secret garden tour cotswolds

Tour Information

• Book Your Tour
• Testimonials

Gift Vouchers

• Cotswolds Tour Blog

Two hour Guided Cotswolds Day Tour of villages with a cream tea served inside my 16th Century Secret Thatched Cottage

Secret cottage cotswold tours are permanently closed until further notice., i run a two hour tour of picturesque hidden cotswold villages that includes an invitation into my private thatched home for a traditional cotswold cream tea..

Whether you’re looking for a Great Daytrip from London or Oxford, staying here on holiday or just a local who wants to explore more of the area, our tour will exceed your expectations. The two-hour guided tour of North Cotswold villages, combined with a cream tea served inside Secret Cottage is unforgettable.

This is an extremely rare and totally unique experience. Not a cream tea served in a tearoom or hotel, but a cream tea that is actually served in the surroundings of a quintessential English Cotswold Cottage .

My cottage is called Secret Cottage, I live here with my family and I want to share with you what I experience every day.

I will take you in our 8 seater minibus to some of the lesser known hidden villages that are inaccessible by public transport. The unspoilt villages that I’ve carefully selected are made up of thatched cottages, clipped lawns and dusty lanes, perfectly illustrating what life was like back in the 16th century.

Having lived in the area for thirty years, my local knowledge is invaluable to visitors and you’ll experience it ‘as if you are a local’.

I’m lucky to have travelled extensively throughout the world and know what it’s like to get home, only to discover you’ve missed an amazing secret, all because you weren’t familiar with the area. What gave me the idea of starting the tour was that every tourist yearns to see inside these Cotswold cottages and to see how the English conduct their daily lives…….. I suddenly thought……… ‘I live in a pretty thatched cottage and I’d love to show people what I experience every day’. That’s why I created Secret Cottage, which is an incredible experience and totally unique.

I’ll make sure that you have a wonderful time in this unspoilt part of England. I’m here as your personal Cotswold Tourist Guide to take you on a unique and memorable tour through hidden villages we know and love.

My cottage is called ‘Secret Cottage’ and is quintessentially perfect for guests to experience a step back in time and see what it’s like to live inside a very historic and quaint Cotswold cottage that is full of character. You’ll have a tour of the cottage and see the extraordinary antique furniture and paintings. There are three inglenook fireplaces which are open log fires used to heat the cottage. You can sit in two of the inglenook fireplaces and warm yourself on cold days. The winding stairs, doors and floorboards are all made from original elm planks. Incredibly, my heavily beamed Grade 2 Listed cottage is nearly 500 years old!

The interior is like a museum and is wonderfully cosy.

During the tour, you’ll visit Secret Cottage which is my private thatched home, for a cream tea. We cook on an Aga which is a traditional English stove. When you walk in you will smell the scones being baked, which gives off a fantastic aroma. The scones are served with delicious English clotted cream and strawberry jam, together with a large selection of cakes, biscuits, sandwiches and many other temptations.

The cream tea is a surprise, it changes every day, you’ll be overwhelmed by the home-made baking which derives from family recipes handed down through the generations.

The tea is served on the finest Blue Colonel Spode bone china, which makes your cup of loose-leaf Earl Grey tea, or coffee so much more enjoyable. The unique experience of having tea in the cottage is without doubt something that you will never forget. Most soft drinks are available, including herbal teas and decaffeinated drinks. When booking please advise of any special dietary requirements or allergies of those in your party. We have a great deal of experience with all sorts of diets.

No visit to Secret Cottage is ever the same. Different people, different cakes and great conversation, whilst you are trying all the homemade delicious treats in the drawing room ‘ as if you are a local ’. You’ll not feel hungry when you leave because there is such a variety of tempting cakes, biscuits and sandwiches to choose from.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you can also enjoy our English cottage garden with its well-stocked borders, winding paths and topiary hedges. No traffic here, just the sound of cockerels and horses hooves.

All our guests are overwhelmed by the experience of being invited into a private home with many of them describing it as fairyland. Increasingly, many say Secret Cottage was the highlight of their trip to the UK. Many famous people have visited Secret Cottage including ……… senators, celebrities, actors, actresses, lords, ladies, television personalities, pop stars and a president who came with his family. Many return to take the trip again with friends and family. Our record is four times for one couple.

Each tour is unique because of the different seasons and local events. We consistently deliver a bespoke memorable tour that is guaranteed to please everybody with plenty of surprises.

During the tour you’ll see a selection of amazing honey coloured limestone houses and cottages, view landscapes and drive through parkland, see topiary, historic manor houses and stunning ancient churches. You’ll see National Trust houses, farms, gardens, wells, streams, fords, ponds, barns, dovecotes, animals, wildlife and village greens. We can’t guarantee that you’ll see all of these because our tour route changes depending on the seasons. You’ll visit picturesque villages that most tourists never get to see – stopping off at some and driving through others.

But that’s not all…

You’ll discover things that aren’t in your guidebook. You won’t find them listed in the tourist information centre, books or maps……

With only eight passenger seats in the minibus, you are able to choose when you’d like to stop and take your pictures.

Take a Cotswolds Tour from London or Oxford – we greet you at Moreton-in-Marsh railway station.

The pickup point is the ticket office of Moreton-in-Marsh railway station at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30 – we do not pick up or drop off anywhere else. Many arrive by train from Oxford or London-Paddington to spend the day in Moreton in Marsh as a daytrip and take our tour at a pre booked time. Please click on the following link for [ train information ]. We do not have room in the minibus for luggage, you can store your luggage near the station [ luggage storage ].

The cost of your 2 hour tour is £50 per person which includes a traditional Cotswolds cream tea served inside Secret Cottage.

This is a mixed group tour. You can take the tour on your own, as a couple, or a group, with a maximum of 8 seats.

Visiting the Cotswolds is a great day trip from London. LONDON-Paddington railway station to Moreton-in-Marsh railway station. You can depart LONDON-Paddington at 07.50 or 08.51 to arrive in Moreton-in-Marsh 90 minutes later. There are trains throughout the day, if you return to London on the 16.53, you arrive back to enjoy the evening at 18.29.[ Train times ]

The railway station is just 4 minutes’ walk from the town centre of Moreton-in-Marsh. During you daytrip you can explore the market town of Moreton in Marsh. Whilst exploring, you can take our tour at 10.30, 12.30, 14.30 and 16.30. It is advisable to book online, but you can also turn up at the meeting point and take the tour if there are any available seats.

We are No1 on TripAdvisor for Cotswold tours. Please see the following nonstop 5 star reviews on [ TripAdvisor ] We have received over 2,000 staggering five star reviews.

My tour and visit to Secret Cottage is a truly memorable experience, which should be on everyone’s bucket list. All in all you’ll spend two hours being my special guest. I guarantee you a fantastic day out with plenty of surprises and you’ll remember this day forever!

My family and I look forward to meeting you.

Not quite ready to book your Cotswold Day Tour ? Sign up to receive our newsletter and we’ll send you our news and offers to keep Secret Cotswold Cottage Tours in your mind.   Sign up here .

Your host – Becky

I’m Becky from Secret Cottage. I am married with two children.

My family and I run a 2 hour tour of the Cotswolds which includes a cream tea inside my private thatched home.

A visit to London wouldn’t be complete without being invited inside Becky’s Private Thatched Family Home for a traditional English Cream Tea. Rick Steves loved going inside Secret Cottage.

Great Daytrip from London

Visiting the Cotswolds is a great day trip from London. LONDON-Paddington railway station to Moreton-in-Marsh railway station. You can depart LONDON-Paddington at 07.50 or 08.51 to arrive in Moreton-in-Marsh railway station . 90 minutes later. There are trains throughout the day, if you return to London on the 16.53, you arrive back to enjoy the evening at 18.29 [ Train times ]

What our visitors say

From the moment we entered the garden, we were greeted with a salver of mini scones and strawberries, Becky introduced herself and gave a little talk about the cottage and the thatched roof. Then, we went inside and experienced something that we’ll never forget. We got a tour of the cottage and were served a cream tea to beat all cream teas! Especially as my wife is gluten free, they bent over backwards to make sure she had a wide variety to choose from. Becky and her family are so lucky to live the dream in this very cosy cottage. We’re coming back again next year

Tony G London

My wife and I are from the United States and planned a trip to London to see all the typical sites and history, we were interested in a trip outside of London into a more rural area and started looking at western England for day trips. I found Secret Cottage online and checked it out. We corresponded with Becky regarding our schedule and asked for some guidance and she was great to deal with. Going inside her cottage was the best part of our trip to the UK, the tea was unforgettable and HIGHLY recommended.

Kevin N.Carolina

Wonderful experience. Becky must have been cooking for days. If she gets out of the tour industry, she certainly could become a world class chef. To look around inside her cottage was a wonderful experience and helped us really appreciate what living in a cottage must have been like hundreds of years ago. Make sure she tells you about the kitchen stove. Becky and Polly, thank you for the most delightful conversation and for welcoming our family into you beautiful home.

T.Matthews Edinburgh

Information

Train Times to/from London

Luggage Storage

Hotel and Bed & Breakfast

Cotswolds Blog

Sign-up to our Newsletter

Cotswolds Day Tours of Bourton-on-the-Water | Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station | Cotswolds Tour of  Stow-on-the-Wold | Cotswolds Tour of  Chipping Campden | Cotswolds Tour of  Great Tew | Cotswolds Tour of  Lower Slaughter | Cotswolds Tour of  Chastleton | Cotswolds Tour of  Rollright | Cotswolds Tour of  Bibury | Cotswolds Tour of  Burford | cotswolds day tour  of  Broadway | C otswold Day Tour  of  Toddington | Cotswolds Tour of  Cheltenham | Cotswolds Guided Tour | Pub Lunch | England's Oldest Inn | Cotswolds Day Tours  of  Rollright Stones English Heritage | Cotswolds Tour of  Cotswold Manor House | Cotswold Cream Tea | Cotswold Tour | C otswold Day Tours and Executive Travel | Cotswold Sightseeing | C otswold Day Tours  of  Stanton | Cotswolds Tour of  Stanway | Cotswolds Day Tours  of  Bourton-on-the-Hill | C otswolds Day Trip from London to Broadway Tower | Cotswold Tours | London Paddington | National Trust | Snowshill | Lavender Fields | Great Days Out in the Cotswolds | Best Cotswold Tour | Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Cotswold Day Trip | Things to do in the Cotswolds | Cotswold Hidden Places to Visit | Cotswold Secret Locations | Cotswold Group Tours | Cotswold Journeys | Visit Cotswolds | Cotswalds Tours | Cotswold Travel | Solo Farmhouse | Thatched Cotswolds Cottage Tour | Famous Cotswolds | Cotswolds Small Group Tour | Cotswolds Tour from Moreton in Marsh | Dalesford | Cotswolds Day Trip from London | Cotswolds Tourism | Cotswolds Day Tours

© Secret Cottage Cotswold Tours 2023

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

13 gorgeous gardens in the Cotswolds you can visit

By Author Lucy Dodsworth

Posted on Last updated: 11 March 2024

Bursting with colour and fragrance, the Cotswolds is home to some of the country’s most glorious gardens. They feature creative designs dating from the Rococo and Arts and Crafts periods to the present day, with a wide variety of plants decorated with statues, water features and follies.

