I have lost count of how many times I have been to the Cotswolds. It is the region of England I return to more than any other, and my favourite way to stay here is in a cosy Cotswold cottage. The honey-coloured stone, the low ceilings, the flickers of history.... ugh I just love it!
The Cotswolds is beautiful, it is central, and that's why I keep coming back. It's also completely dog friendly, so Baxter comes with me every time, even when I visit on the train.
The walking in the Cotswolds is brilliant, the villages welcome dogs, and finding a cottage that allows a well-behaved cocker spaniel is never a battle.
There are so many great holiday cottages in the Cotswolds and below are some of my favourites.
Why Stay in a Holiday Cottage in the Cotswolds?
I love a Cotswolds hotel, and there are some incredible ones, but nothing beats having a whole place to yourself.
A character cottage in the Cotswolds gives you that completely. No shared spaces, no noise from other guests, just you, your space, and your own front door to close at the end of the day. Most of the best cottages sit right in the middle of their villages too, so you are never far from a pub or a morning walk.
Baxter loves it for obvious reasons. He is not stuck in a hotel room, he has a cottage, a garden, and a fire to sleep next to.
And if you ask me, the Cotswolds in winter is criminally underrated. A rainy afternoon, a log burner, nowhere to be? That is my favourite version of this place and a cosy holiday cottage is the only way to experience it properly.
Where is the best base in the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds offers so many beautiful towns and villages, you cannot go wrong. However, depending on what you're looking for, there are some bases better than others.
North vs South
The Cotswolds is big, around 790 to 800 square miles. I always say I prefer the north, and this is mostly because it is a little more dense in terms of towns and villages. You have places like Broadway, Burford, Stow on the Wold and Snowshill.
As you come down to the south you hit places like Cirencester, Tetbury, Castle Combe and Bradford on Avon - all beautiful but a little more spaced out.
If you want to enjoy the Cotswolds life but with walkable amenities, I recommend:
- Broadway
- Burford
- Stow on the Wold
- Chipping Campden
- Bourton on the Water
- Tetbury
If you want to be close to these towns but enjoy a more peaceful village, I recommend:
- Lower Slaughter - Picture perfect, tiny, and a stone's throw from Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water
- Snowshill - A storybook village with a National Trust manor house
- Bibury - So beautiful it was once an illustration within the British passport
- Blockley - Quiet, largely overlooked by tourists, and prettier for it
- Painswick - the best Cotswold village for walking
Best Character Cottages in the Cotswolds
Hoo Cottage, Chipping Campden
Hoo Cottage is one of the only thatched Cotswold stone properties in Chipping Campden, and it is exactly what you picture when you imagine a character cottage in the Cotswolds.
The history of the building is still debated but there is evidence it once served as the village bakery, which adds to the charm!
Inside you will find an open wood-burning fireplace in a cosy living room, original features throughout, and a kitchen with an EverHot oven.
It sleeps four across two bedrooms, making it ideal for two couples or a small family, with a fully fenced private garden for summer evenings and a welcome hamper thrown in for stays of four nights or more.
- Prices range from £300-£550 per night depending on season. There is a 2, sometimes 3, minimum night stay.
- Hoo Cottage does not allow pets
Check prices or book here
16th Century Thatched Cottage, Whichford
This is the kind of cottage that makes you want to cancel your plans and stay an extra night...
A 16th century thatched cottage in the quiet North Cotswolds village of Whichford, it sleeps two and is set up perfectly for a couple wanting to switch off. There's no light pollution or no noise outside, just an unspoilt village and some of the best walking in the North Cotswolds.
Inside, the inglenook log burner is the centrepiece of the living room, there are two cosy armchairs in a reading nook. There is a gorgeous DeVOL kitchen, a Lavazza coffee machine, and a Bose speaker system.
It is a one-bedroom cottage that has been thought about properly. Upstairs, the king-size bed sits alongside a rolltop bath in the bedroom itself, with a separate shower next door.
Breakfast basics are provided on arrival including fresh bread, cake and coffee pods, which on a sleepy Cotswolds morning is just perfect
- Prices start at £280 per night, there is a 3 night minimum stay.
- This is a dog friendly Airbnb
Check prices or book here
The Best 1 Bedroom Cotswolds Cottages
Tregoney Cottage, Guiting Power
Tregoney is a fairytale cottage of around 200 years old in the village of Guiting Power. It sleeps two and has been finished to a standard that punches well above its size.
Downstairs, the inglenook fireplace with wood burner is flanked by a Loaf sofa piled with blankets and a beautiful in-frame kitchen with a baby AGA.
Upstairs, the master suite has vaulted ceilings, original beams, a king-size Loaf mattress, and a freestanding Burlington shower bath with Lusso Stone fittings and brushed gold taps.
- Prices start at £236 per night, there is a 3 night minimum stay
- This Air Bnb is dog friendly
Check prices or book here
The Couples Cottage, Moreton-in-Marsh
This one is for a trip without Baxter, because it is a no-pets stay, but it more than earns its place on this list.
