Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is a rural region in south-central England known for its rolling limestone hills, historic villages, and distinctive vernacular architecture. It is designated as the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is managed to preserve its landscape character, traditional building styles, and rural economy.

Geography and geology: The Cotswolds spans parts of six counties, notably Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, and Somerset. The landscape is shaped by Jurassic limestone (Cotswold stone), creating honey-colored stone cottages, dry-stone walls, and picturesque market towns. The area includes the Cotswold Hills and a network of woodlands, farmland, and watercourses that contribute to its scenic qualities.

Settlements and landscape features: Well-known towns include Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Tetbury. The villages are characterized by stone cottages, steep streets, and sometimes grand manor houses. The Cotswold Way, a 102-mile long-distance path from Bath to Chipping Campden, highlighted the region’s appeal to walkers and tourists.

History and economy: The wool trade in medieval times brought wealth and led to the construction of many stone buildings. Today the economy is dominated by tourism, agriculture, and local crafts, with visitors drawn to scenic landscapes, historic towns, and country markets.

Conservation and planning: As an AONB, the Cotswolds is subject to planning and conservation measures intended to protect its landscape, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The Cotswolds Conservation Board oversees the area’s management plans in collaboration with local authorities and communities.

Overall, the Cotswolds is regarded as a quintessential English rural landscape, balancing natural beauty with a long history of human settlement and craft.