If you’re a foreigner like me, and you close your eyes and picture an idyllic version of the English countryside, you’re probably going to imagine Bourton-on-the-Water, AKA the “Venice of the Cotswolds”… even if you’ve never seen it before.
With its warm stone houses, winding river, low-lying stone bridges, and whimsical attractions, Bourton-on-the-Water (also written as Bourton on the Water) is England at its most charming.
Add in the fact that it’s centrally located within the region, and it’s no surprise that Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds!
When we were planning our trip to the Cotswolds, we immediately narrowed in on Bourton-on-the-Water as an excellent place to base ourselves, and we’re so glad that we chose this cozy house as our home for 4 days.
Here are the best things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water, plus tips on what’s nearby and how to plan your own trip to the Venice of the Cotswolds!
Table of Contents
- The Best Things to Do in Bourton-on-the-Water
- Fun Things to Do (Very) Close to Bourton-on-the-Water
- The Closest Cotswolds Villages to Bourton-on-the-Water
- Where to Stay in Bourton-on-the-Water
- How Long to Spend in Bourton-on-the-Water
- Getting Around When Visiting Bourton-on-the-Water
- When to Visit Bourton-on-the-Water
The Best Things to Do in Bourton-on-the-Water
Meander across the River Windrush via its charming bridges.
Bourton-on-the-Water is known for its 5 gorgeous, low-lying stone bridges that criss-cross the River Windrush, and they are even prettier in person!
The oldest of them, the Mill Bridge, was built in 1654, followed by the High Bridge, built in 1756.
We had a wonderful time slowly making our way along the river through the town’s center, admiring the various ducks, geese, and swans that call the area home.
Marvel at the Model Village.
The Model Village, located on the property of the popular Old New Inn, is frequently touted as one of the top things to see in Bourton-on-the-Water, but until we saw it with our own eyes, we didn’t appreciate just how cool it is!
Built in the 1930s, the Model Village is an exact replica of Bourton-on-the-Water–down to the placement of individual trees–built at 1/9 the scale.
It’s also open air, and you can walk through the whole thing!
We delighted in the whimsical nature of the experience and marveled at the craftsmanship. There was even someone working on restoration in one section when we visited!
And, while we would have visited on a couple’s trip as well, it’s safe to say that the Model Village was one of our toddler’s favorite attractions in the UK.
Grab a bite to eat at Bakery on the Water.
Situated right on the River Windrush, the Bakery on the Water is known not only for its excellent food, but for its back terrace overlooking the river.
Sadly, the terrace was closed when we visited, but we still loved our visit to the cozy bakery!
The cinnamon rolls were a standout, as was the friendly service.
Stop by the Motor Museum.
Nestled against the River Windrush and just steps from Bakery on the Water, you’ll find the Cotswold Motoring Museum!
The museum catalogs vehicles–from cars to motorcycles and beyond–across the 20th century, and is also home to a toy collection!
As an American, I have to say that I didn’t recognize the name “Brum”, but he also lives here at the museum (and I gather that anyone who grew up watching the BBC will recognize the name).
Peek inside the Church of Saint Lawrence (and its churchyard).
With roots reaching all the way back to the 8th century, the Church of Saint Lawrence is beautiful, peaceful, and a beautiful place to visit. It’s also very much an operating parish church!
Across England, we were struck by how seamlessly the old and the new blended together inside churches, with bits of modern architecture and convenience (children’s play areas, signs advertising events) added directly to historic buildings, and the Church of Saint Lawrence is a great example of that.
The oldest part of the church we can see today is the chancel, which dates to 1328–hard to fathom, considering there’s a glass staircase toward the back of the church!
Don’t miss the beautiful churchyard while you explore, either.
Stroll down Bow Lane.
There are endless small streets featuring beautiful, well-kept homes in the Cotswolds, but our amble down Bow Lane in Bourton-on-the-Water is one that we particularly enjoyed!
Situated close to the River Windrush (like essentially everything else in town, really), the street is quiet and beautiful, and it felt like exactly the kind of place that we came to the Cotswolds to savor!
Discover a less idyllic side of Bourton on the Water.
Curious about the less-than-lovely history of this picturesque English Village?
If so, sign up for a Bloody Bourton Walking Tour!
Held on Friday and Saturday nights, this walking tour covers the darker side of the village’s history.
Sadly, the tour didn’t coincide with our visit, but if we ever return to Bourton-on-the-Water, this is the first thing we’ll do!
Fun Things to Do (Very) Close to Bourton-on-the-Water
Outside of Bourton-on-the-Water’s dreamy historic center, there are a few other attractions worth being aware of!
We can’t stray too far–as in, more than a15 minute drive or so–from Bourton-on-the-Water without turning this into a broader Cotswolds travel guide.
And while I do intend to write a few of those, this isn’t one of them!
These attractions, though, are so close to town that they’re worth grouping together with your visit to Bourton-on-the-Water:
Explore the Cotswold Farm Park.
Want to admire 50+ animal species, feed goats, sheep, and cows, and meander through a gorgeous landscape?
If so, head to the Cotswold Farm Park!
While the farm is truly enjoyable for visitors of all ages–Jeremy and I both loved it–there’s no doubt that those visiting the Cotswolds with kids have extra reasons to visit.
With multiple playgrounds and playspaces, plus the Discovery Barn, there’s a lot for young ones to love here.
Solve the Dragonfly Maze.
Want to solve a classic hedge maze?
If so, disappear into the Dragonfly Maze, which features (of course) a dragonfly statue at its center.
Unlike many museums and activities these days, you can’t pre-book the Dragonfly Maze days in advance, and it does sell out at popular times!
