by Anna Hann
posted on 1 December 2024
The rolling hills of the Cotswolds in southwest England have been an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966. It’s a patchwork of historic villages, beautiful towns, traditional pubs, tea rooms, and antique shops, making the Cotswolds region quintessential English countryside at its finest.
The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers almost 800 square miles, almost reaching Bath in the south to Stratford-upon-Avon in the north.
An ideal Cotswolds road trip itinerary involves starting in Cheltenham, which lies around the mid-point of the region, allowing you to drive two circular routes over two days — one to the north and one to the south.
A Cotswolds road trip can be tailored based on your personal interests, whether you want to take long walks, visit wildlife parks and attractions, or try antiquing in the pretty villages. And while there are undoubtedly famous sights you’ll want to try and see, hidden gems are found off the beaten track, tucked into the charming villages.
A two-day Cotswolds road trip
This road trip route explores the northern region of the Cotswolds first, including visits to some of the region’s prettiest villages in rural England, such as Upper and Lower Slaughter. The second day focuses on what lies south of Cheltenham, including some charming villages and handsome Cotswolds towns with rich histories.
Day 1 – The North Cotswolds
You’ll drive around 60 miles today, a little over two hours of driving time, which gives you enough time to explore the various stops along the route. Today’s Cotswolds driving route explores many of the region’s most famous locations, including Broadway, known as the Jewel of the Cotswolds, and Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds.
Start your road trip in the Regency town of Cheltenham, setting your sat nav to Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Winchcombe. Drive north on the B462, a journey of around 20 minutes that takes you deeper into the beauty of the charming Cotswolds.
Winchcombe
Winchcombe is home to Sudeley Castle, which dates back to the 15th century and was once home to Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr. Daily guided tours are available, or you can explore at your own pace. If you bring children, don’t miss the adventure playground and obstacle course.
Stanton
From Sudley Castle, continue your road trip to Stanton—it’s only around six miles away. The classic Cotswold village features buildings made from Cotswold stone, characterised by its golden colour, and it’s considered one of the prettiest villages in the region.
Stanton is a tiny village with just houses and a village pub. Take a little time to admire its loveliness before continuing your journey.
Broadway
Follow the B4632 to Broadway, a village known as both the Jewel of the Cotswolds and the Historic Gateway to the Cotswolds with a handsome high street. Pop into the Lygon Arms Hotel for a coffee – Oliver Cromwell famously spent the night here. Then leave Broadway and continue on your way to Snowshill.
You could also take a little detour to Broadway Tower for an incredible view. You can catch magnificent views across the Cotswolds from its height of 1,024 feet above sea level.
Snowshill
You’ve got a couple of options here. If it’s the season, you could visit Cotswolds Lavender, which has colourful fields open during summer. Or, the National Trust’s Snowshill Manor & Garden might take your fancy.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is a former wool town known for its beautiful high street, lined with iconic Cotswold stone buildings. Stroll along Chipping Campden High Street, one of the loveliest in the Cotswolds, and pop into a few antique shops and independent stores.
Broad Campden
Set into rolling hills, Broad Campden is just a few minutes from Chipping Campden with the same honey Cotswolds stone and thatch buildings. Keen gardeners might fancy a stop at Batsford Arboretum. Otherwise, keep going through Moreton-in-Marsh to Chipping Norton.
Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton is an ancient market town that has hosted a local market since the 13th century. Today, it’s best known for its celebrity residents and famous locations like Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop and Soho Farmhouse, a rural offshoot of the members’ club Soho House. Spend a little time here before continuing on your road trip to Stow-on-the-Wold.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds at 800 feet above sea level and features a historic church, St Edward’s Church, with a unique Yew Tree Door.
As well as being a historic market town with the famous Porch House pub (thought to be England’s oldest inn), Stow-on-the-Wold is a great place to pause for lunch if you haven’t already or explore a few independent shops, including the Cotswold Cheese Company and Borzoi Bookshop.
The Slaughters
From Stow-on-the-Wold, it’s just a few minutes drive to the Slaughters. Upper and Lower Slaughter are two scenic villages on the River Eye, known for their picturesque cottages and natural beauty and connected by a scenic path. Following the River Eye, take the one-mile walk between Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. There are longer walks you could take, depending how long remains of the day!
Bourton-on-the-Water
Leaving the Slaughters behind, head to Bourton-on-the-Water next, fondly known as Venice of the Cotswolds, on the River Windrush.
The famous Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular tourist attraction. It’s a one-ninth replica of Bourton-on-the-Water with a shallow River Windrush and working water wheel and a good place to visit first to get your bearings.
There’s plenty to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, including Birdland Park & Gardens, a wildlife park, the Cotswold Motoring Museum, and Hawkstone Brewery, once known as the Cotswold Brewing Company.
Cheltenham
It’s a 30-minute drive back to Cheltenham from Bourton-on-the-Water. Allow yourself enough time to get back for an evening in the city.
Head to the Brewery Quarter at the end of the High Street for pubs, clubs, and restaurants or spend an evening in the elegant eateries in Montpellier, where you’ll find the town’s most beautiful Regency architecture.