We’ve chosen 13 of our favourite gardens in the Cotswolds which make a great day out, whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own garden or just want to get out into nature. They range from traditional English country gardens to exotic plantings inspired by Italy, India and the Far East. Many have shops and cafés you can enjoy too – and several are dog-friendly .

Visiting gardens in the Cotswolds

We’ve only listed gardens below which are regularly open to the public. There are others, including Barnsley House , Badminton House and Abbey House Manor , which run occasional garden open days – either independently or as part of the National Open Garden Scheme (see below).

Want to bring your dog? Dogs on short leads are welcome at Batsford Arboretum, Painswick Rococo Garden, Cerney House Gardens and Iford Manor Gardens, but not the other gardens.

Several gardens in the Cotswolds are part of the National Trust or Historic Houses heritage organisations. Members get free entry, so if you’re planning on visiting multiple gardens and stately homes it may be worth joining. Annual adult membership of the National Trust costs £91 or Historic Houses £68. We’ve listed which properties are members of which organisations below:

• National Trust : Hidcote, Snowshill Manor and Gardens, and Upton House and Gardens.
• Historic Houses : Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Sezincote, Sudeley Castle and Gardens, Painswick Rococo Garden and The Garden at Miserden.

National Open Garden Scheme

You can also explore some of the private gardens in the Cotswolds which aren’t normally open to the public as part of the National Open Garden Scheme . The scheme lets visitors come and take a look around private gardens on special open days to help raise money for charity.

In 2024 there are 82 gardens open as part of the scheme, including Daylesford House, Stanway House, Westonbirt School and the Lords of the Manor Hotel. There are also days when whole villages like Blockley, Stanton and Wyck Rissington open up their gardens to visitors.

Map of gardens in the Cotswolds

Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts-inspired garden located a few miles north of Chipping Campden . American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnson created the garden between 1907 to 1938 after his mother bought the attached manor house. He started with a blank canvas and created a stunning 10.5-acre space that’s become one of the best-known and loved gardens in the Cotswolds.

Johnson was a keen plant collector who travelled around the world looking for rare and unusual species. And he used his travels as inspiration for a series of outdoor rooms at Hidcote, which are divided by walls or topiary hedges and each have a separate theme and different plantings.

Hidcote is open daily 10am–5pm from April–October, 11am–4pm daily in March and October, and 11am–4pm at weekends only from November–February. Entry costs £10–£18 adults/£5–£9 children (depending on the time of year), or is free for National Trust members.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Less than half a mile away from Hidcote is Kiftsgate Court Gardens, which is the work of three generations of female gardeners. It started with Heather Muir in the 1920s, who was a close friend of Hidcote’s Lawrence Johnson. In contrast to the more formal style there, Muir wanted Kiftsgate to have an informal feel and to develop organically, rather than planning it in advance.

Her daughter Diany Binny carried on the work, adding an Italian garden and developing the fragrant Kiftsgate rose. And the garden is now looked after by Heather’s granddaughter Anne Chambers, who has maintained it and added her own touches with a water garden and sculptures.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens are open 12pm–6pm on Sundays to Thursdays from May–August, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays in April (2pm–6pm) and September (12pm–6pm). Entry costs £11 adults/£3 children, or is free for Historic Houses members.

Snowshill Manor and Gardens

Sixteenth-century Snowshill Manor was restored by Edwardian architect and poet Charles Paget Wade, and it’s now used to display the huge collections of weird and wonderful objects he amassed over his lifetime. As well as restoring the house, Wade also transformed the gardens, creating an Arts and Crafts-style series of outdoor rooms, with accents painted in his signature ‘Wade Blue’.

There are lots of interesting details to uncover, including the Nychthemeron (a clock painted with astronomical and zodiac symbols), dovecote and sundial. It even features a pond with a model Cornish seaside village called Wolf’s Cove, complete with miniature fishing boats.

Snowshill Manor is open daily from March–October and at weekends only in November. Entry costs £14 adults/£7 children, or is free for National Trust members.

Bourton House Garden

Bourton House Garden in Bourton-on-the-Hill is a classic English country garden surrounding a Georgian manor house. In the 1980s, the Paice family bought the house and turned the neglected wilderness around it into an award-winning garden, creating water features from natural springs, building a shade house, adding herbaceous borders, a knot garden and parterre.

Also just across the road is a seven-acre field planted with different species of trees, including the Japanese Cherry, Sugar Maple and Wellingtonia (a printed guide is available to help you identify them). Visitors can also call into the Tithe Barn café for lunch or tea and homemade cakes.

Bourton House Garden is open 10am–5pm on Tuesdays to Fridays from April until the end of October. Entry costs £10 adults/free for children under 16.

Batsford Arboretum

Located west of Moreton-in-Marsh , Batsford Arboretum stretches across 60 acres which are filled with thousands of varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. It was created by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, first Lord Redesdale and grandfather of the infamous Mitford sisters.

Mitford took inspiration from his time in China and Japan, and Batsford is known for its collection of bamboo and Japanese flowering cherry trees, whose pastel pink blossoms dazzle in springtime. But there’s plenty of colour year-round, from snowdrops and bluebells to orchids, buttercups and autumn leaves. You can also take part in seasonal walks, guided tours and workshops.

Batsford Arboretum is open daily from 9.30am–5pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 10am–5pm on Sundays. Entry costs £9 adults/£8.10 concessions/£3.15 children.

Located close to both Batsford Arboretum and Bourton House Garden, Sezincote is a real contrast to the traditional English country garden. This Indian-style house and garden was created by Samuel Pepys Cockerell in 1798 and was based on the designs of Mogul palaces of Rajasthan.

Among the plants and flowers you’ll find stone sculptures of elephants and sacred cows, a bronze serpent, inscriptions of Sufi poetry on the Persian garden steps and a temple to the Indian Sun God Surya. There’s also a spectacular central fountain, a curving orangery that’s filled with climbing plants, and a series of spring-fed pools which run down the hillside to the River Evenlode.

Sezincote is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Bank Holiday Mondays 11am–5pm from April–October, and 11am–4pm from November to March (excluding December). Entry to the gardens costs £9 adults/£3 children, or is free for Historic Houses members.

Upton House and Gardens

In the northeast of the Cotswolds, National Trust Upton House and Gardens was the 1930s country retreat of Lord and Lady Bearsted. Lord Bearsted was heir to the Shell fortune and the couple were renowned philanthropists. Lady Bearsted hired Kitty Lloyd-Jones to work on the gardens, a pioneering female garden designer and one of the first women to get a degree in horticulture.

Kitty transformed the garden into a place of pleasure, with soft planting, a mirror pool, wild garden of cherry trees and an enchanting bog garden around a natural spring. There’s also plenty of space to sit and relax, and the garden is a haven for birds, bees, butterflies and wildlife.

Upton House and Gardens is open 10am–5pm daily (11am–4pm from November to February). Entry costs £14 adults/£7 children, or is free for National Trust members.

Sudeley Castle Gardens

Sudeley Castle has a regal history dating back over 1000 years, and is the only private castle in England with a queen buried in its grounds. Surrounding the castle are 10 different gardens, including the Queens’ Garden – named after the four queens who visited the castle. This was once a Tudor vegetable garden, but now has more than 80 varieties of roses on display.

There’s also the Knot Garden with its intricately shaped hedges, the Ruins Garden with the remains of the 15th-century Banqueting Hall, the White Garden next to St Mary’s Church and the romantic Secret Garden, designed by current owner Lady Ashcombe to celebrate her marriage.

Sudeley Castle is normally open daily from April–October. Entry costs £19.50 adults/£8.75 children, or is free for Historic Houses members.

Painswick Rococo Garden

Tucked away in a secluded valley on the edge of Painswick , Painswick Rococo Garden is the last surviving Rococo garden in the country. It dates back to the 1740s and was built as an ornamental pleasure garden for wealthy landowner Benjamin Hyett, with winding paths, follies, ponds and viewpoints designed to amuse and delight the guests at his garden parties.

When fashions moved on, the garden was left abandoned and overgrown. But it was carefully restored in the 1980s, with the help of a 1748 painting by a local artist which showed how it would’ve looked at the time. Now you can follow the woodland walk, explore the maze and kitchen garden, and admire the Cotswold views. It’s also a great place to see snowdrops in spring.

Painswick Rococo Garden is open from mid January–December (days and times vary each month). Entry costs £11.60 adults/£5.40 children, or is free for Historic Houses members.

The Garden at Miserden

The 17th-century walled garden at Miserden has a timeless feel, with a deer park as a backdrop and views out across the Golden Valley. Highlights of the garden include a topiary yew walk created by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who also designed a wing of the house, an ancient mulberry tree planted in 1620, and an unusual sycamore tree that has grown right through a Cotswold stone wall.

You can also see the longest mixed borders in private ownership, with over 90 metres of roses, clematis, delphiniums, shrubs and herbaceous plants. And there’s a café in an Edwardian glasshouse, local gifts for sale in the Potting Shed Shop, and regular art and craft workshops.

The Garden at Miserden is open on Wednesdays to Sundays 10am–5pm from April to September. Entry costs £12 adults/free for children under 16, and is free for Historic Houses members.

Cerney House Gardens

Cerney House Gardens are a romantic, secluded spot located just north of Cirencester. The late owner, Lady Angus, fell in love with Cerney House’s original Victorian kitchen garden, and spent years restoring it with the help of her daughter Barbara. An icehouse was uncovered and a herb garden added, and now the kitchen garden supplies fresh produce to family and friends.

The rest of the garden has also grown organically, with trailing roses, a nature trail, wildflower bank and woodland. It’s particularly pretty in spring when you can see snowdrops, daffodils, tulips and bluebells blooming. And there are self-service refreshments in the bothy tea shop.

Cerney House Gardens are open daily 10am–7pm. Entry costs £6 adults/£1 children.

Highgrove Gardens

Highgrove House near Tetbury is the much-loved country retreat of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Since the King bought the estate in 1980, he’s transformed the gardens, making them as sustainable as possible by using organic materials, recycling and conserving water. And visitors can take a look around the gardens on one of their small group tours, led by an expert guide.

There’s a series of different interlinked gardens, including a cottage garden, wildflower meadow, stumpery, thyme walk and kitchen garden. And they’re dotted with sculptures, water features and topiary (though note you’re not allowed to take photos on the tour). There’s also a garden shop and the Orchard Room, where you can treat yourself to a Champagne afternoon tea.

Highgrove Garden Tours run on selected dates between April and September and need to be booked in advance. Tours cost £34.50 per person (children under nine not permitted).

Iford Manor Gardens

Take a trip to Italy without leaving the Cotswolds at the romantic Grade I-listed Iford Manor Gardens, east of Bradford on Avon . The gardens were designed by Edwardian landscape architect Harold Peto in the early 20th century. He travelled across the world designing gardens for the aristocracy, and took inspiration from Italian, Byzantine, Roman and Oriental designs.

Iford Manor’s current owners, the Cartwright-Hignett family, have carried on his legacy, restoring and extending the garden, which features terraces, a loggia, columns, statues and water features among its plants and flowers. There’s also the award-winning Iford Manor Kitchen restaurant, which does a great Sunday lunch, and the garden hosts summer concerts and a jazz festival.

Iford Manor is open 11am–4pm on Wednesdays to Sundays from April–October. Entry costs £10 adults/£9 concessions (children under 10 not permitted) , with discounts if you book online.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Save for later

You might also like

13 stunning stately homes in the Cotswolds you can visit

The complete guide to National Trust properties in the Cotswolds

The best time to visit the Cotswolds: A month by month guide

Copying of content from this site is not permitted.

A warm welcome to Cotswold Garden Tours

Here at Cotswold Garden Tours, we pride ourselves in creating bespoke tours of beautiful gardens that are informative and interactive and with an emphasis on plants, garden design, and great hospitality. The tour sizes are kept deliberately small, around twenty guests, to allow everyone to engage with the garden owners, head gardeners, and expert tour operators. Our carefully selected gardens incorporate year-round interest, specialist plant collections, homemade refreshments and a relaxed and informal environment. We hope lovely memories are created.

Half-day Garden Tours

Broughton Grange Gardens

Designed by award-winning landscape designers in 2000, the fabulous gardens centre around a walled garden. These consist of three terraces containing bold topiary with luxuriant perennials wrapped around them.

Tour dates:

• Tuesday 20th August 2024, 10.20am.

Rodmarton Manor

The grand house and gardens were designed by Ernest Barnsley, a follower of William Morris, from 1909 to 1929. The garden layout survives to this day.

• Tuesday 2nd July 2024, 10.30am.

Daglingworth House

The stunning gardens of Daglingworth House have been created by their talented owners, David and Etta Howard over the last 30 or so years.

• Tuesday 13th August 2024, 10.30am.

Bourton House Gardens

In 1983 the new owners, Richard and Monique Paice set about designing and building the perfect garden, from a neglected wilderness.

• Tuesday 6th August 2024, 10.30am.

Brockworth Court Gardens

An informal yet bold, tapestry-style garden complements this stunning Tudor mansion wonderfully. Dating from the early 16 th Century, the manor was visited by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Before that, it served as a monastery.

• Monday 22nd July 2024, 10.30am.

Cedar House Gardens

Since 1978 David and Sandra Burbidge have developed their six-acre garden and arboretum around some lovely mature trees, including a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon, after which their home is named.

• Wednesday 3rd July 2024, 1.00pm.
• Tuesday 22nd October 2024, 1.00pm.

Hill Close Gardens

These historic and unique ‘detached’ gardens were created in 1845 by Mr Edward Wilson when he divided up his land into garden plots to rent to tenants (predominantly shop owners) who had relative and newly acquired wealth.

• Tuesday 8th October 2024.

Batsford Arboretum

1st Lord Redesdale planted his ‘wild garden’ in the 1890s, taking inspiration from his time spent in the Far East, notably China and Japan. His exclusive knowledge enabled him to plant botanically important collections of Japanese Maples, flowering Cherries, Mountain Ash, and Bamboo.

• Monday 4th November 2024, 10.20am.

Berkeley Castle Gardens

The eight acres of gardens have been developed by successive generations of the Berkeley family and the castle walls have been softened with borders and flowers.

• Tuesday 9th July 2024, 10.45am.

Full-day Garden Tours

Miserden & Painswick Gardens

Miserden Park Garden is a timeless and elegant walled garden which overlooks historic Deer Park and the Golden Valley below. Painswick Rococo Gardens were created in the 1740s as a fanciful pleasure garden by wealthy landowner Benjamin Hyett. It is the country’s last remaining Rococo garden.

• Wednesday 24th July 2021, 10.30am.

Packington Hall & Maxstoke Castle Gardens

• 9.00am – Coach departs from Kingham.
• 10.30am – Teas, coffees and biscuits on arrival at Packington Hall.
• 10.45am – Lady Guernsey to guide us around her impressive house and gardens.
• 12.15pm – Lunch in the Pompeian Room; to consist of poached salmon with lemon & chive mayonnaise, coronation chicken, brie, basil and tomato tart, gourmet rice salad, mixed leaf salad, watermelon, feta & edamame bean salad, tomato salad with black olives and citrus dressing, individual lemon tart with fresh raspberries and creme fraiche, tea and coffee, selection of red and white wine.
• 1.15pm – Depart for Maxstoke Castle.
• 1.30pm – A tour of the Castle and gardens by the owner, Edwina Fetherston-Dilke.
• 3.15 pm – Tea, coffee and a selection of cakes and biscuits.
• 3.30pm – Time to wander the gardens at your leisure.
• 4.00pm – Depart from Maxstoke Castle.
• 5.30pm – Arrive back in Kingham.
• Price : £220.00 per person.

• Chauffeur Services
• Cotswold Club

Cotswold Garden Tour

Experience a day of pure horticultural bliss on our Cotswold Garden Tour. Join us as we guide you through some of the most enchanting and beloved gardens in England. Immerse yourself in the charm of traditional English gardens and discover the beauty of the Cotswolds region.

In the North Cotswolds, you’ll encounter a plethora of award-winning gardens, from the renowned Hidcote Manor to the picturesque Kiftsgate Court and the serene Bourton House. In the South, marvel at the exquisite Barnsley House and the breathtaking Iford Manor Gardens . And no garden tour would be complete without a visit to King Charles’s famous Highgrove Gardens .

Prepare to be captivated by hidden gardens, breathtaking vistas, and fragrant herbaceous borders adorned with English roses. Everywhere you turn, you’ll be greeted by an explosion of color from countless blooming plants.

The gardens we’ve mentioned are just a taste of the stunning spaces awaiting you on our Cotswold Garden Tour. We can tailor the tour to suit your specific interests, and as you travel between gardens in our luxurious vehicles, you’ll have the opportunity to explore villages and landmarks along the way.

Immerse yourself in the quintessentially English experience by indulging in an “afternoon tea” at one of our exquisite Cotswold hotels or the charming cafes within the gardens. The choice is yours!

Don’t miss out on this incredible journey into the heart of English horticulture. Join us on our Cotswold Garden Tour and create unforgettable memories in some of the most captivating gardens our country has to offer.

Tour Highlights

• Visit award-winning gardens such as Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court, Bourton House, Barnsley House, Iford Manor Gardens, and Highgrove Gardens.
• Experience the charm of traditional English gardens and the beauty of the Cotswolds region.
• Explore hidden gardens, breathtaking vistas, and fragrant herbaceous borders adorned with English roses.
• (Optional) Enjoy an “afternoon tea” at exquisite Cotswold hotels or charming cafes within the gardens.
• Tailor the tour to suit your specific interests and have the opportunity to explore villages and landmarks along the way.

The Cotswolds: God’s Footprint

The Cotswolds region is like a slice of heaven. The guiding of Eddie and his team brought our details of history which kept our group of 6 (ages: 69 to 7) entertained. I cannot say enough about the professionalism and friendly caring services.

Enquire About this Tour

Preferred date*

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Month January February March April May June July August October September November December

Year 2024 2025 2026

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and agree to be contacted by Cotswolds Tours & Travel.

Please leave this field empty.

Recommended Tours

Cotswold lavender farm private tour & the cotswolds.

We’re not going mad! Although Provence is around a 1,000 miles away it’s ju...

Our Famous Cotswold Tour

Join us on Our Famous Cotswold tour, as we invite you to explore the enchanting...

Downton Abbey & The Cotswolds

Experience our intriguing Downton Abbey Tour where you can immerse yourself i...

• Inspiration
• Destinations
• Places To Stay
• Style & Culture
• Food & Drink
• Wellness & Spas
• News & Advice
• Partnerships
• Traveller's Directory
• Travel Tips
• Competitions

The most beautiful gardens in the Cotswolds

By Sophie Knight

An ideal day trip from London , the Cotswolds is a charming escape from crowded city life. When it comes to things to do in the Cotswolds , delve beyond wisteria-covered houses and cobbled country lanes to stumble upon hidden gardens: sculpture-filled grounds, colourful rose bushes and tree-lined walkways. These are the most beautiful secret gardens in the Cotswolds.

Asthall Manor

Sculpture on show in the garden competes visually with the spires of lupins and an echium.

Address: Asthall Manor, Asthall, near Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4HW Open times: Open to the public one day a year under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Telephone: 01993 824319 Website: ngs.org.uk ; asthallmanor.com

The Persian Garden, with its octagonal central pool, was inspired by a visit to India. It was created by Lady Kleinwort in 1965.

Address: Sezincote, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AW Open times: Open to the public from January to November. Telephone: 01386 700444 Website: sezincote.co.uk

The house at Abbotswood was originally built in 1867 by its then owner, Alfred Sartoris.

Address: Abbotswood, Stow on the Wold, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 1EN Open times: Open to the public two days a year under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Telephone: 01451 830173. Website: ngs.org

Daylesford House

The Orangery houses dozens of citrus trees, and biological controls are used to deter pests.

Address: Daylesford House, Daylesford, near Kingham, Gloucestershire GL56 0YG Open times: Open to the public one day a year under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Telephone: 01698 658888. Website: ngs.org

Stowell Park

The lowest lawn became a swimming pool when the house was used as a school during the Second World War. It is now edged with wild flowers.

Address: Stowell Park, Yanworth, Northleach, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3LE Open times: Open to the public two days a year under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Telephone: 01285 720247 Website: stowellpark.com ; ngs.org

Eastleach House

The Rill Garden is on a steep slope, which foreshortens the view. The size of the garden is apparent only once you walk down into it.

