Protected area mostly in South West England
“Discover breathtaking scenery where adventure and relaxation meet.”
The Cotswolds is a region of South West and South Central England, along a range of wolds or rolling hills that rise from the meadows of the upper River Thames to an escarpment above the Severn Valley and the Vale of Evesham. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat that is quarried for the golden-coloured Cotswold stone. It lies across the boundaries of several English counties: mainly Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. The highest point is Cleeve Hill at 1,083 ft (330 m), just east of Cheltenham. The predominantly rural landscape contains stone-built villages, towns, stately homes and gardens featuring the local stone.
What it’s like to be here — and what to go and see.
Gentle temperatures invite leisurely walks without the summer crowds.
Long, sunny days give you extra hours to explore and soak it all in.
Cooler days and thinner crowds make it easy to explore at your own pace.
Festive lights and low-key crowds bring a calmer charm to sightseeing.
A rough, general read — not a precise guide.
Public transport is limited here; walking, taxis or a car are the more practical way to get around.
