Are you a hodophile whose wanderlust spirit has urged you to hit the road?
Does your weary self yearn for a break to some calm and soothing countryside, especially in the UK? If yes, don’t sweat the small stuff!! Pack your bags and travel to the prettiest village in England, Bourton-On-The-Water.
Bourton-On-The-Water is a charming town located on the River Windrush in Gloucestershire, England. The town has a history dating back to the 15th century and is known for its stunning architecture and stunning views of the Bristol Channel. Bourton-On-The-Water is perfect for relaxing holidays or for those looking for a place to escape the hustle of everyday life.
Ineffable Beauty of Bourton-On-The-Water
At the heart of Cotswold in England, under the tranquil azure sky where clouds look like plumes of feathers, surrounded by lush green meadows, lies an enchanting village, Bourton-on-the-Water.
Let your eleutheromaniac self enjoy the cool breeze beside a river in Bourton-of-the-Water, with a cup of your favorite coffee in one hand and the book in the other that you have been procrastinating to read because of your hustled routine.
Historic Architecture
The five historic arched footbridges span the waters of River Windrush. Its bustling waters flow through the pulchritudinous village, making it earn the title of ‘Venice of the Cotswold (England).’ It comprises the most enticing feature of the village.
Being clad in honey-colored stone architecture, Bourton-on-the-Water dazzles like a pretty damsel on a bright sunny day.
Rich History
Stone Age and Bronze Age burial mounds in the area are evident because the village has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. (Who Knows if Flintstone could have been here with Betty? What do you think?)
Later, the Romans built camps in the area now known as Lansdowne.
From 1654 to 1911, the five bridges spanning the River Windrush were constructed from local Cotswold stone.
Related: 6 Must-Visit Incredible Tourist Attractions of England
Top 5 Attractions of Bourton-On-The-Water
God made humans, and humans made towns. Human settlements that go hand in hand with nature are the kind of settlements that I have always appreciated.
Bourton-on-the-Water is one of such marvelous architecture that accentuates the beautiful local scenery. A stone’s throw from each other, there is a wealth of tourist attractions here.
Let’s find out what they are.
The Model Village
This splendid architecture represents a unique example of craftsmanship. The entire village on a 1:9 scale of the actual village is what the model village of Bourton-On-The-Water is all about.
Starting in 1936 and completed in 1940, Morris and his team did an impeccable job covering the historic village’s core in its miniature version.
The running stream of water represents the magnificent view of the River Windrush flowing through the village.
One gets a bird’s eye view of the entire village in about 20 minutes. How cool is that?
The Motoring and Toy Museum
Once you enter this fascinating and one-of-a-kind museum in the village, you will find yourself walking through an archive of 20th-century motors.
The collection of rare vehicles in the museum gives a glimpse of life on roads that used to be in that era. With a massive selection of displays of cars, motorbikes, caravans, and toys under one roof, this museum promises an exhilarating experience.
Get ready to be transported to your childhood when you find a vast collection of toys and games in this unique memorabilia. Toy boats, model airplanes, jigsaw, board games, pedal cars, bicycles, and even a pedal snail. Woohoo!!
Birdland Park and Gardens
They say a trip to the village is incomplete without saying hello to England’s Birdland Parks and Gardens.
Bourton-on-the-Water offers a plethora of attractions to nature lovers. And this holds when these nine acres of vast woodland and garden area amaze you with different birds and Jurassic animals.
Flamingos, Waterfowls, Owls, Parrots, Cranes, Pelicans, Hornbills, etc. Come and experience the splendid beauty of this diversity of birds.
It is where you can meet England’s only breeding group of King Penguins and comical African Penguins.
Your kids will love you even more after being at this place. This also adds to why this place offers a complete vacation package for families.
The Greystones Nature Reserve
Greystones Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI) as it inhabits wildflower-rich meadows and rivers.
Besides, it is home to Iron Age Earthwork, a replica of an Iron Age roundhouse, a working organic farm, and an interactive Discovery Barn. Here you can find many waymarked trails to explore wildflower meadows.
The rustling of River Eye’s waters will be music to your ears if you wish to take a break from your exploration.
Dress in Iron Age clothing, explore archeological finds, and learn more about Greystone’s History while stopping at Interactive Discovery Barn. The Reserve is also a site of the Salmonsbury Camp ( an important meeting place during the Neolithic and Iron Age) and a Scheduled Monument.
The Cotswold Brewing Company
A tour of Cotswold Brewing Company is a must when you visit Bourton-On-The-Water.
Cotswold Brewing Company is an independent and family-owned microbrewery specializing in brewing lager in kegs using traditional methods.
Those passionate about lager brewing can find a reason to smile as the microbrewery is open for public tours on weekends. Don’t forget to book the tours in advance.
How to Reach?
The village, centrally located in the UK, is easily accessible from most regions. You can travel by bus, train, pre-booked car service, or your car. The British transport facilities will be able to meet your expectations.
If you choose to travel by car, Google Directions will guide you.
If you choose to travel by train (starting from London), following directions will help you plan the journey.
- London Paddington Station to Kingham. A pre-ordered taxi will be required to reach Bourton-on-the-Water.
