Why the Cotswolds Should Be on Your England Itinerary
The Cotswolds have been EVERYWHERE lately, and for good reason.
Rolling green hills, tiny storybook villages, cozy pubs, beautiful country hotels...it's basically the England you picture in your head. And one of the best parts is you can experience all of it without traveling very far from London.
But I think there’s a misconception that a trip to the English countryside means you check into a pretty hotel, drink tea, wander around a village or two and that’s about it.
I’m chiming in to provide a different perspective!
What has really put the Cotswolds on my radar is just how versatile a trip here can be. You can spend one day hiking through the countryside and the next at a spa. Stop for lunch at a pub in a tiny village. Visit gardens and historic homes. Shop. Eat really well. Or simply put on a pair of ‘wellies’, walk until you get tired and spend the rest of the afternoon by the fire.
The Cotswolds actually have more than 3,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways running through the countryside, along with historic walking trails, villages, gardens, castles and country estates.
So, yes, you can come here to slow down. But you definitely don't have to sit still.
First Things First: What Are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds are an area of English countryside west of London known for rolling hills, farmland and those instantly recognizable villages built from honey-colored Cotswold stone.
And it’s not just one town.
That’s important when planning a Cotswolds trip because the experience is really about exploring the region. There are villages and larger market towns scattered throughout the countryside, each with its own personality.
Drive to one village, walk for a few hours, stop for lunch at a pub, wander through another town, and make your way back to a beautiful hotel in time for dinner. The ideal day if you ask me!
It’s Perfect for our Activity Lovers
This might be my favorite part of a Cotswolds itinerary. There are miles and miles of walking trails connecting villages and cutting through farmland, meadows and the English countryside.
And I don't necessarily mean hiking in the "pack your technical gear and prepare to climb a mountain" sense. Although you can certainly do that!
You can absolutely plan longer walks if that's your thing, but you can also choose a route that takes you from village to village, stop for lunch halfway through and make an entire day out of it.
It's active without making your vacation feel like work.
Depending on your itinerary, you could also bike, horseback ride, visit gardens, explore historic estates or simply spend the morning walking around whichever village catches your eye.
And then, obviously, reward yourself with a pint because balance!
Or You Can Do Absolutely Nothing
The flip side is that the Cotswolds are equally good for travelers who want to relax and slow down. This is why I think the destination works for so many different kinds of trips and so many types and ages of travelers.
An anniversary, a girls’ trip, a generational family trip or a few days of downtime after a busy London itinerary. It works for all!
Even as part of a longer honeymoon where you want a break between bigger destinations, I think it would be such a nice change of pace. You don't need an itinerary packed from morning to night. Pick one or two things you want to do that day and let the rest happen. Walk into town, have a long lunch, book a spa treatment, read, order another drink, sit outside if the English weather decides to cooperate. This area truly invites you to unwind and sit still!
Estelle Manor: For a Countryside
Escape With a Little Buzz
If you want the English countryside but aren't necessarily looking to disappear into it, Estelle Manor immediately catches my eye.
Set on an 85-acre estate in Oxfordshire, right on the Cotswolds' doorstep, Estelle has the grandeur you'd expect from an English manor but feels much more social and fun than a traditional country house hotel.
This would be my pick for travelers who want plenty of options once they arrive.
There are four restaurants, a 25-meter outdoor pool, a gym and fitness classes, padel courts and a long list of countryside activities. You can try archery, falconry, foraging or even axe throwing, and there are additional experiences offered throughout the estate.
Basically, if your husband hears "English countryside getaway" and immediately wonders what he's going to DO for three days, send him this section.
But the real showstopper is Eynsham Baths. The 3,000-square-meter Roman-inspired bathhouse is tucked into ancient woodland and includes five pools, a huge bathing hall, thermal experiences and treatment rooms.
Spend the morning outside, have a long lunch, head to the spa for the afternoon and get dressed for dinner. This is my kind of countryside vacation.
I also love Estelle Manor for an anniversary trip or even a couples' trip with friends because there's enough happening that you can make it social while still having plenty of opportunities to relax.
Heckfield Place: For the Ultimate Slow Reset
If Estelle Manor is the livelier sister, Heckfield Place is where I’d go when the entire point of the trip is to breathe.
Heckfield is a restored Georgian home set on a 438-acre working estate in Hampshire. So while it isn't technically in the Cotswolds, it's an incredible option to pair with a Cotswolds and London itinerary if you want to experience another side of the English countryside.
Everything here feels connected to the land. The estate has its own organic Home Farm, dairy, biodynamic Market Garden and orchards, which supply ingredients to the hotel's restaurants.
And there is plenty to do, but the activities still feel slow. You can take a guided estate walk, go bird watching, fish, row across the lake in the summer, learn floral design, take a farm tour or grab a picnic and find a spot outside. There are also seasonal workshops built around everything from gardening to food and cocktails. One of my favorite features!
Instead of filling your itinerary with sightseeing, the property itself really becomes the destination.
Then there's The Bothy by Wildsmith, Heckfield's 17,000-square-foot wellness space. This includes treatments, thermal and hydrotherapy experiences, yoga, Pilates, breathwork and movement outside in nature.
I would choose Heckfield for a romantic long weekend where the goal is to eat really well, spend time outside and fully slow down. Bring a book and turn your phone off!
When Should You Visit the Cotswolds?
This is another reason I think the Cotswolds are such a great addition to an England itinerary: every season gives you a different version of the experience.
Spring means gardens coming back to life and longer days outside.
Summer gives you the best opportunity for hiking, outdoor dining and spending full days exploring villages.
Fall is lovely with cooler weather, changing leaves, long walks and cozy pubs sound pretty ideal.
And winter has its own charm if your idea of a perfect vacation involves fireplaces, country houses and spending a little more time inside eating and drinking.
I wouldn't necessarily choose your timing based on which season is "best." I'd choose it based on which version of the English countryside you want.
How I'd Work the Cotswolds Into a Larger England Trip
You definitely don't need to choose between London and the countryside. In fact, I think combining them is the move.
Spend a few nights in London doing all the things (restaurants, shopping, museums, theater, sightseeing) and then head into the countryside when you're ready for a change of pace.
You could make the Cotswolds your primary countryside stay, or build out a longer itinerary that combines the region with another property like Heckfield Place. And then you get the perfect blend of both!
The Cotswolds Are So Much
More Than a Pretty Backdrop
If the Cotswolds keep showing up on your Instagram feed, take this as your sign to look a little closer.
Of course, it's beautiful and the villages look like something out of a movie. And yes, you should absolutely plan on spending some time in a cozy English pub. But what makes this part of England especially appealing to me is how much you can make the trip your own.
Come for hiking and exploring. Come for food and beautiful hotels. Come for a romantic anniversary where you barely leave the property. Or use it as a few days of fresh air and quiet between stops on a bigger European trip.
There isn't one right way to do the English countryside!
And if you're already thinking about London, the Cotswolds, Estelle Manor or Heckfield Place for an upcoming trip, I'd love to help you put all of those pieces together. From figuring out which property fits your travel style to planning transportation and building the countryside into a larger England itinerary, I'll handle the logistics so you can focus on the fun part! You can start the conversation here.