Posted on November 30, 2023
The Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous parts of England. But we are of course totally biassed! With the snow recently beginning to fall and more hopefully on the horizon, we could be in for a treat and see our gorgeous villages adorned with a dusting of snow! Here are a few of our favourite towns and villages to visit across The Cotswold with the snow capped roofs in mind and some lovely cafes and pubs to visit along the way.
Bibury
Possibly one of the most renowned villages of The Cotswolds, Bibury is a true gem which was once described by William Morris (1834-96) as "the most beautiful village in England". The quintessential Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages built of local stone next to the River Coln, is one of England's most iconic and photographed places. Nearby Bibury Trout Farm and the Saxon Church, the Church of St Mary, are well worth a visit. The perfect stop for a spot of lunch is The Swan Hotel, a beautiful place to eat and stay with an impressive facade adorned with climbing foliage.
Ebrington
Situated just a few miles from Chipping Campden, this Cotswold village is stunning. Home to an array of quintessential Cotswold stone houses, the village has fabulous walks on its doorstep. The sensational Ebrington Arms is the place to dust off those snow boots and enjoy a well deserved tipple. Serving fantastic food to locals for over 300 years, you certainly won’t be the first nor last to enjoy the warmth, possibly the cosiest fireplace around!
Bisley
Bisley is a compact and cosy village, steeped in history with gorgeous views overlooking the valley of the Stroudwater and the River Frome. The village has a striking collection of Cotswold architecture that is sure to be captivating all year round let alone with snow capped roofs atop the stunning large houses and the typical quintessential cottages. To get in from the cold and enjoy a hearty meal we’d eagerly point you in the direction of the The Stirrup Cup, benefiting from that timeless stone built apparel and a log fire to keep you warm! There’s also a gorgeous All Saints Saxon church to admire whilst you visit this gorgeous village!
Broadway
This stunning Cotswold town has so much to offer and just so happens to be extremely pretty too! The delightful High Street is lined with horse chestnut trees and includes a mixture of period houses and picturesque honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages. If you're coming to The Cotswolds you must stop off in Broadway for a sneak peak. The Broadway Deli, an independent delicatessen and cafe, displays the best shop window we’ve seen in a very long time - it is well worth a visit! And located just nearby to escape the cold is the Inn & Brasserie, using locally sourced ingredients to prepare some fantastic gastro-pub food! One of the most iconic sights across the whole of the cotswolds is just nearby at the Broadway Tower, which offers breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside.
Painswick
Often referred to as the "Queen of The Cotswolds", Painswick is a historic wool town nestled in the famous Cotswold Hills surrounded by breathtaking Gloucestershire countryside. The town is steeped in history and its charm and character is apparent in the sensational honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings which line the streets. All of this town's charm and beauty is only multiplied after receiving a powdering of snow! A Fair Trade town, Painswick is home to a variety of small shops and galleries, pubs, restaurants and tea shops that you’ll want to stop off at. Offering real ales, open fire and a warm welcome we’d highly recommend the oak pub, we’d especially recommend making the journey on a sunday and diving into one of the best roasts you’ll find across the Cotswolds! The Painswick is the ideal boutique hotel weekend getaway and wouldn't be a bad place to be snowed in!
Castle Combe
Perhaps there's no better way to describe Castle Combe than how Edward Dowling so accurately put it "Castle Combe presents this charming scene, of hill, woods and meadows cloth'd in green. Here grand terrestrial scenes, almost celestial nice, makes Castle Combe, sweet vale, an earthy Paradise." What more is there to say! If you were to close your eyes and picture a traditional cotswolds village you’ll end up with a vision of Castle Combe. There’s no better place to escape the cold whilst visiting than The Castle inn. The inn can trace its origins back to the 12th century and much of the original construction still remains to this day!