The most romantic places to visit in the Cotswolds

Wondering what are the most romantic places to visit in the Cotswolds? Located just two hours from London, the Cotswolds is a world away from the capital, with its rolling hills and sleepy villages.

Bursting with historic charm and character, these villages are some of the most romantic places to escape to in the UK, with their honey-coloured cottages, streets lined with flowers and plants and genteel countryside backdrop. As well as gorgeous villages, the Cotswolds is also home to a series of beautiful walking trails, manor houses and gardens – simply perfect for a couples’ getaway.

We’ve teamed up with Holidays in the Cotswolds, who offer over 200 stunning places to stay in the Cotswolds, to find out about the most romantic places to visit in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here are just ten, perfect for planning your Cotswolds itinerary.

Cotswolds landscape

Bibury

Bibury is perhaps the most photographed village in the Cotswolds, with poet and artist William Morris naming it “the most beautiful village in England”. Surrounding the banks of the River Coln, Bibury is home to rows of historic stone cottages, including the famous Arlington Row, a pretty street of 14th-century weavers’ cottages.

Broadway Tower

High up on a hill, Broadway Tower offers a fairy-tale-like scene which doesn’t end when you get to the tower. Climb to the top for amazing views across the Cotswolds from the roof platform and soak up the sights of the rolling hills, patchworks of fields and tiny scattered villages in the distance. The journey there is equally as scenic, with a herd of red deer grazing the grounds to meet.

Broadway Tower

Westonbirt Arboretum

The UK’s national arboretum, here you can walk along 17 miles of trails beneath over 15000 trees. Here you and your loved one can lose yourself in the beautiful surroundings and find that perfect peaceful spot. Westonbirt is especially beautiful in the autumn when yellows, reds and oranges will transform your surroundings.

Cotswold Lavender

A perfect place to visit in the summertime, between June and August Cotswold Lavender in Snowshill opens its gates to visitors, who can roam amongst the endless fields of vibrant lavender and fragrant aroma. Carpeted with purple flowers as far as the eye can see, Cotswold Lavender is a simply stunning place to visit for a romantic day trip.

Lower Slaughter

Name aside, Lower Slaughter is a delightfully charming village, with its quaint little cottages and Copse Hill Road, another contender for the most romantic street in Britain. Neighbouring Upper Slaughter is close by and equally as pretty.

Lower Slaughter

Sezincote House

A touch of the exotic in an otherwise quaint and rural Cotswolds, Sezincote is a magnificent Indian palace inspired by the Moghul style of Rajasthan. From the pavilions to the peacock-tail windows, no detail has been spared at this extravagant 200-year-old house, surrounded by equally exotic gardens. Take a tour of both the house and gardens before enjoying a slice of cake over in the tearoom.

Cam Peak

For those seeking a wonderfully romantic walk in the Cotswolds, try the climb up Cam Peak. Pack a picnic and walk from Cam Long Down up to the top. The views are well worth it, looking out over the Cotswold Escarpment as well the endless green rolling hills the Cotswolds are famous for. For more active couples looking to explore the Cotswolds on foot, this is the perfect place to go.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water sits on the banks of the River Windrush and has plenty of great things to see and do. Wander down its streets to discover golden stone cottages, cosy pubs, tea rooms and museums, as well as several unusual attractions; the young at heart will love the cute model village and the Dragonfly Maze. At Christmas, Bourton-on-the-Water also transforms into a magical winter wonderland, especially during its Christmas Fayre.

Bourton on the Water

The Romantic Road

The ultimate romantic road trip through the English countryside, the Romantic Road offers two routes where you can see the very best of the Cotswolds. Both starting and finishing in Cheltenham, the routes visit the villages we’ve already mentioned as well as other favourites such as Winchcombe, Chipping Campden, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold. Be sure to stop plenty of times along the way – there are so many hidden gems to be discovered en route.

Chastleton House

Frozen in time for over 400 years, Chastleton House in Moreton-in-Marsh is a stunning example of a Jacobean country house. Once built as a statement of wealth and power by a wealthy merchant, the family who owned the house for centuries left the houses virtually unchanged, so you can really take a step back in time here, away from the 21st century. It also has an intriguing garden, lined with topiary and beautiful flowers.

Which places would you like to visit most? Let us know in the comments below.

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Cory from You Could Travel entering Senso-ji in Tokyo, Japan

Cory Varga – Cory is a published travel writer and award-winning photographer. She travels full time with her husband and is passionate about creating in-depth travel guides. Cory published her first book on Japanese customs and manners because she’s obsessed with everything Japan. She has visited hundreds of destinations and has lived in 7 different countries. Cory is multilingual and an alumna from The University of Manchester.

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