Five Cotswolds villages named among the UK’s prettiest

The area was well represented in a round-up of the 15 prettiest UK villages to visit right now by the magazine in a new springtime guide.

Castle Combe, Bibury, Broadway, Great Tew and Lower Slaughter all feature in Country Living’s May 2026 issue.

This celebrates the villages coming into their own this spring, with blossom-lined lanes, honey-coloured stone and wildflowers in abundance.

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Tracy Archer, owner director at StayCotswold, the Cotswolds’ largest independent holiday let agency with over 300 properties, welcomed the news.

“To see five of the Cotswolds’ villages featured in a list like this is a wonderful reminder of just how special the region is,” she said.

“Our guests are perfectly placed to explore all five, and we’re seeing strong bookings right through to the summer as people look to make the most of the longer days and nature in full bloom.”

Castle Combe

Frequently used as a filming location, Castle Combe’s honey-coloured cottages and medieval market cross feel almost untouched by time.

The Bybrook River runs clear beneath the bridge, with fresh greenery lining its banks and early wildflowers appearing on nearby woodland paths.

Bibury

Often described as one of England’s most beautiful villages, Bibury is home to Arlington Row, a terrace of 17th-century weavers’ cottages now in the care of the National Trust.

In spring, wildflowers scatter across the meadows, and the River Coln runs quickly and clear, offering an ideal backdrop for a gentle riverside walk.

Broadway

With its wide high street and elegant Cotswold stone buildings, Broadway lends itself to a slow wander at any time of year.

As spring takes hold, colour comes through along the verges and field edges, and the walk towards Broadway Tower is particularly rewarding.

Great Tew

With its thatched cottages and mellow stone houses, Great Tew feels quietly tucked away from the world.

In spring, blossom hangs over low stone walls, gardens are full of early planting, and the verges are thick with fresh greenery.

Lower Slaughter

Set along the River Eye, Lower Slaughter is known for its old mill and low stone bridges.

The footpath towards Upper Slaughter is at its most picturesque this time of year, with cow parsley, green fields and early wildflowers lining the route.

StayCotswold offers a wide range of holiday lets across the region, from cosy cottages in the heart of the villages featured to larger properties for family and group stays.

With properties available to book year-round, the agency provides guests with expert local knowledge and a hand-picked selection of accommodation to suit every occasion.