Address: Eastleach House, Eastleach, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 3NW Open times: Open to the public by appointment under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Website: ngs.org ; eastleachhouse.com

Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds by Victoria Summerley, published by Frances Lincoln (rrp £20.00)

Like this? Now read:

The best things to do in the Cotswolds

Top 10 gardens in the UK

Secret gardens in London

Secret Cottage Cotswold Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Secret Cottage Cotswold Tours - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

• Brochure Download
• Gift Vouchers
• +44 (0) 1451 820 243

Main Navigation

Cotswold Gardens Fit For a Lord

Join us at lords of the manor for tours of some of the most exquisite award-winning gardens the cotswolds have to offer.

Lords of the Manor is surrounded by several wonderful Cotswolds gardens, such as those at the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor. It’s fitting therefore that the gardens at Lords are themselves rather special – winning itself a place amongst Cotswold hotels with special gardens.

Now enjoy a tour of our wonderful gardens by our Head Gardener followed by a luncheon. Now happening every month – book today to avoid disappointment.

Under the guidance of acclaimed designer Julie Toll, a seven-times Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, the Lords’ own 8 acres have been developed as a sequence of gardens, each highlighting an aspect of the hotel’s Cotswold garden setting. During your garden tour in the Cotswolds, you will likely see our garden team at work and pick up some local insights.

First impressions are of the lawn at the front of the hotel which on sunny days becomes the hub of activity with guests enjoying iced drinks, traditional Afternoon Tea and on those special wedding days Champagne and canapés. On such days one can truly get the atmosphere of an English summer garden party from years gone by. In the evenings as the sun dips away it becomes a great spot for a pre-dinner glass of Champagne or a gentle stroll before dinner.

The lawns slope gently downwards, via a unique wild and authentic British meadow, to the River Eye. Beyond, a bridge connects to a lesser cultivated and more secluded area adjacent to the old ice skating pond which today, following gradual excavations in the past has graduated more to a lake than a pond. Returning back up to the hotel you can wander up the garden path past the magnificent and rare bog garden which hides the 19th century ice house, a bog garden features sculptural  gunnera manicata , giant rhubarb and  lysichiton , sometimes called swamp lantern.

Guests also love the Walled Garden to the rear of the hotel, with its new herb garden, colourful flowers, walled border and espalier fruit trees.

As you can tell, the gardens at Lords are an integral aspect of the hotel. Like the hotel’s menu, the garden changes with the seasons. Spring and summer see the meadow coming to life with orchids, meadow buttercups, daisies, yellow rattle and an increasing variety of wild flowers enticing in lots of butterflies and insects.  Later in the summer the lavenders flower to fill the back garden with a heady scent, another magnet for the butterflies and bees. Early autumn is harvest time for the vintage apples and espaliered pears.  With autumn proper our trees change show off their stunning colours. Various summer stalks and seed-heads stand in the flower beds through the winter, whilst ornamental grasses highlight the garden with their silver or gold frosts.

The garden is constantly evolving, with the current main project being the addition of a herb garden in the south west corner of the garden. Chef is watching progress with great interest.

If you’re staying at Lords, please allow a little time to enjoy the gardens. We’re always happy to help you to incorporate the garden into your visit, from a wedding to afternoon tea. Please call for advice and reservations 01451 820243

© Lords of the Manor 2022. All Rights Reserved.

BROAD CAMPDEN

'THERE WAS REALLY SO MUCH TO SEE'

Curated Cotswold tours by Car

UPPER SLAUGHTER

‘WE WENT TO SPOTS THAT MOST TOURS DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT’

BROADWAY TOWER

‘GREAT EXPERIENCE, WITH A GREAT GUIDE!’

HE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL, BUT EXTREMELY FRIENDLY

Your Cotswold Adventure starts here! --

Join the Cotswold Tour Company for a memorable adventure exploring the idyllic landscapes and charming towns and villages of this area of outstanding natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the quaint architecture, historic landmarks and local treasures as our meticulously planned tour navigates the winding roads and leafy lanes through this tapestry of English countryside. Discover not only the popular tourist destinations but also hidden gems and little known treasures nestled in the rolling hills.

Your Guide --

Meet Johnnie your local driver and tour guide, who has lived and worked in The Cotswolds for three decades. As we navigate the picturesque countryside, Johnnie, with his passion for the Cotswolds and love of local history will provide an informative and interesting commentary. Visitors will be left with cherished memories of this timeless English countryside. This is a private tour and will include only you and your driver. You will not share the car with anyone else.

Our tours showcase the beauty of the area while minimising time spent in the car and with this in mind, we have carefully chosen the routes and destinations. We aim to show you as much as possible whilst ensuring you have a relaxed and enjoyable experience and time to savour the unique atmosphere. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, breaks for a bite to eat, a cream tea, or a pint in a cosy pub, as well as a chance to explore local shops.

Our Cotswold Tours.  We have three options - 8hrs, 6hrs, or 4hrs. Each one takes you on the beautiful back roads to tiny villages, busy towns, stunning viewpoints and historic landmarks. These may include Chipping Campden, Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, and Broadway Tower. There will be other locations off the tourist trail. Our aim is to show you the very best of the region and why it is so visited and admired in the time you have available.

The Best of Both Tour,  available from  1st April , visits charming towns, villages and, beautiful gardens. This combined experience promises to be a day filled with the unique character of the region.  You will visit one of the six gardens listed in the Gardens Tour and various towns and villages including Chipping Campden, Broadway, Snowshill, Lower Slaughter and Stow-on-the-Wold.

The English Country Garden Tour  available from 1st April , offers a visit to three out of a choice of six fabulous gardens in the area, dependant on opening times and the best seasonal displays. These may include Hidcote, Kiftsgate, Bourton House, Sezincote, Upton Wold and Snowshill Manor. There will be a chance to look at some of the beautiful countryside, towns and villages.

About the Tours --

TO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE WE HAVE CURATED FIVE TOURS

'THERE WAS REALLY SO MUCH TO SEE'

Broughton Castle.

Tripadvisor 5* Rated

Last Minute Trips

2025 dates now live.

9am-9pm, Toll free, ECT

May 20, 2024

Destination: united kingdom, in this article, 10 cotswold gardens you must visit.

When you think of the Cotswolds , many picture the famous dry-stone walls and honey coloured cottages that line the narrow streets. Not forgetting the rolling hills, lush green landscapes dotted with sheep and abundance of fields and woodland which all make up the classic picture perfect Cotswold scene.   

Whilst these characteristics define the area, there are also beautiful gardens dotted around which are just a must-see for horticultural enthusiasts.   

These gardens offer a tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of the busy villages during the summer months . But with the changing British seasons, the gardens are managed and sculpted to delight at any time of year. Offering visitors the chance to see historic country houses set amongst these picturesque gardens and an array of plant and flower species local to Britain as well as international varieties.   

We’ve explored 10 of the best gardens across the Cotswold area that are well worth including as part of your visit to the area.   

Hidcote Gardens

This National Trust garden is located near the famous village of Chipping Campden, giving you the ideal opportunity to enjoy a relaxing day out whilst in the area. This Arts and Crafts garden is renowned for its intricate outdoor “rooms,” each with its own unique character and planting scheme. Created by talented designed Major Lawrence Johston and covering an area of 10.5 acres the gardens take you on a journey revealing different atmospheres and vistas at every turn. 

The garden is almost split into four by two corridors running north to south and east to west, off which the garden rooms can be found. Check to see if they are opening for the ‘golden hour’ events which allow you to visit the gardens between 6-9 pm in the on selected dates over the summer months. You’ll be able to enjoy the gardens during the glorious golden light that casts over the garden on a late summers evening. What’s more there is usually food and live music to be enjoyed at the same time.   

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/hidcote

Address: Hidcote Bartrim, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LR

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Created by three generations of women gardeners, Kiftsgate is the epitome of a romantic English Garden. Elegant hedges, beautiful colours amongst the borders and wild flower areas bursting with life. From the grand house down steps on to the Terrace you can enjoy spectacular views over the vale of Evesham and on towards the Malvern Hills. 

Visit during the summer months and your senses will be overpowered by the rose border, filled with a mixture of old fashioned and modern roses. Not forgetting the famous Kiftsgate Rose which they claim to be England’s largest rose. Early to mid-July is a good time to see the remarkable rose smother three trees, resembling a cascading waterfall amongst the foliage.   

Website:   https://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/home#welcome

Address: Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LN

Highgrove Gardens

These famous gardens need little introduction being the estate and treasured home of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Open from March to October every year, visitors can explore the organic gardens at Highgrove, soaking up the history and inspiration behind the magnificent grounds. 

There are seven areas of the garden divided up into the Kitchen Garden, The Arboretum, The Stumpery, Cottage Garden. Sundial Garden, Thyme Walk and the Wildflower Meadow. You can enjoy a group or private tour amongst the gardens and also include a classic, British Afternoon tea or Champagne tea as part of your visit. 

The gardens, especially the Kitchen Garden is one not to miss. The Kitchen Garden is dual purpose, providing aesthetic pleasure for guests as well as serving as a food source for the household when his Majesty King Charles III is present. 

The crops and flowers are also used in seasonal menus at the Orchard Room Restaurant. From rare purple carrots to a mass of strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries, you can truly see from garden to plate a selection of what the British Monarch eats! Do make sure you book on to a tour in advance to gain access to Highgrove.  

Website: https://www.highgrovegardens.com/

Address: Highgrove, GL8 8TQ

Wychwood Wild Garden

A magical woodland near Shipton-Under-Wychwood in the heart of the Cotswolds . Certainly a ‘hidden gem’ and a lesser known area of nature in comparison to the more famous gardens. It’s 12.5 acres of woodland walks, ponds and water areas. The woodland is left relatively untouched and therefore nature including many varieties of ducks and birds, thrive amongst the branches and waterways. 

This location is ideal to add as part of a longer stay in the Cotswolds . Visit the pretty village of Shipton-under-Wychwood which is home to a magnificent church and quaint village green. Enjoy the fantastic English country pub of the Lamb Inn and take a stroll amongst the many avenues of the Wychwood Wild Garden. Popular with locals for their walks and daily exercise, you’ll feel a sense of calm and tranquility. It is free to visit and a fantastic place to take a break from the sunshine on a hot day and enjoy stunning autumnal colours during the cooler months.   

Website: https://www.wychwoodwildgarden.org.uk/

Address: Wychwood Wild Gardens, OX7 6DG (accessed via Dog Kennel Lame)

Batsford Arboretum

Just outside Moreton-in-Marsh is another fabulous Cotswold garden retreat. Batsford Arboretum houses a unique collection of some of the worlds most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos . Spread across 60 acres there is plenty to explore and this extends into all seasons. The beauty of this garden is that there is a breadth of colour early in the year, from snowdrops and then into the spring-flowering bulbs. The spectacular Japanese flowing cherries carry on the colour before heading into the summer season. 

