A perfect 5-day itinerary in the Cotswolds

Looking for the ultimate countryside escape?  Our 5-day itinerary in the Cotswolds has you covered.

With rolling hills, charming villages, and iconic honey-coloured cottages, the Cotswolds is one of the most picturesque regions in the UK, a picture book landscape waiting to be explored.

Stretching across six counties, the Cotswolds covers a vast area, so planning is essential to make the most of your visit.  After plenty of research and experience as travel bloggers, we’ve designed an itinerary that balances popular sights with hidden gems, ensuring an unforgettable five-day holiday.

Each day’s activities are grouped by location for convenience, but feel free to swap things around to match your pace and interests.  And whilst we haven’t included specific places to eat, you’ll easily find plenty of traditional pubs, cosy tearooms, and fine dining options along the way.

Read on for our family-friendly guide to spending five days in the Cotswolds.

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The Cotswolds is a region in central-southwest England, often known as the Heart of England.  It is a range of hills, which stretches across 6 counties, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Bath and northeast Somerset, in the Heart of England.

The Cotswolds, often called the ‘Heart of England,’ is a stunning region in central-southwest England. This picturesque area is known for its gentle hills, or ‘wolds,’ which span six counties: Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

Renowned for its timeless villages, rolling countryside, and historic charm, the Cotswolds offers a quintessentially English experience.

The Cotswolds is an ideal destination for a weekend escape to the countryside, and we’ve enjoyed several short breaks there ourselves.

However, given the area’s size and variety, plan a longer stay if you really want to explore.  Spending 5 to 7 days in the Cotswolds allows time to go on hikes, explore picture-perfect villages, and unwind in traditional pubs.

The Cotswolds is beautiful year-round, but our favourite season to visit is spring.  Starting in early April, you’ll find blossoming trees, newborn lambs, and fewer crowds—plus, it’s ideal hiking weather.  We visited over Easter and were lucky with blue skies and sunshine, though April can also bring its fair share of rain.

Realistically, it could rain no matter when you visit (this is England, after all!), so a quality waterproof jacket is essential.  I recommend investing in a reliable one, like this North Face waterproof that served me well.

For longer, sunny days, summer (July-August) is wonderful but be prepared for higher prices and more visitors.  If you’re after rich autumn colours, plan your trip between September and October for a quieter, golden-hued Cotswolds.

You’ll find plenty of choice of accommodation in the Cotswolds to suit all budgets.  We booked a self-catering cottage in Chipping Camden, which is an ideal location for exploring the region.

You can find a good choice of self-catering cottages and guest houses on Booking.com.

The Cotswolds’ central location makes it easily accessible from across the UK.  Driving is the most convenient way to explore the area, thanks to excellent road links via the M4, M5, and M40.

If you prefer public transport, the Cotswolds is also reachable by train.  Direct trains from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh, in the northern Cotswolds, take around two hours, making it a straightforward option to get there.

Once in the Cotswolds, getting around is easiest by car, giving you the flexibility to explore its charming villages and scenic spots at your own pace.  For those relying on public transport, there is a bus service, though schedules are limited and routes typically connect only the main towns and villages.

Hopefully we have helped with some basic information for your trip planning.  So, without further delay, read on for our family-friendly 5-day itinerary in the Cotswolds.

Our 5-day Cotswold itinerary starts in the market town of Chipping Camden in the North of the Cotswolds.  It took us 2 hours to drive from Surrey, giving us plenty of time to explore on arrival.

We picked Chipping Camden for its location, but I instantly fell in love with it.  Once an affluent trading post, it is still an elegant town, with some amazing buildings.  We stayed in a cosy mew-style cottage, just behind the High Street.  It was so close, we could pop in to town as often as we liked (which was every day!)

Chipping Campden is a popular destination for visitors.  It has several independent shops and tea houses, but more importantly it’s the starting point of the Cotswold Way.

A favourite among walkers, the Cotswold Way is a 102-mile long-distance trail stretching from from Chipping Camden to Bath.  This scenic route follows the Cotswold escarpment, winding through beautiful countryside and passing charming villages, ancient churches, and historic estates along the way.

While we weren’t up for the challenge of the full trail, we did hike the first section, which led us from Chipping Campden up to the summit of Dover’s Hill—a rewarding walk with stunning views.

Start day 2 of your 5-day Cotswold itinerary with a visit to the charming village of Broadway in Worcestershire

Known as ‘the Jewel of the Cotswolds,’ Broadway was once a popular coach stop for travellers going between Wales and London.  This picturesque village has preserved its timeless charm, with a long High Street lined with historic buildings, charming stone cottages, and independent shops.  It really feels like you are stepping back in time!

One of the best things to do in Broadway is to hike up to the iconic Broadway Tower, a must-visit landmark in the Cotswolds.  Set within 200 acres of scenic parkland, this historic folly stands as the second-highest point in the Cotswolds and provides the perfect viewpoint for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

You can take a direct route up to Broadway Tower, but we opted for a longer, circular route, that passes the 11th-century St. Eadburgha’s Church.  Click here to find out more about our circular walk to Broadway Tower.

After soaking up the views, unwind with a drink at the National Trust café near the tower.  Alternatively, head back to Broadway’s High Street, where you can relax in one of the cosy cafés or enjoy a drink in a charming, traditional pub.

In the afternoon, make your way to the idyllic village of Snowshill.  This picture-perfect spot feels frozen in time, with its charming cottages and unspoiled character—you might even recognize it from Bridget Jones’s Diary.