Tucked down a quiet side street off Moreton-in-Marsh high street, it is a one-bedroom cottage with underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, a log burner in the inglenook sitting room, and french doors opening onto a south-facing walled courtyard garden.
All of that is lovely, but the real talking point is upstairs: a super king-size Hypnos bed leading into an en-suite bathroom with two freestanding slipper baths positioned side by side, which is either wildly romantic or wonderfully extra depending on your outlook.
Private parking for two cars is a rarity in a Cotswolds market town, and the train station is a three-minute walk away making this one of the few cottages in this guide you can reach without a car.
Moreton-in-Marsh has a good high street with independent shops, delis and galleries, and Daylesford is a short drive away for anyone who wants to spend a significant amount of money on olive oil.
- Prices start at £245 per night
- No pets allowed
Check prices or book here
The Best Holiday Cottages in Burford
Hill View
Hill View sits right in the heart of Burford, just above the high street with cafés, pubs and independent shops within a two-minute walk.
\The cottage itself is a restored Cotswold stone property with original flagstones, exposed beams, sash windows and a log-burning stove, all the character you want.
The beds are handmade, with luxury linens, a choice of pillows, Bamford toiletries, Soho Farmhouse robes, and a deep-soaking bath alongside a separate shower.
It sleeps four across two bedrooms, which makes it a beautiful option for two couples sharing, and the fully equipped kitchen and SKY Glass TV mean you have everything you need to stay in as much as you go out.
- Prices start at £440 per night, there is a 2 night minimum stay
- This is an adults-only, no-pets cottage.
Check prices or book here
Bear Court Cottage, Burford
Bear Court Cottage is tucked through a honeyed stone archway just off Burford High Street, it's quietly hidden and perfectly placed.
It sleeps six across three bedrooms, with the master suite tucked into the eaves with its own bathtub, walk-in wardrobe and separate shower room. The interiors lean into a warm farmhouse-meets-Scandinavian aesthetic with original beams, a log burner, a kitchen island, a built-in dining bench, and a private courtyard garden has a tabletop fire pit and a Green Egg BBQ.
A welcome hamper of local eggs, milk, bread, butter and wine is waiting on arrival, which is always a good sign.
- Prices start at £415 per night, there is a 3 night minimum stay
- No dogs
- No private parking, but Guildenford Car Park in town is free.
Check prices or book here
The Best Holiday Cottages in Broadway
East Cottage, Broadway
East Cottage sits one street back from Broadway High Street, which is about as well-placed as you can get.
It sleeps seven across four bedrooms, three of which have their own en-suite, making it the best option in this guide for a larger group or a multi-generational family who want to be based in one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds.
The interiors are a cut above the average cottage rental, Smeg appliances in the kitchen, a grand rustic dining table, a wood-burning stove in both the living room and the primary suite, a vinyl record player, and a floor-to-ceiling Cotswold stone wall in the dining room.
From November to March the hosts throw in complimentary logs, kindling and fire starters for the wood burner. The private garden has a pergola and BBQ for summer, and private parking for two cars.
- Prices start at £421 per night
- This is a dog friendly Airbnb
Check prices or book here
Best Holiday Cottages in Stow on the Wold
Little Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold
Little Cottage is a quaint holiday cottage in Stow on the Wold you can be exploring the market square, the independent shops and the antique galleries within minutes of stepping out the front door.
It sleeps three across two bedrooms, a king-size master and a double, making it a great option for two friends travelling together. Inside, the exposed stone walls, log burner and soft furnishings give it exactly the character you would hope for from a Cotswolds cottage.
In summer the enclosed courtyard garden with pergola and bistro set is a lovely spot for an evening glass of wine after a day out.
- Prices start at £331, there is a 2 night minimum stay
- No dogs allowed
Check prices or book here
Enoch's Cottage, Stow-on-the-Wold
If Little Cottage is Stow's best option for two, Enoch's Cottage is the one to book if you are a group of four, or if you are bringing the dog.
With a large enclosed lawn and patio garden, it is a the perfect stay for a four-legged guest rather than just a grudging allowance.
The cottage is a 19th century Cotswold stone property a short walk from the market square, with a calming, bright interior that mixes period features with contemporary finishes really well... window seats overlooking the garden, a wood burner in the sitting room, and a kitchen that is properly equipped.
The primary bedroom has a king-size bed and its own en-suite cloakroom, the second bedroom sleeps two on a double, and there is a family bathroom with a rain shower for everyone else.
- Prices start at £355 per night, there is a 2 night minimum stay
- This is a dog friendly Air Bnb
Check prices or book here
Best Holiday Cottages in Castle Combe
The Old Court House, Castle Combe
Old Court House was built in 1490 and is one of the oldest houses in Castle Combe, retaining the original Tudor structure including Henry VIII's coat of arms painted above the fireplace.
Thee are three bedrooms that sleep a total of 6, one of which has a super king four-poster bed. The wood-burning stove in the sitting roo throws out a serious amount of heat, exactly what you need from a winter Cotswolds stay.
