If you’ve never visited the Cotswolds, then you’re missing a real treat. Imagine the quintessential honey-coloured homes and thatched cottages, winding lanes and quaint tea rooms and you’re in the Cotswolds. To experience some of the iconic and best-known sights of this area, look for limestone cottages, rustic local pubs, farm shops and staddle stones. Grab your own souvenir by looking at Staddle stones for sale from http://bellstone1990.co.uk/product-category/staddle-stones-troughs/ . Some of the prettiest villages are found here, so grab your sat nav and get going to some of these picturesque destinations:
Blockley
Blockley is a quintessential Cotswold village with the iconic honey-coloured homes and limestone walls set in rolling green hills. The Norman church sits proud over the village green and makes the perfect summer trip for sightseeing and picnicking. With a shop, café and comfortable local pub, you can enjoy delicious fresh produce and beer from the local brewery.
Kingham
Kingham was voted the nation’s favourite village in 2006, so you know you’re in for a treat. You’ll discover limestone cottages, village greens and a wonderful sense of local community. The local rustic pub offers a roaring traditional fire and you can also head there for the August Bank Holiday ‘Feastival’ hosted by Jamie Oliver and Alex James. This festival is a celebration of music, street food, top chef displays and all things culinary.
Lower Slaughter
The name comes from the Old English for ‘muddy place’ but it’s much charming nowadays. Here you’ll find the most romantic street in the country – Copse Hill Road and it’s also home to the Old Mill where you can learn the history of breadmaking. The manor gardens are stunning at any time of the year with the manor also boasting a top-class restaurant.
Bibury
This is a real gem of the Cotswold and gets very popular with tourists. It was once described as the most beautiful village in England by William Morris and sits on the River Coln surrounded by chocolate box homes and glorious scenery. Don’t miss Arlington Row, an iconic Cotswold row of 14th century weavers’ cottages and the Bibury Trout Farm, one of the oldest trout farms in the country and home to a delicious deli.
Mickleton
Mickleton sits on the border of Gloucestershire and Shakespeare country and here you’ll find many traditional black and white Tudor buildings interspersed with the rustic Cotswold limestone. Indulge in a spot of climbing for stunning views across the Vale of Evesham and take in the beautiful open gardens of the village.
Castle Combe
Another picture-postcard perfect Cotswolds village with hanging baskets, limestone cottages and stone-tiled rooftops. This village has been used as the backdrop for many TV shows and films and you’ll soon discover why. Don’t miss the Town Bridge and the view of the weavers’ cottages.