Our Best Places in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds can be described as a scenic treasure, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With regions of rolling hills, quaint homes and historic landmarks, the Cotswolds is home to some of the most magical villages and towns that England has to offer.
With endless quintessential English villages of honey-coloured stone and market towns full of tradition and character, you are spoilt for choice when choosing where to locate in the Cotswolds. As a Cotswold Letting Agent who knows them all, here are some of the Best Places to live in The Cotswolds…
Where to live in the Cotswolds
Burford
Burford Town is famously known as ‘The Gateway to The Cotswolds’! Its famous high street sweeps downhill towards the River Windrush. Little has changed over the centuries, with both sides of the street flanked by an unbroken line of ancient houses and shops. Buford is popular with visitors for both its beauty and history, with a marvellous variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and antique markets. From the bottom of the valley, the Burford Cotswolds are surrounded by slopes of green, tall trees and wildflower meadows – a truly breath-taking view of the unspoiled countryside. We are so lucky to have our office situated along the backstreets of Burford.
Stow-On-The-Wold
Stow is a historic wool town that is known for its market square, antique shops and great selections of traditional pubs and inns. Surrounded by pretty neighbouring villages and rolling countryside, Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds at 800 feet. Its hilltop location was also the original site of the Iron Age Fort. One of Stow’s greatest historic monuments is St Edward’s Church, which is where you will find the tombstone of Captain Hastings Keyte who died in the battle of Donnington Battle in 1646. Today the town is well known for antiques shopping and the wonderful Fosse Gallery.
Moreton-In-Marsh
Moreton-In-Marsh is a thriving market town, with a broad high street lined with elegant 17th and 18th century buildings. Located in the Evenlode Valley, occupied after the Roman invasion of Britain where pottery remains and metal coins can still be found from such in the local fields, meadows and streams. The town is home to lots of great history, including the White Hart Royal Hotel, a former manor house in which King Charles I sheltered during the Civil War. The heart of Moreton-In-Marsh beats from Redesdale Hall, where antique and craft fairs are frequently held and the lanes are laced with market stools, bunting and lights.
Cirencester
Cirencester on the river Churn is known as the Old Roman capital of the Cotswolds, its market square is 80 miles west of London and it is the largest town in the Cotswolds. Cirencester became a very prosperous wool town in the medieval period – the picturesque narrow streets of honey coloured stone buildings would have bustled with people then as they do today. Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cirencester is a great town to visit and its easy access to major road networks and mainline railway makes it a perfect place for commuters to call home.
Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton is desirably situated on the western slopes of a hillside that was once the site of a Norman castle. ‘Chipping’ is derived from ceapen, an old English word meaning market and its Farmers market every third Saturday of the month pulls in visitors from the surrounding area. The lively little town has a vibrancy about it, but remains unpretentious and unspoiled with a glorious backdrop of green fields, high hills and treetops. Winston Churchill used to spend his weekends in Chipping Norton during the Second World War, when the danger of bombing prevented him going to Chequers or Chartwell.
Eastleach
Eastleach was formally created in 1935, when the separate parishes of Eastleach Turville and Eastleach Martin were combined. It is holds tremendous amounts of history and is home to many Grade II listed properties that date back to the Tudor times, as well as even later additions from 1680 and 1790. Eastleach is the definition of peace & serenity! It is a secret gem, hidden amongst endless fields, slopes and hills. Locals enjoy the tranquility of Eastleach, alongside fellow habitants – Owls, Bunnies, Swans, Foxes, Bats and Deer who can often be spotted.
Quenington
Quenington is a classic representation of the Cotswolds story-tale feel. With its quiet little lanes, wildflower meadows, traditional barns and honey-coloured stone houses, it is incredibly picturesque. Situated on the River Coln, just 5-minutes from neighbouring villages Fairford and Meysey Hampton, the area is blessed with characterful pubs, excellent schools, historic monuments and local markets. Quenington itself is a bubble of tranquility, where the only noise you’ll hear is the birds happily tweeting.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Possibly the most well known village in the Cotswolds, second only to Stow-on-the-Wold, beautiful Bourton-on-the-Water is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, thanks to the River Windrush which meanders through the centre of the village. The five bridges that cross the river and link both sides of the village are landmarks in their own right – and the location for many a perfect picture. Bourton-on-the-Water is a wonderful place to call home in the Cotswolds, as despite its popularity, there are many independent shops and cafes which give the village a true authentic Cotswold feel.
The Rissingtons
Once there were three, now there are four; the new village of Upper Rissington emerges from the former Little Rissington Royal Air Force base along the hilltop between the Windrush and Evenlode Valleys. It was once home to the Central Flying School, the Red Pelicans and then the Red Arrows. Great and Little Rissington are your traditional Cotswold villages, surrounded by meadows of green and home to some fine cottages and farmhouses. Wyck Rissington on the Oxfordshire Way enjoys a large open central green and a historic Church, where the composer Gustav Holst played and practiced centuries ago. All four are spectacular Cotswold locations, each with their own little quirks and past.
Churchill
Churchill is a very sweet, pretty village situated in the triangle of Chipping Norton, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford. Churchill was originally at the foot of a hill now called Hastings Hill, but on the 31st July in 1684 a fire destroyed nearly all of the buildings, homes and monuments. It was later rebuilt higher up the hill, from Cotswold stone as oppose to thatched roofs, and now overlooks the remains and ruins of lost Churchill. The village now boasts some of the most outstanding countryside views that blanket the Cotswolds.
Bibury
Bibury is one of the most charming villages to be found in the Cotswolds. It’s easy to see why architectural conservationist William Morris called Bibury ‘The most beautiful village in England’, with its honey-coloured stone buildings, thatched roof cottages, dainty doorways and delicate bridges along the banks of the River Coln. The Cotswolds most photographed street is National Trust owned Arlington Row. It was originally built in the 14th century as a monastic wool store, but was converted in the 17th century into a row of weavers’ cottages. Bibury is not only full of character and charm, but hides monuments of tradition and history with several Grade I listed buildings, where some have Saxon gravestones set into the exterior, original Norman doorways and fine medieval windows.
We hope our run down of the best places to live in the Cotswolds has inspired you. If you’re looking to relocate to the Cotswolds, get in touch with us today to secure yourself a home or cottage to rent in the Cotswolds… one of the most desired locations in England.
We use our local knowledge of living and working in The Cotswolds to help you find your own piece of perfect! Call us on 01993 684572 or drop us an email at hello@cotswoldlettingagency.com
