
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COTSWOLDS
THE TERRITORY OF THE COTSWOLDS
THE STONE OF THE COTSWOLDS

the typical houses of the Cotswolds with sloping roofs

the oolitic stone used for the construction of the houses
THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME AND THE WOOL
THE SHEEP OF THE COTSWOLDS

the Cotswolds territory

the Cotswolds sheep
THE COTSWOLDS ARE AONB
ITINERARY THROUGH THE PRETTY VILLAGES
I think the Cotswolds are a perfect destination for a few days trip: they have an interesting story combined with a fairytale scenery. In its villages you can feel the tranquillity, relaxation and peace. Below is the itinerary I followed through the pretty villages of the Cotswolds.
CASTLE COMBE

the centre of Castle Combe

the village of Castle Combe

honesty box
BIBURY

Arlington Row in Bibury

Arlington Row houses

Bibury village
BOURTON ON THE WATER

Bourton on Water

the river Windrush

the centre of Bourton on Water

the long river at Bourton on the Water
SLAUGHTER
The name of the village of Lower and Upper Slaughter derives from the ancient English name of a damp land. These pretty villages are located next to the small eye stream, known for its pristine limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style. They have remained completely unchanged for more than a century without any new construction since 1906. Today’s villages are far from muddy places.
LOWER SLAUGHTER
UPPER SLAUGHTER

typical houses in Slaughter

the mill of Lower Slaughter

typical house
STOW ON THE WOLD

Stow on the Wolds houses

the centre of Stow on the Wold
BROADWAY

the tower of Broadway

view from the Broadway tower

typical house of the Cotswolds
PAINSWICK
Our last stop was the historic wool town of Painswick, known as the “Queen of the Cotswolds”, which is one of the most beautiful and best preserved settlements in the entire area. Nestled in the quiet hills and surrounded by some of the most delightful countryside in Gloucestershire. The main street, New Street, built around 1428, contains the oldest postal building in England, the oldest bowling alley in the country and magnificent houses with Georgian facades. The winding streets lead to St Mary’s Church, built in Gothic style and dating back to the year XIV, it is surrounded by 99 yew trees that have been professionally pruned. There is a legend that every time a hundredth tree is planted, it dies. The stone in this village looks more gray than the other previously visited villages in fact is mined at Painswick Beacon. The city also hosts an annual arts festival in the summer, including the renowned Art Couture Painswick Festival which constantly attracts local and country- based designers.

the centre of Painswick

buildings in Painswick
LOGISTICS
- The best way to stop in the Cotswolds is to rent a car, the villages are not far from each other. It’s also possible to travel by public transport, but it takes twice as long and the frequency of transportation is not constant.
- By train from London: to reach the southern part of the Cotswold, you have to leave the London Paddington to Kemble, Stroud or Stonehouse. To get to the heart of the Cotswolds take the train from London Paddington to Moreton in Marsh
- By bus with National Express, the main stations are Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Stroud. Then continue with local buses that connect the main villages in the area.