Top Tourist Attractions in Cotswolds That You Should Not Miss

Nestled in the heart of England, the Cotswolds is a place known for its abundance of natural beauty and postcard-perfect charm. Known for its chocolate box cottages, fascinating villages, and rich history, Cotswolds is a tourist destination, offering breathtaking landscapes and tranquillity at every turn. It is a place where time stands still, inviting people to make a perfect escape from urban hustle and bustle. With honey-coloured buildings, antiquated stone cottages, and meticulously kept gardens, Cotswolds makes a place where you can unwind and relax in undisturbed nature. Acres of undulating hills, historic churches, thatched roofs, and Cobblestone streets add to the beauty of the region, creating an atmosphere that takes tourists back to the bygone era. One of England’s most beautiful regions, the Cotswolds provides an authentic glimpse into a rural village in England.

Best Tourist Attractions in Cotswolds

To help you with visiting the top tourist attractions in the Cotswolds, here is a list of the must-visit places you should not miss: -

• Broadway Tower
• Sudeley Castle
• Blenheim Palace
• Hidcote
• Corinium Museum
• Cotswolds Wildlife Park
• Chipping Campden
• Bourton-on-the-Water
• Tewkesbury Abbey

Broadway Tower

An iconic landmark in the Cotswolds, Broadway Tower offers a magical experience to travellers, making it one of the best places to see in the Cotswolds. Situated on Beacon Hill in Broadway, one of the most beautiful and historic villages in Cotswolds, Broadway Tower offers panoramic sights across the countryside. Highly regarded as a popular tourist destination, this tower is an 18th-century structure and the second–highest point on the Cotswold escarpment. You can climb to the top (elevation of 1,024 feet) of this tower to see the mesmerising beauty of the surroundings and explore the tower’s vibrant history as a folly. Often referred to as the Jewel of the Cotswolds, the picture-perfect village of Broadway is nationally known as a place with excellent natural beauty, attracting thousands of visitors every year from across the world.

Sudeley Castle

Next on the list of the best places in the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in England, with a rich history of over 1,000 years. Rated amongst the best attractions of Cotswold, this historical castle features 10 royal award-winning gardens, each with a distinctive design. The highlights of Sudeley Castle include the Tudor Physic Garden, Queen’s Garden, and Knot Garden. The castle remains the only private citadel in the country to have a queen buried within the parks – Queen Katherine Parr. Katherine was the last wife of Henry VIII, who was buried at St Mary’s Church in the middle of the Estate. Here, children can explore adventure playgrounds and animal parks where life-sized animal figurines designed from natural materials like bark and flowers take people on a wildlife journey.

Blenheim Palace

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Blenheim Palace is called Britain's greatest palace with its 18th-century baroque architecture. A must-visit attraction in the Cotswolds city, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace and childhood home of Sir Winston Churchill. This majestic palace is home to a number of significant portraits, the finest antique collections in the World, exquisite furniture, and tapestries. The palace is surrounded by over 2000 acres of beautiful parkland, with lakes, monuments, and bridges. Situated at the edge of the beautiful town of Woodstock in Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is just a 20-minute drive from Oxford City. Do include this striking palace in your itinerary while visiting the Cotswolds.

Hidcote

A world-famous arts and crafts-inspired garden, Hidcote was designed by a renowned horticulturalist and plant collector, Major Lawrence Johnston. A 10.5-acre garden, Hidcote has a sequence of small gardens within a garden and long boulevards bordered by diverse plantings. Located near Chipping Campden in the Cotswold countryside, the garden is surrounded by rolling valleys, hills, and drystone walls. Hidcote hosts many special activities and events throughout the year, making it one of the best tourist attractions in the Cotswolds. From plant sales and guided tours to wildlife activities and children's holiday trails, there is something for everyone here. The major highlight of Hidcote Garden is the summer music evenings, offering an exciting mix of music and twilight strolls.

Corinium Museum

Located in Cirencester, the Capital of the Cotswolds, the Corinium Museum is an award-winning and world-famous Museum. The Corinium Museum features one of the largest collections of the Romano-British era expansively from Corinium, the second largest city in Roman Britain. The museum is especially known for Roman mosaics, Medieval Sculpture, and Prehistoric tools. So, if you are fascinated by ancient Roman history, this is a place you should not miss on your trip to the Cotswolds. In addition to the museum, do explore the gorgeous town of Cirencester, featuring the famous Church of St John the Baptist and many beautiful cafes and shops.

Cotswolds Wildlife Park

Another addition to this list of places of interest in the Cotswolds is the Cotswolds Wildlife Park. Set across a plot of 160 acres in Bradwell Grove, Burford, Cotswolds Wildlife Park is home to around 131 species of birds, lions, leopards, Chilean flamingos, macaws, giraffes, Ostriches, white-faced owls, anacondas, crocodiles, penguins and more. One of the family-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds, this park has many additional attractions, like a children’s farmyard, a miniature train, and an adventure playground. Originally founded in 1970, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park has grown to be one of the largest zoological collections in the U.K. If you are a nature and wildlife buff, this is definitely one of the best places to visit in Cotswolds.

Chipping Campden

One of the most beautiful and historically important towns in the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden is mainly known for its long and wide main streets. An ancient wool town, Chipping Campden was the planned city of the late 12th century. In the late 1300s, the town became a crucial wool town as suppliers would come here to purchase fleece from the Cotswold lion sheep. The town was invigorated in 1902 when designer CR Ashbee shifted his company of arts and crafts from London to Chipping Campden. When you visit this gorgeous town, make sure to explore the wool church, historic marketplace, Kingsbury Water Park, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, the Court Barn Museum, the Old Silk Mill, etc.

Bourton-on-the-Water

One of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, Bourton on Water is known for its idyllic village scenes and honey-coloured stone architecture. Also called the Venice of the Cotswolds, this striking village is a must-visit attraction for nature lovers. With beautiful cottages built from golden-hued stones, miniature buildings, and bridges, Bourton on Water makes a picture-perfect tourist attraction in the Cotswolds. With many places to visit and do, this village offers a host of attractions and cafes, restaurants, and shops to enhance the outdoor experience for visitors. While the village, itself is a major attraction in Cotswolds, some other places of interest you can explore include St Lawrence’s Church, The Model Village, Cotswold Motoring Museum, Birdland Park and Gardens, etc. Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or someone simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Bourton-on-the-Water offers a plethora of attractions and activities to suit every traveller’s taste.

Tewkesbury Abbey

One more unique sightseeing experience in the Cotswolds is the visit to Tewkesbury Abbey. Founded in the 12th century, Tewkesbury Abbey is famous as one of the UK’s best examples of medieval architecture. Earlier a Benedictine monastery, the Abbey, was converted to a church after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539-1540. The gorgeous stained glass windows and ceilings of Tewkesbury Abbey make it one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds. Apart from this church, Tewkesbury has plenty of other attractions for tourists. An extraordinary riverside town, Tewkesbury is located between the River Avon and Severn River in the north of Gloucestershire. The highlights in this idyllic town include Belas Knap Long Barrow, John Moore Museum, Roses Theatre, Funky Warehouse, etc.

Cotswolds is one of the most enthralling destinations on the earth, where you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation experience. With so many tourist attractions and activities, the Cotswolds is an important highlight in England tour packages. With Veena World, you can book one of the most suitable tour packages to experience all the major attractions this beautiful destination has to offer!