic pub, Painswick, and the village of Sapperton.
If spending a couple days exploring both famous and less-visited places appeals, you can find all the details on my itinerary for a spring weekend in the Cotswolds. It’s ideal if you have a car and you want to see some seasonal highlights of the region.
9. Autumn Weekend in the Cotswolds
If you’re here in autumn, I have another great itinerary for you. This is an ideal season to visit the Cotswolds, as the colorful foliage paints the English countryside in bright tones.
My itinerary covers a weekend in the area. Using Painswick as a base, it includes a visit to Sapperton, a tour of a stunning Tudor house, and a walk through a famous arboretum.
If that all appeals, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about how to spend an autumn weekend in the Cotswolds. It’s a great one if you’re driving and you want to see local villages and seasonal sights in one trip.
10. 3 Days in the Cotswolds Without a Car
My next few itineraries include both the Cotswolds and places just outside the region. My favorite is one I did for 3 days in the area. If you have the time, it will show you beautiful towns and villages, a famous palace, and some great walks. You’ll even get to visit a renowned university city.
The itinerary is centered around a stay in Kingham. It includes a pub lunch and a walk in the town of Charlbury, a ramble to Churchill and Chipping Norton, a ride to Blenheim Palace, and a stint in Oxford.
If all that sounds good, you can find the full itinerary on my guide to how to spend 3 days in the Cotswolds without a car. It’s perfect if you want to travel independently and see a broad overview of places in and around the region.
11. Day Tour to Oxford and the Cotswolds
Next on my list is a small-group day tour. This one will take you to both Oxford and the Cotswolds. It’s just the ticket if you want to see both the city and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in one day.
The itinerary offers a balance of guided and independent sightseeing. The driver/guide will share information and stories while you’re on the road, and you can explore on your own at each stop. You’ll get to see Bibury, Burford, and Oxford along the way. You’ll stop at a famous filming location, too.
If that appeals to your inner traveler, you can find the details on my itinerary for a day tour to Oxford and the Cotswolds. It’s perfect if you don’t want to travel independently and you’re interested in seeing a range of places in and around the region.
12. Day Tour to Warwickshire, the Cotswolds, and Oxford
If you’re up for a big day of sightseeing, my itinerary for a day tour to Warwickshire, the Cotswolds, and Oxford is for you. This one packs a lot into a short trip, so it’s ideal if you’re pressed for time.
The itinerary covers everything from a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon to a trip to Warwick Castle, a lunch stop in the Cotswolds, and a stint in Oxford. While you won’t see any of the famous towns or villages in the AONB, you’ll get to take in plenty of Cotswold countryside scenery along the way.
If a big day out appeals, you can see the details on my blog post about a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, the Cotswolds, and Oxford. It’s ideal if you’re a first-time visitor and you want to see as much as possible in one go.
13. Bray & the Cotswolds
If you have a bit more time and you’re driving from London, my itinerary for Bray and the Cotswolds is for you. This one will take you to one of the most famous villages near London before whisking you off to the AONB.
The itinerary starts with lunch at a 16th-century pub in Bray. After a filling meal, it continues with a drive to Ampney Crucis. You’ll spend a night at a beautiful hotel in the village, then explore Cirencester the following day.
If that sounds good to you, you can see the full itinerary on my blog post about a trip to Bray and the Cotswolds. It’s ideal if you’re traveling by car and you want to break up the drive with a stop in Berkshire.
14. Bath & the Cotswolds
If you want to combine the AONB with a trip to one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, my itinerary for Bath and the Cotswolds is for you. This one will show you the highlights of both places, including one of the most famous villages in the region.
The itinerary centers around an overnight stay in Bath. It will show you the highlights of the city, then take you to pretty villages like Bradford-on-Avon, Lacock, Corsham, Castle Combe, and Malmesbury.
If visiting a famous city and one of the most beautiful parts of the English countryside in one trip appeals, you can see the itinerary on my guide to spending 2 days in Bath and the Cotswolds. This one is ideal if you have a car and you want to discover the best of both worlds.
Cotswolds Map
If you want to see all the itineraries I mentioned in this blog post, you can find an interactive Google map I created here. If you click on the pins, you’ll find my itinerary for each one. You can use it to plan your own trip to the Cotswolds.
If you want to see more, you can take a look at my Cotswolds map and my map of Cotswold villages.
Cotswolds Itineraries
I hope this blog post has inspired you to travel to the Cotswolds. Whether you go by car, train, or tour, you’re bound to have a great time discovering this famous part of Britain.
If you want to explore further afield, you can take a look at my itineraries for Cheltenham, Bath, Wiltshire, and Oxford.
No matter where you go, how you travel, or what length of time you spend here, it’s worth coming back again and again to see more of the region.
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