A highlight of Snowshill is the 16^th century  Snowshill Manor & Gardens, former home of the eccentric collector Charles Wade.  Here, you can wander through beautifully designed Arts and Crafts gardens and explore Wade’s unique collection of artifacts and treasures displayed throughout the manor.

If you are visiting Snowshill in the summer, leave time for a visit to the Cotswold Lavender Farm.  Open from mid-June the stunning purple lavender fields stretch for 70 acres across the Cotswold landscape.

Day 3 of our Cotswold itinerary begins in Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest town in the Cotswolds.  Centered around an ancient cross, this lively market town, is full of character, offering plenty of tearooms, boutique shops, and art galleries to explore.

One of Stow’s most unique attractions is actually a church door! No visit here is complete without a stop at St. Edward’s Church, where you’ll find a beautiful wooden door framed by ancient yew trees.  It really looks like it’s been lifted straight out of a fantasy novel.

After visiting the church, we set off on a scenic circular walk around Stow-on-the-Wold before returning to town for lunch.

In the afternoon, make your way to the picturesque twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Despite their rather ominous names, these villages are two of the most idyllic spots in the Cotswolds.

Start your visit in Upper Slaughter and take the Warden’s Way footpath, which leads across a few fields to Lower Slaughter.  It’s a scenic route, which only takes about 20 minutes.  Once there, relax with a drink at the charming café by the historic Old Mill, or visit The Slaughters Country Inn, a cosy 17th-century inn perfect for unwinding.

On a previous 3-day visit to the Cotswolds, we stayed in a delightful cottage in Upper Slaughter.  There are several beautiful honey-coloured cottages you can rent.  If you want more luxurious accommodation, try the sumptuous Lords of the Manor or The Slaughters Manor House in Lower Slaughter.

On Day 4 of our 5-day Cotswold itinerary, we head to Bourton-on-the-Water, one of the most picturesque villages in the region.

Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most enchanting villages in the Cotswolds, known for its picture-postcard charm and iconic setting along the River Windrush.  A series of quaint stone bridges give the village a unique appeal, earning it the nickname ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’.

However, without doubt Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the best places to take children in the Cotswolds.  It has the charm of other Cotswold villages, but the bonus of many more family attractions.

With its timeless beauty and a variety of things to do with kids, Bourton-on-the-Water is a fantastic destination for visitors of all ages.  Our children loved the family attractions, which include the Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Dragonfly Maze, and Birdland.

No visit to Bourton-on-the Water is complete without a visit to the model village, a miniature replica that even includes a model of the model village itself!

Keep in mind, Bourton-on-the Water is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds and gets extremely busy during peak season, so arrive early if you want to avoid the crowds.

In the afternoon, head over to Batsford to visit the Arboretum and Falconry Centre.

Spread over 56 acres, Batsford Arboretum provides a beautiful outdoor space, with plenty of areas for kids to explore.  It is home to one of the UK’s largest private tree collections and showcases a unique selection of trees and shrubs from around the world.

Spanning 56 acres, Batsford Arboretum offers a stunning outdoor space with plenty of areas for kids to explore.  Home to one of the UK’s largest private tree collections, it features an impressive array of trees and shrubs from around the world, providing a unique blend of seasonal colour and natural beauty throughout the year.

If you have some extra time, consider a quick stop in the charming village of Blockley, just 3 miles away.

Although small, Blockley boasts two pubs and a quaint village shop.  It rose to fame as one of the filming locations for the TV series Father Brown.

On your final day in the Cotswolds, make your way to the charming village of Bibury in Gloucestershire.

Start with a visit to Arlington Row, one of the most photographed streets in the Cotswolds.  This iconic lane features a row of 14th-century weavers’ cottages, which have even earned a place inside the cover of the British passport.  This charming street with its historic stone cottages is the perfect embodiment of Cotswold charm.

It’s best to arrive early before the crowds flock to capture their own photos of these historic homes.

To wrap up our trip, we visited the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford.  Home to over 260 animal species, the park offers beautifully landscaped gardens, a large playground, a zoo, and a train.

It’s a brilliant way to experience wildlife up close and makes a really good day out.  Whether you’re with kids or exploring on your own, the Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the best family attractions in the Cotswolds.

Of course, even with five days you won’t be able to see everything the Cotswolds has to offer.  We focused most of our time out in the northern Cotswolds, exploring its charming towns and villages .  However, you could easily swap one of these days for a visit to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon or Bath.

For those who enjoy spending time on the water, the Cotswold Water Park is a must-visit.  This vast wetlands area spans over 180 lakes and is perfect for water activities, such as paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, and wakeboarding.  It’s also a wonderful spot for walking, cycling, and birdwatching, making it a great destination for nature lovers.

If you’re travelling with younger children, I highly recommend a visit to the Cotswold Farm Park.  Kids will interacting with the farm animals, enjoying the play areas, and taking tractor rides.

For history lovers, consider adding Sudeley Castle or Sezincote House in your itinerary, for a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage.

If you are looking for more information for your visit to the Cotswolds, the Rough Guide to the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon is a useful guide. Another good option is the Lonely Planet guide to Oxford and the Cotswolds.

We hope this helps you plan your own itinerary for the Cotswolds?  We would love to hear your questions or comments below.

For more ideas of places to visit in the UK, read:

• 5 villages you should visit in the Wye Valley, England
• 12 amazing things to do on the Jurassic Coast, Dorset
• 30 unmissable things to do in the New Forest
• 7 fabulous coastal breaks in South East England

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