Ascott-under-Wychwood

The village is small but keeps its character well, with a green surrounded by traditional stone cottages that show how building has evolved across the Cotswolds.

The church of St Mary is worth a look inside, and with just over five hundred residents, the village has managed to avoid losing its identity. You'll find a pub and shop here too, which puts it ahead of many villages this size in the area.

What really draws people is the countryside around it. The village takes its name from the Wychwood, an ancient forest that once spread across much of this region, and you can still walk through the woodland and farmland from here. This is a place where you'll naturally spend time wandering the lanes and footpaths rather than hunting for specific attractions, though it works well as a base if you want to explore Chipping Norton or venture further to Woodstock and Witney.

If you're looking for somewhere quieter than the busier Cotswolds villages but don't want to feel completely removed from things, this delivers exactly that. It's the kind of spot that rewards a slower pace.