Eaton Hastings

With around 2,300 residents, it maintains genuine village character without the sense of overdevelopment that affects many rural settlements. The location works well if you're travelling between the Cotswolds and Swindon, or if you're drawn to the kind of layered history that comes from sitting on old county boundaries. The real appeal here is in taking time to explore at a leisurely pace rather than rushing through. You'll encounter the sort of unpretentious charm that reveals itself gradually as you wander around, making it a decent stopping point while exploring this part of the Vale.