The Cotswolds

Books about the Cotswolds

Sometimes referred to as "The Heart of England," the Cotswolds are a region of spectacular natural beauty and quaint villages. It is such a lovely place that it stands as the largest and arguably the best of Britain's official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Nestled in the hills of West-Central England, the Cotswolds enclose an area of roughly 2,250 square miles, predominately in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, but also in Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire. Its location makes it an easy trip by car, bus, or train from London, and its scope makes it easy to lose one's self in a world of charming villages of stone cottages and green, rolling pasturage.

As the so-called "Heart of England," the Cotswolds are rich in historical sites. The oldest example is the Chedworth Roman Villa, an excavated ruin that is the largest ancient villa yet discovered in Britain. The ruins include over a mile of walls, several mosaics, two bathhouses, and a shrine. The survivors of history go on to denote all aspects of the Middle Ages, from Berkeley and Broughton Castles, to religious centres such as Hailes and Malmesbury Abbey, to the Great Coxwell Barn. Then there is Blenheim Palace, the residence of the great English general the Duke of Marlborough, and named for his famous victory. Marlborough's descendant, Winston Churchill, was born there.The great halls and castles of the Cotswolds are not the sole or even most important reason to go there, however. Just as important and perhaps more attractive are the small villages. A good example is Bibury, often considered the arch-type of the Cotswold village. It's a little place of stone homes and slate shingle roofs, centred on a Saxon church. Arlington Row, a village street running alongside the local river, is among the most photographed village scenes in England and dates to the 16th Century. The place has often been the setting of films that needed to summon the essence of English rural life, and the artist William Morris described it as the most beautiful place in England. Although small, Bibury is an enchanting place, and beyond it the Cotswolds are home to many such villages and town centres. Of course, the Cotswolds are a great place to go looking for farmer's markets, old inns, artisan foods, and a proper cup of afternoon tea. England may not be as famous for its cheeses as France, but that has more to do with English understatement than any issue of quality. Gloucestershire has a semi-hard cheese all its own, which has given birth to a number of derivatives throughout the area (one modern example is even called "Cotswold"). Visitors can relax with locally brewed beer and genuine ale made in places such as Wychwood Brewery.It is often said the best way to get around the Cotswolds is by car, but this is not the sole way. The region is hilly, but of the low and rolling variety and it is criss-crossed with well-marked bike paths. Furthermore, an intrepid country walker will have little trouble in planning his way from village to village, staying in inns, and going cross-country through the lovely farmlands and woods. After all, the word "wolds" means hill or sheep enclosure, so what better way to get around than the way that takes them in? Also, the best way to approach a medieval castle is always on foot, the way it would have been seen in its own day. There are already three established paths through the region: the seven day (or longer) Cotswold Way, the hundred miles of the Gloucestershire Way, and the Shakespeare Walk. The latter begins at the playwright's home in Stratford-on-Avon and ends at the Globe Theatre in the heart of London.Other ways to take in the Cotswolds include sky diving, hot air ballooning, and horseback riding. Horse fans will be delighted to discover that half a dozen of England's best race tracks are in the Cotswold area or immediately nearby. Also, any of the area's lakes and rivers is also good for fishing. Locomotive enthusiasts will be delighted to discover the working steam engines of the Great Western Railways.

Perhaps the best way to stay in the Cotswolds is in a setting that embraces the area's charms. The region's stone cottages are home to many bed and breakfasts and guest houses. Another option is to go completely rural, and pitch a tent in one of the area's campgrounds.
Anyone who has seen too much of BBC America or of British movies, and day dreams of an idyllic rural retreat in the countryside of Middle England is thinking of the Cotswolds, whether they realize it or not. Easy to get at and full of charm, it is a wonderful country holiday destination.

Below is a selection of privately owned houses and cottages offering bed and breakfast, these have been listed by their owners and you can see more details by clicking on the small pictures. You can book these direct with the owners. There are also many cottages available through , you will find their banner at the bottom of this page. Simply click it to go to their site. Happy holidays!