As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to the Cotswolds, Harriet O'Brien picks out a selection of characterful places to stay, including B&Bs, hotels, self-catering and campsite, in this glorious Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in southern England.
From old coaching inns to appealing guest houses and self-catering cottages tucked into gloriously quiet valleys, the Cotswolds AONB is peppered with gorgeous options for all requirements of accommodation. So whether you’re seeking a chic hotel, a charming pub, a B&B with hosts on hand to offer local insight, a haven of a little country house to call your own for a few days or weeks, or a bucolic campsite, you’ll find something to suit your needs.
The businesses featured here have been selected because they show a commitment to minimising their impact on the environment, supporting their local community or protecting the AONB landscape. Working with the Cotswold Conservation Board, we've selected those that are members of Green Tourism and many that were part of the Our Land initiative in which businesses described how they sustain their environment, support their community, and share their knowledge of the local landscape.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Traveller's Guide to the Cotswolds:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Where to stay in the Cotswolds
Greyfield Farm
Five secluded, peaceful rural cottages with lovely log fires in three and a half acres of land, close to historic Bath, Wells, Glastonbury and Bristol. Enjoy relaxing in the hot tub and sauna. Includes free WiFi and gym. http://www.greyfieldfarm.com
Old Swan and Minster Mill, Witney
This is a bucolic, riverside 16th-century inn with a fine restaurant dishing up hearty gastro-pub fare, the old mill across the way offering the main accommodation, although the Old Swan has several creaky rooms above the dining area and a cottage. https://www.minstermill.co.uk
Three Ways House Hotel, Mickleton
Three Ways House Hotel with restaurant is home to the wacky Pudding Club and single handedly promotes the old fashioned steamed pud. The hotel, awarded a gold from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, has 48 rooms and encourages wildlife in the grounds. threewayshousehotel.com
Church Farm Country Cottages
Church Farm Country Cottages are 12, 4* cottages, tastefully converted cow byres and barns sporting vaulted ceilings and exposed beams sharing an indoor pool in The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, perfect for families and walkers. churchfarmcottages.com
Danby Cottages
Deep in the Forest of Dean lies this ex-forester's dwelling, a rehabilitated cottage offering family comfort in a calm and natural setting. danbycottages.co.uk
Culls Cottage
Culls, a traditional stone self-catering cottage dating from 1670, lovingly restored to preserve the traditional and yet lavished with contemporary luxuries to bring it bang up to date and an ideal base to explore all the highlights of The Cotswolds. ecochiccottages.com
Broadway Manor Cottages
Four award winning Cotswold holiday cottages and an apartment in the grounds of a Cotswold manor house, which dates back to the 16th century in the picturesque village of Broadway in the Cotswolds AONB. broadwaymanor.co.uk
Heath Farm Holiday Cottages
Five award-winning luxury self-catering holiday cottages lovingly converted from old stone farm buildings set in 70 acres of meadow and woodland. A perfect base for the whole family to explore the Cotswolds on foot or by bike. heathfarm.com
Westley Farm Cottages
Cozy self-catering farm cottages with flagstone floors and warm log fires. Rural views and walks straight from the front door across 75 acres of ancient woodland and wildflower meadows. Children and dogs welcome. westleyfarm.co.uk
Bears at Rose Cottage
Bears at Rose Cottage has two en suite rooms valuable for b&b in the village of Laurie Lee's Slad (immortalised in his book Cider with Rosie) and Swifts Hill nature reserve with its SSSI status, and the ancient Frith Wood. bearsatrosecottage.co.uk
Tucking Mill
Tucking Mill 5 unique, award winning, luxury self catering holiday cottages, perfect for romantic retreats, family holidays and weekend breaks with friends located in the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Midford Valley. tuckingmill.com
King John's Barn
King John's Barn is made up of two individual cottages, sleeping from 2-10 people extending an equally warm welcome to families and pets. It is a haven of peace and tranquility with outstanding views, set on the edge of Langley Farm. kingjohnscottages.co.uk
The Wharf House
A wonderful riverside restaurant with rooms in Over, just outside the city of Gloucester. All profits are used for the promotion and restoration of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust. thewharfhouse.co.uk
Stinchcombe Hill House
A stunning restoration project in an amazing location, is perfect for walkers or those who appreciate country living. Food is locally sourced (from the garden where possible) and your hosts delightfully warm & mildly eccentric! stinchcombehillhouse.co.uk
Squash Court B&B
Two rooms at this lovely deeply green B&B, which has wonderful views towards the Mendip Hills & Wales. Stunning walks on doorstep: Cotswold Way, unique ancient woodlands, and a yet only a few miles from Bath. Freshly baked biscuits/ cakes on arrival. squashcourtbath.co.uk
