There are three villages I believe you must visit when exploring the region. The first is the market town of Chipping Campden. After wandering its streets, browsing local shops, and admiring the historic stone buildings, be sure to stop at The Bantam Tea Rooms and Guest House for a coffee and pastry. It is a welcoming place at any time of day and a perfect introduction to Cotswold hospitality. If you are visiting in the or summer, nearby Hidcote Manor Garden is well worth your time, offering carefully designed outdoor rooms and sweeping countryside views.

The second stop, especially for first-time visitors, should be Castle Combe. When visiting any picturesque village, the key is to arrive early, but it is equally important to remember people live here year-round. Respect for the community goes a long way. Castle Combe feels frozen in time. There are no television satellites or telephone wires in sight, and no new homes have been built in over 400 years. The absence of modern structures makes the village feel almost unreal. It has served as a filming location for movies such as War Horse, a long with numerous television shows, but its true magic is best experienced in person.