Tourists flock to this beautiful country region in the summer, and for good reason. The whole area seems to have been frozen in time, somewhere in the 1500s. Tiny towns lined with stone houses and churches are scattered amid gorgeous, classic English rolling hills. There are rivers to wade and hills to climb, horseback riding trips, and public footpaths criss-crossing from town to town.
There are enough quirky museums, even zoos, antique shops, tea rooms, churches and historic sites to spend days in the Cotswolds alone. If you want a slower-paced few days' respite from the busyness of a city, stay in a bed and breakfast and drink in the views.
Our favorite spots in the Cotswolds include:
The Mechanical Music Museum. Tour an amazing collection of antique music boxes that delight and amaze! More here.
Ancient Roman Villlages. There are a number to choose from, all tucked away in beautiful countryside and very evocative.
Burton-on-the-Water. As picturesque a village as it gets! Fun shops and tea rooms, too.
The Rollright Stones. An ancient stone circle set in the middle of farmland, with great folktales to go with it. Know the stories before you go to get the full experience!
Hailes Abbey. By far our favorite of all the ruined abbeys in England. Set quietly in the middle of farmland, the ruins of the once rich, huge, and famous abbey (the most popular pilgrimage site besides Canterbury), are now forgotten and overgrown with vines. The audio guide is awesome, giving you a more vivid idea of monastic life than anything else we know. The nearby Medieval church is a remarkable site itself, and it also boasts a labyrinth in the grounds, through which you can wander and ponder like Medieval pilgrims.
Belas Knap Longbarrow. Take a short hike to a stone age burial mound, set in an evocative, beautiful spot. You can crawl into the barrow a little ways, and even climb up on top, have a seat on the grass and take a moment for some existential meditation while you stare at the views.
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