Top 5 Cotswold Villages

A local’s guide to the ones you shouldn’t miss

If you’re planning a visit to the Cotswolds and want to go beyond the typical coach tour stops, this guide is for you.
As a local tour guide who’s spent decades living and working in the region, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing guests to some of the most charming and characterful places in the Cotswolds.

Here are my five favourite villages and small towns — not just for their beauty, but for the stories they hold, the peace they offer, and the memories they leave behind.

1. Chipping Campden
My favourite Cotswold town to share with guests

If I had to pick one place to show visitors the heart of the Cotswolds, it would be Chipping Campden. It’s my personal favourite — a living medieval masterpiece that once thrived as one of the wealthiest wool towns in England.

Highlights include the fine “Wool Church”, a look at the oldest building in the town, dating from around 1380, and the lovely mix of buildings from different periods that give the place so much character.
In the afternoon light, the mellow honey-coloured stone looks especially beautiful.
Hart’s Silversmiths is also well worth a stop, with its workshop feeling much as it would have done a century ago.
It’s a lovely reminder of the town’s long Arts and Crafts tradition.

When it comes to lunch, I often take guests to the Eight Bells, a traditional English pub tucked away off the High Street. The food’s consistently excellent, and guests always tell me how much they enjoyed the experience.

2. Stow-on-the-Wold
History, character and a Personal Connection

Stow sits high on the Cotswold hills and has long been a meeting place — from sheep markets to Civil War battles. Today it’s known for antique shops, pubs, and the photogenic “Tolkien Door” at St Edward’s Church.

But for me, Stow holds a more personal meaning. My wife and I ran a custom-made ladies’ clothing shop in the town for over 30 years, and we came to love its character — especially the wonky buildings, sloping floors, and slightly eccentric charm.

It’s a town full of stories, where history and daily life still blend naturally.

3. Burford
A walk through time (and a few tempting shops)

Often called the “Gateway to the Cotswolds”, Burford is one of my favourite places to walk guests through — and not just because of the postcard views.

I usually drop guests at the top of the High Street and encourage them to stroll down past ancient stone houses and quirky, narrow doors. The view from the top is fantastic, and I always remind people to look up and look back — the best views are frequently behind you.

As they walk down, guests are often tempted by the independent shops and bakeries along the way (the sweet treats are hard to resist). We meet by the beautiful parish church, where I like to share some local history — including tales of the Leveller mutiny during the English Civil War and the ghostly legacy of Sir Lawrence Tanfield.

Burford also makes a great coffee stop, with plenty of options to sit, relax, and take it all in.

4. Upper and Lower Slaughter
Timeless beauty without the crowds

Upper and Lower Slaughter are two of the most peaceful and picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. I always clarify that the name comes from the Old English ‘slough’, meaning muddy place — not anything sinister!

I particularly love Lower Slaughter, which to me has all the scenic charm of Bourton-on-the-Water but without the crowds. It’s a gentle, peaceful walk along the River Eye, ending at a water mill that’s been on the site for over 900 years, mentioned in the Domesday Book.

From there, I often guide guests up to the Church of St. Peter in Upper Slaughter, along a sunken footpath. I like to point out that the church records list rectors dating back to 1265 — and that it’s only taken nearly 800 years to finally appoint a female rector, which always raises a smile.

5. Swinbrook
Off the beaten track

Swinbrook is the definition of a hidden gem — tucked away, peaceful, and rarely visited by tour buses. The drive down into the village is gorgeous, with views across the valley and the occasional sheep or pheasant taking their time crossing the road.

It’s a quiet place with a big story: three of the famous (and infamous) Mitford sisters are buried in the lovely Norman church, and I always enjoy sharing their history with guests — a mix of scandal, politics, and high society intrigue.

Next door is The Swan Inn, a picture-perfect pub sitting right beside the river Windrush and, just beyond it, the village cricket pitch. It’s the perfect spot to talk about another great British curiosity — the game of cricket, which can last five days and still end in a draw!

Experience the Cotswolds at your own pace

If this sounds like your kind of day out, I’d be delighted to show you these places in person. At Hidden Cotswold Tours, I offer private, customisable tours tailored to your interests and pace — taking scenic backroads, avoiding the crowds, and sharing local stories along the way.