Upper Rissington

It's a relatively young village by local standards, with most of what you see today dating from after the Second World War. The reason is straightforward: it was built as officers' quarters for RAF Little Rissington, the active airfield that still operates nearby. When the Ministry of Defence sold off the housing in 1996, the settlement gradually transformed into the residential community you'll find now.

The village's aviation heritage is genuinely woven into its identity rather than being something added for visitors. Street names like Spitfire Place, Sopwith Road, and Avro Road honour the aircraft that once defined the base. Several original military buildings survive here too—the former Station Headquarters and Officers' Mess have been converted into homes while retaining their distinctive mid-century architectural character.

Upper Rissington is refreshingly quiet and genuinely residential, without the tourism infrastructure you'll encounter in nearby Bourton. This makes it a good choice if you're after a peaceful base for exploring the wider area. The elevated location offers decent views across the surrounding Cotswolds landscape. It's worth visiting if you're interested in mid-twentieth century British history or simply prefer villages that reflect their actual purpose rather than being primarily geared toward tourism.