The beautiful area of the Cotswolds is home to some of the prettiest towns and villages in England. With its iconic honey-coloured stone cottages, ancient churches and rolling hills, this is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday and a weekend getaway.
Undoubtedly, the Cotswolds is one of the most perfect examples of the English countryside, where you can unwind, disconnect from modern life and enjoy eating in cosy country pubs. And thus, it is a popular area for those who are seeking a rural utopia and unique experiences. As such, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation in advance. Likely for you, I’ve compiled the unique and unusual places in the Cotswolds.
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Best Hotels to Stay in the Cotswolds
East House with World-Class Service
Location: Broadway, The Cotswolds
Rooms: 4
Price: From £200
Located in the centre of Broadway, this 18th-century country house offers world-class service and a unique stay. East House has 4 luxury rooms and each room has its own en-suite bathroom and TV.
This is the perfect place for those who are looking for a luxury stay in the Cotswolds and would like to experience the celebrity treatment. You can chill out in one of the elegant guest lounges while drinking a free glass of champagne. The hotel is just a stone's throw away from restaurants, pubs and tearooms.
Guest review: “Breakfast was beautifully cooked and presented with quality ingredients. Open fires in the reception room and breakfast area were so cosy. Bed very comfortable with quality linens”, Nick.
The Slaughters Manor House: A luxury Country House Hotel
Location: Lower Slaughter
Rooms: 19
Price: From £205
Set in the quaint Cotswold village of Lower Slaughter, surrounded by five acres of stunning gardens, The Slaughters Manor House is one of the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds with its own award-winning restaurant.
This 17th-century manor house combines contemporary interiors with country charm, offering a relaxing and unforgettable stay. Each room has a unique character, designed with comfort in mind allowing room to unwind. While staying here, you can play golf or try horseback riding.
Guest review: “Beautiful manor in an idyllic Cotswold village setting. Great bedrooms, nice bar areas with open fires. The food and service are excellent. Perfect country hotel for a romantic weekend break!” William, January 2022.
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa in the Cotswolds
Location: Lower Slaughter
Rooms: 23
Price: From £280
What if you are looking for a sublime spa hotel in the Cotswolds? Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa is your place. Set in 12 acres of picturesque Wiltshire countryside with an outstanding reputation for its food, this traditional country house offers celebrity treatment with world-class service.
The spa offers Natura Bissé signature treatments and has a hydrotherapy pool, aromatic thermal suites, sauna and more.
Guest review: “The staff were very attentive, polite, professional and friendly. Excellent service. The hotel was well maintained, the facilities and spa were great and the food was excellent”, Jason, November 2021.
Luxury Cottages in the Cotswolds
The perfect Cotswold cottage for two
Location: Cirencester
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £145 per night
Looking for a romantic break and rural cottage in the Cotswolds? This gracious, 17th-century Cottage located in the peaceful village of Tarlton is your place. It's a place you immediately relax into and unwind. You can rest or stroll around its garden while enjoying the views of the countryside.In the living room, you will find comfortable velvet sofas with a cosy vintage log fire. The owner is an art advisor and writer, who designed the cottage and its unique style.
Guest review: “We very much enjoyed our stay here and highly recommend it. The cottage was spotless and well-stocked. The owners had thoughtfully left a delicious bottle of Prosecco in the fridge, along with other treats. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was just gorgeous. My favourite part (besides the just total "adorableness" of the house) was the glorious garden outback. I spent several peaceful and rejuvenating afternoons and evenings just sitting out there soaking in the birdsongs and richly blooming flowers”, Emma C.
Pool End Cottage Willersey
Location: Willersey
Sleeps: 4
Price: From £120
Set in the heart of the peaceful Cotswolds village of Willersey, Pool End Cottage offers spacious and stylish accommodation that’s perfect for couples or small families. The main selling point of this traditional Cottage is perhaps the duck pond next to it.
While here you are in a very quiet area in the Cotswolds, you are still walking distance from two village pubs, along with many of the farms selling local produce.Guest review: “Picturesque location in a quiet village but within easy reach of Broadway and Chipping Campden. The cottage is a bit cosy for four but well furnished and comfortable (TVs with Netflix built-in bonus) and particularly liked the duck pond in front”, Christian, October 2021.
Beautiful Hillside House with a Stunning Valley View in the centre of Cotswolds
Location: Chalford
Sleeps: 8
Price: From £344
Nestled within 1 acre of private woodlands and gardens, you will find the self-catering 5-bedroom cottage of The Woodlands. This luxury 18-century cottage is a perfect place for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
It has a spacious living room with a fireplace and a lovely dining area where you can have a stunning view of the Golden Valley in the Cotswold. There is also an outdoor sitting area and dining table on the terrace. The rest of the property is set over two floors and features a comfy sitting room, five bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Guest review: “We have just returned from a weekend at The Woodlands for my mum’s 60th birthday. This house is so beautiful and feels like home as soon as you arrive. There are so many beautiful touches, including the white company toiletries, and the most incredible view from the huge windows.