We recommend aiming for a weekday morning if you can.
Per their website, it takes an average of 20-50 minutes to solve the maze, making it the perfect stop in between villages as you explore the Cotswolds by car.
Bourton-on-the-Water : Dragonfly Maze by Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hike to another village (or several).
Want to skip the car and use your feet as transportation while in the Cotswolds?
From Bourton-on-the-Water, it’s easy enough to do!
While arguably anywhere in Gloucestershire is within walking distance if you try hard enough (see the 102-mile Cotswold Way trail to Bath, for example), you certainly don’t need to go far from Bourton-on-the-Water!
In about 5.5 miles, you can visit both Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter in a loop from Bourton-on-the-Water (or you can trim the route by doing an out-and-back walk to Upper Slaughter).
In the opposite direction, you can reach Stow-on-the-Wold via a longer walk (4.2 miles each way).
The surrounding area is very flat and peaceful, making for easy strolling on a beautiful day!
Meander through the Greystone Farm Walking Preserve.
Part of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Greystone Farm Walking Preserve is known for its meadows filled with wildflowers, riverside views, and wildlife spotting.
It was also the location of a meeting place during the Neolithic and Iron Ages, which is quite the timeline to reflect on during your visit!
If you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy some time soaking up the natural beauty of the Cotswolds, this is an excellent (free) place to visit in Bourton-on-the-Water.
The River Dikler by Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Closest Cotswolds Villages to Bourton-on-the-Water
While the Cotswolds are a much bigger and more dispersed region than many first-time visitors realize, there’s no doubt that Bourton-on-the-Water is extremely conveniently located for exploring!
The gorgeous villages of Upper Slaughter (home of the famous Lords of the Manor hotel) and Lower Slaughter are within walking/hiking distance, as is the beautiful village of Stow-on-the-Wold.
Beautiful Bibury, Moreton-in-Marsh (which boasts a train station), Chipping Camden, and Broadway are all located less than a 30-minute drive away, just to name a few!
Cheltenham, also home to a train station, is about 30 minutes by car west of Bourton-on-the-Water.
Where to Stay in Bourton-on-the-Water
We opted to check into the beautiful and peaceful Bluebirds Cottage during our stay in Bourton-on-the-Water and can highly recommend it!
The bedrooms were comfortable, the kitchen well-equipped, and having a small garden was a perk when traveling as a family.
Most importantly, having access to free on-site parking combined with an easy 10-minute walk into the center of Bourton-on-the-Water made the location ideal for road tripping around the Cotswolds.
Had we been looking for a hotel stay, I likely would have opted for the gorgeous Old New Inn, which gets rave reviews for its breakfast and is located right next door to the Model Village!
The Dial House also gets excellent reviews and caught my eye as we were wandering around town: its back garden looks incredible!
Check rates & book your stay in Bourton-on-the-Water today!
How Long to Spend in Bourton-on-the-Water
In order to enjoy the top things to see in Bourton-on-the-Water itself, you really only need an afternoon or so.
If you’d like to expand your visit to include some of the attractions outside the center, like a hike to another village, you can easily fill a whole day here.
However, Bourton-on-the-Water is a delightful place to simply exist, so stretching out your stay is never a bad idea!
We loved using Bourton-on-the-Water as a base to explore the surrounding area and would happily base ourselves there again.
Getting Around When Visiting Bourton-on-the-Water
While the center of Bourton-on-the-Water itself is perfectly walkable, for exploring the Cotswolds overall, you’ll absolutely want to have a car!
Taxis are extremely limited and competitive, train stations are in just a couple of population centers, and buses aren’t plentiful and are mostly geared toward locals getting to school and work, rather than tourists.
In other words, the Cotswolds are a region made for road-tripping (though organized day trips like this are a popular option for those who want a quick taste of the region without driving).
Assuming you need to rent a car like us, we recommend searching with Discover Cars, which will allow you to compare prices and inclusions of multiple companies at the same time and choose the best car for you from there.
Personally, we picked up our car in Cheltenham (we were arriving via train from Edinburgh), and then dropped it off in Bath at the end of our Cotswolds road trip.
We incurred an extra drop-off fee for dropping the car off in a different city, but since we were basing ourselves in Bath next, it made sense for us!
Check prices and shop rental cars for your trip to Bourton-on-the-Water today!
When to Visit Bourton-on-the-Water
Like much of England, Bourton-on-the-Water is a very seasonal destination!
Summer is the high season, bringing the longest days and warmest temperatures, along with the biggest crowds and highest prices.
Spring and fall are close runners-up, with spring offering beautiful blooms and the chance to delight in lambs, and fall offering cozy days and stunning foliage.
We visited the Cotswolds over very late September/early October, and absolutely adored the timing.
Businesses were bustling but not overrun, the foliage was gorgeous, and the weather was almost flawless (though that, of course, was luck).
Winter is a quiet season in Bourton-on-the-Water, and some businesses will have reduced hours, though personally, I imagine it would be a lovely time for something like a writing retreat!
If you visit in the winter, be prepared for sunsets before 4:30 PM and damp, gray days.
January and February see the highest chances of snow (no guarantees, of course!), while December brings beautiful lights and a gigantic Christmas tree in the middle of the river!
The Willow Christmas Market is a one-day event in Bourton-on-the-Water that corresponds with the Christmas Light Switch-On–it’s technically in November (at least this year), but kicks off the holiday season. You can get details here.
Personally, I think a Christmas trip to the Cotswolds could be quite cozy, but my ideal times to visit Bourton-on-the-Water in particular will always be spring (lambs!) and fall.
About Kate Storm