Vacation Rentals in The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds radiate quintessential English charm from every corner. With iconic honey-coloured stone vacation cottages, rolling hills, delicious local produce and cozy country pubs, the Cotswolds are recognized as one of the most picturesque and historic areas in the UK. Choose from one of many story-book towns and villages for your vacation rental. Will it be Bourton-on-the Water with its patchwork of attractive little bridges, Castle Comb with its centuries-old limestone properties and huge stately homes, Cirencester with its buzzing market square and history that dates all the way back to Roman times, or one of the dozens of delightful destinations in this small corner of England?!

The Cotswolds sits upon a base of limestone which provides the traditional grey and brown stone for the countless cozy rentals that sit within the landscape. The warmth of these stone walls is intrinsic to the identity and character of the Cotswolds. Modern rentals abound too, with spacious open-plan layout and floor-to-ceiling windows. And a lovely, lush, green English garden is practically guaranteed!

The Cotswolds are a located in the south-west of England and comprise the Cotswold Hills, a range of lush, green rolling hills and many of the country’s most sought-after and arresting towns and villages. It takes just two hours to arrive by train or car from London, or from the nearest airport in the city of Bristol it is a half-hour drive.

Storybook, timeless, pastoral, rustic, enduring are just some of the words that come to mind when you think of the English Cotswolds. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it covers 800 square miles replete with glorious, honey-coloured towns and villages that look like they have been sent through time from a bygone era we hark back to in time-honoured fairy tales. You will find the traditional houses perfect for a family vacation, with spacious gardens and warm, cozy interiors.

The Cotswolds are a special place to bring your children. Get ready to visit farms and wildlife parks, steam railways and museums. For teenagers, there are activity centres, water sports and popular shopping outlets. And you don’t have to splash the cash to enjoy your family vacation in the Cotswolds, as many of the museums, which showcase everything from dinosaurs to historic aircraft, are free, as are the majority of the area’s country parks!

So where to go first, ‘England's Favorite Village’ Kingham, the highest village in the area, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Camden with its elegant terraced High Street – or one of the many other fairy-tale villages beckoning you to explore?! And of course, you cannot forget Bibury, nestled on the banks of the River Coln, it is a gorgeous little village with the Cotswolds’ most famous and photographed street, Arlington Row. You will truly feel like you’ve been thrown back a few centuries!

Hidcote Manor garden is the quintessential English garden surrounding a golden Cotswolds-stone house. Each so-called ‘room’ of the garden has its own character, and in summer they are awash with color!

The village of Lacock is like a small time warp of a traditional Cotswolds village, and it was used as a location for many Harry Potter scenes. The most notable location is the magnificent fan-vaulted cloisters seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

The biggest town in the Cotswolds boasts Roman ruins, one of the world's most majestic cathedrals and the UK's best preserved Victorian Docks. Hungry? Stop for lunch at New Inn’s picturesque courtyard – a magnificent, medieval galleried coaching inn.

The charming Secret Cottage is a thatched, 500-year-old building with open log fires and a traditional Aga, where you will enjoy a traditional English Cream Tea and learn all about the area from a friendly and hospitable guide.

Hayles Fruit Farm showcases orchards replete with apples, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries. Come in season and pick your own fruit! Alternatively, enjoy a freshly sourced meal at their quaint cafe. And whatever you do, do not leave without first trying their delectable homemade apple juice and cider!

On average, how much do vacation rentals in The Cotswolds cost?

The Cotswolds is one of the most expensive destinations in the United Kingdom. For a vacation rental here, you can expect to pay around $317 per night.

During which months can you find the best price for vacation rentals in The Cotswolds?

Travelers who want to save as much as possible visit The Cotswolds in May, April, or June, the cheapest months of the year, with average prices of $303, $305, and $305 per night, respectively, based on the previous year.

When does the price of vacation rentals in The Cotswolds go up the most?

Last year, the month that showed the highest annual average prices in The Cotswolds was December, with an average price of $333 per night. This was followed by August, with an average of $329, and then July, with $325.

Do I need to plan a trip to The Cotswolds well in advance?

When visiting The Cotswolds, we recommend you to think ahead as 87% of rentals are usually booked, according to the data from last year.

What are the best months for a spontaneous getaway?

January, March and April are, in order of highest to lowest, the months offering the largest number of accommodations available, with an average availability of 26%, 19%, and 16%. However, even during these months, when rental availability is the highest, the average is only 20%. So we highly recommend you always book a little in advance to make sure you get the rental of your dreams.

When will it be harder to find an available vacation rental in The Cotswolds?

The months with the lowest properties available in The Cotswolds are, in order, August, July, and June with respective average availability figures of 4%, 5%, and 7%, based on the previous year. During this period, the availability is very low (5%). It is therefore recommended to reserve early.

How many rentals are there in The Cotswolds?

We have 3,200 properties for you in The Cotswolds, provided by our 21 local and international partners.