The prettiest villages
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Bibury and Arlington Row | Called the most beautiful village in England; the stone cottages of Arlington Row were built as wool stores in 1380. | Near Cirencester |
| Bourton-on-the-Water | «The Venice of the Cotswolds»: a quiet river crossed by low stone bridges, and a model village children love. | Central Cotswolds |
| Castle Combe | A medieval village with no new house built since the seventeenth century, a little river and a stone bridge. | Southern Cotswolds |
| Broadway and Broadway Tower | A long high street of old stone houses, and a tower on the hill in a wide park with views over the countryside. | Northern Cotswolds |
Palaces and gardens
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Blenheim Palace | A vast palace with wide gardens and lakes, on the World Heritage list, on the edge of the Cotswolds. | Woodstock, about 1 h 30 min from London |
| Countryside walks | Paths between fields and villages, loveliest in spring and summer. | Between the villages |
Tips before you go
- A car or a guided tour is the easiest way between the villages, as public transport is limited.
- The best time is April to September; the famous villages get busy at weekends, so come in the morning.
- You need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK, and there are daily direct flights to London from Riyadh and Jeddah.
Hotels in the Cotswolds
Flights to London
More places nearby
- Things to do in the UK
- Things to do in Manchester
- Things to do in Scotland
- Things to do in the Lake District
- Things to do in London and Harrods
Visa
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Frequently asked questions
What are the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds?
Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Castle Combe and Broadway, with Blenheim Palace nearby.
How far are the Cotswolds from London?
About two hours by car to the centre, and Blenheim Palace about 1 h 30 min.
Are the Cotswolds good for families?
Yes: quiet villages, little rivers and easy walks, and a model village in Bourton-on-the-Water that children love.
Planning your trip to the United Kingdom? Read Travel to the UK from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.