The Cotswolds: an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' that includes some of the most lovely and 'chocolate box' countryside in England. Gentle rolling hills and honey-coloured limestone villages complete with churches and traditional pubs, beautiful gardens, Regency spa towns and historic monuments can all be found here.
Which locations to include in a day tour? Why not include some of the better known attractions but do take in some of the pretty Cotswold villages, such as Upper and Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold or Bourton-on-the-Water, and of course, a hearty pub lunch.
A truly picturesque village on the river Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water has traditional stone Cotswolds buildings and village green. The village offers many shops, cafes and attractions and is always popular with visitors. Within easy reach of Bourton are several renowned gardens including Hidcote Manor and Snowshill Manor.
One of the best known Cotswolds towns, Stow-on-the-Wold is famous for its many antique shops and large Market Square with ancient cross and town stocks. Good restaurants, boutiques, medieval buildings and the ancient St Edward's church are just some of the attractions that make Stow-on-the-Wold a popular destination for any Cotswold tour.
Located on the River Windrush, Burford is a popular tourist destination and known as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. Founded in the Saxon period, near the later sixteenth century priory building, the town has a number of interesting historic buildings including the Grade I listed COE parish church. There are some fifteenth century town houses in the centre of Burford as well as a Baroque style Methodist church.
Lower Slaughter is a picturesque Cotswold village situated either side of the River Eye. It has traditional Cotswold limestone cottages and a converted nineteenth century mill with original water wheel. In 2011 Copse Hill Road in the village was named the most romantic street in Britain in a poll for Google Street View.
Just a mile from Lower Slaughter is Upper Slaughter. Situated on a gentle slope above the River Eye, the village has a number of architectural attractions including Eyford House—with seventeenth century Baroque detailing, and the beautiful gabled Manor House—the oldest part dating to the fifteenth century.
