The Ultimate Winter Travel Guide to the Cotswolds (2026)
Winter in the Cotswolds: A Fairytale Escape in the English Countryside
There’s something undeniably magical about the Cotswolds in winter. Frosty mornings with smoke gently floating above the chimneys of honey-coloured cottages, a soft frost settling over the fields, and warm open fires at the pub.
Throughout November and December, Christmas lights wrap around market squares, and the rolling countryside, quiet and still at this time of year, becomes the perfect backdrop for slow road trip through the Cotswolds.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Cotswolds is like in December, or you’re planning a winter break for 2025, I've got you covered. I recommend cosy pubs, Christmas markets, festive days out, country house stays, and an easy itinerary for both 3 days and 5 days in one of England’s most charming regions.
Whether you’re visiting from London for a weekend or flying in from abroad, this winter travel guide is designed to help you make the most of the seasob, without the guesswork.
Why Visit the Cotswolds in Winter?
Winter is one of the Cotswolds’ most atmospheric seasons. The villages are quieter, and it's filled with all the cosy moments you dream of when planning an English countryside break.
Here’s why winter is such a wonderful time to go:
✓ Fewer crowds
Popular villages like Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold feel noticeably calmer.
✓ Magical Christmas experiences
From Blenheim Palace’s illuminated trail to Broadway’s Christmas lights, December is full of festive events.
✓ Cosy pubs and long lunches
Winter is the best time to enjoy wood-burning fires, Sunday roasts and candle-lit dinners. The Bell at Charlbury and The Fox at Oddington are two of my favourites.
✓ Frosty countryside walks
Footpaths are blissfully peaceful, especially early in the morning.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Cotswolds in Winter?
December:
December is my favourite month in the Cotswolds! The Christmas markets and decorations are in full swing, it feels cosy without feeling freezing (which is always a bonus during a British winter).
January:
January is one of the quietest times to visit the Cotswolds, making it ideal for slow travel, spa breaks, and village wandering without the crowds. January, despite it's cold, is a frosty month where everything seems to glisten.
February:
Okay you got me here, February is my least favourite month, not just in the Cotswolds, bt in England as a whole. However, if you are looking for a romantic escape during Valentine’s season then the Cotswolds delivers.
Typical Winter Weather in the Cotswolds:
Temperatures: 3°C–10°C
Sunrise: ~8:00am
Sunset: 4:00pm
Expect frosty mornings, short days and very occasional light snow.
Pros: Fewer tourists, beautiful scenery, Christmas cheer.
Cons: Early sunsets (plan outdoor activities earlier), limited daylight, cold weather.
How to Get to the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are located fairly centrally, stretching from Oxford in the north, to Bath in the South West.
From London
Train: Paddington → Moreton-in-Marsh (1hr 35 mins), Oxford (1hr), or Kemble (1hr 10 mins).
Car: 1.5–2 hours depending on your village and traffic.
From Birmingham
Train: Birmingham → Moreton-in-Marsh (~1hr).
Car: 1 hour.
From abroad
Fly: Fly into Heathrow Airport if you are travelling long haul. If you are arriving from a European destination you can fly into Birmingham for the northern Cotswolds or Bristol if you want to explore the south. Alternatively, stick to Heathrow if your flight options are limited.
Tips for winter travel:
Book trains in advance for weekends. Travel off peak to save money on tickets.
Country lanes can be icy,drive cautiously.
Train stations in the Cotswolds are limited, but travelling by public transport is possible if you make the most of the buses.
Bring waterproof shoes for footpaths.
🌿 3-Day Northern Cotswolds Winter Itinerary
Perfect for first-time visitors wanting a festive, cosy long weekend.
Day 1: Charlbury & Blenheim Palace
Start in Charlbury, a quiet, postcard-perfect village that feels beautifully unhurried in winter. It benefits from a train station that allows direct travel from London, Worcester, Oxford and Hereford. Wander the high street, browse small shops, and pop into its tiny museum.
Stay:
The Bell at Charlbury - I stayed at The Bell at Charlbury last time I visited, it's a great dog friendly hotel and pub so I brought Baxter with me of course!
It's a beautifully restored 17th-century pub-with-rooms and is now part of Daylesford’s collection.
The Bull, Charlbury - The Bull at Charlbury has become one of the ost sought after hotels in the Cotswolds. It offers a really comfortable stay, with thoughtful rooms that feel stylish without trying too hard, all with the village of Charlbury right on your doorstep.
