For many people, the Cotswolds is exactly how they imagine the English countryside: stone villages, country lanes, rolling hills and traditional pubs.

I spent five days exploring the Cotswolds by car, visiting both the well-known villages and some much quieter places that many visitors never get to see. Based on that trip, here are the things I think are worth knowing before planning your own visit.

Why the Cotswolds is so special

The Cotswolds is famous for its villages, but there is much more to the region than just pretty streets and old stone houses.

The first thing you notice is the honey-coloured limestone. Many villages were built using locally sourced stone, which gives the whole area its unique golden colour and makes the villages look completely different from other parts of the country.

The landscape is another important part of the Cotswolds experience: rolling hills, dry stone walls and walking routes with beautiful views over the surrounding area.

It is also still an important working farming region. You will find farms, local producers, farm shops and traditional country pubs throughout the region. This is what I love most about the Cotswolds: it is not just one attraction. It is not a “museum village” created for tourists, it is a place where people still live and work.

How to get to the Cotswolds from London

The Cotswolds are surprisingly easy to reach from London, but the best way to explore the area is by car.

You can visit some places by train or organised tour, but public transport between many villages is limited. If you want to see the smaller villages, stop at viewpoints along the way and create your own route, I would definitely recommend going by car.

How many days do you need?

This is probably the biggest mistake I see visitors making: trying to see the Cotswolds in one day.

The area is much larger than many people expect, and the villages are spread out. A one-day trip can give you a quick introduction, but it will not allow you to really experience the region.

I spent five days exploring the Cotswolds, and I still left with places I would like to return to. That is one of the reasons I would never recommend trying to see it all in a day.

My recommendation:

• 1 day — well it's possible, but very limited. You will only see a small part of the area.
• 2 days — a better option.
• 3 days — the minimum amount of time I would recommend if you want to enjoy the villages, countryside and local atmosphere without rushing.

Places I recommend visiting

These are places I have personally visited and would consider including in a Cotswolds itinerary.

The classic Cotswolds villages

Bourton-on-the-Water
Often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, Bourton-on-the-Water is one the most famous villages in the region. The village is built around the River Windrush and has several attractions that make it a popular stop, including the Model Village, the Cotswold Motoring Museum and the charming riverside walks.

Because of its popularity, it can get very busy during the day, especially in summer and at weekends. I would recommend visiting early in the morning or combining it with quieter nearby villages such as Lower Slaughter.

Lower Slaughter
One of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, built around the River Eye. The village is known for its two beautiful stone bridges, the old water mill and the quiet walking route along the river towards Upper Slaughter. It is much smaller than Bourton-on-the-Water, and for me it has a more peaceful and authentic feel. It can still get busy and parking can be tricky, so it is a good place to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when most day visitors have left.

Stow-on-the-Wold
I would include Stow-on-the-Wold in your Cotswolds route. It is a small market town rather than a village, and it is a good place to stop for shopping, lunch or a coffee break. One of the most interesting places here is St Edward's Church with its famous “Tolkien door”. It is a small detail, but a very memorable one.

Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is one of the places I would not miss when visiting the Cotswolds. The town became wealthy thanks to the wool trade, and you can still see this history in landmarks such as the 17th-century Market Hall and St James' Church.

The High Street is one of the most beautiful in the Cotswolds, and it is worth taking some time to explore the town centre before visiting other nearby places such as Broadway, Snowshill and Broad Campden. Chipping Campden is also the starting point of the famous Cotswold Way walking trail.

Broadway
Broadway is one of the most recognisable places in the Cotswolds. I like it because it offers something different from the smaller villages — a wider High Street than most Cotswolds villages and the impressive Broadway Tower nearby.

Broadway Tower is an 18th-century folly on Broadway Hill and one of the best viewpoints in the area. If you have a car, it is definitely worth driving up there or taking the short walk to enjoy the views.

Smaller villages I personally enjoyed

Snowshill
One of the quieter villages in the Cotswolds. I liked it because it felt much less touristy than places like Bourton-on-the-Water. Many visitors simply drive through, but I would definitely stop here if you have time.

Stanton
A quieter village that many visitors miss, it is an absolutely stunning place to walk around. Try the historic The Mount Inn, a 17th-century pub at the very top of the village.

Broad Campden
A lovely addition if you are already visiting Chipping Campden, it is only around five minutes away by car but feels much quieter. Some of the properties here are amongst the most impressive and most often photographed in the area — regularly featuring in calendars and guide books.

Gretton
I stopped here mainly for The Royal Oak, but the village itself is worth a short walk if you are exploring this part of the Cotswolds. The pub has a lovely beer garden, and I enjoyed a classic fish and chips dinner during my trip.

Bretforton
Talking of lovely pubs, add the historic Fleece at Bretforton to your route. Thought to be the oldest pub in the area as it dates from around 1400(!) it has a long history connected with the local farming community.

Don't miss the countryside and viewpoints

The Cotswolds is not only about villages.

Cleeve Hill, just outside Cheltenham, offers a completely different side of the region, with open landscapes, walking routes and beautiful views over the countryside. Cheltenham is also famous for the Cheltenham Festival, one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar.

Many visitors spend their whole trip photographing houses and streets, but some of the best Cotswolds experiences come from simply enjoying the landscape.

A place that became famous thanks to Clarkson's Farm

If you watch Clarkson's Farm, you may want to include Diddly Squat Farm Shop in your itinerary.

The Amazon series has brought a lot of attention to this part of the Cotswolds, and the farm has become one of the most popular places to visit in the area. The Farmer's Dog pub is another place connected with Clarkson's Farm, but it is a separate location in the Cotswolds.

An extra idea: Stratford-upon-Avon

If you have more time, you can combine the Cotswolds with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon.

It is at the very northern tip of the Cotswolds, but it is close enough to add to a route through the upper part of the region.

This historic town is famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.

A few things I would keep in mind

• A car will make your experience much easier.
• Do not try to visit too many villages in one day. The area is bigger than you think and progress can be slow with tourist traffic and farm traffic slowing you on the mostly narrow roads.
• You do not need to change accommodation every night. Staying in one place for a few nights is often the easiest option, with day trips around the region.
• Start early if you want to enjoy the most popular villages without crowds.
• Book popular pubs well in advance if you want to eat, especially for weekends.
• Do not only focus on the “Instagram villages”. Some of the best moments come from the smaller places and countryside stops.

After exploring the Cotswolds myself, I completely understand why so many people fall in love with this part of England. It is still one of the places I recommend most often when helping people plan a trip around the UK.

If you are planning a trip to the Cotswolds and are not sure where to stay, which villages to include or how to combine it with London and other parts of the UK, I can help you create a personalised itinerary based on your interests and the amount of time you have.