With much of the Arboretum under tree canopy this is another ideal haven to escape the occasional ‘ heat-wave ’ that England experiences. The Autumn months burst into the colour of flames with vibrant reds, oranges and deep butter tallow. Then come the winter, it is a magical wonderland with ice, frost and snow adorning the branches and shimmering on the grasses and plants. There is a delightful garden centre and café to finis h your day and provide further inspiration for your own gardens.   

Website: https://batsarb.co.uk/

Address: Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9AT

Sudeley Castle and Gardens

Within reach of Cheltenham and Bourton-on-the-Water , t he impressive Sudeley Castle and Gardens is an opulent historic castle set amongst lavish grounds for you to explore. With royal connections spanning a thousand years, Sudeley Castle has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England’s past. Today Sudeley Castle remains the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within the grounds – Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII – who lived and died in the castl e. 

Amongst all this history, the gardens surround the castle, intertwined with ruins and significant planting and foliage that would have played key roles during the Tudor period and other periods of Sudleys history. With striking views of the Cotswold Hills, these award winning gardens are not to be missed . For younger guests there is an equally brilliant play area, making for a perfect family outing.

Website: https://sudeleycastle.co.uk

Address: Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD

Westonbirt Arboretum

With over 2,500 different species of plants and trees from all over the globe, Westonbirt Arbortetum brings an exotic edge to the Cotswolds. The National Arboretum is the perfect place for relaxation or adventure, or perhaps a combination! With plenty of tranquil walks including specifically designed wellbeing trails, the forest is the place to pause and connect with nature before heading back to exploring the Cotswold towns.   

If you prefer something more energetic there are running and biking trails amongst the forest. Take in the colours, scents and sounds as you go and best of all it’s traffic free! You can easily spend an entire day exploring the 600 acres of woodland and trails, with 17 miles of accessible hard and grassy paths, the Westonbirt Arboretum is a wonderful place for all to enjoy. 

Located near to Tetbury it is somewhere to include alongside a trip to Highgrove. In contrast to the grandeur of Highgrove, Westonbirt Arboretum offers classic British woodland with rugged, un-manicured landscapes and countryside.  

Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum

Address: Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS

Snowshill Manor and Gardens

Located near Broadway, this National Trust site is in the heart of the Cotswolds , the perfect antidote to a busy itinerary of Cotswold exploring. Snowshill is the unconventional home of the eccentric Charles Wade, who delighted in creating a stage for his life and passions. The Arts and Crafts garden is an extension of the house, a series of outdoor rooms. It is filled with curious doorways, hidden vistas and unexpected delights.  

There is a large and vibrant clock (pictured above), t he surface of which is painted with characters from the zodiac and astronomical symbols. Wolf’s Cove is a another unique garden feature of a model harbour based on a typical Cornish fishing village. Charles Wade designed and built the miniature scene to delight anyone who came to visit. 

In contrast to these quirky pieces, you’ll find corners of pure tranquility , with far reaching views and beautiful planting to pause time and step away from the rush. Finish you visit with a cup of tea in the Café to enjoy the stunning views of the valley .  

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gloucestershire-cotswolds/snowshill-manor-and-garden

Address: Snowshill, near Broadway, Gloucestershire, WR12 7JU

Sezincote Gardens

Dubbed the ‘India of the Cotswolds’ these 3,500 acre gardens offer visitors a unique experience. Amongst the family-run estate you’ll find a 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace, set in a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, waterfalls and canals reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. Today a brother and sister team manage the house and estate respectively. Sezincote surprises and delights from all angles. Whilst the gardens and woodlands are run to traditional English standards, using mixed farming methods, the house is far from English tradition. 

It was built in the “Indian Style”, a unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Parts of the gardens are evocative of Indian Moghul paradise gardens whilst in other parts you’ll find nods to English tradition such as the tall English Oaks that line the driveway and entice you into this magnificent juxtaposition. 

Located near Moreton-in-Marsh and Stown-on-the-Wold this offers a completely unique horticultural experience and centered right in the heart of the Cotswolds it is within easy reach during your stay.

Website: https://www.sezincote.co.uk/

Address: Sezincote , near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9AW

Painswick Rococo Garden

Last but not least, located near the famous Cotswold town of Painswick, these gardens offer the ability to step away from the tourist trails.   The word ‘rococo’ describes a period of art that was fashionable in Europe in the 1700s, characterised by ornamental decoration, the use of pastel colours and asymmetry. As the Uk’s only complete, surviving Rococo Garden this is a place to forget the stresses of everyday life. A place for fun, adventure and exploration. A place to relax, to restore, and to rediscover. 

Whatever the nature of your visit you’ll discover a haven of peace and tranquility, sprinkled with quirky features to surprise and delight you. As expected with the location, this garden offers stunning views of the Cotswolds without the jostle of tourists or having to pull over on a country lane to admire the view! From woodland walks, magical follies and an unusual maze there is joy to be found outdoors in Painswick Rococo Gardens. 

Another garden that delivers colour and beauty year round but we think May is one of the best months to visit. The warmer weather brings everything into full bloom, with vibrant colours and delicate smells.

Website: https://www.rococogarden.org.uk/

Address: Painswick Rococo Garden, Painswick, Gloucestershire, GL6 6TH

Cotswold Beers. 7 Pints to Try

Spring in the cotswolds. sights and sounds, walk the cotswolds – guided.

We recommend adding in one or two of these gardens depending on your length of stay. Some of the smaller gardens can be enjoyed for just a couple of hours and offer a welcome respite from the more crowded places.  You may like to spend a day at the larger estates such as Highgrove and Westonbirt Arboretum. 

Particularly in the warmer months , gardens and woodland offer shade and cooler air underneath the canopies of the trees. Whilst during the wetter months, woodlands also act as a natural barrier between you and the elements, keeping you slightly more protected whilst still allowing you to enjoy nature.  So whichever season you find yourself in England, be sure to incorporate these beautiful open spaces into your visit.

Our Cotswold tours visit many of these gardens listed. We are also happy to create bespoke, private tours that incorporate attractions to your liking. Please contact us for more information.    

Experienced by

Content marketing manager, read more about sophie, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

England Tours

Walk & Cycle London – Guided

• 4 days, 3 nights

Cultural Tour of London – Guided

• 6 days, 5 nights

Walk The Cotswolds, Oxford and Bath – Guided

Walk the Cotswolds – Self-Guided

• Self-Guided

Walk the Cotswolds – Self-Guided Short

• 5 days, 4 nights
• Self-guided

Proud to be partnered with

In choosing Active England you are travelling with a company that takes its commitment to sustainable tourism very seriously. We have partnered with ecollective to help us measure and reduce our carbon footprint, and we work closely with our suppliers to make small changes that have a positive impact on our planet. 

Quick links

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Enquiry Form

• New York City
• South Africa
• Privacy Policy

The Secret Cottage Tour of The Cotswolds, I

The Cotswolds covers an area of approximately 100 miles from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south, and about 25 miles from Oxford in the east to Cheltenham in the west.

The region is covered in oolitic limestone, called Cotswold stone, which varies from honey colored in the north, to golden in the central areas, and cream or white in the south.

The stone is mined from local quarries (some still in operation) and used in building the distinctive cottages and churches, and walls, made without mortar or cement, that crisscross the area. Full of rolling hills and open spaces, The Cotswolds was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966.

The Cotswolds has been on my radar for a few years and as soon as I decided to visit relatives in London, I started looking for tours to the area. I opted for a walking tour so that, like a delicious meal, I could move slowly and savor the experience.

Unfortunately, after one too many glasses of wine at my cousin’s birthday party the night before, my enthusiasm lost the battle to exhaustion. Although I woke up on time, I felt tired and instead of pushing myself, I relaxed. 

Later, as my energy and reasoning returned, I started to regret not forcing myself to go. I knew I’d kick myself when I returned to New York so I pulled out my iPad and began another search.

I looked for tours of no more than 15 people that offered pickup from a railway station. Several fit the bill. I was about to book one I thought I’d like when I saw  Secret Cottage ‘s 6-hour guided tour of “hidden villages that are inaccessible to public transport.” I was sold. 

In addition, according to Secret Cottage’s website, Becky, the owner, would invite us in for a peek at her cottage offer traditional English cream tea and pastries, as well as lunch.   

I was excited (did a little  Happy Dance ), relieved and justified that I didn’t push myself to do the walking tour. The Secret Cottage tour would definitely be better – I knew it! 

A few days later, I was on the 7:50 a.m. train from Paddington Station for the 90-minute ride to Moreton-in-Marsh (such a descriptive name, isn’t it?) in the Northern Cotswolds where Becky’s driver would pick me up at 10:15.

Two Mercedes SUVs pulled into the station’s parking lot at 10:15 sharp. Once the drivers sorted out who was waiting for the tour, we split into two groups of seven and got into the cars.   

As Robin, our driver, eased out of the parking lot, he explained that the name Cotswolds comes from the Old English words, Cots  (sheep, sheep pen) and Wold (hill). He also gave us a brief history of wool and its impact on the area.

A Wooly History of The Cotswolds 

England, in the Middle Ages, was famous for its wool and the best fleece came from the Cotswolds, from the local Cotswold sheep. By the 15 th century, wool was the country’s main industry.

England was so wrapped up in wool that the Lord Chancellor of the House of Lords sat on a  woolsack , a chair made of wool.

During Charles II’s reign, the Burial in Wool Act of 1667 and 1678 directed that all bodies (except those who died from the Plague) had to be buried in wool; the coffins lined with the material. Anyone who violated the Act had to pay a fine. This Act stayed in effect until 1814!

The demand for wool created great wealth for The Cotswolds area merchants built lavish homes and fine churches. Many of these churches (called wool churches ) were so large they dwarfed the villages in which they were located. 

By the 1700-1800s, however, competition from wool production in other parts of the world caused a decline in the English wool industry and without a diversified economy, the country and The Cotswolds suffered. The decline had another effect: that of preserving much of The Cotswolds architecture that now makes it special.

Though wool is no longer its primary product, you can still see sheep grazing in the fields, as well as acres of barley, wheat, corn and rapeseed.

Chastleton Village, Chastleton House

As we drove from Moreton-in-Marsh to Chastleton Village, which has about 30 homes and 75 residents, Robin explained that villages have about 100 people, towns about 1,000, and a city has a cathedral.

Villages typically had a large house for the landowner, smaller cottages for the workers as well as a church, a shop and a school. The cottages traditionally had a room with a fireplace and kitchen on the main floor, living quarters on the upper floor that were accessible by a ladder.

