Posted on August 23, 2024
With its storybook architecture, rolling hills and abundance of nature, The Cotswolds is a photographer’s dream! If you’re looking for those perfect photo spots to capture The Cotswolds’ unique beauty, we’ve picked seven of our favourite locations you must visit with a camera in hand.
Broadway Hill
Climb Broadway Hill for panoramic, scenic views of The Cotswold countryside and to snap its iconic tower. Head up at sunset as the the sun sinks below the rooftops of cottage homes and the golden tones of the architecture really glow. Find out more about Broadway in our area guide.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Venice of The Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water is a storybook dream with its low bridges, sweeping willows and waddling ducks against that beautiful Cotswolds architecture. Photographers are enticed to the town by its low bridges that date back to 1654 and every picturesque corner around the river bend.
Fuel up at any of the takeaways surround the green, including Bakery on the Water which serves up some of the best sausage rolls in the village!
Castle Combe
Probably one of the most famous and Instagrammable villages in The Cotswolds is Castle Combe. Take a trip to this quaint village in Wiltshire for rows upon rows of eclectic, mix and match cottages. Photographers are drawn to the outlook over the bridge as the village ascends into the English countryside hills.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is the jewel of The Cotswolds and besides its picturesque buildings and architecture throughout, the town is steeped in history, making it so much more than just a visual treat to explore. Its elegant High Street is a delight, described by the historian, G.M. Trevelyan, as “the most beautiful village street now left in the island" and there's always a hidden gem around the corner to photograph, so keep your camera handy!
Bibury
Named one of the most charming towns in Europe by the Huffington Post, you’ll want to have your camera charged and ready to snap a huge number photographs here in Bibury. Arlington Row is the main draw, a row of cosy cottages along the River Coln build from Cotswolds stone. Built in 1380 as a wool store, these houses were converted into weavers’ cottages in the 17th century, and are now probably one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes. You can even book a stay in one of these iconic cottages with the National Trust.
Make time to wander along the river bank and take in the sights of the Rack Isle water meadow too.
Westonbirt Arboretum
This stunning 600-acre Arboretum is home to over 2,500 different species of trees and is considered one of the finest arboretums in the world. For nature enthusiasts, Westonbirt is the perfect location to document the beauty of the changing seasons, from spring blossoming among the magnolias to the fiery red Japanese maple trees in autumn. Keep track of what's blossoming in Westonbirt over on their website.
Kingham
Around 4-miles from Chipping Norton, Kingham is a peaceful, unspoilt, traditional English village for those looking for that typical Cotswolds architecture and rows of thatched cottages slightly off the tourist track. Don’t forget to drop into one of our favourite spots, The Wild Rabbit for a bite to eat. Everything is locally sourced, seasonal and so delicious!
Painswick Rococo Garden
The Rococo Garden is an 18th-century garden located in a valley just outside Painswick. Designed in the 1740s as a pleasure garden for Benjamin Hyett, it features distinctive architecture and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The garden is well known for its vibrant displays of flowers and photo worthy unique garden structures. It's open to visitors all year and you can even bring your furry best friend, making it a fantastic spot for a leisurely stroll and photography.
The Rollright Stones
The Rollright Stones are a group of ancient megalithic monuments located on the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire border. The site includes three main elements: the King's Men stone circle, the King Stone, and the Whispering Knights dolmen; the stones are believed to date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. All three sites are steeped in legend and history, with folklore suggesting they were once a king and his knights turned to stone by a witch. It's a captivating location for those interested in history, archaeology, and atmospheric photography.
Sezincote House and Garden
Located just outside Moreton-in-Marsh, Sezincote House and Gardens, built in 1805, stand out against the English landscape with their Indian-style architecture, featuring a striking onion dome and intricate Mughal-inspired details. It is the only authentically Mughal Palace in northern Europe, the house was also the inspiration for the Brighton Pavilion. Its beautifully landscaped gardens, with vibrant flowerbeds, water features, and the stunning Oriental bridge, provide a blend of nature and design ideal for capturing stunning images.