Mini Guide: How to spend the perfect 24 hrs In The Cotswolds

And feel fancy, relaxed, and a little bit royal

Let’s get something out of the way.

Most travellers come to the UK and never leave London. Which is wild to me, because London, while absolutely brilliant, is not the whole damn show.

There are loads of great options for day trips from London. But if you want somewhere that’s truly unique to England, somewhere that feels unreal in its charm, go to the Cotswolds.

This mini guide is for anyone visiting the UK who wants to experience the kind of rural England you see in storybooks and BBC dramas. Think pretty villages with rolling hills, pubs with fireplaces and dogs inside and scenery that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally walked into a screensaver.

Even if you only have 5 days in the UK, leave one of those days (or even better, two) to get out and soak in the best bits of the Cotswolds.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

How to spend 24 hrs visiting the Costwolds

Getting there: Car vs public transport

You can do the Cotswolds by train, but unless you have a deep passion for navigating rural bus timetables and waiting in cold village lay-bys... just rent a car.

From London, it’s an easy 2-hour drive on the M40 and A40. You’ll feel the shift somewhere around Oxford when the buildings turn golden and sheep replace skyscrapers.

If you must use public transport then you can take the train to Moreton-in-Marsh, then use local buses but this is a less than ideal option as they are infrequent and don’t allow for spontaneous stops .

Pack some snacks and set off early, ideally before 7 am to beat traffic and make the most of your day.

8:30 AM – Stow-On-The-Wold

Start your day in Stow-on-the-Wold, a hilltop town with fairytale energy. Park near the square and head straight to The Hive café. Treat yourself to their full English and a cup of strong coffee. Sit by the window and watch the town wake up.

After breakfast, stroll the narrow lanes. Don’t hesitate to pop into little independent shops, antiques, books, handmade soap that smells like a spa . If you're lucky, the churchyard gate might be open, it’s where the ancient yew trees look like something out of a Tolkien novel.

Take your time here and soak up the atmosphere. This is so different from London.

10:00 AM – Upper Slaughter

Next, drive 10 minutes to Upper Slaughter (despite its name, there’s nothing sinister about it.)

Here, there are no shops or cafés. Just a river, a tiny chapel, and cottages so pretty you’ll want to move in straight away.

Find a parking spot-there are no dedicated parking facilities but since you are early you might find a spot in the main square or on the roadside. Take a walk around the village or sit by the stream. Breathe.

This is your moment of absolute stillness. The anti-London.

11:30 AM – Bourton-On-The-Water

Ten minutes down the road is Bourton-on-the-Water, often called “the Venice of the Cotswolds” (which is a bit of a stretch, but it’s actually pretty).

The River Windrush runs through the village, crossed by low stone bridges and lined with tea rooms and tourists.

I like visiting in Winter. It’s cold but the lack of crowds makes up for it

This is a busy village, but it’s worth the stop just for the photos. Spend 30 minutes walking the river, watching the ducks causing chaos and buying fudge for your friends and relatives (don’t forget some for you to eat in the car).

Optional: if you have kids or are personally passionate about things that make you feel like a giant, pop into the Model Village for an hour of fun.

Entrance fee: £4.50

12:30 PM – Burford

Drive 20 minutes to Burford village, park near the top of the High Street and head for The Lamb Inn.

This pub looks straight out of a rom-com. Stone walls, fireplaces, the smell of roast chicken and ale. You want to order the fish and chips or the Sunday roast, depending on the day.

Sit long. Talk slow. You’re now fully in countryside mode.

Before you leave, wander the sloping high street. There are art galleries, a toy shop, and old churches dating back 900 years.

2:30 PM – Broadway

After lunch in Burford, drive about 30 minutes to the stunning village of Broadway, one of the Cotswolds’ most elegant spots, also my favourite one. often called “the jewel of the Cotswolds”, Broadway looks like it was made for slow walks and dreamy photos.

The high street is long, wide, and lined with golden-stone buildings that house art galleries, tearooms, and boutiques selling everything from hand-thrown pottery to jackets you’ll convince yourself you need.

Grab some ice cream from Broadway Deli and just sit on a bench and people-watch (you may not see many). If you’re up for a mini hike, I highly recommend a walk up to Broadway Tower (about 45 minutes each way), you’ll be rewarded with insane views across several counties.

4:00 PM – Bibury

Next, head to Bibury, a 20-minute drive through winding hills and heart-melting views.

Parking is usually available near Arlington Row, the famous row of cottages that appears on every Cotswold postcard that was ever printed.

Walk the path along the river. Watch the trout. Say hello to the sheep. Climb the small hill near the church and sit.

