When even Londoners tire of the speed of the city, they book a holiday to the Cotswolds.
Close to the English capital but worlds away mentally, the Cotswolds are a haven for relaxation and outdoor recreation. From long days spent in the spa hotels of the Cotswolds to long nights spent beside the pub fire in a luxury Cotswold hotel, the many towns and villages throughout the region have a warm and welcoming place for you to stay.
There’s no wrong place to base yourself in this beautiful region, but here are a few suggestions for where to stay in the Cotswolds and what Cotswolds hotels you can expect to find.
Image Credit and Location: Burleigh Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Where to stay in the Cotswolds
Explore these villages and spend the night in one of the best hotels in the Cotswolds.
Bibury
Nearest station: Kemble
One of the most charming villages in the Cotswolds (and in all of England, honest), Bibury is known for its Arlington Row 17th-century cottages which are a joy to stroll past en route to the oldest working trout farm in England.
Best Cotswolds hotel: The Swan Hotel.
The Swan Hotel is a four-star getaway that sits quietly on the River Coln, offering you a private cottage with a garden where you can sip your afternoon tea.
Painswick
Nearest station: Stroud
Called “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, Painswick is a mid-way point through the Cotswolds, making it a convenient stop to see the Rococo Gardens and walk to Painswick Beacon’s overlook.
Best Cotswolds hotel: The Painswick
In this Palladian house, the George’s Suite is the star of the show: The Painswick’s signature suite has a four-poster bed, roll-top bath, and private balcony putting all of Painswick in your sights.
Stroud
Nearest station: Stroud
Stroud puts the Five Valleys in view, granting you a stunning backdrop as you shop the vintage boutiques, sit for your evening cuppa, and meander through one of England’s best farmers markets.
Best Cotswolds hotel: Burleigh Court
Just outside of Stroud’s center, Burleigh Court has pet-friendly rooms so that you and your furry family member can stroll the gardens, snuggle by the fire, and nibble on (separate, of course) cakes and treats.
Image Credit and Location: Burleigh Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Stow-on-the-Wold
Nearest station: Kingham
The highest of Cotswold towns, Stow-on-the-Wold elevates your Cotswolds experience with its stone buildings, Iron Age fort, and an awesome Bonfire Evening festival.
Best Cotswolds hotel: The Porch House
Spend a night at The Porch House and you’ll have an excuse to spend all evening drinking at the oldest pub in the Cotswolds. Don’t expect a sticky bar floor and dorms, either; The Porch House shines its five stars nightly.
Image Credit and Location: Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Best hotels in the Cotswolds
Still searching for the best hotel in the Cotswolds for your night in the English countryside? We’ve handpicked a few other Cotswold hotels for your approval.
Thyme
Nearest station: Swindon
Thyme is a hotel in the Cotswolds where time stops. Think of it as your place in the Cotswolds countryside, complete with a meadowside spa that’ll give your mind, body, and soul a sense of peace.
Image Credit and Location: Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham, England, UK
Ellenborough Park
Nearest station: Cheltenham
Of the many luxury hotels in the Cotswolds, Ellenborough Park has a bevy of lavish suites ranging from elegant manor suites with opulent bathrooms to a private 19th-century lodge offering a secluded stay on this sprawling Cheltenham property.
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa
Nearest station: Moreton-in-Marsh
When you’re in need of an indulgent interlude during your adventure through the countryside, spa hotels in the Cotswolds like the Cotswold House Hotel & Spa are ideal. It’s “me-time” on your time, whether you’re spending the night or just the afternoon; do so in the salon, hydrotherapy pools, and aromatic steam room.
Image Credit and Location: Thyme, Southrop Manor Estate, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Which train station in London connects to the Cotswolds?
London Paddington station is your connection to the best hotels in the Cotswolds. Depending on your Cotswold hotel, your primary destination may be a major station like Cheltenham, Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucester, Worcester, Stonehouse, or Stroud.
Let us help you find the right one for the right price. Download the Trainline app, browse different routes from London to the Cotswolds by train, and purchase the cheapest tickets available. Need more Cotswolds info? Check out our articles on the best restaurants and pubs and our guide to Cotswold cheese.
Header Image Credit and Location: Burleigh Court, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, UK