Shipton

With just over 360 residents, it's genuinely rural and peaceful, the kind of place where you'll notice the landscape more than crowds.

The River Coln winds through both villages, and while it's modest in size here, it creates a lovely feature with its fords and water splashes. These crossing points have become quite attractive to look at, and you'll see how the water has been incorporated into private properties as ornamental lakes, which adds real character to the area.

For walking enthusiasts, the Gloucestershire Way long-distance footpath passes straight through, making this a convenient stop if you're tackling the full route or just fancy a section. It's the sort of place where you can enjoy proper countryside without the infrastructure of a larger town getting in the way.

The villages are closest to Northleach for everyday services and supplies, though Cheltenham isn't far if you need anything more substantial. The main appeal here is simply the landscape and the chance to experience a working Cotswolds village at a natural pace. It works well as part of a broader walking route through the area rather than as a destination in itself, though that quiet atmosphere is precisely what some visitors are looking for.