A Day in Cotswold – The Quintessential English Countryside

The Cotswold is quintessential England at its finest! Think honey-hued stone cottages, thatched roofed homes and winding streets dotted with centuries old churches and pubs that date even further.

While you would fully want to take in the cityscape and history of London and its surrounding areas during your visit, it would be criminal to not sneak away to this sombre corner of idyllic English countryside for a day. Trust me when I say this – a visit to the Cotswold feels like stepping into a serene pastoral painting. Perhaps what makes Cotswold so special is that, no matter what season or time of the year you visit, the beauty of the villages never fade their peak. You can admire the stunning gardens in the ‘Spring’ or cuddle up in a cosy pub in the ‘Fall’.

Read on as we round up the loveliest corners of Cotswold from the big hitting towns to the sleepy spots that most people just pass through but are definitely worth of a pitstop. Follow our journey and be ready to be whisked a world away to a land that time forgot.

Nestled 2 hours from mainland London (Central London), the best way to explore Cotswold is by hiring a Self-Drive Car. There is a fabulous change in scenery from city spires to mellowed down stone cottages. We let our windows down and soaked the quaintness of it all.

Castle Combe

Idyllic stone cottages, tranquil river and centuries old charm dating back to Norman era– that is how I would describe our first stop for the day. We spent some time walking through its sleepy winding streets, past the honey-colored stone cottages, adorned with climbing roses along with the gentle trickle of the Bybrook river. We walked past a church with a faceless clock, with intricately carved wooden pews and memorials that narrates the stories of the village’s past inhabitants.

But I was the most enamored by the little doorways leading to beautiful homes built in tune to the medieval character of the place.

It’s one of those places that feels quite alien to most since it’s so far from the way that we live. But at the same time, it’s familiar as you recognize scenes from movies like Stardust and War Horse. Maybe fangirl a little bit like I did. 

Bibury

You don’t need much time here, or you could just end up spending the whole day here. The highlights are the cute weaver cottages known as the Arlington Row.

Right in the centre of town is a cute little shop and cafe side-by-side. The cafe was hard to miss, and the marshmallows were even harder to miss.   

Bourton-On-the-Water – The Venice of the UK

Three unperturbed, fluffy swans peddled breezily on by, enjoying what was a gorgeous day for the English countryside. Families and friends lined up for their little river-side-trailer-bought coffee and cake.  

We scurried around the array of cute cafes and finally found our spot overlooking the cherry blossoms, bridges and the water underneath. Maddy and I ordered a Spiced Latte each while the rest of the gang decided to commit to a bottle of amazing Rose Proseco, while surveying the offerings of the menu like hungry gannets.

Also high on the list was to have a classic English scone while in Cotswold and lo-and-behold, we found a cafe that not only crafted them but also provided us with the cutest riverside setting for a savoury experience. Sitting on a fur-covered chair, I relished in the richness of the clotted cream (the only way to go) with a steamy cup of berry tea beside me.

Lower Slaughter

We barely drove for 5 minutes from the buzzy Bourton-On-The-Water, when we passed through this quiet sleepy village. There weren’t any shops or pubs but caramel coloured stone houses set along the low lying stream. We saw a couple of golden brown and white horses trot merrily through the cobblestone path. And if you are in the mood for some hand churned ice creams, head to the museum/cafe near the village mill, grab a cone and relish it on one of the stone bridges.

Upper Slaughter

We drove along the gorgeous banks of River Eye to reach the other part of the twin village set. However, if time permits, you might opt for the walking trail between Winchcombe and Bourton-On-The-Water past Golden tinged Jurassic limestone houses and over ancient footbridges.

Now, don’t be fooled by the pretty macabre name. It has nothing to do with the modern interpretation of the word.

Stow-On –The-Wold

As you waddle through Stow-on-the-Wold, you observe how the town square is daintily hemmed with Ivy clad buildings. We drove past the Posche-House with its cozy open-fires and low ceilings. But what stole our attention was the St Edward Church, touted to be the prettiest church in the area. With a squat traditional door flanked by ancient trees, it looked like something straight out of a Tolkien story.

I know the locals must be sick of tourists coming to snap photos of this iconic door, but can they really blame us? It’s their ancestors’ fault for creating such a place, ancestors who couldn’t predict that social media and travel blogging would become a thing. 

 

Broadway Tower and Deer Park

Broadway Tower is the quintessential British Heritage perched on top of the beautiful Cotswolds encarpment. It was nearing sundown when we reached this majestic 200 acres spread exuding tradition, heritage and aristocracy. The tower and its surroundings were more than what meets the eye. We marvelled at the symbol of Gothic romance and were taken aback by the story of its eccentric folly. Be it the splendid Georgian interiors or the breathtaking Cotswold panaroma in a capsule from such a height, the Broadway Tower had it all.

Just adjacent to the tower was the coveted dear park where a mix of brown and red highland deers crowned with antlers marched majestically in herds. As the sun started its decent down the horizon, blending hues of gold and orange in its delicate canvas, we made our way to a nearby cafe Tower Barn. We enjoyed our evening latte along with some snacks curated from fresh local produce.

That was our last stop in Cotswold. We spun our cars towards London and drove another two hours, all the while taking in the British countryside charm as we drove pastthe golden hued rustic cottages. A day trip to the Cotswold is like stepping into a storybook. The region’s quintessential English charm, with its picturesque villages, beautiful gardens and welcoming locals provides a perfect escape from the hustle-bustle of the busy London city. The delightful day adventure has left me with memories of serene landscapes and a deep appreciation for the timeless beauty of rural England.

If you are eager to know how we planned our UK trip, do click the link below for detailed information:

Plan the perfect trip to the United Kingdom – CoffeeBreak Diaries