Visit The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds

Located just a short drive from the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, the Cotswolds are one of England’s most beautiful and iconic regions.

Famous for rolling hills, golden stone villages, and historic market towns, this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers a timeless countryside experience.

Whether you’re looking for a scenic drive, a cosy pub lunch, boutique shopping, or a walk through picture-perfect villages, the Cotswolds are a wonderful addition to any visit to our region.

Discover the Charm of the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds stretch across five counties - Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire - but many of the best-loved towns and villages are within easy reach of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

The Cotswolds National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and the largest AONB in Britain. It covers a huge area – almost 800 square miles. Highlights include:

• Bourton-on-the-Water: Often called the "Venice of the Cotswolds", this charming village with its low bridges and clear stream is a favourite for visitors.
• Stow-on-the-Wold: A classic market town with historic inns, antique shops, and a bustling square, perfect for a leisurely afternoon.
• Cirencester: Once one of the most important towns in Roman Britain, today Cirencester offers a mix of Roman heritage, shopping, and cafés.
• Painswick: Known as the "Queen of the Cotswolds", with its beautiful stone buildings and famous yew tree-lined churchyard.
• Blenheim Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Explore the grand palace, beautiful gardens, and parkland.

Beyond the towns, you’ll find miles of walking and cycling trails, scenic viewpoints, and hidden gems tucked away among the hills.

A Perfect Day Trip from the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

The River Severn separates the Cotswolds from the Forest of Dean, with bridges at Gloucester in the north and Chepstow in the south. It is around a 30 minute drive from the Forest of Dean to Cheltenham in the north west of the Cotswolds or around 45 minutes from Chepstow to Bath in the south west of the Cotswolds.

See our Getting Here page for information on travel. Interested in walking? The Gloucestershire Way joins the Cotswolds and the Forest via a fantastic off-road national trail.

Discover more at Visit The Cotswolds website here.