Our Absolute Favourite Cotswold Spots that you must visit in 2026
The Cotswolds is a beautiful destination where you’ll find countless exceptional pubs, quaint cafés and incredible farm shops – not to mention the postcard-perfect scenery. We get countless messages asking for our recommendations, so whether you’re coming for just an overnight stay, or more than a week, here are the places not to miss!
Where to Stay
Of course, if you’re looking for a place to stay; look no further than our very own Strawtop Cottage Three and Strawtop Cottage Two – our luxurious two bedroom thatched cottages complete with Daylesford amenities, wax jackets, wellies, and other thoughtful touches. They make the perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds!
How to Get Here
The Cotswolds is easy to visit even if just for the day from London; the train from Marylebone to Banbury is under one hour, however you’ll need a car to explore most of the best places that the Cotswolds has to offer. You can also get the train from Paddington into Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury or even Bicester – all would be great places to begin your adventure.
How long to spend in the Cotswolds
I would personally recommend a full week if you really want to explore the Cotswolds’ best spots; this will allow you to visit numerous villages and try out lots of the incredible food offerings that this National Landscape (formerly known as an AONB) has to offer. Having said that, two or three nights would be the perfect amount of time to explore the North of the Cotswolds and fit a lot of the best bits into your itinerary.
Our top brunch & lunch spots
Quince & Clover
I’m sure you will all know how much Charlie and I adore Quince & Clover. Not only do they have a wonderful cafe in Great Tew, but their incredible team catered for our wedding! They produce so many scrumptious dishes such as breakfast baps, dahls and an excellent range of fresh salads; plus they’re conveniently located close to Soho Farmhouse, so do pop in if you’re in the area.
Farm & Table
We highly recommend booking a table at Farm & Table at Wykham Park Farm if you’re looking for a true field-to-fork experience. Set on a working farm just outside Banbury, the setting feels wonderfully rural and authentic. The café champions organic, seasonal produce grown right on site, so the menu changes regularly depending on what’s in season. You’ve got to try their incredible Reuben sandwich (it’s one of the best I’ve ever had), and then be sure to pop into their wonderful farm shop, which is packed full of fresh produce and loads of local brands.
Lynwood & Co
Lynwood & Co is a collection of wonderful cafes which are dotted throughout the Cotswolds; with locations in Moreton-in-Marsh, Bampton, Burford and more. Lynwood are known for their fantastic coffee, as well as their cakes, cruffins and delicious lunches. The food is of very high quality, plus they are dog friendly which seals the deal. I recommend popping in for a latte and a slice of their toasted banana & walnut loaf drizzled in greek yogurt & honey on a Saturday morning!
The Yurt at Nicholsons
If you watch my YouTube Channel, I’m sure you’ll have heard of Nicholsons Garden Centre, as the team there have done all of the landscaping for our garden. If you happen to be visiting Soho Farmhouse or Bicester Village, then a quick stop at Nicholsons would be the perfect addition to your trip. Their wonderful cafe, The Yurt, is open for brunch and lunch Tuesday – Saturday and cannot be missed! The food quality is exceptional and they regularly host supper club evenings – plus it’s only a 6 minute drive from Strawtop Cottages!
Our top cosy dinner spots
The Duke of Cumberland’s Head
We have become frequent visitors to The Duke of Cumberland’s Head, a charming village pub that perfectly balances cosy tradition with a refined menu. With its low beams, roaring fireplaces and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a lovely spot year-round, whether you’re stopping by for a Sunday lunch after a countryside walk or attending one of their chef’s nights. The menu champions seasonal British produce, with beautifully executed classics alongside more creative specials.
The Bull at Charlbury
The Bull is a favourite of ours, it is a top-quality pub with a very creative menu; serving dishes such as muntjac meatballs and a whole roast partridge. The atmosphere is that of a cosy pub with leather armchairs and roaring open fires, and the menu celebrates seasonal and local ingredients. The Bull also has luxurious rooms if you’d like to stay, and is located in a beautiful village called Charlbury which is a short drive from Chipping Norton.
The Duck On The Pond
We are always blown away with the food at The Duck on the Pond, a beautiful 18th-century pub tucked away in the little village of South Newington. With its honey-stone exterior and relaxed interiors, it feels effortlessly welcoming. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients with a modern British twist, and the presentation is always thoughtful. It’s an ideal spot for a laid-back lunch that turns into an unhurried afternoon.