The sunset here is pure magic.

6:30 PM – Castle Combe

Instead of heading straight back to London, make one last stop in Castle Combe, arguably the most beautiful village in England and the perfect place to wind down your day with dinner.

Arriving here feels like walking onto the set of a historical drama. The streets are silent, the buildings lean and the golden light makes everything look like it’s been airbrushed. This village is a dream for photography enthusiasts.

Walk the main lane slowly. You’ll cross a tiny stone bridge over a stream, pass a 14th-century market cross, and maybe even catch a piano playing softly through a cottage window.

You’re now ready for dinner.

Here are two top picks that absolutely deliver:

The Castle Inn

• Cosy, candlelit, and relaxed with exposed beams and crackling fireplaces (in winter).

• Expect elevated pub classics: slow-cooked beef cheek, truffle mash, or pan-roasted cod with seasonal veg.

• Great for a rustic, intimate meal that doesn’t feel too formal.
  

The Manor House Hotel (Bybrook Restaurant – Michelin-starred)

• This is the fancy option if you want to go full royal.

• Modern British fine dining, served in a 14th-century manor surrounded by immaculate gardens.

• Tasting menus, wine pairings, and a “we are too posh to take photos of our food” vibe.

• Reservations recommended, if you’re not lucky, go for drinks and a walk through the beautiful grounds.
  

Castle Combe is slow, quiet and utterly romantic. So linger a bit here. Take a last walk under the streetlamp glow.

Then either head back to London, or, even better, stay the night and let the dreamy adventure stretch a little longer.

Staying overnight? Good choice.

You’ve already got two perfect options, whether you go for the cosy charm of The Castle Inn or the full-luxury fantasy at The Manor House Hotel, you’re in for a treat.

You’ll get to wake up with birdsong, no traffic, mist over the rooftops, Hugh Grant knocking on your door holding tea and apologising for being so terribly British…

Ok, ok—I got carried away.

But seriously, spend the night if you can. The magic doesn’t end at sunset and the Cotswolds hits different at dawn.

You can also book a stone cottage Airbnb with dreamy fireplaces and creaky floors. There’s no shortage. Just don’t book last minute in peak season. I love booking on Vrbo, they have a huge range of stylish properties.

Waking up here is better than waking up anywhere else.

Our pretty cottage in Stow-On-The-Wold where we celebrated my son’s 2nd birthday

The essential 24hr Cotswolds cheat sheet

Suggested driving route

Start: London
→ Stow-on-the-Wold –(2h)

→ Upper Slaughter – (10m)

→ Bourton-on-the-Water – (10m)

→ Burford – (20m)

→ Broadway – (30m)

→ Bibury – (35m)

→ Castle Combe – (45m)

→ Back to London (2h15)

Total driving time: 6.5 hours
Best time to go: Midweek or shoulder season (spring or autumn) for fewer crowds.

Are the cotswolds expensive?

Let’s call it “quietly posh.”

Accommodation can be pricey—£150–£300/night for hotels and cute Airbnbs. If you stay outside the main villages, it gets cheaper.

Food is mid- to high-range, especially in good pubs (mains £17–£25). But quality is often worth it.

Parking is usually free or cheap in small villages, but paid parking exist in popular areas like Bourton.

Shops and treats range from affordable (fudge, postcards) to wildly unnecessary (hello £90 teapot from Broadway).

You can do it on a budget if you skip the fancy shops, split an Airbnb, and stick to pub meals.

Driving tips

• Drive on the left (obviously) and exercise caution as the country lanes are very narrow.

• Expect blind corners, stone walls, and tractors that refuse to rush.

• Rent a small car. You don’t want to be negotiating Bourton’s bridge in a 7-seater.

• Phone signal is spotty in places, so download your Google Maps route before you go.

Public Transport (if you must)

• Take the train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (1h40)

• Then grab a local bus or taxi to Stow or Bourton-On-The-Water

Note: Buses are infrequent. You’ll be limited to one or two towns unless you’re staying overnight.

Who is this trip perfect for?

• First-time UK visitors who want more than Big Ben and Buckingham

• Couples, solo adventurers, tired parents, city escapees

• People who just want to sit under a tree and feel something again

  

  Waking up to those views…priceless

Final thoughts

Spending 24 hours in the Cotswolds is like hitting a reset button on your brain. You’ll come back to London with muddy shoes, a full stomach, and an inexplicable desire to name your future dog “Reginald.”

Seriously- do it.

It’s a romantic, slow trip, full of tiny perfect moments that will make your trip to the UK extra special.