Though it wasn’t open yet, we stopped to have a look at Chastleton House, which was built between 1607 and 1612 for Walter Jones. The house stayed in the family until 1991, when the National Trust acquired it. Seen from the main gate, it is quite impressive. 

Robin led us round the back of Chastleton House, which was protected by a wall however, I was able to climb up and snap a photo.  The best view was of the Topiary Garden.

A church, St. Mary’s, which dates to the 12th century, is located near the house. 

Across the street, there’s a dovecot or dovecote , basically a large birdhouse for pigeons and doves where workers collect the droppings to use as fertilizer. The size of the dovecote is usually a pretty good indicator of the wealth of the owner. 

One famous resident of Chastleton House was Robert Catesby, the leader of the famous Gunpowder Plot, the failed 1605 assassination plot against King James I.  

In 1866, croquet rules were standardized at Chastleton House. It was also one of the locations for the 2015 BBC series, Wolf Hall .

Chastleton House is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12:30 – 3 from March to October, 12:30 – 4 from April to September.

In Part II, we’ll go on a tour of Upper Oddington, Adlestrop, Great Tew, and Upper and Lower Slaughter. Hope you stay tuned.

Linking up this week with Travel Photo Thursday hosted by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox ,  Jan at Budget Travel Talk , Ruth at Tanama Tales , and Rachel at Rachel’s Ruminations . Be sure to head over and check out more travel photos from around the world.

Share this:

31 comments on “ The Secret Cottage Tour of The Cotswolds, I ”

This sounds like a lovely tour! I have always wanted to visit the Cotswolds but wasn’t sure if it was possible to do it as a day trip for London – this seems like the solution!

I love it when we think we’ve missed out on something good and then something even more special comes along. Well done!

The Cotswolds have long been on my travel wishlist. I love the look of all the ancient buildings. This tour sounds like something worth considering, for sure 🙂

I soooo love the Cotswolds! It’s a very charming region and it’s the England that I’ve had in my mind. “hidden villages that are inaccessible to public transport.” would have sold that tour to me too! I wish I saw that when I went there. :p

The Cotswold always conjures up images of beautiful scenery and lovely little cottages, and you have shown that my imagination is correct.

When I picture the English countryside, I think I’ve been imagining the Cotswold. This is exactly what I’d hope to see. Your tour seems great so far, and I like that you get a peek into the interior of a cottage at the end of the tour. Plus tea! I’m guessing that the Cotswold must get a lot of tourist based on that multi-lingual sign you photographed. Was it crazy crowded?

The dovecot is gorgeous. We don’t have those in Australia. I love the thatched roof of the Cotswold Stone house. We stayed in a white thatched roof house in Devon in our early 20’s. Such craftsmanship!

I agree on both counts, Jan! Aren’t they fun – thatched roof houses? I stayed in one in Johannesburg. Loved it!

Actually, Michele, that was one of the other things I looked for. It wasn’t crowded where we were. We saw one of the large tour buses in one of the bigger towns but those buses can’t access the smaller villages so the tour felt very intimate.

Marcia, I visited the Cotswolds last winter. It was dull and dreary weather, but those cottages are so charming and inviting. I found myself wishing I’d tried to book one, one with a fireplace…and who knows…a dovecote?

Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!

I have actually never known what a dovecote is, I’d heard of one but I had never sat down to think of what it would mean. They have an interesting use. The cottages are gorgeous, I imagine that they’re super cosy inside.

One day we should make it to England to explore the history and old quaint villages. If only they could guarantee a dry and sunny summer in those parts of the world. 😉

What a picturesque place. It looks like something right out of a fairy tale. I appreciated all of the interesting historical information you included, too. I’m going to jot down the information about the Secret Cottage Tour – it sounds perfect!

It sure does, Vicki. Hope you make the Secret Cottage tour. You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

Having it dry and sunny is definitely better. I must have been very fortunate. My last two trips were almost rain-free. Don’t wait, though – they’re too many beautiful things to see there.

I didn’t either until I went to the Cotswolds. I can’t imagine having such a large birdhouse but I guess that’s what people do when they’re rich – the larger they are, the richer the owners. You’re right, Rachel, the cottages are quite cozy.

Hi Corinne, I’m sorry about the weather but glad they cottages cheered you up. Hope you get a chance to rent one with a fireplace. That’s my plan for my next trip! You’re welcome. Glad to join in the linkup fun. Thanks for hosting.

Glad to hear that, Paula. I guess that’s why they’ve designated it an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Glad to ‘meet’ someone else who’s been. Were you also in the North Cotswolds?

Hope you get to see it soon, Lyndall. You’ll love it!

Thanks, Jan. Me too. I’m very glad it worked out the way it did this time.

Oh yes, Lisa, it’s definitely doable from London. Hope you get to visit soon – it’s worth it!

This has always been on my things to do beyond London list too. I like how the tour is small and intimate. Wow..Charleston house is impressive. That first countryside picture is one of the many reasons I’d love to spend the day here. Thanks for a wonderful history lesson. Looking forward to reading the rest of your tour.

We went to Bourton-on-the-Water last weekend, and absolutely loved it. The weather was clear, though freezing cold. And the tiny river and all the bridges compensated for the absence of flowers. Thanks for giving me the woolly background history of this gorgeous area.

Oh, how lovely, Mette! We drove through Bourton-on-the-Water. I would have loved to stop – they say it’s one of the most beautiful villages in The Cotswolds. Sorry about the cold. It was cool when I was there – a sweater was enough. Glad to share the history of this lovely area.

You’re welcome, Mary. Hope you get to make the trip when next you’re in London. It’s a good day trip – or if you have time, a weekend or more. There’s certainly a lot to see.

You should visit India someday! And explore the villages, culture,traditions of India!

Lovely photos, Marcia! As a fan of Wolf Hall and of visiting filming locations in general, I’d love to visit Chastleton House–and the Cotswolds.

Wow. The Cotswolds looks amazing. It reminded me of Hoi An Ancient Town in Vietnam. I visited it 2 years ago but it’s impressed me up to now. Old wooden buildings, typical shops selling handcrafted lanterns and nightlife in this small town. All created an unforgetable trip of me. Thanks for the share. I hope that I would have a chance to visit The Cotswolds soon.

Oh, sounds lovely. I’ve not heard of Hoi An Ancient Town. If I ever get to Vietnam, I’ll definitely have to see it. Hope you make it to the Cotswolds soon. Thanks for stopping by, Sophia!

Oh, Lesley, you should absolutely go. You’ll love it!

Comments are closed.

Search for:

Subscription Options:

The location could not be found.

how does it work

GUIDED TOURS

Www.cotswoldsguidedtours.co.uk [email protected] landline +44 (0) 1608 654 445 mobile / whatsapp +44 (0) 7756513150.

• Lucy Lambert Cotswolds Guided Tours
• Apr 14, 2019

Cotswolds Secret Garden Tour

Cotswolds Secret Garden

Lucy & Richard Lambert run fun, friendly & informative 6 hour Cotswolds tours. They live in the Cotswolds & have a passion for the area, its history & wildlife. Their energy & excitement at sharing the regions secrets with you, will ensure you have a wonderful day out exploring. Although they can not guarantee that you will spot the wildlife mentioned here, they hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit about the local residents who you may 'spot' if you decide to spend the day with Cotswolds Guided Tours.

Cotswolds Secret Garden Tour in Spring

As the winter turns to spring, the frosts begin to subside & there are signs of life stirring in the Cotswolds. As you explore this beautiful region, wrapped up warm with woollies (hat, scarf & gloves) you may be treated to beautiful Snowdrops, bobbing under hedgerows. From February to March then this is the time to see crocuses poking up through garden lawns. These colours seem so striking after the long hard winter.. Then as March moves into April we are treated with daffodils, looking so happy with the promise of warmer weather around the corner. Tulips are also a favourite of Cotswolds gardeners. So as you are walking through beautiful villages whilst on tour with us, keep your eyes peeled for tulips of every colour in the secret cottage gardens.

Cotswolds Secret Garden Tour in Summer

As Spring moves into Summer, the Cotswolds cottage gardens become alive. Everyone is so proud of their little patch that garden flowers hustle for space to be adored by passers by. With bees buzzing in the lavender, foxgloves bobbing their heads, echinacea standing tall. Everything looks so wild but these secret cottage gardens are tended to look so beautiful. With roses around the door, wisteria climbing along the walls, it is a feast for the eyes.

So during one of our six hour Cotswold tours, as you wander through these gorgeous villages, you can soak up the atmosphere & decide for yourselves which Cotswolds garden you would award the prize for being the most beautiful.

Cotswolds Secret Garden Tour in Autumn

Summer moves into autumn (fall) and there is still lots of colour to be found in the Cotswolds cottage gardens. From the Michaelmas Daisy, which will be happy to grow in most locations, to the stubborn Nerine's that prefer a south-facing spot against a dry stone wall or cottage, their bubblegum pink flowers look rather exotic at this time of year.

The leaves on deciduous trees are starting to turn, with glorious rusty browns, crimson & warm yellow hues, making the countryside pop with colour. The evenings start to drawn in, and a little nip can be felt in the air, but the cooler nights lead to damp mornings with the rich smell of earth, making you feel alive as you step out to explore.

Cotswolds Secret Garden Tour in Winter

Frosty winter mornings in the Cotswolds, the cool crisp crunch of leaves under-foot & still beauty can be spotted in the secret cottage gardens. Look out for winter flowering heather, whites, pinks & purples seem unperturbed by the chilly days. Cyclamen thrive in sheltered positions, so see you can spot these at the foot of trees or beneath the hedgerows. Hellebores are known as the winter rose, a fantastic array of flowers dipping their heads from the winter rain. Many Cotswolds cottages plant these to add a splash of colour in their secret gardens. What will you discover as you explore this fantastic region with Cotswolds Guided Tours?

Cotswolds Guided Tours

We hope you have enjoyed our Cotswolds secret garden tour, if you would like some suggestions on local places to visit then check out Bourton House Gardens an award winning 3 acre garden featuring imaginative topiary, wide herbaceous borders with many rare, unusual plants, located just outside Moreton in Marsh. Or perhaps you would like to explore Sezincote Gardens, Sezincote is unique. At the heart of a traditional, family-run estate covering 4,500 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside stands a 200-year-old Mogul Indian palace, set in a romantic landscape of temples, grottoes, waterfalls and canals reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. For spring & autumn colour then do make a visit to Batsford Arboretum, 56 acres of breathtaking woodland garden, Batsford is a world of trees and so much more!

We hope you will choose to take a tour with us, discover the Cotswolds secret cottage gardens on one of our fabulous 6 hour tours.

