The Cotswolds

England

Pocket London Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
A stone bridge over Bybrook River in Castle Combe.

A stone bridge over Bybrook River in Castle Combe.

Overview

Undulating gracefully across six counties, the Cotswolds region is a delightful tangle of golden villages, thatched cottages, evocative churches and honey-coloured mansions. In 1966 it was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surpassed for size in England by the Lake District alone.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of The Cotswolds? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your England trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Banksy’s Bristol, Cornwall’s Villages, and Coastal Britain: 12 Days in Southwest England

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1Searching for Banksy’s Bristol during a guided street art walking tour
  2. 2Making your own graffiti with the help of a local Bristol artist
  3. 3Learning how to surf in Newquay, England’s best-regarded town for water with waves
from $5,600

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • Premier London and the Premier League: An England Football Tour
    England

    11 days / 10 nights

    Premier London and the Premier League: An England Football Tour

    FROM $6,450

    per person

    See Trip Details

Must-see attractions

Explore all

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Experience the best of the English countryside in Cirencester and the Cotswolds.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

Every season brings something special in the Cotswolds, one of England’s loveliest regions. Here’s a month-by-month guide for planning your visit.

Read full article

Things to Know

Every season brings something special in the Cotswolds, one of England’s loveliest regions. Here’s a month-by-month guide for planning your visit.

Read full article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in The Cotswolds