Cotswolds Vacation Rentals

Getting to the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are well served by London Heathrow, Birmingham and Bristol airports. Getting to your Cotswolds vacation rental is easy, thanks to an extensive road and rail network. Main line stations offer regular services through all larger towns. Local bus services operate between towns and villages, whilst the M4, M5 and M40 provide easy access from national motorways. Taxi and rental car services are readily available throughout the region, and bountiful walking and cycling routes provide the ideal opportunity to appreciate the landscape.

Dining out in the Cotswolds

From award-winning microbreweries and gastropubs to Michelin starred restaurants, virtually every village or town you visit will have cafés, restaurants and pubs worthy of discovery. Visitors staying in self-catering Cotswold vacation rentals can also stack up on tasty supplies at one of the many local farmer’s markets.

Cotswolds weather

Spring and summer are the most popular times for booking Cotswolds vacation homes. Watching the sun set over rolling green hills and honey-coloured stone cottages is a marvellous sight. Spring temperatures vary between 9°C and 17°C, with the possibility of showers. Summer boasts the longest days and temperatures between 19°C and 22°C. Autumns are mild and rich in color, though expect more unpredictable weather. Winters are generally crisp and clear, with Christmas markets and traditional fairs on hand to brighten the trip.

What not to miss in the Cotswolds

Cotswolds vacation homes offer the perfect accommodation for making the most of a city break or longer family vacation. Visitors will be happy to discover that there is no shortage of unique destinations for a fantastic day out. Bath is usually top of the list of towns to visit in the Cotswolds. In addition to its famous Roman baths, historic spas and magnificent medieval abbey, it is also home to some of the finest Georgian architecture in the UK. The sweeping Royal Crescent is probably the most impressive example and has made numerous appearances in film and TV.

Another must-see is the charming village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds”. Numerous old stone footbridges cross the River Windrush as it flows tranquilly through the village. Visitors in summer should not miss the rather eccentric game of football held each year on August Bank Vacation Monday in the river itself.

Painswick, near Stroud, sits on a hilltop and is one of the best preserved historic villages in the Cotswolds, and is also one of the prettiest. As a bonus, walkers and cyclists can enjoy superb views of the Severn Valley and Welsh mountains from the surrounding countryside.

The Cotswolds are famed for their arboretum gardens, and one of the loveliest is Batsford Arboretum, near Moreton on Marsh. Covering 56 acres of breathtaking countryside, its colors and fragrances are a feast for the senses.

Art and culture in the Cotswolds

Culture vultures are well served by Cotswolds vacation rentals too. Bath is home to the Fashion Museum and a number of collections of British, European and East Asian art. Gloucester hosts the oldest music festival in the world, the Three Choirs Festival, and many more events and festivals throughout the year. Kelmscott Manor, the summer residence of William Morris, was an inspiration to the artist and its beauty remains undiminished.

Cotswolds for the kids

Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park and the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens are two terrific destinations kids will adore. Families who book a Cotswolds vacation rental can treat their kids and themselves to the thrilling climbing, jumping and swinging adventures at Head 4 Heights. The beautiful countryside was just made for family picnics. Kids have plenty of green space to run around and play in. If the sun isn’t out, there’s always the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection and the Jet Age Museum.

Cotswolds vacation attractions

Gloucester Cathedral

Located in the north of the city, this magnificent cathedral stands near the River Severn. It is one of the finest medieval buildings in England and the burial place of royalty.

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

This fascinating venue exhibits more than 260 species of animals, including giraffes, lemurs, and rhinos, in beautiful parkland surroundings.

Tewkesbury Abbey

The abbey is the second-largest parish church in England and was formerly a Benedictine monastery. On site, the Touching Souls Tea Room offers tasty cakes and snacks.

Cotswold Falconry Center

The Cotswold Falconry Center in Batsford is home to 130 different species, from pygmy owls to larger eagles and vultures, and offers daily flying displays.

Castle Combe Village

Rightfully named ‘The Prettiest Village in England’, Castle Combe is a picturesque Wiltshire town and home to several attractive medieval buildings.