Choose between our

Famous Cotswolds Tour or Cotswold Highlights Tour

#cotswoldssecret #SecretCotswoldVillage #cotswoldssecretgardentour #secretgardentour #cotswoldsguidedtours #cotswoldsgardens #cotswoldsflowers #BourtonHouseGardens #SezincoteGardens #BatsfordArboretum

Recent Posts

North & South Cotswolds Small Group tour from Moreton in Marsh

Cotswold Country House Hotel Stays

Where to stay in the Cotswolds - Part 2

• LUXURY TRAVEL
• TRAVEL FEATURES
• DESTINATIONS
• WHAT TO PACK
• FOOD & DRINK
• ABOUT / WORK WITH US
• MEET THE TEAM

Secret Cotswolds tour – enjoy a quieter side to the Cotswolds

After months of planning and refining, our NEW  Secret Cotswolds tour is finally here, and the feedback we have received so far has been AMAZING – in fact, “awesomely amazing” as one happy tour guest put it!

We just know you’re going to love this tour.

It’s a great standalone tour, but can also be paired with our Cotswolds in a Day tour for a fab 2-day itinerary.

A secret side to the Cotswolds

Starting from our usual pick up spots  (Stratford-upon-Avon town centre at 9.00AM, or Moreton-in-Marsh station at 9.30AM), Secret Cotswolds begins with a beautiful drive to a very special place: the Rollright Stones.

Steeped in myth and legend, this ‘mini-Stonehenge’ in the Cotswolds goes back to around 3800 BC. There are amazing views from this spot too!

We share our ‘secret’ recommendations

We’ll then drive you through glorious countryside to the pretty market town of Burford for some free time, then it’s on to Broadway for lunch.

OK, Burford and Broadway may not be  quite  so secret – but there are lots of wonderful places here to eat, drink and shop. To give you the freedom to choose, we don’t include lunch in the price of our tours, but we can give you some great recommendations!

‘Secret’ Stanton

After lunch, we veer a little off the beaten path. Stanton might not be on Instagram so often as other Cotswold villages, but it has been described as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt villages in the Cotswolds. It’s gorgeous!

Riders from nearby stables regularly trot through the village, as well as walkers on the 102-mile-long Cotswold Way National Trail. Super quaint!

Finally, the tiny village of Guiting Power – I just love it! Only 300 people live here, yet it has an incredible sense of community, and some fascinating history too, dating back to the late Anglo-Saxon era.

At The Cotswold Guy deli, you could take home one of David Beckham’s favourite sausage rolls! There’s a secret in the churchyard too – the Cotswolds’ best public loo!

Book your Secret Cotswolds tour today!

We’ve been so encouraged by the number of bookings we have received already for Secret Cotswolds already – and we just know it will grow in popularity. As it’s a new tour, there are still plenty of spaces available, but now that it’s up and running, we’re sure the remaining tickets will fly off the virtual shelves!

You heard it here first, folks, Secret Cotswolds is where it’s at!

Book your tour here: https://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/product/secret-cotswolds/

Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest news and updates!

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Email Address *

By providing my email I agree for Go Cotswolds to contact me via email with news, events and updates. Your data is stored securely and we never pass it on to third parties.

Privacy Overview

The secret to the perfect countryside escape in the Cotswolds

W ith its honey-stone villages and manor houses, its rolling landscape of sheep-nibbled hills and its handsome churches, the Cotswolds is heart-tuggingly beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to visit for a short break – or a long one, for that matter? The 800 or so square miles that make up the region are criss-crossed with footpaths and bisected by dry stone walls, about 4,000 miles of them, adding architectural embellishment to the natural artistry here. There’s a wealth to explore, from Roman remains at Chedworth to contemporary craft in Cirencester – and a cornucopia of great country houses to visit as well.

But you couldn’t possibly take in the entire region over a couple of days. So home in on an appealing part. To the north are the delights of exquisite Chipping Campden and the glorious gardens of Hidcote and Kiftsgate. To the east is historic Burford, lined with fabulous old coaching inns. To the west is Laurie Lee’s Slad Valley and pretty, creative little Painswick. Further to the south east is Tetbury, royally connected and oddly off-radar to major tourism for its charms. And wherever you go you’ll find immensely pleasing, if often pricey, places to stay, from boutique and country house hotels to characterful pubs and elegant b&bs.

For further inspiration for the perfect break in the Cotswolds, see our guide to the region's best  hotels ,  restaurants ,  pubs , afternoon teas ,  shopping  and  things to do .

In this guide

How to spend your weekend.

• How to spend a week

Insider tips

• When should I visit the Cotswolds?
• Where to stay in the Cotswolds

What to bring home

• Essential information: what to know before you go

Perfect pastoral England is wrapped up in the gentle hills of the Cotswolds. Sure, there are vibrant festivals and towns exuding verve, but most visitors come for the quiet and the profoundly pretty outlook. Especially in the north of the region. It offers some of the most acclaimed accommodation and contains many of the must-see sights (several within very easy distance of each other), making it a superb weekend retreat. 

Base yourself in serene countryside down rural back roads ‒ our two top suggestions are tucked away yet fairly quickly accessible and also convey an appealing sense of being in a different time dimension. For luxury, dreamy views and antiques, check into the pleasingly rambling Lords of Manor at Upper Slaughter four miles southwest of Stow-on-the-Wold; it’s a classic country house hotel with impeccable service, exquisite food and a fabulous garden. Or opt to stay for less outlay ‒ and bags of atmosphere ‒ in a time-honoured inn on an idyllic village green; the Kings Head at Bledington, just over four miles southeast of Stow-on-the-Wold, has armfuls of pub awards and offers excellent brasserie fare and 12 stylish rooms (smallish in the historic part of the property, more generous in a newer wing).

Both venues are well-placed for taking in that most magnificent of British sights, Blenheim Palace ‒ complete with wondrous grounds devised by Capability Brown. Make sure you explore further north, too: head to handsome Chipping Campden, beautiful Broadway and two of the region’s finest gardens, at Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court – they are just a mile apart, the former more formal, the latter family-run and something of a hidden treasure. Striking alternatives include flamboyant Sezincote House and Gardens, an exotic combination of Cotswold country mansion and Indian Moghul palace, Jacobean Chastleton House and Batsford Arboretum, developed by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, grandfather to the famous Mitford sisters.

The perfect one-week holiday in the Cotswolds

Expand your trip and move southwards; adding a few more days to your break means that you’ll have scope to enjoy two of the region’s most famously picturesque villages: Burford, with a glorious high street lined by ancient coaching inns, and Bibury with a bewitchingly quaint row of weavers’ cottages (William Morris was so delighted by them when he visited in the latter 19th century that he declared Bibury the most beautiful village in England). However, you’ll want to time your visit to avoid the throngs that invariably descend at both places. So stay nearby and come to explore after hours; by 5pm the crowds will have departed. That will leave you much of the day to go walking in the area – along the Windrush and Coln valleys – and to explore some of the many attractions of nearby Cirencester, from astonishingly fine Roman mosaics at the Corinium Museum to contemporary crafts made at New Brewery Arts.

For tucked-away charm and reasonable rates, base yourself at the New Inn at Coln St Aldwyns, nine miles southwest of Burford and about three miles southeast of Bibury. Dating from the 16th century, this rustic-stylish pub has a traditional bar, a restauran t featuring gourmet burgers and small plates and 14 good-looking bedrooms. Or book into a gem of an old coaching inn, The Lamb on Sheep Street in Burford. With its old stone fireplaces, snoozy armchairs and wonderful hidden garden, it exudes comfy appeal.

Round off your week’s break in the Cotswolds with a stay further south, in the Tetbury vicinity. Wander this handsome market town, browsing antique stores and taking in picture-pretty Chipping Steps lane and Tetbury’s splendid 17th-century market house set on pillars. Just out of town, visit Highgrove Gardens, created by King Charles (booking in advance is essential) and explore Westonbirt Arboretum, home to about 15,000 trees including rare acers. Perhaps best of all, take in Laurie Lee country; the wonderful Slad Valley is celebrated in the author’s best-known book 'Cider with Rosie' and there’s a five-mile walking trail here, dotted with posts inscribed with some of his poetry. 

Among the choice of accommodation is beautifully devised Calcot & Spa , about four miles west of Tetbury. Set in 220-acre grounds, this haven of a hotel has outstanding facilities for families as well as serene space for those on an adults’ trip. Or for a less costly yet appealingly dapper option, book into The Close townhouse hotel in Tetbury, with 20 mellow bedrooms, good brasserie food and a gorgeous walled garden.

Village watch

For quintessential Cotswold prettiness, head to Minchinhampton. It’s a chocolate box of a village – but without the crowds that descend on equally lovely Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Lesser-known attractions

Hike around Broadway Tower, a folly on the escarpment above picturesque Broadway, and you get the best views in the Cotswolds. Then visit the monument for its sheer eccentricity. Designed by Capability Brown and completed in 1798, the tower became a holiday home of William Morris.

Stroud Farmers’ Market (Cornhill Market Place) is a huge event held every Saturday 9am-2pm. Here you’ll find amazing bread by The Artisan Baker, free-range salami from The Cotswold Curer, local beer from Corinium Ales and much, much more.

Did you know?

Many of the Mitford sisters are buried at St Mary’s Church in Swinbrook, which might be reason enough to visit. Yet there are other compelling sights in this ancient church, especially the amazing tombs of the landowning Fettiplace family, whose effigies are stacked one above the other as if on shelves. Pop down the road to have a drink at Swinbrook’s Swan Inn and take in Mitford memorabilia on display there.

The Wild Rabbit  is a haven of eco-elegance a few fields away from sister enterprise Daylesford, the organic farm shop, deli, spa (and more) of Carole Bamford. She transformed this 18th-century inn and it has been meticulously devised in quiet colours, stone and wood. It’s a beautiful posh pub, with food to match.

Every season has intrinsic appeal. Crowd-free winters are ideal for bracing walks, fire-side pub sessions – and lower hotel prices. Come in spring to see lambs and wild daffodils. Visit in summer (inevitably with many others) for magical light, particularly in the long evenings. Or make an autumn excursion for a quieter atmosphere and wonderful leaf colour, especially at the two great arboreta, Westonbirt and Batsford.

Where to stay

Best for families.

Slaughters Country Inn has generous outdoor space and an impressive choice of family-friendly rooms; Ellenborough Park offers 17 family bedrooms and suites and a wonderfully imaginative range of facilities; with its ample grounds, interconnecting rooms and suites with sofabeds, Minster Mill is a haven for those with children.

Find more of the best family-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds in our guide.

