The ultimate guide for the Cotswolds: our writer has visited this beloved area more than 100 times. Here are her top tips for what to stay, some villages to see … and those they should avoid

I admit that I have not always been a Cotswolds fan. When my brother and sister -in -law announced that they were looking for national bliss and a free -range announcer for my then two -year -old cousin, I was desperate.

In LondonWe lived ten minutes apart and I often gathered the little one from the nursery or brought him to the swings in St James’s park. The country just seemed too far away – no matter how smart it was, no matter how much soho -houses it could have and whatever the Beckhams thinks.

That changed the first time I visited their new house and realized that there could be an advantage.

The most beautiful villages, Kingham, was like Mayfair-with-Mud and less than an hour and 20 minutes from Paddington. Daylesford Organic Farm Shop was a samper a leaf -rich track. The Wild Rabbit Inn (owned by Lady Carole Bamford, who started Daylesford) was just around the corner. The Zomervleek was fantastic and there was even a hidden Bluebell wood nearby.

They might have been on something. So there was a new habit and my weekends have since been spent on sailing the A40 or sipping a coffee at 9:53. I must have made 100-plus trips since 2018.

Keep in mind that the Cotswolds spans a huge area – so choose your destination with care. Like a rough guide, the south feels more horses, less polished while the north is more London-Shire. Here is my guide …

Places to stay

The Kings Head Inn, Bleedington

This is my favorite. An authentic country pub with rooms. Owner Archie Orr-Ewing and manager Rob have created somewhere who feels like home. The rumor is that Prince William played for the Cricket team and Princess Anne was spotted here.

Details: Doubles from £ 130 B&B (Thekingsheadinn.net).

The Lamb Inn, Great Rissington

I have a weakness for the Lamb, a pretentious pub with generously proportioned garden suites and classic rooms. The bar is small but cozy with board games and books.

Details: Dubblees van £ 161 B&B (Thelambinn.com).

The Passport, Painswick

This is a large Palladian house, complete with a raised, lavender -torn lawn and beautiful view. Inside is the pure boutique chic. All rooms are different.

Details: Double from £ 177 B&B (Thepainswick.co.uk).

The slaughterhouse, lower slaughter

From the baby grand to the billiard table, the slaughterers are quite gin and jags – in a good way. The Gravel Drive leads to a large 17th -century house. We loved the ‘June’ room with its huge bed and Mullion windows.

Details: Doubles from £ 142 B&B (Theslaughtersinn.co.uk).

The pig in the Cotswolds, Barnsley

In a classic 17th -century country house, the salons are perfect for curling with a book and rooms are beautifully comfortable. The art and craft gardens designed by Rosemary Verey are legendary-with a spa in a job. It is chic, friendly and cooled.

Details: Dubblees from £ 355 B&B (Thepighotel.com).

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

There is a private path from the hotel to the Racecourse of Cheltenham, plus 90, sometimes muddy, hectares to explore here (boots are available for borrowing). Relax after a walk in the heated outdoor swimming pool. Some rooms are decorated with antiques.

Details: Dubblees of £ 270 B&B (Ellenboroughpark.com).

The Lygon Arms, Broadway

Part of the same iconic Luxury Hotels collection as Cliveden and Chewton Glen, this is on a site that goes back 650 years. There are corners, holes, open burning, a large dining room, four-posters and wonderful service. My cousin, ten, loved the spectacular breakfast.

Details: Dubblees van £ 283 B&B (lygonarmshotel.co.uk).

Taurus, Burford

Owned by Pr Supremo Matthew Freud, Zoomde Burford when the 16th-century inn was reopened in 2023. Quiet luxury real, very well done.

Details: Dubblees of £ 256 B&B (Bullburford.com).

Porch House, Stow-On-the-Wold

Apparently this is ‘England’s oldest inn’, Dating from 947ad. The first time we visited, we kneel in the cozy. When we returned, we pushed the boat to the suite. The Porch House is a busy pub and storage can feel touristy, but these rooms are quiet.

