Aston Cross

The surrounding countryside is genuinely lovely for walking, with gentle rolling hills and the characteristic stone walls that define this area.

Bourton-on-the-Water itself, just a short distance away, deserves a proper visit. The village spreads across both sides of the River Windrush, which runs shallow enough in places for paddling and offers pleasant riverside walks. You'll find decent shops, cafes, and restaurants along the high street, plus a few small museums for rainy days. The village green and bridges are genuinely pleasant to wander around, especially if you arrive early before coach tours descend.

From Aston Cross, you're well positioned for exploring further afield. Upper and Lower Slaughter are neighbouring villages with similar appeal but considerably fewer visitors. Stow-on-the-Wold sits about twenty minutes' drive away and is worth the journey. Numerous walking routes thread through the surrounding farmland, and you can reach Cheltenham or Gloucester for larger town amenities within thirty to forty minutes.

The area has been settled since Saxon times, though most of what you see today dates from the Georgian and Victorian periods. This is a good place to stay if you want to experience Cotswold village life without the tourist crowds.