The Cotswolds

Views of Awe Inspiring Countryside Whilst Travelling Through

The Cotswolds

At almost 800 M2 the breath-taking Cotswold countryside runs across the borders of 5 counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. Home to some of the most quintessential “English” villages typically found on idealistic post cards, this is a place not to be missed.

Driving through the Cotswolds you’ll not only pass-through countless villages created in a time gone by, with the iconic Cotswold Stone, but the thousands of miles of winding routes through the countryside countless footpath signs, bridalways and woodland will call out for you to explore.  

From bustling market towns such as Chipping Camden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cirencester, Chipping Norton, Burford and many more to small quaint villages such as Castle Combe, Broad Campden, Upper Slaughter, Lower Slaughter and so many others, there is an endless supply of places to be explored.

Filled with a wide variety of activities from water sports to touring castles and visiting wildlife parks, the Cotswolds has numerous options to offer for the entire group. 

With a great variety of routes around the Cotswolds your will have a stress free navigation around the area, with a multitude of main roads and country lanes alike as well as a large variety of overnight options both near the bustle of villages and small towns, or in the countryside with a little more seclusion. 

Broadway Tower | © pixabay BondSupanat
  • pixabay BondSupanat
Castle Come Village, Cotswolds | © Foto: Andrei - stock.adobe.com
  • Foto: Andrei - stock.adobe.com
Castle Combe Village in the Cotswolds

The Cotswold Circular Route offers numerous attractions from

  • ... Quintessential English villages
  • ... Woodland walks 
  • ... Adrenalin filled activities
  • ... Historical sites and information  

The Cotswolds has more than something for everyone; whether you want to browse the independent shops along the village high streets, eat scones in a quaint teashop, walk through the picturesque countryside or visit a variety of attractions or historic sites.

As long as you’re ready to brave the British weather there are numerous attractions throughout the whole of the Cotswold countryside for all ages to enjoy; both indoors and out. 

In the summer hiking, water sports and outdoor attractions provide plenty to fit into your weekend or week away; whereas the winter months open the perfect opportunity to explore museums, cosy up in tea rooms and seek refuge on village High Streets.

Whether basking in sunshine or blanketed in snowfall the Cotswolds remain home to some of the most quintessential British beauty spots and villages.

Bliss Tweed Mill | © Bliss Tweed Mill, Photo: malcwest, PixaBay
  • Bliss Tweed Mill, Photo: malcwest, PixaBay
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
Cotswold Attractions & Activities Along The Way

With numerous attractions ranging from museums, cultural landmarks, beautiful villages, and exciting attractions the whole of the Cotswolds needs to be explored. Below is a selection of highlights you will not want to miss, with many places you might spot to stop off and explore in-between.
Included on the route below are; British Motor MuseumCombe Mill, North Leigh Roman Villa, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Cotswold Water Park, Castle Combe, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village, Bath, Westonbirt National ArboretumGreat Witcombe Roman VillaSudeley Castle & Gardens, Odda’s Chapel & St. Mary’s Church, Broadway Tower & Bourton-on-the-Water.

More Attractions

Cotswold Circular Route

1
British Motor Museum, Lighthorne Heath
Over 300 classic cars are homed here where you can experience both free tours and interactive family activities.
2
Combe Mill, Blenheim Palace Sawmills
Once the saw mill of Blenheim Estate, it remains home to a Thomas Piggott beam engine and waterwheel which can be seen in action to this day, providing a glimpse into the past.
3
North Leigh Roman Villa
The remains of the North Leigh Roman Villa, one of the largest villas from Roman Britain. It is possible to see the original mosaic floor which has been dated back to the 4th-century.
4
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
From meeting giraffes to watching penguins play in the water and walking with free-roaming Sloths, or riding ‘Bella the Train’, this is a day out for the whole family.
5
Cotswold Water Park
Birdwatching, Aerial Adventure, Horse Riding, Rally Driving, Shooting, Golf, Archery, Nature Reserves, Beaches, Cultural Activities – Cotswold Water Park has it all and much more too.
6
Castle Combe
Famously known for the ‘Castle Combe Race Circuit’, Castle Combe is also the place that most know for its idealistic imagery of a quintessential English Village. Iconic used on film sets such as Stardust, Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse, The Wolf Man and the original Dr Doolittle film.
7
Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village
Lacock Village is open to all, with the Abbey & Fox Talbot Museum requiring admission tickets. Lacock Abbey is famously known for it’s appearances in the Harry Potter films, Pride & Prejudice and Wolf Hall.
8
Bath
On the very edge of the Cotswolds, Bath is known for and named after its Roman-built baths, a city with archaeological importance throughout. With over 40 museums, the baths, the royal crescent, botanical gardens and much more, Bath is not a place to miss. When visiting Bath ensure to check your vehicles eligibility to be within the city under the recently introduced Clean Air Zone around the city centre. 
9
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Home to over 2,500 different species from all around the world Westonbirt is the perfect place to explore; inclusive of a Tree Top Walkway, seasonal events throughout the year and an Enchanted Christmas set-up. Westonbirt is also home to a variety of activities just for children.
10
Great Witcombe Roman Villa
The remains of a large Roman Villa dated back to AD 250, surviving until the 5th Century. The remains include both a bathhouse complex and mosaic pavements, hinting towards the grandeur this villa once held.
11
Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Home to the tomb of Katherine Parr, King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, private castle rooms open to the public, exhibitions and 10 award winning beautiful gardens.
12
Odda’s Chapel & St. Mary’s Church, Deerhurst
One of the few, most complete, surviving Saxon churches in England, Odda’s Chapel dates back to 1056. St. Mary’s Church at Deerhurst is home to many ancient artifacts displayed throughout the church.
13
Broadway Tower
Located within a 200-acre estate of parkland on Beacon Hill, Broadway Tower & Park originally named The "Saxon" Tower was built in 1798.
14
Bourton-on-the-Water
Whilst home to a numerous amount of attractions from the Cotswold Motoring Museum, The Model Village and The Dragonfly Maze, Bourton-on-the-Water has so much more to offer, with its picture perfect village river and easily recognisable bridges the village is home to many antique shops, tea shops and village pubs.
Castle Combe Village

