Sherborne Village & Abbey
THE INSIDERSherborne Village & AbbeySherborne is a village for taking slowly. The broad green, stone cottages and old estate buildings lead towards the church and the remains of the medieval abbey, while footpaths head out across the Windrush valley. It is quieter than the headline Cotswold villages and rewards a short walk rather than a […]
Cotswold Water Park
THE INSIDERCotswold Water ParkCotswold Water Park is a useful change of pace from stone villages and country houses. The lakes support a mix of quiet wildlife reserves and bookable activities, from paddleboarding and open-water swimming to cycling and waterside walks. Different sites feel distinct, so choose your lake based on the day you want rather […]
Fairford Market Place & St Mary’s Church
THE INSIDERFairford Market Place & St Mary’s ChurchFairford makes a good southern Cotswold stop because the centre is compact and the story is easy to follow. The market place opens into a handsome cluster of limestone buildings, while St Mary’s Church contains one of England’s most complete sets of medieval stained glass. Even a short […]
Dyrham Park
THE INSIDERDyrham ParkDyrham Park combines a baroque house, formal garden and broad deer park in one of the best viewpoints on the western edge of the Cotswolds. The approach through the park is part of the experience: as the house comes into view, the land opens towards Bath and the Severn plain. Allow at least […]
Broughton Grange
THE INSIDERBroughton GrangeBroughton Grange is a garden visit for people who like structure and scale. The formal walled garden, long lime avenue and clipped shapes sit within a much larger parkland landscape, so the experience moves from close planting detail to broad, quiet views. The garden’s design feels contemporary while remaining firmly connected to the […]
The Cotswolds Distillery
THE INSIDERThe Cotswolds DistilleryThe Cotswolds Distillery gives you a look behind the bottles rather than a quick tasting at the bar. The tour follows the stills, mash tun and cask stores, explaining how local barley, limestone water and long maturation shape the whisky and gin. Tastings are generous and the shop is useful for gifts […]
Great Witcombe Roman Villa
THE INSIDERGreat Witcombe Roman VillaGreat Witcombe Roman Villa is a compact, rewarding stop for anyone interested in the Roman Cotswolds. The surviving walls, mosaic floors and bath-house rooms show the scale and comfort of a villa estate that once looked across the valley. Interpretation is limited, which makes the visit feel more like reading the […]
Cotswold Falconry Centre
THE INSIDERCotswold Falconry CentreCotswold Falconry Centre offers a close, well-explained look at birds of prey, from tiny owls to powerful eagles. The flying displays are the highlight: keepers show how different species hunt, turn and land, and explain the conservation work behind the centre. Between displays, paths lead past aviaries and shaded woodland. Allow half […]
Hook Norton Brewery
THE INSIDERHook Norton BreweryHook Norton Brewery is one of the Cotswolds’ most characterful food-and-drink visits. The tall Victorian tower still anchors the village and the brewery continues to make traditional cask ales on site. A guided tour explains the malt, water, yeast and gravity-fed brewing process before finishing with a tasting. Book a tour ahead […]
Miserden Garden
THE INSIDERMiserden GardenMiserden Garden is a garden for slow wandering. Terraces lead into woodland, a stream runs through the valley and the planting shifts from formal borders to meadow and orchard. The setting does much of the work: you get broad views, changing light and the sense of a working estate rather than a staged […]