Bibury

Bibury sits along the River Coln, about six miles northeast of Cirencester, and it's genuinely worth visiting if you want to understand why this region has long captured people's imaginations.

The main reason to come is Arlington Row, a stretch of seventeenth-century cottages built from golden stone that have survived in remarkable condition. These buildings are so recognisable they've appeared on the inside cover of British passports. Walking past them genuinely does feel like stepping into another time. The Church of Saint Mary adds real historical weight too, with Saxon origins that take you back even further than the famous cottages.

You can easily spend a few hours here wandering the village, stopping into tea rooms and local shops, or taking a walk along the Coln itself. There's a trout farm if that interests you, and the surrounding countryside offers some gentle walking routes. The village does attract plenty of visitors, particularly at weekends, so arriving early tends to give you a more peaceful experience.

It sits conveniently close to Cirencester if you're doing a wider Cotswolds circuit, and fits well alongside nearby places like Northleach or Bourton-on-the-Water. Bear in mind that parking gets tight during busier periods, so it's worth planning your arrival time with that in mind.