CAMPSITES ALONG THE WAY

With so much to explore along your Cotswold route, you’ll need to rest at the end of each day in at  comfortable campsite for your van. Below are a some great places to stop along the way;

Cotswold Camping, Charlbury

The perfect campsite for the first part of your route; located close to both Combe Mill and North Leigh Roman Villa. 

Cotswold Camping, Charlbury is a family run business that houses a variety of facilities to make your stay as home from home as possible. Located with access to good footpaths and bridleway walks you can reach the beauty of Cotswolds on foot straight from your door; with woodland on site this campsite means you’re really in nature here.

Full facilities list can be found here but include electric hook ups and waste/chemical water disposal points.

Burton Hill Caravan and Camping Park

Ideally located for the next stretch of your route, 20 minutes from Cotswold Water Park and less than an hour from Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens.

Burton Hill is located riverside with views spanning across the Wiltshire countryside; a footpath gives campers easy access to walking into Malmesbury for shops, restaurants cafes and other facilities.

The campsite itself is hots to a variety of wide amenities from multiple electric hook-up points, disabled access, and family facilities. Full information available here.

Cotswolds Water Park
Cotswolds Water Park

Piccadilly Caravan Park

Minutes from Lacock Village, this campsite is perfectly located after a day exploring Castle Combe and then Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village. 30 minutes away from the next stop in your journey, Bath.

Set in beautifully maintained grounds that the owner has lovingly landscaped and kept over the past 30 years, Piccadilly Caravan Park is not only a great environment to relax in, but for children to enjoy the play area and for dogs to happily walk around (on the lead).

Facilities include electric hook ups, heated toilet/shower blocks, Laundry room and dish-washing room, chemical disposal point, play area and games field as well as a dog walking area. Full information here.

Bath Waterside & Marina and Caravan Park

A day exploring Bath calls for a campsite close by, especially with the recently introduced Clean Air Zone around the city centre. Located just outside the zone, but only 2 miles from the city centre Bath Waterside & Marina and Caravan Park is perfectly located.

Nestled in beautifully landscaped lawns and woodlands Bath Waterside & Marina and Caravan Park brings the countryside to the edge of the city; located on a stretch of the River Avon there are plenty of areas to walk and enjoy onsite.

Home to various facilities including electric hook ups, nearby amenities, water point, rubbish disposal and many more. Full list available here.

Bath - Roman Baths | © Foto: Unsplash
  • Foto: Unsplash
Bath: The Roman baths—designed for public bathing—were used until the end of Roman rule in Britain in the 5th Century AD.

Regency Court Park

At just 15 minutes down the road from Great Witcombe Roman Villa, Regency Court Park is perfectly located between both Gloucester and Cheltenham, both offering shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

The owners of this site have worked to restore Regency Court Park to its full potential, located just a few miles from Montpellier Gardens, this park gives you the opportunity to make an extra stop on your route.

Offering numerous facilities Regency Court Park offers electric hook up, hard standing pitches, hot showers, chemical disposal and much more. Full list available here.

Cotswold Farm Park

Found in the middle of both Broadway Tower and Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold Farm Park is located 10 minutes from not only these locations but the main A road as well.

An incredible site offering free Farm Park entry for those camping overnight; Cotswold Farm Park is set in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by country lanes, fields of lambs and home to a beautiful view of the sunset. The perfect location for families and those that enjoy wildlife. 

Different facilities are available depending on the pitch selected; Premium Pitches provide electricity, water and grey water wastage, half hard standing, half grass pitches and parking for 1 car. Full information on the facilities available here.

Selected Camping Sites

Motorhome and Campervan Route

For more information on points of interest please see also our "EXPLORER MAP"