The Howard Arms
The Howard Arms is a cosy Cotswold pub located in the sleepy village of Ilmington. I’d say they offer elevated pub fare, with some pub classics such as fish & chips on the menu, alongside some more creative options such as venison served with bone marrow potato, cavolo nero and a game sauce; yummy! A great one for a Sunday roast.
The Fox at Oddington
We are regular visitors of The Fox at Oddington, as they have wonderful interiors, a beautiful garden to sit in when the weather is nice, and a fantastic menu. I’d recommend visiting The Fox on a Friday or Saturday night for their incredible cocktails, followed by dinner. Choose between dishes such as wild mushroom & gorgonzola orzo, or dry-aged ribeye; alternatively, you could go for their fabulous wood fired soughdough pizzas. The atmosphere here is great – perfect for a more lively pub experience.
The Wild Rabbit
If you have a special occasion coming up, then look no further than The Wild Rabbit in Kingham. The Wild Rabbit is perfect for special occasions such as a birthday meal, as they offer what I’d call approachable fine-dining. Kingham village is absolutely beautiful, just a few minutes from Daylesford Farm.
Our top local businesses to visit
Daylesford Organic
I won’t say too much about Daylesford Organic as I’m sure you will have all heard about it a million times, and I bet many of you will have even visited it yourselves! Daylesford is a very large farm shop here in the Cotswolds and is the perfect place to stock up on local, organic fruit, vegetables and meat. They also do delicious salads, soups and baked goods; as well as having a huge range of stunning homeware and of course a fabulous garden centre. Visiting Daylesford is like an activity in itself as there is so much to see – you can make a day of it by staying for lunch or even for a spa treatment at The Bamford Spa.
Burford Garden Co
Burford Garden Co is, as you might have guessed, a garden centre; but like with Daylesford, there’s just so much to see that you can really make a day of it when you visit! Burford Garden Co sell a great range of plants, but they also have an amazing selection of homeware, including beautiful Christmas decorations. They have a cute little book shop which is the perfect place to do a spot of gift shopping, plus there is have a great cafe serving coffee & cakes if you’re in need of some light refreshment.
RH England
If you’ve never been, we’d recommend a trip to RH England. It’s technically a furniture showroom, but it is honestly so much more than that. Set within a grand historic estate, the scale and interiors are truly impressive, with beautifully curated rooms, a glasshouse and sweeping grounds to explore. We love taking our time wandering through the manor house before stopping for a coffee or a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants, such as the Orangery, which is every bit as elegant as you’d expect (and very expensive, so be warned!). You could even opt for a glass of rosé, and take it with you as you wander around the grounds.
North Aston Organics
North Aston Organics is a newly opened farm shop, located on a working farm. They sell organic produce and thoughtfully sourced pantry staples. This small but beautifully curated farm shop is a real hidden gem, offering everything from fresh vegetables and fruit to locally made cheeses and baked goods. There’s something very special about shopping somewhere that feels so connected to the land around it. Whether you’re picking up ingredients for a cosy supper at home or simply browsing for inspiration, it’s well worth a visit while you’re in the area.
The Cotswolds Distillery
Just a few minutes down the road from us is The Cotswolds Distillery. The distillery produces a range of whiskeys and gins, including their gin-based version of Pimms, which knocks Pimms out of the park in my opinion, and is made of more natural ingredients. You can book a tour & tasting for £25pp at The Cotswolds Distillery, or you can stop by for a pizza and a cocktail or two!
Our top villages to visit
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow is a village around 20 minutes from us and has the most adorable village centre, filled with old Cotswold stone buildings. Stow has a couple of great antiques shops which are worth a visit, and is a great place for gift shopping as they have a fudge shop, a chocolatiers and a couple of lovely homeware shops. They also have plenty of lovely cafés, such as Otis & Belle which is a favourite of ours.
Broadway
Broadway is another scenic Cotswold village; there is an outpost of The Cotswolds Distillery there, as well as an excellent deli and some great homeware shops including an Oka store! Broadway Tower is another highlight not to be missed – it’s a great place to go for a wintery walk and to admire the herd of deer.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is one of my favourite villages to visit in the winter; it makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time when I see all of the period properties lining the highstreet covered in a layer of frost or snow. I love to walk around the Church to take in the views of the surrounding rolling hills, and spend an hour or so meandering through the quaint market town.
