There’s something about the Cotswolds that feels straight out of a beautifully lit film scene—rolling hills dotted with honey-hued stone cottages, thatched-roof inns straight from a storybook, and village lanes so picturesque that you half expect Hugh Grant to stumble out of a bookshop at any moment.
It’s one of those places that I haven’t visited yet, but have been dreaming about for years—so much so that I’ve curated this travel guide as exactly what I’ll be doing this fall. This trip is all about understated luxury, slow countryside living, and plenty of time for long lunches and antique shopping.So, let’s escape to the English countryside—five days of luxury, history, and absolute indulgence.
Classic & Historic
- The Wild Rabbit (Kingham) – A chic, stylish take on a traditional English inn, owned by the Daylesford estate. Expect cashmere throws, deep bathtubs, and impeccable food.
- Thyme (Southrop) – A secluded countryside retreat that feels like the English version of a Provençal dream—sumptuous interiors, a stunning spa, and farm-to-table dining.
- The Lygon Arms (Broadway) – Centuries-old, impossibly cozy, and steeped in history—this is where both King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell stayed before battle.
Boutique & Romantic
- The Rectory Hotel (Crudwell) – Understated and effortlessly elegant, with an incredible walled garden and a pool perfect for warm summer afternoons.
- Barnsley House (Cirencester) – A fairytale escape with impossibly lush gardens, freestanding bathtubs, and a garden spa that’s as dreamy as it sounds.
Day 1: Arrive & Ease Into Countryside Elegance
- Arrive at your hotel & settle in – Check into The Wild Rabbit, where your room will smell of fresh linen and woodsmoke from the fireplaces.
- Lunch at Daylesford Organic (Kingham) – A perfect farm-to-table introduction to the Cotswolds—think fresh burrata, wood-fired sourdough, and local rosé.
- Afternoon exploring Kingham & Stow-on-the-Wold – Boutique shopping, antiques, and a quiet walk through the charming stone lanes.
- Sunset cocktails at The Wild Rabbit – Curl up in the pub’s cozy lounge with a crisp English gin & tonic.
- Dinner at The Feathered Nest (Nether Westcote) – A Michelin-recommended inn with spectacular countryside views and a decadent seasonal menu.
Day 2: Market Towns, Garden Walks & Afternoon Tea
- Breakfast in bed, obviously. Freshly baked pastries, homemade jam, and a pot of English breakfast tea.
- Morning stroll through Bibury – Often called “the most beautiful village in England,” it’s the kind of place that makes you want to start writing a novel.
- Lunch at The Swan at Southrop – A refined country pub with open fires and a menu showcasing the best of Cotswold produce.
- Afternoon at Hidcote Gardens – An absolute dream of an English country garden, overflowing with roses, wisteria, and wild lavender.
- Afternoon tea at The Lygon Arms (Broadway) – Because you haven’t truly experienced the English countryside until you’ve had scones with clotted cream in a grand old manor.
- Dinner at The Old Butchers (Stow-on-the-Wold) – Effortlessly chic, with a menu that reads like a love letter to British seafood.
Day 3: Antique Shopping & A Lazy Afternoon by the Fire
- Late breakfast at The Rectory Hotel – Eggs so perfect they feel almost cinematic.
- Antique shopping in Tetbury & Cirencester: Lorfords Antiques (for timeless English pieces), The Highgrove Shop (for beautifully curated goods inspired by King Charles’s country estate), French Grey Interiors (for dreamy, romantic home décor).
- Lunch at The Painswick – An elegant, Michelin-recommended spot with breathtaking views.
- Afternoon spa treatments at Barnsley House – A quiet afternoon of pure indulgence in their gorgeous botanical spa.
- Dinner at The Bell at Langford – Unfussy, warm, and possibly the best Sunday roast in the Cotswolds.
Day 4: Castle Visits & A Perfectly Slow Day
- Visit Sudeley Castle – One of the most beautiful and historic castles in England, once home to Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife.
- Lunch at The Wild Rabbit – Because one visit isn’t enough.
- Afternoon spent reading by the fire or taking a gentle countryside walk – Bowen Island may not be for hiking, but the Cotswolds practically begs for a stroll.
- Cocktails at The Broadway Hotel – Best enjoyed at golden hour, when the light turns impossibly soft over the hills.
- Dinner at The Potting Shed (Crudwell) – A hidden gem with an exquisite menu of locally sourced ingredients.
Day 5: A Leisurely Farewell to the Cotswolds
- Brunch at Thyme’s Ox Barn – Farmhouse-chic perfection with a menu that feels like it was curated by Ina Garten herself.
- One last stop in Castle Combe – Because if you’re leaving the Cotswolds, you might as well end in one of the most picturesque villages in all of England.
- Afternoon tea at Barnsley House before heading home – A proper send-off, because no trip to the English countryside should end without one last cup of Earl Grey.
The Cotswolds is the kind of place that makes you want to romanticize your life. It’s long conversations over a pot of tea, rainy afternoons spent fireside, and golden evenings where everything slows down just enough to remind you that life should be savored.
I haven’t been yet, but I already know I’ll love it. This is my exact itinerary for my upcoming trip this fall, and if you’re looking for an escape that’s equal parts effortless luxury, countryside charm, and a little Nancy Meyers fantasy, then the Cotswolds is calling.
So if you find yourself here—let the days stretch long, let the meals linger, and let yourself fall for the quiet magic of the English countryside. Because in the Cotswolds, luxury isn’t about excess—it’s about knowing that the simplest pleasures are often the most perfect.
