What are the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is an area of rolling hills in south central England, famous for picturesque villages built of honey-colored limestone. It covers parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
The Cotswolds is the largest of England's protected landscapes known as National Landscapes, formerly called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It covers about 2,000 square kilometres.
During the Middle Ages, the area became wealthy from the wool trade. Rich merchants built grand churches, known as wool churches, and attractive stone houses.
Famous villages
Popular villages include Bibury, often described as one of England's prettiest villages, Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, and Castle Combe.
Market towns such as Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway and Cirencester have historic high streets, antique shops and pubs.
The Cotswold Way, a 102-mile walking trail, runs along the edge of the hills from Chipping Campden to Bath. The area is popular for weekend breaks and has attracted many celebrities who own homes there.
The area is easily reached from London, Oxford and Bath, and many visitors explore it by car, bicycle or on foot, staying in cottages, inns and farmhouses along the way.