Experience the Cotswolds your way with a rental car from Turo. Choose from a variety of vehicles, from compact cars for village hopping to spacious SUVs for added comfort, with flexible pick-up and delivery options.
Day 2 – South Cotswolds
Your Cotswolds road trip continues for a second day, focussing on what lies south of Cheltenham on a route that covers around 75 miles and two and a half hours of driving. There are longer drives between destinations today, rather than the short hops on day one.
Chedworth Roman Villa
Delve straight back into the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a visit to Chedworth Roman Villa, one of Britain’s largest and grandest Roman villas. You’ll need to allow around 30 minutes to get there from Cheltenham.
Burford
Take the A40 east to Burford, a medieval town on the River Windrush with a three-arched bridge and imposing church. The Church of St John the Baptist has fine stained glass windows and historical architecture.
Find somewhere to park to explore the town, perhaps walking up Burford Hill, lined with classic Cotswold stone cottages.
Close by, you’ll find the Cotswolds Wildlife Park & Gardens with over 250 species of animals, including giraffes, rhinos, and zebras — not the typical wildlife you’ll see in the beautiful countryside! It’s a great pitstop for kids on road trips.
Lechlade-on-Thames
Your road trip heads south to Lechlade-on-Thames, a picturesque village on the banks of the River Thames. It’s a good spot for boating or taking a short circular walk to explore.
Bibury
From Lechlade, take Hambidge Lane to Bibury. Described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, Bibury is an iconic village in the Cotswolds.
The National Trust-owned Arlington Row cottages are a highlight of Bibury. They were built in 1380, initially as a monastic wool store, before they were converted into weavers’ cottages. If it looks familiar, you might recognise Arlington Row from when it was used as a backdrop in the 2007 film Stardust.
Bibury is also home to England’s oldest working trout farm on the River Coln. You can take a guided tour of Bibury Trout Farm to learn its history and try barbecued fish.
Cirencester
It’ll take you around 20 minutes to reach Cirencester from Bibury. Cirencester, sometimes called the Capital of the Cotswolds, was an important Roman town with an old market square mentioned in the Domesday Book.
If you’re keen to know more about the town’s legacies, The Corinium Museum in Cirencester showcases the town’s Roman history.
Painswick
North of Cirencester is the so-called Queen of the Cotswolds, Painswick. It’s another of the region’s wool towns and is home to the Rococo Garden, known for its beautiful features and landscaping.
The annual cheese-rolling competition takes place at Cooper’s Hill near Painswick.
Cheltenham
From Painswick, return to Cheltenham through the Slad Valley, and your Cotswold road trip is complete. Spend more time here, perhaps exploring art galleries like The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum or following the Cheltenham Public Art Trail which includes work by international artists.
An optional extension
The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty extends down to Bath. Instead of returning to Cheltenham at the end of your second day of your Cotswolds itinerary, you could continue your journey south.
Once you reach Cirencester, take the A429 south. It’ll also give you a chance to stop at Castle Combe – another rival for the title of England’s prettiest village. With all its timeless charm and beautiful buildings, Castle Combe has been used as a backdrop on the silver screen, featuring in the likes of Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.
From Castle Combe, continue south to Bath and finish your Cotswolds road trip in this exquisite city, visiting the ancient Roman Baths and strolling past the honey-coloured Georgian buildings of the Royal Crescent.
Travel tips for a Cotswolds road trip
A road trip through the charming Cotswolds is a scenic route through a region renowned for its timeless charm.
Expect narrow roads
Cotswolds roads are often narrow and may have just one lane. If you need to give way to an oncoming car, there are usually passing places on single-lane roads. When it rains in The Cotswolds, some roads can get huge puddles, requiring caution while driving.
Prepare for tricky parking
Parking can be difficult in the busiest Cotswold towns and villages, especially in summer and at weekends. Some of the villages are very small, and it’s important to remember that the beautiful homes you see here belong to the residents and their village, and their privacy should be respected.
Plan your route and download your map
Sat navs usually send you along the most direct route, which often means main roads. Mobile signal can be patchy in the Cotswolds, so having a print map as a backup is a good idea. Signal is often patchy across the Cotswolds, so it’s a good idea to download an offline version of Google Maps.
Book your accommodation
The Cotswolds has plenty of places to stay, from luxury hotels to self-catering holiday lets. If you’re following a two-day road trip and looking for a base in or around Cheltenham, here are a few options to consider:
- Ellenborough Park is a five-star country house hotel close to the racecourse in Cheltenham.
- The Queens Hotel is in the heart of Cheltenham and overlooks the Imperial Gardens.
- Neptune Apartments offers luxurious self-catering accommodations in Cheltenham.
Find the perfect rental car
On a Cotswolds road trip, it can help to hire the smallest car you need to make it easier to manoeuvre around the narrow lanes and park on the limited street parking.
That said, luxury SUVs are a popular choice in these parts, and you’re bound to see plenty of luxe Land Rovers, top-end Teslas, and Audi SUVs on your Cotswolds road trip — why not book a luxury car on Turo and join them?
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