When out and about on our Cotswold Tours, of course we visit the region's renowned villages, such as The Slaughters, Bourton on the Water, Stanton and Bibury, famously attracting visitors from near and far. However, we delight in straying off the tourist trail to enjoy lesser-known corners of the Cotswolds, which offer a more intimate and authentic glimpse into local life. Places no less beautiful or extraordinary, hidden gems with their own charm, off the tourist radar.
Narrowing down our list of the top five secret villages in the Cotswold was no easy task, given the abundance of choice. Nevertheless, after much deliberation, here they are, in ascending order, each one delightful in its own way.
Our fifth best secret village in the Cotswolds is Bledington
5. Bledington
Bledington lies in the Even lode valley, and forms part of the boundary between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The village is built round a rectangle of streets, with the 12th century parish church in the south corner, and the green, with most of the older houses near it. The broad village green is a large unenclosed stretch of grass, with a stream running through it. It has a vibrant community shop and cafe largely run by friendly volunteers and the Kings Head pub, not only serving excellent beer and food, but also post-office services twice a week! There are many pretty cottages, some thatch, and lovely gardens, some of the most beautiful in the Cotswolds.
Our fourth best secret village in the Cotswolds is Broadwell
4. Broadwell
Broadwell, a peaceful and undiscovered gem in the Cotswolds, boasts a picturesque village green surrounded by charming Cotswold stone cottages. The village is steeped in history, with a Norman church, built on the site of a Saxon church. The village is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. There is an enormous and magnificent yew tree in the church yard thought to be 1300 years old one of the largest in the Cotswolds. Next to it, a very attractive manor house, straight out of a Jane Austen novel. A gentle stream flows across the green and over the road creating a ford only a few inches deep. The Fox Inn, is situated by the green and serves delicious pub fare and local Donington ales, completing the perfect Cotswold experience.
Our third best secret village in the Cotswolds is Blockley
3. Blockley
In our opinion, Blockley is one of the most interesting, beautiful, and underestimated villages in the Cotswolds. With its mix of quaint cottages and underlying industrial history. Blockley was the main centre for the Cotswold silk industry in the 18th and 19th centuries with silk mills using the water from the brook which flows through the village today. In the centre of the high street there is the Russell spring, where the villagers used to collect their water. Many locals still swear by its health properties. There are some truly beautiful cottages and houses spanning centuries of architectural design, many with fabulous gardens. Some of the gardens are open annually for the National Garden Scheme, well worth a visit. There is a useful shop and excellent cafe.
The Cotswold village is regularly featured in the television series Father Brown.
Our Second-best secret village in the Cotswolds is Longborough
2. Longborough
Longborough is nestled on the hillside above the beautiful Evenlode valley just North of Stow-on-the-Wold. This beautiful Cotswold village is largely undiscovered and unspoiled, a haven of peace and tranquillity where ordinary life goes on much as it always has done. There has been a settlement at Longborough (named after the Long Barrow above the village) for about 5,000 years. The present church St James’ dates back to the 12th century, inside you will find there is a beautifully carved Jacobean memorial to William and Elizabeth Leigh, and an effigy of a 14th century knight in armour. The community owned village shop and café is worth visiting and the village has a Donnington pub with a lovely view over the village from the beer garden. There is also an acclaimed opera house!
And our best secret village in the Cotswolds is Guiting Power
1. Guiting Power
A village in the heart of the North Cotswold countryside in the upper reaches of the Windrush Valley. Rather uniquely, 67 of the village houses are owned by a charitable trust set up in 1968. These have affordable rents, ensuring that local people can still live in the village. There is a wonderful cafe in the part-time Post Office, an excellent farm shop, and two fantastic pubs. It has a rich history with evidence to suggest it has been continuously occupied for at least 4000 years, with a Bronze Age barrow, the remains of a Saxo-Norman chapel and a church of Norman origin. The real beauty of the village are the far reaching views of the rolling hills and surrounding farmland. Lovely to sit on the green with a delicious takeaway coffee and watch the slow pace of village life go by.
We feel it is in these places that our visitors can see the real Cotswolds and that our tours offer uniquely enjoyable experiences, away from the crowds and traffic. We hope, that in visiting these special villages, you will go away with a better understanding of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Book your tour with us and let us take you on a memorable day of discovery. Have a look at our Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more photos and reels of what we’ve been up to on our Cotswold tours.
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