There’s an atmospheric beauty to the Cotswolds as we roll into winter, with mists settling in the valleys, snow falling on the hillsides and hazy winter sunshine casting the honey-coloured Cotswolds stone in soft light. The air may be crisp, but the crowds have gone and there’s much to savour, from peaceful villages and twinkling Christmas markets to woodland walks and cosy pubs with roaring fires.
Winter brings a special charm to the gentle beauty of the North Cotswolds where breathtaking views greet you at every turn and the rich Cotswold limestone, so precious it was used to build St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, gets a dusting of snow.
Explore some of the most iconic spots in the Cotswolds with our expert driver-guides who bring everywhere alive with their local knowledge and stories. Marvel at the mediaeval architecture in Chipping Campden, explore the stunning settlements of Snowshill, Winchcombe, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water, and wander along the tranquil pathways by the River Eye in the exquisite Upper and Lower Slaughter knowing you’re never far from a country house offering afternoon tea or a traditional pub with a fire that’s kept winter visitors warm for centuries.
Browse the galleries in Broadway, a nod to the 19th-century artists who found solace in the area’s tranquillity. Take in the sweeping views from the “highest little castle in the Cotswolds”, the Broadway Tower, once inhabited by the Pre-Raphaelite artist, William Morris. And when dusk falls, watch the village light up in readiness for Christmas.
There’s so much to do – a tour of a still-working Victorian brewery where Shire horses deliver the ales to centuries-old pubs, a shopping trip to a Christmas market selling local wares (and hot mulled wine to keep you warm), and why not add an after-dark visit to historic Sudeley Castle transformed by its winter Spectacle of Light to your day?
Note: The tour route can be arranged to fit with any start and finish point in the north Cotswolds. Charges will apply for outside of the north Cotswolds.
During this tour, we’ll also be venturing off the beaten track to view some of the lesser-known gems – tiny hamlets and secluded manors – at the heart of this rural idyll.