Lunch: The Bell at Charlbury
One of my favourite cosy pubs in the Cotswolds, The Bell at Charlbury is a warm, friendly and genuinely cosy pub with excellent food. It’s exactly the kind of place you want to retreat to on a chilly winter’s day.
Afternoon: Blenheim Palace
Hop on the bus to Woodstock and enjoy one of England's grandest palaces. A beautiful spot year-round, Blenhim Palace hosts its own popular Christmas marketm illuminated lights trail, and the entire palace transforms for the festive season. This year the theme is Wizard of Oz! Make sue you pre-book as it is always a popular event.
Dinner: The Bull, Charlbury
One of the best pubs in the entire Cotswolds for dinner. Expect candlelight, amazing food, and an atmosphere that feels quintessentially British.
Day 2: Stow-on-the-Wold
Morning: Daylesford Farm
Hop in the car and head over to Daylesford Farm around 20 minutes away. A visit to Daylesford Farm is always worth adding to your Cotswolds itinerary, it's part organic farm, part deli, part lifestyle destination with a gorgeous Christmas shop!
Lunch: The Fox at Oddington
The Fox at Oddington is one of my favourite Cotswold pubs, with traditional pub food as well as delicious stonebaked pizzas. The open fires add to its atmosphere and the staff are so friendly too.
Afternoon: Stow-on-the-Wold
One of the most recognisable Cotswold villages, Stow-on-the-Wold oozes in charm. It's a great place for interiors shopping, with a number of gorgeous antique and homeware stores
Dinner: The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
Head back to Charlbury via the gorgeous village of Kingham. Super small with a collection of beautiful cottages, Kingham is home to the Wild Rabbit, one of the Cotswolds’ most reliable spots for a really good meal.
Day 2: Broadway, Snowshill & Sunset at Broadway Tower
Morning: Broadway Village
Broadway is at its most beautiful in December and happens to be the most Christmassy village in the Cotswolds. Aside from the beautiful Christmas decor, the village offers boutique shops, artisan delis and a number of pubs to choose from.
Lunch: Hunter's Tea Room
Grab a sandwich or a cream tea to warm the belly!
Afternoon: Snowshill
You may recognise this pretty Cotswold village from the Bridget Jones films as it was the filming location for Bridget's parent's village, and it is as picture perfect in real life. Take a look around Snowshill Manor (National Trust), walking around the village, pop into the Snowshill Arms for a drink, or enjoy one of the many countryside footpaths.
Golden Hour: Broadway Tower Sunset Walk
Head back to Broadway for short uphill walk that leads you to breathtaking views over the countryside, winter sunsets here are spectacular and on clear days you can see up to 9 counties!
5-Day Cotswolds Winter Itinerary (North & South)
Ideal if you want a longer, more relaxed winter break.
Days 1–3: Follow the Northern Cotswolds Itinerary Above
(Charlbury → Stow → Broadway)
Day 4: Lucknam Park & Relaxation
Stay: Lucknam Park
A dreamy country house hotel perfect for winter. The hotel is home to flickering fires, perfectly dressed Christmas trees, leafy grounds dusted with frost, and long walks straight from the estate. Did I mention this is one of the best spa hotels in the Cotswolds?
Morning: Drive south
Many don't realise how large the Cotswolds is, spend your morning driving through pretty villages as you make your way down to Lucknam Park in Wutshie
Afternoon: Spa & Relaxation
Warm indoor & outdoor pools, massages and hydrotherapy rooms make this one of the best winter stays in the Cotswolds.
Dinner: On-site restaurant
Dining at Lucknam Park is slow-paced, elegant and romantic.
Day 5: Thornbury Castle & Southern Villages
Morning: Explore Southern Cotswolds Villages
Pop into one of the beautiful southern Cotswold villages such as:
Castle Combe: one of England’s most picturesque villages, often describe to be the most beautiful. It's a sleepy village but enjoyable for a wander!
Lacock: Too often overlooked, Lacock has a beautiful Abbey, cosy pubs, and was a filming location for Harry Potter. It's a lovely village a short distance from Castle Combe.
Afternoon: Afternoon Tea at Thornbury Castle
A very special winter experience. Enjoy afternoon tea inside a Tudor castle, one that was once frequented by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Afternoon Tea at Thornbury Castle is unforgettable and indulgent, especially when the castle is all dressed up for Christmas.
Is it possible to visit the cotswolds without a car?
Absolutely! I just did a car-free Cotswolds itinerary this winter from London.
