Location: Cotswolds
Top Things to do in Cotswolds
Countries
What to do and see in Cotswolds, England: The Best Architectural Buildings
The Cotswolds (/ˈkɒtswoʊldz/ KOTS-wohldz, /-wəldz/ -wəldz) is an area in south central England containing the Cotswold Hills, a range of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat rare in the UK and that is quarried for the golden coloured Cotswold stone. It contains unique features derived from the use of this mineral; the predominantly rural landscape contains stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes and gardens. The population of the District is about 84,000.
Restaurants in Cotswolds
1. Chavenage House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 453 reviews
CHAVENAGE HOUSE is a privately owned Elizabethan Manor House open to the public. It has been used as a TV location for many productions and is at present playing Trenwith in the popular Poldark. There is so much more to see and enjoy. Guided tours by members of the family.
Reviewed By PeterJ1952 - Calne, United Kingdom
We had a group visit from Bowood House, the only downside of that being that we had to do this in our closed season. And it was a cold day. Chavenage has very little heating so every room was perishing cold. Every time we moved to a different room it seemed even colder, probably because as human radiators we managed eventually to take the chill of each room. However...I’ll still give Chavenage top marks. It’s a beautiful house with a fascinating history, superbly accomplished and witty guides from the owning family, Caroline and Richard, and one of the best homemade lunches you can get. Next time though we’ll go in warmer weather!
2. Burford Methodist Church
3. St Nicholas Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By peterd310
They have done a lot of work since the church reopened following the terrible theft of copper off the nave roof. The splendid Doom painting was damaged by water but the roof has been replaced (and now has an alarm) and the painting cleaned and water damaged removed. A great deal of work has been done with new gutters and the splendid windows on the west wall restored and cleaned. Trees also trimmed so light much better in the church now. Well worth a visit and open most days.
4. Gloucester Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,496 reviews
Reviewed By travelling_teena - San Francisco, United States
Gloucester Cathedral offers at least 3 tours (costs range 7-13 GBP) and they are conducted by volunteer locals, so I feel fine paying/contributing. I took the Highlights and the Tower tour total of 30min and 1hr respectively, (couldn't fit the Crypt tour) both done by lively docents who know their Norman vs. Perpendicular architecture and history. book when you enter. You could walk around on your own, but having a local guide you also get more interesting commentary.
5. Arlington Row
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 852 reviews
Reviewed By 487malcolmj
Former wool processing works dating from the late medieval period. Converted to cottages during 16th/17th centuries. Arguably the top attraction in Bibury village centre and photographed incessantly. Visit early in the morning or late evening when the light is lower - avoids the crowds and much more peaceful so that you benefit from the serene beauty of the cottages and their setting framed by the Rack Isle and River Coln beyond.
6. Woodchester Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Woodchester Mansion is a 19th Century Victorian Gothic masterpiece mysteriously abandoned mid-construction in 1873. Hidden in a secluded Cotswold Valley, it is untouched by time and the modern world. This unique Grade 1 Listed Building has been saved from dereliction but it will never be completed, enabling visitors to view the secret building techniques of medieval Gothic builders. Special events are held throughout the year, but do check our open days and times before visiting.
Reviewed By LostBubble - Portsmouth, United Kingdom
An amazing looking mansion - Victorian Gothic. It is NOT a ruin but is a building site. The owners did not quite finish it, which makes for a fascinating story. That was explained to us during a 45 mins tour inside and out - fantastically explained by a local volunteer who had grown up nearby. We walked down and back from the car park - under 30 mins round trip through a lovely valley and even saw a calf being tended to soon after being born, which was an unusual bonus. Beyond the house is a lovely lake that we will go to next time - there definitely WILL be a next time.
7. St. Mary's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By CheekyLondon - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
A beautiful church! We went here on Sunday. The COVID rules are very well adhered to and every other row was occupied during the service. There was a one way system during and after the service. All names and phone numbers were recorded. We felt this was a pleasant service and reflective of the current times. The fabric of the church is stunning with the painted frescos still largely intact. As a building of important historical importance it is well worth a visit and even better if you can attend a service (I believe once every two weeks during the current times).
8. Westonbirt House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Historic House, now a school. Grade II listed gardens and Grade I listed house. Gardens open to the public Tues, Weds Thurs 2-5pm. Entry £5 no booking required. House available to view on selected open days or by appointment. Please see our website.
Reviewed By lws2310 - Wiltshire, United Kingdom
We recently visited Westonbirt with our Son. I had been on a few occasions previously, including a visit to the Enchanted Christmas which I have to say was an amazing and atmospheric experience, which I would definitely recommend. I had only ever been able to attend Westonbirt on my own until the last visit and I was so excited to be able to take the rest of the family with me this time. The place itself is absolutely stunning, with views that you can only imagine. We deliberately chose this time of year to attend as we really wanted to see the place in full Autumn splendour and it certainly did not disappoint. The tree top walking was a little crowded as it seemed to be an exceptionally busy day but I suspect that this was due to it being half term and Autumn. However, it was still a pleasant experience. I particularly liked the spinning question maker at the end of it and found the answers very interesting (I spent quite a lot of time there). The facilities were all good and clean and the staff that we did come across were pleasant and helpful. My only negative regarding our visit was the problems that arose regarding dogs, and unfortunately this seemed to be consistent throughout the day and really has made a difference to our experience. The first incident was, after spending some time looking for a picturesque location to eat our picnic lunch, we got settled on a bench and unpacked all of our plates and food and poured our drinks, within seconds a massive grey dog to come bounding over to us and proceeded to put it's very slobbery nose inside our picnic bag and left two main lots of our food totally inedible. We all quickly packed everything up as there seemed to be nobody claiming ownership of the dog and it wasn't going to leave. We then found a second bench and no sooner as we had unpacked our food again, another dog was straight at it and trying to take food from our Sons plate. Eventually this time, owners did appear and apologise but by then, more food had been ruined. Our Son has learning difficulties and is already weary of dogs but I am afraid that since our visit to Westonbirt, he is even more unsure. During our day there, it was also consistent that many dogs were running up to us and jumping up and although the owners were often apologising and saying 'S/he will not hurt you', having a terrified 16 year old boy who had been so excited for weeks about our trip here, seemed to dampen all of our spirits. I totally understand why people love walking their dogs here, indeed I would too if we had one, but it does become a problem when they disrupt other visitors. I am aware that there is one of the walk routes that does not allow dogs, and we enjoyed this walk too, but didn't want to stick just to this area as wanted the full experience, including the tree top walk.
9. St. Andrew's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By geogjan - Epsom, United Kingdom
Lots to see .An interesting Victorian rebuild of an old church. The working clock without a face is stunning as is a wonderful carved wooden panel. It remains above all a serene place of worship.
10. Upper Slaughter Manor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By gill17a
We stopped here for a coffee as the cafe in Lower Slaughter was closed . We were so glad we ended up here ! We were warmly welcomed along with our dog and had super coffee with wonderful home made shortbread. We sat at a table on the lawn looking out over the lovely Cotswold countryside.
