The Cotswolds is a region in the south-west of England, known for its lush rolling hills and its thatched, limestone cottages.
It is designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty, and for good reason. Every single village in the area absolutely belongs in a fairytale!
This post focuses on 3 villages I visited on my visit to England: Castle Combe, Lacock and Avebury.
Other popular villages, in order of Cotswold-ish name, include: Cheltenham, Tetbury, Chipping Campden, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh.
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How to Visit the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds can be a little tricky to navigate if you don’t have a car.
While I recommend renting a car if you have the means, be warned that the roads in the Cotswolds are notoriously windy and small (single lane), and it can be a little stressful trying to get off the road when another car comes from the other direction!
I use the website Rome2Rio to figure out how to get to tricky destinations using public transport.
I think the Cotswolds are best visited as a day trip from Bath, simply because Bath is worth a visit.
How to Visit Castle Combe
Take the train to Chippenham (11 min from Bath, 1 hour from London), then the 95 bus (4 services per day) to Castle Combe (21 min).
How to Visit Lacock
Take the train to Chippenham (11 min from Bath, 1 hour from London), then take the X34 bus to Lacock (20 min).
How to Visit Avebury from Bath
Take the 272 bus from Bath the Devizes (1 hour). Take the 49 bus from Devizes to Swindon and get off at the Avebury Red Lion (20 min).
Avebury Stones: The Underrated and FREE version of Stonehenge!
Castle Combe
Castle Combe was voted the prettiest in England! It has been featured in several movies including War Horse and Dr Doolittle.
The village has some of the CUTEST little cottages and is a delight to just stroll around.
Of interest is the St Andrews church, which contains the one of the earliest working clocks in England, installed around 1500 (and its still ticking)!
Lacock
The village of Lacock has been the filming location of several notable films such as Pride and Prejudice, Downton Abbey, and Harry Potter!
The original village was built in a square shape, which makes it easy to explore.
The village church, St. Cyriac’s, was regularly visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla Parker (now Queen Camilla).
Camilla’s daughter was married in the church in 2006.
Avebury
The village of Avebury itself is adorable! Not only that, it is home to the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world!
Each stone weighs at least 100 tonnes, and the Henge dates back 4,600 years (older than Stonehenge!)
There are so many cute little cottages, a little gift shop, and a church that is free to enter. The village pub is famous because there is a water well inside which supposedly the original owners pushed their wife down!
There are three different circles of stones, one of which encircles the entire village. The best part is that you can walk among them and even touch them if you like, and they are completely FREE to visit (unlike Stonehenge).
The tour guide told me that touching the rock is supposed to give you good luck and that if you sit in the Devil’s Chair then it gives you fertility!
Visiting the Cotswolds from Bath?
If you are thinking about exploring the Cotswolds as a day trip from London, check out my 3 day Bath itinerary. I talk about how to get there, where to stay and what to see and do.
If you really liked the sound of Avebury and wanted to learn more about it, I wrote a whole post about my visit to the village, and I did a comparison of Avebury and Stonehenge (spoiler: Avebury is better!)
Visiting the Cotswolds from London?
If you’d prefer to visit the Cotswolds from London, I have a 4 day London itinerary in which the 4th ‘choose your own adventure’ day could be used for a day trip to the Cotswolds!
Click the pin to pin this post!
Keep reading …
Bath and the Cotswolds: The Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary
The home of England’s hot springs, Jane Austen lore, and gorgeous architecture; 3 days is perfect to explore dreamy Bath, England.
Avebury Stones: The UNDERRATED and FREE version of Stonehenge!
Just 30 minutes from Stonehenge there is a BIGGER, FREE and more easily ACCESSIBLE stone circle…
Top 5 FREE Things to do in Bath, England
Bath is one of England’s most beautiful cities, however, most of the main sights are a little pricey. Here is 5 FREE things to do in Bath.
Check out my Pinterest for more Bath and England ideas
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