I am always funny about the cleanliness of places that we stay in, but it was spotless. The kitchen is fully stocked with every utensil you could think of! We also sat in the morning sunshine on the beautiful patio furniture as the house is a real sun trap - even in November!” Katie, November 2021.
Vine Cottage
Location: Chipping Campden
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £140
Looking for a romantic getaway in the Cotswolds, one of the most romantic areas in the UK? Vine Cottage with a beautiful garden and a terrace has all you need.
This one-bedroom cottage is beautifully decorated and it offers a cosy space to relax. The selling point of this lovely cottage is its location, located a few minutes walk away from shops and restaurants.
Guest review: “This is an exceptional little cottage tucked away behind other houses at the end of the High Street in Chipping Campden. It is beautifully appointed and has lots of individual touches that make it a joy to stay in. The sofa, in particular, is one of the most comfortable we have snuggled into”, Andrew, December 2021.
Delightful Cotswold cottage with Superb Countryside Views
Location: Painswick
Sleeps: 8
Price: From £290 per night
This spacious cottage with 4 bedrooms combines traditional and modern features. While it has a wood-burning stove, under-floor heating keeps the property warm during the cold winter months.
You can enjoy the gorgeous views of the countryside from sitting in the open-plan dining room and living room. This is an ideal place for a family getaway.
Guest review: “We had a wonderful few days here. The property was immaculate and had stunning countryside views. Anna was on hand if there was anything needed. We had the space totally to ourselves. Great location too with lovely walks from the door.” Colin, January 2022.
Unusual Places to Stay in The Cotswolds
The Tree House
Location: Tetbury
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £275
Looking for a quirky and unusual place to stay in the Cotswolds? You should check out The Tree House located in the stunning Cotswolds landscape. This stylish treehouse with a king-sized bedroom is an ideal place for a romantic retreat.
Undoubtedly, what makes this self-catering place more special is its freestanding bathtub with amazing views of the greenery. And it also has an outdoor rainfall shower.
The T Barn Shepherds Huts with Hot Tub
Location: Cirencester
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £120
Situated in the idyllic and beautiful Cotswolds, three cosy shepherds' huts offer a rural and unique stay. These three huts can be booked separately or as a trio. Each hut has its own private outdoor space and a Skargards wood-fired hot tub.
You can cook your own dinner on the firepit or eat in the rustic 17th-Century barn, where the owners host BBQ clubs and offer up delightful food.
Guest review: “Had a fantastic stay here; the Shepherds Huts are well equipped and clean and the fire pit and wood-fired hot tub are a great extra to a lovely relaxing stay. We added the fire pit dinner to our first night’s stay and it was delicious and fun to cook, everything was top quality and local. We also added the deluxe breakfast hamper which was fab too. If you’re looking for somewhere for a relaxing and secluded stay in the Cotswolds then this place won’t disappoint!” Laura, October 2021
The Red Bus with Hot Tub
Location: Newnham-On-Severn
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £90
The Red Bus with a wood-fired hot tub may be the most unusual place you can stay in the Cotswolds. This renovated 1982 Metro bus is located in a beautiful secluded spot adjoining a paddock with friendly goats as neighbours! How awesome!
It can be an ideal place for those who are looking for a relaxing holiday or a fun activity weekend break. This quirky property is a characterful and cosy space that will put a smile on your face, no matter what the weather is!
Guest review: “The tasteful and extra touches, quirkiness, and pure fun of staying in a double-decker! Our teenagers and younger kids all loved it. The fire and toasting marshmallows. The beautiful little valley. The very helpful host Ray and his dog, Bear.” Sarah, May 2019
Gold Rush Cabin with Hot Tub
Location: Stroud
Sleeps: 2
Price: From £220
Perched just outside Stroud, hidden away in the Cotswolds’ woodlands, the Gold Rush Cabin is an ideal place for couples looking for an unusual but romantic retreat.
This old-school Americana cabin with its outdoor cedar-clad hot tub has a comfortable double bed just right in the centre of the cabin. The main living space leads out onto the deck, where you will find your camp kitchen.
Guest review: “The setting in the trees was idyllic. We had everything we needed at the cabin and it was the perfect mix of the outdoors with touches of luxury. The bed was extremely comfortable, the hot tub luxurious and the shower fun!”Nichola, August 2021.