Bears at Rose Cottage
Bears at Rose Cottage is a detached 200 year old Cotswold stone cottage in the village of Slad, immortalised by Laurie Lee in his famous book "Cider with Rosie". On the doorstep to this lovely B&B you will discover Swifts Hill nature reserve with its SSSI status, and the ancient Frith Wood with its internationally renowned beech trees. There is one double and one twin room with no telly but free wifi although why not enjoy the private garden instead of gazing at a tiny screen? Home-cooked breakfasts are enjoyed in the cosy dining room, warmed on cold days by a log fire. Begin the day with a full English breakfast, cooked on the Aga, and sourced where possible from local farms. Breakfast is served in the dining room and on colder mornings enjoyed by the cosy log fire. In the evenings you can dine at the award winning Woolpack Inn, a 10 minute walk away in the centre of the village of Slad. bearsatrosecottage.co.uk
St Anne's B&B
There are 3 rooms for B&B on this small holding and orchard especially good for those walking The Cotswold Way which passes the front door. Involved in local cider making and apple juicing, all guests can taste their wares. st-annes-painswick.co.uk
Homelands B&B
Homelands, a B&B of comfort and elegance in a semi-rural location close to Cheltenham, with it's own 2 acre garden and fantastic views over Nottingham and Cleeve Hills, where guests can walk through Bushcombe Wood and access The Cotswolds Way. cotswoldsaccommodation.net
The Plough
The Plough Inn is a pub with 3 double en suite rooms, offering a warm welcome, real ales, cracking wines and delicious home cooked freshly prepared food in The North Cotswolds area. Dog friendly, it is perfect for walkers who like their grub. coldastonplough.com
Old Farm
Old Farm is a family run B&B with 3 bedrooms, based in a farmhouse which dates back to the 15th Century. A working farm, with a small campsite and farm shop, perfect for a family holiday in the beautiful walker's paradise of Cotswolds. oldfarmdorn.co.uk
Cowley House B&B
Cowley House B&B, a beautiful mid-17th century Cotswold stone house providing 4 star luxury bed-and-breakfast with 8 double rooms (one with a four poster) in Broadway close to walking trails and offering a delicious locally sourced breakfast. cowleyhouse-broadway.co.uk
Potters Hill Farm
A 3 room B&B at the heart of a 770 acre family farm, set in peaceful, mature parkland, supporting diverse bird and wildlife with breeding ewes and crops growing in abundance. country-accom.co.uk/potters-hill-farm
Thistledown Campsite
Thistledown Campsite offers more than just a beautiful spot to pitch a tent. Footpaths wind their way through 70 acres of ancient meadow and woodland; past streams, woodland ponds, Roman troughs, animal paddocks, picnic spots and land art. thistledown.org.uk
Tudor Caravan Park
Tudor Caravan Park, open all year, is a quiet country caravan site right alongside the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, and close to the world famous Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Slimbridge. tudorcaravanpark.co.uk
The Organic Farm Shop
There are lots of different ways to stay on Abbey Home Farm whether you choose a tent, a yurt, the hut, the shepherds hut or the lovely holiday cottage. The shop and cafe are open on Sundays so you can enjoy a homegrown sunday lunch and/or a good browse in the shop as well as long walks on the farm or sightseeing around Cirencester. Bring/come on your own bikes or hire them locally. theorganicfarmshop.co.uk
Dormy House
Dormy House is the perfect Cotswolds rural retreat. Think cosy corners, log fires and sumptuous interiors. Like home, but better. With two restaurants and a spa and gorgeous walks from the front door, it's pretty close to perfection. dormyhouse.co.uk
Mayfield House Hotel
Minutes off the M4 in the beautiful South Cotswold's, this family owned BW Mayfield House Hotel is the perfect spot to relax, unwind and explore. Highgrove, Westonbirt Arboretum, Royal Tetbury & Ancient Malmesbury are all on your doorstep. mayfieldhousehotel.co.uk/accommodation
Leigh Park Hotel and Vineyard
Leigh Park Country House Hotel & Vineyard, located in the picturesque town of Bradford on Avon, near Bath, is set in five acres of landscaped gardens, overlooking the picturesque Wiltshire Downs including 600 Reichensteiner vines. A classical Georgian country house hotel with charm, character and a subtle elegance it has its own Vine conservatoire Restaurant offering both traditional English and International cuisine using prime local produce together with home grown organic fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden. The Hotel offers 38 individually designed bedrooms; more traditional style rooms in the main house and sixteen brand new contemporary in the former Coach House. leighparkhotel.co.uk
The Ormond at Tetbury
The Ormond, a traditional Cotswold coaching inn with 15 rooms, has welcomed travellers since the 17th century. Ideally located in the centre of Tetbury, it's a great base from which to relax, eat well, drink well and explore this area. theormondattetbury.co.uk
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our
