The Cotswolds is a beautiful rural region in south-central England, known for its rolling hills, honey-colored stone villages, and idyllic countryside.
📍 Where Exactly?
The Cotswolds stretches across several counties, forming a long, roughly diamond-shaped area. It includes parts of:
- Gloucestershire
- Oxfordshire
- Warwickshire
- Wiltshire
- Worcestershire
- Somerset
It covers around 800 square miles and is officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
🗺️ Key Towns and Villages
Some of the most well-known spots in the Cotswolds include:
- Cheltenham – elegant spa town and gateway to the region
- Cirencester – historic Roman market town
- Stow-on-the-Wold – charming hilltop town with antique shops
- Bourton-on-the-Water – “Venice of the Cotswolds” with riverside charm
- Chipping Campden – postcard-perfect and full of history
- Broadway – known for its sweeping high street and views
🧭 Distance from London?
- About 100 miles (160 km) west of London
- Around 2 hours by car or train, depending on where you’re headed