The Cotswolds is world famous for the beauty of its towns and villages. In scale this varies from modest cottages to imposing manor houses and impressive churches both large and small. It is the uniformity which so appeals - a mellow golden limestone, which as you get to know it you will see varies across the region from the creamy white through subtleties of grey to a golden hue, all within the space of a few miles.
Here in an area bounded by Bath, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon is a warm and appealing countryside, with some of the finest landscape in England. Gently undulating hills and tree-lined valleys rise gently from the green meadows of the upper reaches of the Thames to the dramatic limestone escarpment which is (quite literally) the high point of the Cotswolds. From here the hills slope down dramatically into the Vale of Evesham and the Severn Vale.
Cotswold towns and villages such as Burford, Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water are famous all over the world and epitomise the English rural scene. Each stands on a famous Cotswold river, the Windrush and the Coln, typical of so many communities which have grown up over centuries in these attractive river valleys running down through the hills.
Not all villages are as well known, and today many still hold their secrets. Amongst the treasures to be found are ancient sites - perhaps a roman villa or a “lost” village - or an unspoilt historic church which seems to have been left behind by modernisation over the years. Open the church door and discover a hidden world of history, still in use. It may be a simple stone bridge spanning a crystal clear stream or an unassuming country pub serving a locally-brewed beer and good food. These are all examples of harmony between man and his environment, a respect for continuity in a changing world.
Two things above all give the Cotswolds their special warmth and richness; the soft natural limestone and the wealth of the wool trade in medieval England centuries ago which has left its legacy in the high quality stone buildings for which the area is renowned. Today the Cotswolds has a magnetic attraction for many: artists, historians, naturalists, cyclists and walkers - anyone indeed with a love for rural peace and the tranquillity of the English countryside. Traditional as well as contemporary crafts are demonstrated in galleries and at shows all over the area.
There is a wide range of attractions to suit all these tastes and more. Exploring the real Cotswolds at any time of year is a rewarding experience, each season throwing a different light on the ever-changing scene.

William Shakespeare

Bibury

Burford

Cirencester

Lechlade

Painswick