- London Paddington Station to Moreton-in-Marsh. Take Pulham’s Coaches 801 bus service to Bourton-on-the-Water.
- London Paddington Station to Cheltenham Spa. Take the ‘D’ bus from the railway station to Royal Well Road Bus Station ->Take the 801 bus service to Bourton-on-the-Water.
If you choose to take National Express Coach to travel, the following directions will be helpful:
- London Victoria to Royal Well in Cheltenham. Take Pulham’s Coaches 801 bus to Bourton-on-the-Water.
- London Victoria to Beeches Road in Cirencester. Take the 855 bus service to Northleach –Change onto the 801 bus to Bourton-on-the-Water.
Important Links to Book Train and Bus Services for our Journey-
- National Express: Inter-city and Inter regional coach operator
- Airline : Airport Coach service
- Pulham Coaches: Local bus service
- National Rail: The UK railway network operator.
- Heathrow Express: Rail link between London Heathrow Airport and London
Paddington Railway station
- RailAir: Heathrow Airport Coach and Bus service.
- Gloucestershire PublicTransport: To book D Bus Service from Cheltenham.
When to Plan A Visit
The beauty of the village remains unparalleled throughout the year, glorifying every season its location offers. However, the most pleasant and comfortable weather welcomes you from May until September, the coldest in January, and the wettest in October. Don’t forget to check the weather planner’s suggestions before you travel.
Where To Stay At Bourton-on-the-Water?
It’s been a whole day exploring the beauty of the village, and now a king-size bed for your travel-weary self is on your mind, right? Don’t worry, you will get plenty of options here.
Most of the accommodations here are country-style historical buildings with original charm. You can find services ranging from Wi-Fi to cordial staff and delicious food anywhere you choose to stay.
Here is a list of perfect stays that will help you select the stay you prefer at your convenience and budget:
- The Manor Close
- The Chester House Hotel
- The Lansdowne
- The Windrush Apartments
- The Old New In
- The Lamb Inn
You can also check other options at Booking.com, UKHotels, or Trivago.
What To Eat At Bourton-on-the-Water?
Your wanderlust spirit gets elevated when you find a great collection of cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants lined up along the Riverside in the village.
Whether it is a traditional cream tea, mouthwatering sandwiches, or luxury meals, you can find everything to satisfy your taste buds. Oh, how can I forget to mention the delectable flavors of ice cream that will make your day!
Where to Shop At Bourton-on-the-Water?
Don’t let your money jiggle in Bourton-On-the-Water; let it flow on shopping souvenirs! Your search for a good souvenir will end at reasonably priced antique shops in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Whatever you shop from Bourton-on-the-Water will become memorabilia with which your experiences and identity of this place will always remain associated.
Experience a unique shopping experience at Cotswold Perfumery, The Cotswold Pottery, Cotswold Sheepskin, Cotswold China and Cookware, Bourton Basket, The Cotswold Distillery, and Duttons Gift Shop, to name a few.
Final Thoughts
Once you explore this place, you will realize it won’t be an exaggeration to say that getting lost in the pristine beauty of this idyllic village is a routine in Bourton-on-the-Water. Let me know in the comments section if this post has successfully motivated you to include this beautiful destination on your travel bucket list.
Cheers to the knack of exploring new destinations, you hodophile!!
FAQs | Bourton-on-the-Water
What is the prettiest village in the Cotswolds?
The prettiest village in the Cotswolds is Stow-on-the-Wold. It has a lovely square with a market hall and some great pubs and restaurants, plus some beautiful countryside walks nearby.
Why is Bourton-on-the-Water Famous?
Bourton-on-the-Water is a village in Gloucestershire, England. It is famous for its picturesque architecture and the River Windrush that runs through it.
Is Bourton-on-the-Water a nice place to live?
Bourton-on-the-Water is a beautiful place to live. It’s in the Cotswolds, known for its rolling hills and picturesque villages. The town is also home to some of the best restaurants in the area.
Why is it called Bourton-on-the-Water?
Bourton-on-the-Water is called Bourton-on-the-Water because it is on the water. The river Windrush flows through the town, and there are several bridges crossing the river.
Is Bourton-on-the-Water-Busy?
Yes, Bourton-on-the-Water can be quite busy during peak tourist season. However, there are plenty of quiet spots to enjoy the river and the Cotswold countryside.
How do you spend a day in Bourton on the Water?
There are plenty of things to do in Bourton on the Water, so it depends on what you’re interested in. You could visit the Cotswold Wildlife Park, walk or bike ride along the river, or explore the shops and restaurants in the town center.
Is Bourton-on-the-Water a town or village?
Bourton-on-the-Water is a village located in the Cotswolds region of England. It is known for its picturesque architecture and river scenery.
How much is parking in Bourton-on-the-Water?
£1.50 for 2 hours and £2 for 3 hours (rates may change). Sunday is free all day.
Can you get uber in the Cotswolds?
Uber service is unavailable as of now, will have to rely on old-fashion taxi services, which can get expensive at times.
Editor’s Note: When traveling, always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect yourself. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information in our articles, things can change quickly and we cannot guarantee that all information is accurate at all times. Use your best judgment when planning your trip and always consult with a travel professional before making any final decisions.
