📷 Photo by Chris Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This small Oxfordshire village sits in rolling countryside between Chipping Norton and Banbury, making it a genuinely quiet spot if you're looking to escape the busier parts of the Cotswolds.
With around 250 residents, Little Tew has kept its rural character without feeling cut off—either town is just a short drive away if you need a supermarket or other amenities.
The heart of the village is St. Michael's Church, a medieval structure that tells the story of centuries of local life. The lanes around it are lovely for walking, and if you head south you'll find Green Lane, an ancient drovers' road that once moved livestock across the region. The River Swere marks the northwestern edge of the parish, and these waterways have shaped how people have lived here for generations.
What you get here is genuine quietness rather than something designed to look charming. You'll see working farms and everyday village life carrying on much as it has for a very long time. Most people come for walking, photography, or simply to experience the Cotswolds at a slower rhythm without crowds. If you're interested in local food and drink heritage, the Hook Norton brewery nearby is worth a visit.
Little Tew works best as part of exploring the northern Cotswolds more broadly rather than as a destination on its own.
Visitor reviews
Every review has a sheep rating. If you have dogs on your account, you can add an optional dog-friendly paw rating when you post.
Photos
C. Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
M. Trolove · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons