Exploring the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a beautiful corner of England that's at the top of the list of places you must visit in the UK. Stretching from Ilmington in Warwickshire for over 100 miles to the historic city of Bath, it's officially an area of outstanding natural beauty. 'Wold' is an old English word meaning 'open rolling countryside in the uplands'.

When 'Wool' was King
Historically many of the Cotswolds towns and villages owe their initial prosperity to the wool industry. This trade lasted several centuries, with over half a million sheep grazing the land at one stage, and a highly significant volume of trade with Europe. Flemish weavers were brought to England to cope with demand, and many of the wool merchants grew wealthier than the King! As a result, numerous fine homes and churches were built over the centuries from the wealth of this trade. Fast-forward to present day life and the booming wool industry has long gone - however you still find sheep and arable farming on the open rolling hills. The local breed 'the Cotswold' can produce an impressive fleece in excess of 10 Kilos.

English Castles and Market Towns
Amongst the contours of the countryside you'll find a whole host of interesting places to visit including English castles, ancient churches, glorious gardens, stately homes and many historic houses. Head out towards the picturesque market towns and you'll find some of the oldest chartered weekly markets in the country! You can literally spend days out exploring the picturesque Cotswold countryside and many visitors take time out for a leisurely ramble - stopping for refreshments in a traditional Cotswolds pub.

Beautiful Cotswolds Scenery
Magnificent parkland and lakes, spectacular walks and breathtaking scenery awaits you with a wide range of wildlife such as badgers, beavers, butterflies, wild deer, kingfishers, nightingales, otters, egrets, owls and precious wild orchids. A 'top of the list destination' if: you're exploring the UK for the first time; seeking a traditional Cotswolds Cottage holiday for a family break, or looking for a romantic weekend away. You'll find plenty to do and see with pretty towns and villages scattered everywhere, providing a picture-perfect backdrop, easily identified as 'The Cotswolds' by the mellow coloured stone buildings. Alternatively, visit Cotswolds Water Park - there's award winning modernist architecture and spectacular lakeside accommodation available for those looking for all of the modern-day luxuries in a traditional Cotswolds countryside setting.

Cotswolds Towns and Villages
Places in the Cotswolds where you may wish to research before your visit are: Adlestrop, Amberley, Bath, Bibury, Blockley, Bourton on the Water, Broadway, Burford, Castle Combe, Charlbury, Cheltenham Spa, Chippenham, Chipping Campden, Chipping Norton, Chipping Sodbury, Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park, Fairford, Gloucester, Guiting Power, Ilmington, Lacock, Lechlade, The Slaughters, Malmesbury, Mickleton, Minster Lovell, Moreton in Marsh, Nailsworth, Northleach, Painswick, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, Snowshill, Stanton, Stow on the Wold, Stroud, Tetbury, Willersey, Winchcombe, Woodstock, and Wotton under Edge.