Best for romantics

Thyme is an epicurean retreat in a world of its own – complete with beautiful rooms and a serene spa; at the Lyon Arms in Broadway book a bedroom in the fabulously historic main building; Buckland Manor offers utter peace, along with old stone fireplaces, mullion windows and a sublime setting.

Find more of the best romantic hotels in the Cotswolds in our guide.

Best for foodies

The seven-course tasting menu at Whatley Manor’s intimate Dining Room is a Michelin-starred delight; at Dormy House hotel opt for informal sophistication at The Back Garden restaurant or head to the chef’s table at gourmet MO; The Painswick has a treat of a restaurant offering deft flavour combinations - think tangy rhubarb with lightly cured mackerel. 

Godsell’s artisan cheese made by a farming family in the village of Leonard Stanley – the Holy Smoked single Gloucester is especially good.

Soaps by  College Green  (available at Stroud Farmers' Market) – aromatic and handmade in the Stroud valley using natural ingredients, from rosemary and mint to lemongrass, ginger and oat.

Know before you go

Essential information.

Don’t ask about Jeremy Clarkson, Rebekah Brooks, Kate Moss, Alex James, Jilly Cooper and others from a long list of the great, the good and the notorious who call the Cotswolds home (or second home). Locals are largely uncharmed by celeb culture.

Enjoy the affluence of the Cotswolds – the well-kept towns and villages, the carefully conserved countryside. But be aware that the cost of living is especially high: it is a challenge to find comfortable hotel accommodation at less than £90 a night for a double room.

About our expert

Harriet O’Brien's work has taken her from Amsterdam to Amritsar, Belgium to Burma and of course numerous destinations in Britain. She lives in the Cotswolds – which she says ‘ranks in my top five most beautiful places in the world’.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.

Where was Secret Invasion filmed? Guide to all the Locations

Secret Invasion Locations

Secret Invasion's New Skrullos city

Atlas of Wonders is looking for wonderful Filming Locations all around the world. We are constantly updating and improving our posts with new details and images. Follow us here:

All comments are reviewed prior to publication

There's A Secret Network Of Haunted Tunnels Hiding Underneath This Idaho Town

More by this Author

Did you know that Boise wasn’t always the capital city of Idaho? When Idaho was just a territory, the town of Lewiston served as the capital. Today it’s a bustling little city of approximately 30,000 people but reminders of the Wild West town it once was can still be found. Some say that even the spirits of Lewiston’s very first townspeople still linger in certain parts of the city. Spend an evening learning all about Idaho’s first capital when you partake in this one-of-a-kind historic ghost tour. On this tour you’ll be led through some of the oldest structures in the city and you’ll even get a glimpse at the little-known underground network of haunted tunnels that can be found just underneath the sidewalks!

Related Stories

The Haunted Playground In Idaho That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine

This Idaho Inn Was Once A Tuberculosis Hospital And It's Believed To Be Haunted

The Legend Of Idaho's Haunted Bridge Will Make Your Hair Stand On End

Did you know there was a secret network of haunted tunnels hiding beneath Lewiston? Check out our list of the 8 Best Places To Spot A Ghost In Idaho for even more haunted spots that are sure to give you the spooks.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Idaho in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Idaho!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• This Century-Old Mill In Idaho Is Now A Haunted House And It's Downright Terrifying
• Take A Walk Through This Haunted Forest In Idaho For The Scariest Time Of Your Life
• This Haunted Antique Shop In Idaho Is One Of The Strangest Places You Can Go
• The Most Terrifying Ghost Story To Ever Come Out Of Idaho Is Truly Chilling
• This Theme Park In Idaho Turns Into A Haunted Halloween World Every October
• Visit These Bone Chilling, Haunted Mansions In Idaho For The Scare Of Your Life
• Here Are The 8 Best Places To Spot A Ghost In Idaho
• 7 Disturbing Cemeteries In Idaho That Will Give You Goosebumps

Explore Idaho

Discover Kremlin's Secret Garden: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

About this activity, tour preview.

• We will send the tour within 48 hours or refund your money
• • Explore history with the Self-Guided Audio Tour
• • Discover heroic monuments by the garden's paths
• • See the Eternal Flame and honor the fallen
• • Admire the allegorical fountain of four horses
• • Feel the grandeur at Prince Vladimir's statue

What's included

• Downloadable self-guided audio tour via the WeGoTrip app
• Detailed route from stop to stop with live GPS map on your smartphone
• Earphones are not included — please bring your own
• Tickets to the attractions along the way are not included

Places you will visit

Attractions on the route.

• Mogila Neizves...
• Save Self-guided audio tour 2.5 – 3h History of Moscow: a Walk around the Kremlin $11.82 per tour
• Save Self-guided audio tour 20m Uncover Zaryadye Park Secrets: In-App Audio Tour $10.74 per tour
• Save Self-guided audio tour 45m Discover Moscow's Red Square: In-App Audio Tour $10.74 per tour
• Save Self-guided audio tour 30m Discover Moscow’s Marvels: VDNKh In-App Audio Tour $10.74 per tour

Any questions left?

The most interesting attractions in moscow.

• Saint Basil's Cathedral 2 tours and tickets
• State Historical Museum 2 tours and tickets
• GUM 2 tours and tickets
• Moscow's Ice Cave 2 tours and tickets
• The Moscow Kremlin 1 tour
• Red Square 1 tour
• Lenin‘s Mausoleum at Red Square 1 tour
• Monument to Minin and Pozharsky 1 tour
• Kazan Cathedral Moscow 1 tour
• Mogila Neizvestnogo Soldata 1 tour
• Moscow's Floating Bridge 1 tour
• Moscow Old English Court 1 tour

Continue searching in Moscow

Most interesting cities in russia.

521 S. Main, Moscow,  Idaho 83843 | (208) 882-2669 | [email protected] | 10am - 6pm Mon-Sat, 10am - 4pm Sun

The Secret Garden (Hardcover)

• Description
• About the Author
• Reviews & Media

Celebrate an unforgettable classic with this gorgeously repackaged edition, featuring the timeless art of Tasha Tudor. Just in time for the movie adaptation starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters!

This beautiful hardcover edition includes Tasha Tudor’s iconic illustrations in full color, making it the perfect collector’s edition or a wonderful gift for young readers.

When orphaned Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great house on the Yorkshire Moors, she finds it full of secrets. The mansion has nearly one hundred rooms, and her uncle keeps himself locked up. And at night, she hears the sound of crying down one of the long corridors.

The gardens surrounding the large property are Mary's only escape. Then Mary discovers a secret garden, surrounded by walls and locked with a missing key. With the help of two unexpected companions, Mary discovers a way in—and becomes determined to bring the garden back to life.

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849–1924) grew up in England, but she began writing what was to become The Secret Garden in 1909, when she was creating a garden for a new home in Long Island, New York. Frances was a born storyteller. Even as a young child, her greatest pleasure was making up stories and acting them out, using her dolls as characters. She wrote over forty books in her lifetime.

Tasha Tudor's detailed, delicate artwork has been cherished by millions of readers. She illustrated nearly one hundred books, and received multiple awards and honors, including two Caldecott Honors.

• Juvenile Fiction / Classics
• Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
• Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Europe
• Kobo eBook (November 7th, 2023): $8.00
• Kobo eBook (November 26th, 2007): $4.99
• Kobo eBook (February 19th, 2020): $9.99
• Kobo eBook (June 30th, 2003): $4.99
• Kobo eBook (December 14th, 2009): $2.57
• Kobo eBook (May 13th, 2008): $10.51
• Kobo eBook (December 14th, 2009): $5.99
• Paperback (Chinese) (January 1st, 2015): $13.95
• Paperback (August 28th, 2019): $8.99
• Paperback, Large Print (November 15th, 2020): $24.90
• Paperback (May 15th, 2011): $8.95
• Paperback (October 26th, 2022): $20.95
• Paperback (December 1st, 2019): $15.54
• Hardcover (October 23rd, 2006): $28.95
• Paperback (January 2nd, 2019): $15.07
• Paperback (December 27th, 2022): $20.99
• Paperback (June 5th, 1998): $12.90
• Paperback (January 18th, 2013): $8.99
• Hardcover (July 28th, 2020): $21.59
• Paperback (November 13th, 2020): $19.95

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• June 11, 2024   •   24:11 Biden’s Hard-Line Effort to Close the Border
• June 10, 2024   •   33:44 The Rise and Fall of Congestion Pricing in New York
• June 7, 2024   •   30:00 Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools
• June 6, 2024   •   23:38 The Fight Over the Next Pandemic
• June 5, 2024   •   30:42 Biden’s Push to End the War in Gaza
• June 4, 2024   •   29:17 A Conversation With President Zelensky
• June 3, 2024   •   32:07 How Trump’s Conviction Could Reshape the Election
• May 31, 2024   •   31:29 Guilty
• May 30, 2024   •   25:21 The Government Takes On Ticketmaster
• May 29, 2024   •   29:46 The Closing Arguments in the Trump Trial
• May 28, 2024   •   25:56 The Alitos and Their Flags
• May 24, 2024   •   25:18 Whales Have an Alphabet

Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools

Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates..

Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Featuring Natasha Singer

Produced by Sydney Harper and Shannon M. Lin

Edited by Marc Georges

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

Warning: this episode contains strong language, descriptions of explicit content and sexual harassment

A disturbing new problem is sweeping American schools: Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates and then share them without the person depicted even knowing.

Natasha Singer, who covers technology, business and society for The Times, discusses the rise of deepfake nudes and one girl’s fight to stop them.

On today’s episode

Natasha Singer , a reporter covering technology, business and society for The New York Times.

Background reading

Using artificial intelligence, middle and high school students have fabricated explicit images of female classmates and shared the doctored pictures.

Spurred by teenage girls, states have moved to ban deepfake nudes .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson, Nina Lassam and Nick Pitman.

Natasha Singer writes about technology, business and society. She is currently reporting on the far-reaching ways that tech companies and their tools are reshaping public schools, higher education and job opportunities. More about Natasha Singer

Advertisement

• สมัคร / ล็อกอิน
• ความช่วยเหลือ

Air Force 1 x Tiffany & Co.

Air Force 1 เป็นที่รู้จักครั้งแรกในปี 1982 และสร้างนิยามใหม่ให้รองเท้าบาสเก็ตบอลตั้งแต่คอร์ทพื้นไม้ไปจนถึงพื้นคอนกรีต แถมยังเป็นสนีกเกอร์บาสเก็ตบอลคู่แรกที่ใช้ Nike Air แต่ความล้ำนวัตกรรมก็ยังต้องหลีกทางให้ความเป็นไอคอนในแนวสตรีทของรุ่นนี้