With its postcard-worthy cottages, idyllic river and rural setting, Bourton on the Water is one of the most iconic and picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. Attracting tourists in their tens of thousands, Bourton is a major attraction for anyone looking for a slice of the traditional English countryside.
We have been lucky to visit Bourton-on-the-Water several times. On our most recent visit, we stayed overnight in a charming B&B, allowing us to explore the best of the area. If you can time your trip to avoid the crowds, Bourton-on-the-Water has so much to offer.
Whether you are staying in this beautiful Cotswold village for a weekend or a week, you are guaranteed a classic experience among quaint houses and cosy cafes. From model villages to motoring museums, here are 10 of the best things to do whilst in Bourton-on-the-Water.
1. Take a stroll along the River Windrush
The River Windrush is a 65km long river that runs from the hills of the Cotswolds to the town of Newbridge in Oxfordshire. A tributary of the River Thames, the Windrush is little more than a gentle stream when it runs through the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water.
A series of quaint, low bridges provide easy access to both sides of the river, and are a popular tourist attraction in their own right.
For those looking to snap the perfect image, make sure to visit during quieter times. At the height of summer, Bourton on the Water can be very busy, and the river is one of the most popular spots. However, we found that if you walk a few minutes down the river from the centre of the village, the crowds are much more manageable.
2. Enjoy a traditional cream tea at Jackson’s Café
No visit to the Cotswolds would be complete without sampling a traditional English cream tea.
For one of the best cream teas in Bourton-on-the-Water, head to Jackson’s Café. Located just off the High Street, this small, family-run café guarantees a warm welcome and a delightful menu of sweet treats.
The cream tea is a highlight, with fluffy scones served atop charming crockery and accompanied by pots of traditional tea. The perfect spot to escape the crowds and relax for an hour or two.
How to do it: Jackson’s Café is open seven days a week during the summer months, with a reduced timetable during the off-season.
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3. Admire the traditional Cotswolds architecture in Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is packed full of postcard-worthy cottages and traditional buildings that are typical of the area.
Architecture in the Cotswolds is often referred to as the storybook style, thanks to a traditional limestone brick and chimney design that evokes a sense of bygone years. Certainly, for those visiting the Cotswolds from overseas, the wealth of picturesque villages and strikingly beautiful streets cannot fail to delight.
Bourton-on-the-Water has more than its fair share of classic Cotswolds architecture. From the ancient houses and shops that line the River Windrush to the winding alleys branching off the main street, it’s little wonder that visitors flock here with cameras in tow, looking to capture that perfect glimpse of storybook England.
Early morning is our favourite time to wander the streets of Bourton-on-the-Water. It’s worth setting your alarm and heading off on a pre-breakfast stroll, especially if you are visiting during the peak summer season. Unsurprisingly, Bourton can get quite busy, so any opportunity to beat the crowds should be grabbed with both hands.
4. Shop for local gifts at the Cotswold Gift Gallery
Packed full of handmade gifts to suit every budget, the Cotswold Gift Gallery is one of the best places to bag a souvenir in Bourton-on-the-Water.
From high-end pottery such as Moorcroft and Dartington to artisan glassware and wooden figures, the shop is a veritable treasure trove of goods. Located on the High Street, the shop stands under the narrow ceilings of a traditional Cotswolds cottage, guaranteeing a wonderful browsing experience.
How to do it: The Cotswold Gift Gallery shop is open seven days a week during the peak summer season. You can also make purchases online.
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5. Visit the Cotswold Motoring Museum
The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection boasts an impressive array of rare vehicles, from classic cars to vintage motorbikes. Located at the top of Bourton’s main street, the museum promises to take readers on a nostalgic tour of the history of motoring through the 20th century.
Home to over 40 classic cars, including some from the very early days of motoring in the early 1900s, the motoring museum is sure to appeal to petrolheads and history buffs alike. If cars aren’t quite your thing, the museum also contains an extensive collection of travel-themed toys that bring back heaps of childhood memories.
How to do it: The Cotswold Motoring Museum is open throughout the year. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children.