First I took the train from London Paddington to Hanborough which took x, I then hopped on a short bus journey straight into Woodstock. Woodstock is a great base, it is a beautiful village with some great country walks and is home to Blenheim Palace.
From Woodstock you can take a bus to Charlbury and spend time in this quaint and quiet village, perfect if you want to cosy up by the fire in a nice pub. Charlbury also has a railway station which gives you great access to other parts of the Cotswolds by train.
From Charlbury I took the train to Moreton in the Marsh, this is a great town in itself. Moreton is brilliantly connected to the north of the Cotswolds by bus - I took a bus to Bourton in the Water which is also a short bus ride from Stow on the Wold.
There are two main bus operators in the north Cotswolds, check out the Pulhams bus timetables here, and the Stagecoach bus timetables here.
The Cosy Cotswold Pubs You Must Visit in Winter
The Cotswolds is known for its pubs, but these are the ones that are even better over the colder months.
1. The Bull at Charlbury
A Cotswolds hot spot situated with a 1500s building, visitors can expect candle lit evenings in a traditional pub environment.
2. The Fox at Oddington
Perfect for a winter dinner, some pub grub, and also a great place to grab a pizza!
3. The Victoria Inn, Eastleach
Famous for it's roast dinner, the Victoria Inn is a local favourite situated on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds.
4. The Killingworth Castle
One of my favourite Cotswold pubs, the Killingworth pub near Woodstock a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy some of the region's best pub grub.
5. The Swan Inn at Swinbrook
Just south of Stow on the Wold, the Swan Inn oozes classic Cotswold charm.
6. Back Lane Tavern, Woodstock
Another spot with a great roast, and some of the friendliest service you will ever receive. The Back Lane Tavern is conveniently located in the heart of Woodstock.
The Best Country House Hotels in the Cotswolds
1. Lucknam Park
Grand, peaceful and beautifully festive in December, even better, it has the best spa in the Cotswolds.
2. The Pig, Barnsley
Home to a gorgeous spa and cosy dining room, The Pig at Barnsley offers the perfect cosy winter stay in the Cotswolds.
3. Estelle Manor
Extremely grand, Estelle Manor was one of the most anticipated recent hotel openings in the Cotswolds. After a 5-year renovation, guests can enjoy sumptuous suites, a Roman-inspired bathhouse and spa, as well as a a heated-year-round outdoor swimming pool.
4. The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell
A gorgeous Georgian manor house, the Rector Hotel is home to just 18 bedrooms, creating and intimate and cosy space for all those who visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Cotswolds in Winter
1. Is the Cotswolds worth visiting in winter?
Yes, the Cotswolds is beautiful in winter. You’ll find quieter villages, cosy pubs, frosty countryside walks and plenty of festive events, especially around late November and December. If you travel in January or February, crowds will be at their quietest.
2. What is the weather like in the Cotswolds in winter?
Winter in the Cotswolds is usually chilly but not extreme, with temperatures between 3°C and 10°C. Expect frosty mornings, short days and occasional light snow if you're lucky!
3. Does it snow in the Cotswolds?
It can snow in the Cotswolds, but not every year. Light dustings are more common than heavy snowfall, and roads are usually kept clear. If you see snow here, you're lucky, it happens once or twice a year at most.
4. What should I wear in the Cotswolds in winter?
Wear warm layers, waterproof boots, a good coat and gloves. Footpaths can be muddy and frosty, so practical shoes make a big difference.
5. Are Cotswolds villages open in winter?
Yes, most shops, cafes and pubs stay open all year. Some attractions reduce hours in January and February, so it’s worth checking ahead. If things are closed, it's likely to be on a Monday, but regardless, that is quite rare. Some pubs take a week off after New Year.
6. Is it easy to get around the Cotswolds without a car?
Yes, the north Cotswolds especially, you can get around by train and bus, taxis are available too for more rural villages and hotels.
7. When is the best month to visit the Cotswolds in winter?
December is best for Christmas markets and decorations. January is quiet and peaceful, it is nice to see more popular villages without the hoards of tourists.
8. Where are the best places to see Christmas lights in the Cotswolds?
Blenheim Palace, Broadway High Street and Cirencester are some of the best places to see Christmas lights and festive decorations.
9. Are dogs welcome in the Cotswolds?
Yes, the Cotswolds is one of the most dog-friendly places in the UK, with many dog-friendly pubs, walking trails and hotels. Always double-check individual places before booking.
10. How many days do you need in the Cotswolds in winter?
Three days is perfect for a winter break, but five days gives you time to explore both the north and south at an easier pace.
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