Details: Dubbing of £ 213 B&B (Portch-House.co.uk).

Daylesford Cottages, Kingham and Environs

Daylesford Organic is the embodiment of Landglam. You can suck the atmosphere for the price of an (excellent) coffee on the laying bar or just browse the farm shop – but if your bags are deep enough, stay in one of their beautiful features. Book in a Kingham Cottage for a taste of the village life, the farm shop is a 30 -minute walk on a nice track.

Details: Orpington Cottage from £ 2,260, six sleeping, for two nights (Daylesfordstays.com).

The three horseshoes, asthall

This outpost of the Daylesford -Rijk is sometimes cheaper than the Starier -Stablemates. We stayed in the bag room, small but beautifully shaped with a divine bed. There is a beautiful garden.

Details: Dubblees van £ 170 B&B (Daylesfordstays.com).

Fire Service College

There are weekends in which there should be a sign on the A40 and explains that the Cotswolds is ‘full’. When that happens, I check in the Fire Service College just outside Moreton-in-Marsh. This is where the brigade comes to train, but during the weekend, or outside of time, rooms can be rented.

Details: Doubles from around £ 80 (FireserviceCollege.ac.uk).

What these charming villages have to offer

Winchcombe

Not far from Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe is often overlooked, but with beautiful walks and a main street full of antique shops and pubs.

Jar

It is photo perfect and perhaps best known for the National Trust Property Snowsshill Manor. Go in the summer to see the fragrant lavender fields in the area.

Broadway

The typical Cotswolds High Street is full of perfect shops, pubs, restaurants and good hotels. Climb on Broadway Tower for a view of a maximum of 16 provinces on a clear day.

Churchill

Worth a visit to play spot-the-cell brity in the Checkers Pub. The Beckhams were recently photographed there and many local Bigwigs come in for a pint. There is also a beautiful church and some great walks.

Kingham

It can take a few decades since the rural life called the ‘England’s favorite village’, but I demand an exceeding. It is around a green with beautiful houses, two chic pubs and a beautiful church.

Store

Yes, it is touristy but with good reason – it is a bustling market city. Coffee? Stow Town Coffee Roastery. Serious lunch or dinner? The old butchers. Do not resist the lure of the door of Tolkien, the twisted yew pants that frame the entrance of the church.

Blockley

A stream runs through the village, past beautiful stone houses, a few pubs and the highlight – Blockley Café. Don’t miss the Batsford Arboretum and the Norman Church.

Burford

The Hoofdstraat is a maze of houses, inns, shops and galleries that nicely tumble a hill. Shops are a treat, especially Madhatter Bookshop and Toyshop Little Madhatter Emporium. No trip is complete without going to Burford Garden Company.

Astall

Are you visiting Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub the Farmer’s Dog? As soon as you are full of bangers and puree, push further on the road to the beautiful village of Asthall, full of honey-colored houses, a 12th-century church and Asthall Manor.

Lech drawer

Is it strict in the Cotswolds? The argument continues, but we don’t really care, because it is a joyful place on the River Theems.

What

For us, this is the best Cotswolds village of Warwickshire with its magical views and green, plus the Whatford pottery for souvenirs and the Stromkeukencafé for lunch.

And where to avoid …

Chipping Norton

Yes, really. You could associate it with the glamor of the large and good, but in fact live the Chipping Norton Live in glorious houses near the city, not in it. Chippy is a great basis when you rent a house nearby, but this is a real city, not a place to visit for ‘rustic charm’.

Split

It is such a shame that Bibury, described by William Morris as the ‘most beautiful village in England’, is flooded with tourists – but being able to visit up to 20,000 during a summer weekend. Our recommendation is that you will not become one of them. The local population suggests that if you are going to visit, this will do peak times. A friend who passed a few weeks ago reported that it was full of selfie-takers. It is best to leave the Tiktokers.