6. Eat a delicious dinner at The Rose Tree
If you are wondering where to eat in Bourton on the Water, look no further than The Rose Tree. Occupying a prime plot of the banks of the River Windrush, Husband and wife team David and Monika serve up a menu packed full of British classics.
Starters range from seaside favourites such as potted brown crab to perfectly crispy ham hock. Traditional mains such as a mouthwatering lamb shank or a vegetable and stilton lasagne are guaranteed crowd pleasers, ensuring that visitors frequently cite The Rose Tree as one of the best restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water.
Prices at The Rose Tree: Main courses range from £13.95 to £28.50.
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7. Feel like a giant at Bourton-on-the-Water’s model village
Bourton-in-the-Water’s model village is a perfectly proportioned replica of the village’s main streets and buildings. Based on the layout of Bourton in the 1930s, the model village stands at a one-ninth scale. The village was constructed from the same traditional Cotswold stone as the real-life buildings.
Built with unerring accuracy and completed in 1940, the model village offers a charming glimpse into life in Bourton-in-the-Water. From churchgoers to shopkeepers, typical village scenes have been replicated with painstaking detail.
Keep an eye out for the model village inside the model village – it’s the small details that count! We loved strolling around and spotting the hidden surprises left by the artist. I suspect we took three or four laps of the village before we finally decided we had seen everything. An excellent way to spend an hour on a sunny afternoon.
How to do it: The Bourton-on-the-Water model village is open every day of the year except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Tickets cost £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for children.
8. Get fragrant at the Cotswold Perfumery
Offering visitors a fascinating insight into the world of perfumes, the Cotswold Perfumery is a family-run enterprise in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water. The shop stands a stone’s throw from the river, making it a convenient spot for a full-day visit or a quick browse.
With an on-site shop run by fragrance experts, you are guaranteed to find a scent that suits any occasion. For those wanting to learn more about the art of perfumery, a range of courses promises to shine a light on creating the perfect fragrance.
How to do it: A one-day beginner course at the Cotswold Perfumery costs £245.
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9. Walk from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters
The tiny villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter are located a stone’s throw from Bourton-on-the-Water. Both villages boast achingly beautiful buildings in classic Cotswolds style and attract hordes of sightseers during the busy summer months.
Whilst many visitors to the Slaughters choose to drive the 2km from Bourton-on-the-Water, we recommend leaving your car behind and walking. The roads in the Cotswolds are busy enough!
How to do it: The walk from Bourton-in-the-Water to Lower and Upper Slaughter is delightful. Once you cross the busy A429, the path leads you through classic English countryside. Admire the scenery as you ramble through classic wheat fields, past stables, and along hedges. Eventually, you will arrive in Lower Slaughter, where the quintessentially English village is sure to delight.
10. Admire the Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Tree
For those who are heading for a Christmassy break in the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water will prove a real treat. The crowds of summer tourists are long gone, and a less frantic visitor experience awaits.
Alongside the traditional Christmas lights, the star of the show in Bourton-on-the-Water during December is the Christmas Tree. Erected in the middle of the River Windrush, the tree is typically lit from 1 December until 6 January. During this time, it provides a festival focal point for locals and sightseers alike.
Christmas is, generally, a beautiful time to visit Bourton-on-the-Water and the Cotswolds. Few areas of Britain capture the atmosphere of traditional, cosy villages quite like this region. Find yourself a cottage or a B&B with a roaring fireplace and settle in for a festive treat.
How to get to Bourton-on-the-Water
Just 55km from Oxford and 140km from London, Bourton-on-the-Water is perfect for a day trip when visiting England.
Given its rural location, most visitors to Bourton-on-the-Water will travel by car. However, it is also possible to visit by bus or train.
How to visit Bourton-on-the-Water by bus: A number of bus routes serve the village. The most popular is the 801, which travels to Bourton-on-the-Water from Cheltenham.
How to visit Bourton-on-the-Water by train: If you are travelling to Bourton on the Water by train, the easiest route is to catch the train to Cheltenham. From Cheltenham, you can catch the 801 bus to Bourton-on-the-Water.