The Manor House Hotel with its Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant is a two-minute walk away, and there are two village pubs for anyone who wants something more casual.
Dogs are welcome and a hot tub is available on the patio for an additional fee. Be aware that the staircase is steep given the age of the building, worth knowing before you book if mobility is a consideration.
- Prices start at £455 per night, there is a 3 night minimum stay
- This is a dog friendly Airbnb
Check prices or book here
The Gates, Castle Combe
The Gates is its most historically extraordinary stay in Castle Combe. Some parts of this property date back to medieval times, the roof timbers are over 400 years old, and the gable wall features a Gothic window taken directly from the village church.
It sits opposite the Medieval Market Cross right at the centre of the village. The property sleeps six across three bedrooms, a king-size with a freestanding bath, a double with en-suite, and a twin.
There is a wood-burning stove and exposed beams in the sitting room and a kitchen that is fully equipped for a self-catering stay.
The Castle Inn is within easy walking distance, Bath and Bristol are both a short drive away, and the whole village feels untouched.
- Prices start at £350 per night, there is a 3 night minimum stay
- No pets and no private parking, but on-street parking is available
Check prices or book here
🏡 More Cotswolds & UK Cottage Guides
If you loved this guide, here are a few more posts to help you plan your time in the Cotswolds and beyond:
- 🌿 How to Spend a Weekend in the Cotswolds – Everything you need to plan the perfect Cotswolds weekend, from where to stay to what to do.
- 🚂 How to Visit the Cotswolds by Train – No car? No problem. A full guide to exploring the Cotswolds without one.
- 🐾 Dog-Friendly Hotels in the Cotswolds – The best hotels in the Cotswolds that welcome dogs, for when you want a little more luxury.
- 🏰 The Best Cosy Cottage Air Bnbs in England– The cosiest holiday cottages in England from Peak District hiking escapes to relxing by the sea in Cornwall.
- ❄️ Winter Escapes: Cosy Cabins in England – More cosy stays across England for anyone who loves a winter escape.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best holiday cottages in the Cotswolds
1. What is the best time to visit the Cotswolds?
The best time of the year to visit the Cotswolds is summer if you want long days, open gardens and the full English countryside experience, June specifically is the sweet spot before it gets too busy.
Winter is underrated, and late November in particular is magical when the villages start to feel festive before the peak Christmas pricing kicks in. Don't write off January either, yes it is freezing, but a crisp sunny winter day in the Cotswolds followed by an afternoon cosy inside a cottage with the fire lit is hard to beat.
2. Is the Cotswolds dog friendly?
Yes, the Cotswolds is very dog friendly. It is one of the most dog-friendly regions in England! Pubs, cafés and many village shops welcome dogs, and you will find water bowls outside as you walk through most of the towns and villages.
The walking is exceptional, there is an enormous amount of it in every direction, and finding dog-friendly cottage accommodation is very easy.
3. Do you need a car to visit the Cotswolds?
Whilst I recommend you have a car when you visit the Cotswolds, it actually depends where you are based.
A handful of towns are accessible by train — Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham and Charlbury all have stations and enough to keep you busy without wheels. But if you want to explore more rural villages like Snowshill, or use your cottage as a base to move around the region, a car makes a significant difference.
I have a full guide to visiting the Cotswolds without a car if you are planning a car-free trip.
4. How far in advance should I book a Cotswolds cottage?
For summer, I recommend booking a Cotswolds cottage at least three months ahead if you have a specific property or village in mind, the best cottages go early.
Winter is a different story; outside of school holidays there is often good last-minute availability, so if you are flexible on dates it is worth checking even a week or two out.
5. What is the best village to base yourself in?
There is no best base to place yourself in in the Cotswolds, all of the villages and towns in this are different and all make a brilliant base.
Broadway, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden are the most well-known and have the most on your doorstep. If you want something quieter and more off the beaten track, Snowshill, Bibury and Painswick are all beautiful and noticeably more peaceful, less to do immediately, but stunning and far less busy, especially in summer.
6. How much does a Cotswolds cottage cost?
The Cotswolds is not a budget destination, it is one of the most popular and accessible weekend escapes from London, and the prices reflect that.
Budget from around £150 per night for a smaller cottage, with many of the more sought-after properties sitting at £300 per night or above.
Larger houses sleeping six or more can go well beyond that in peak season. Winter weekdays and January in particular offer the best value if you are flexible.
About the author
Hannah is a UK-based travel creator and founder of Postcards by Hannah, sharing destination guides and hotel recommendations for travellers planning considered, experience-led trips.
She was born and raised in the English countryside, going to university in London and living there for half a decade before heading back to her country roots.
Hannah has travelled extensively around the UK, especially England, opting for countryside and coastal travels rather than the big cities. She loves train travel, country houses, long walks with the cocker spaniel Baxter, and sunny days on the south coast.
Her dream is to convert a camper van, pack her bags and travel the whole length of Britain’s coastline with her trust sidekick, Baxter.
