HOTELS IN Cotswolds

Culture and history in the Cotswolds

When you’re not busy exploring its many castles, get a taste of life in the Cotswold’s past and present with these unmissable attractions…

• The Ancient Ram Inn

Claiming to be the Most Haunted Building in England, this 800-year-old Grade II-listed former inn now mainly operates as a ‘paranormal event location’. Follow in the footsteps of This Country stars Daisy May and Charlie Cooper, who tried out the Ouija board with a trip last year, and book a Ghost Hunt ticket yourself to see just how haunted it really is.

• Fosse Gallery

Found in the centre of Stow-on-the-Wold, this gallery was founded in 1980, and has showcased some of the biggest and most prestigious contemporary British artists. Known as one of the most important UK art galleries, it’s well worth a visit to one of its many upcoming exhibitions. And for any art collectors out there, there’s also a range of pieces for sale…

• Corinium Museum

This museum’s main collection is made up of finds from the Roman town of Corinium. This is today’s Cirencester, known as the capital of the Cotswolds, and where the museum is found. It’s evolved over time to also showcase how things have changed through time, including the development of the Cotswolds from its prehistorical landscape to today. 

Shopping in the Cotswolds

Want to bag some truly original items? The unique shops of the Cotswolds have got you covered.

• Fifi’s Fancy Furniture

This characterful store in Wotton-under-Edge is home to upcycled furniture, antiques and eclectic ‘objet d’art’. Fifi has sourced the very best original pieces from auctions, charity shops, flea markets, friends and relatives, and put them all in one convenient place. Whether you want a permanent fixture for your home or a quirky souvenir to remember the uniqueness of the Cotswolds by, you won’t leave disappointed. 

• Shambles Market

Browse through a selection of fresh food and produce, baked good, crafts and much more. Found in one of the oldest areas in Stroud, below the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills, you can treat yourself to some refreshments after a day spent strolling the town’s steep streets. “Shambles” itself means “Butchers stalls, a Meat Market” – look out for the original market benches by the entrance. 

• Cotswold Antiques and Tea Room

Tucked away in the heart of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water, you’ll find this little family-owned haven of antiques, pottery, silverware, collectables and retro items. If eclectic is your thing, this is definitely the place for you. And if cream tea after in a beautifully decorated room sounds like a good time, you’ll get two memorable experiences in one little adventure. 

Eating and drinking in the Cotswolds

There’s nothing like an authentic food and drink experience, which this delicious region offers in abundance…

• The Cotswold Brewing Company

Want to learn how lager is brewed, explore a brewhouse and enjoy a few samples along the way? Book a tour with expert guides at this authentic microbrewery nestled in the Cotswolds, home to a range of lager, and an IPA and Cider. Founders Richard and Emma Keene started it in 2005, motivated to produce a high-quality British lager full of flavour.

• Brennan & Brown

Try your hands at being a distiller with an afternoon spent at Brennan and Brown’s Ginspirational Experience Lab, where you’ll get to make a 70cl bottle of gin to take home after. You’ll be talked through each step from start to finish, while learning the science behind it all. You’ll be a master of the distiller’s kit in no time…

• The Potting Shed

For an ultimate Cotswolds dining experience, head to The Potting Shed. All food is made from high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, with menus changing in reflection of the seasonal produce of the time. Enjoy a roast with all the trimmings, wash it down with your favourite beverage, and soak its rustic interior complete with wooden beams, a large leather-and-oak bar and eclectic décor. 

Things to do in the Cotswolds

It’s time to turn that dream postcard setting into a reality, as you discover the many wholesome activities the Cotswolds has to offer.

• Cotswold Way

If you’re in need of some fresh air, commit to this 104-mile hike from the quaint market town of Chipping Camden to Bath. You’ll weave through charming villages, including Broadway, Winchcombe, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge. Enjoy scenic countryside views and rural surroundings along the way.

• Castle Combe Village

Take a trip to one of England’s prettiest villages, Castle Combe. Think slate roofs, honey-coloured cottages, postcard-esque stone bridges over river Bybrook, quaint narrow streets and lush greenery. Spend your afternoon wandering down ‘The Street’, where people’s opened doorways are turned into little shops and cafes, followed by tea at The Manor House.

• Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Sit back and relax on this volunteer-run steam and heritage diesel train in Gloucestershire, reminiscent of the one in The Railway Children. Pack a picnic or order refreshments onboard as you enjoy some of the most stunning views the Cotswolds has to offer, from Cheltenham Racecourse to Broadway.