Twelve places, not only villages
This is an editorial selection, not a ranking based on visitor numbers. It includes villages and small towns. Tetbury and Cirencester are described by the regional tourism partnership as market towns, so the list is called towns and villages.
The places lie far apart. The landscape body describes car-free travel as possible but demanding, and there is no continuous public link between all twelve. Choose a base and visit the nearby places from there. The Cotswold Way links several of them on foot.
The twelve compared
Parking charges are the council or operator figures for 2026 and can change.
| Place | Known for | Parking |
|---|---|---|
| Bibury | Arlington Row | Limited free spaces opposite the Trout Farm and along the main road |
| Castle Combe | Streets and a river bridge | Pay-and-display car park, charges on the signs |
| Bourton-on-the-Water | River Windrush, Model Village | £4.40 for 2 hours, Rissington Road |
| Lower Slaughter | River Eye, walk to Bourton | – |
| Upper Slaughter | River Eye, ford | – |
| Stow-on-the-Wold | Market square, church door | Fosseway free, £4.40 for 2 hours on Maugersbury Road |
| Chipping Campden | Market Hall, Cotswold Way start | £2 for 2 hours, first 20 minutes free |
| Broadway | Broadway Tower | Tower car park £3 for up to 4 hours |
| Burford | High Street, church | Guildenford free for up to 4 hours (short stay) |
| Painswick | Wool town, Rococo Garden | – |
| Tetbury | Market town, Police Museum | £1.50 for 1 hour, £2.70 for 2 hours, Church Street |
| Cirencester | Market town, Corinium Museum | £2 for 1 hour, £3.80 for 2 hours, Abbey Grounds |
Famous names (1 to 4)
The best-known places are also the busiest in summer.
1. Bibury
Arlington Row is owned by the National Trust, but the houses are private homes and the gardens are closed to visitors. Parking is limited and in demand, and vehicle access to the row is for residents only. Stay on the path and keep the road clear.
Bibury →2. Castle Combe
Coaches may not drive into the village centre. Some streets are narrow and without pavements, and the village asks visitors not to fly drones. Toilets are south of the bridge on Water Lane. The car park can fill up in summer and on bank holidays.
Castle Combe →3. Bourton-on-the-Water
The River Windrush runs through the village. The Model Village costs £4.95 for adults in 2026. Pulhams route 801 stops here on its way between Cheltenham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Bourton-on-the-Water →4. Lower Slaughter
Lower Slaughter sits on the River Eye, a tributary of the Windrush. An official walk sheet describes a 3.2 mile (5 km) circuit to Bourton, planned at about 2 hours. It crosses the busy Fosse Way, so take care.
Our picks: village tours
Small groups from Bath and Oxford, and a minibus trip from London with Bibury and Castle Combe.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Bibury, Bourton and Castle Combe by minibus
An air-conditioned minibus with a driver-guide. Stops are Bibury with Arlington Row, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe.
Check availability →
Cotswolds towns and villages from Oxford
Seven hours in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver-guide. Entry to further attractions is not included.
Check availability →
Cotswolds villages tour from Bath
A small group in a minibus with a local driver-guide.
Check availability →Cotswold village tours
Small-group and full-day tours that visit several villages, with live prices and availability.
North and central Cotswolds (5 to 9)
Good bases for walking and for a second day.
5. Upper Slaughter
The River Eye connects Upper and Lower Slaughter. They are two different villages, which matters for a hotel booking: Lords of the Manor is in Upper Slaughter.
6. Stow-on-the-Wold
The market square has a market cross and St Edward's Hall. The north door of St Edward's Church is framed by old yew trees and is said to have inspired Tolkien, a local story only. Bus 801 stops here.
Stow-on-the-Wold →7. Chipping Campden
The Market Hall on the High Street was built in 1627. The town is the northern end of the Cotswold Way, and the stage to Broadway is 6 miles (9.6 km).
Chipping Campden →8. Broadway
Broadway Tower opens daily 10 am to 5 pm from April to October. Winter hours are shorter, and the tower is closed on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January. The walk from Chipping Campden passes Dover's Hill and the tower.
Broadway →9. Burford
The High Street runs downhill to the church of St John the Baptist on Church Green. The church welcomes visitors Monday to Saturday and on Sunday afternoons, and the Guildenford car park is free for up to 4 hours.
Burford →Wool towns and market towns (10 to 12)
Further south, with more to see indoors.
10. Painswick
A historic wool town. The church of St Mary and Painswick Rococo Garden are the main sights. The town lies on the middle section of the Cotswold Way, between Birdlip (8.6 miles or 13.9 km away) and King's Stanley (7.8 miles or 12.6 km away).
11. Tetbury
A market town in the south with a Police Museum and the church of St Mary. Westonbirt Arboretum lies nearby. The Highgrove Shop in town does not give access to Highgrove Gardens.
12. Cirencester
The Corinium Museum, a Roman amphitheater, the Abbey Grounds and the church of St John the Baptist are the main stops. The name "Capital of the Cotswolds" is a tourism nickname, not an official status.
To compare where to sleep, see where to stay. For a walking plan, see the Cotswold Way, and for tickets and opening times, the list of things to do.
Cotswold villages: frequently asked questions
What is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds?
That is a matter of taste. Bibury, Castle Combe and Bourton-on-the-Water are the best known. Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford are good bases, and the Slaughters suit a short walk.
Which villages are the busiest?
Castle Combe reports summer and bank holiday crowds, and Bibury warns that its parking is in heavy demand. Come early or outside July and August.
Can I visit several villages without a car?
Partly. Bus 801 connects Bourton, Stow and Moreton-in-Marsh, and walking links the Slaughters and Bourton. There is no continuous link between all twelve places.
Are Tetbury and Cirencester villages?
No. The regional tourism partnership calls both of them market towns. They are included because they are good bases and have indoor sights.
Where do I park in the villages?
It differs by place. Check the table above, and read the signs on arrival, because charges and time limits change.