Oh, sheep! You have finally made it to the Cotswolds. Yes, it truly is as gorgeous as everyone claims.

The main draws of the Cotswolds are the limestone architecture, and the incredibly lush landscape.

An idyllic stroll through any of the sleepy villages will take you past the distinctive wooden doors of pubs, tea rooms, bakeries and confectionery shops.

Image 1 taken at the Horse & Groom pub in the Cotswolds village of Moreton-in-Marsh; Image 2 taken at Bakery on the Water in the Cotswolds village of Bourton-on-the-Water

Or, an amble away from the town’s high street might lead you directly to a sheep enclosure (“Cots”).

How content our wooly friends seem, quietly grazing on an open stretch of land (“Wolds”).

Images taken in the the Cotswolds village of Chipping Campden

What a blessing to be able to enjoy this moment of bliss in the stunning English countryside.

If you want to say a quick prayer of thanks, you’ll have no trouble spotting the holy architecture.

Images taken in the Cotswolds villages of Burford, Bourton-on-the-Hill, and Lower Slaughter

Fairytale Cottages in the Cotswolds: Arlington Row

The postcard-perfect towns of the Cotswolds are primarily characterized by the beautiful stone properties which appear to be dipped in a pot of honey.

The most famous of these fairytale-like cottages are found in the town of Bibury: Arlington Row. 

You can’t help but marvel at the golden cottages of Arlington Row, easily distinguishable by their steeply pitched, thatched roofs.

I imagine they resemble the little cottage that Hansel and Gretel stumbled upon that fateful morning in the forest.

In reality, these residences formerly housed weavers, not an evil old witch. They date as far back as the 17th century!

Fairytale Castles in the Cotswolds: Broadway Tower

If you’re like me, you adore rooftop spaces. And the Cotswolds certainly has an iconic sky-high landmark that delivers on both old-school architectural style and dramatic views. On a clear day, this viewpoint gives you the chance to survey as many as 16 counties in England and Wales.

Meet, the Broadway Tower.

The Broadway Tower is minutes away from the Cotswolds village of Broadway. Like an old guard, it stands straight-backed and tall on a remote hill. A tiny castle with a commanding presence.

As you gaze at Broadway Tower, this too may induce a moment of fairytale illusions.

My imagination wanders to two classic tales: Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty. Had these two little ladies of fame and misfortune been English, might their stories been set within the walls of this castle?

Was Rapunzel locked up in a tower just like this? Was it from one of the tiny windows high up in the tower where she let down her beautiful hair for young Prince to climb up to her?

Or, is Broadway Tower more reminiscent of the castle where Sleeping Beauty lay for a century? Are there narrow stairs that lead up to a little room in the tower, similar to the one that young Briar Rose wandered into, pricking her finger on a spindle mere moments after?

Discover More in the Cotswolds: Heritage Tourism

The Cotswolds is also a terrific roaming ground for those interested in heritage tourism.

If history appeals to you, there are also many examples of architectural wonders in the English countryside that offer remarkable visual context to Britain’s social and economic past and present.

Historic Country Houses in the Cotswolds

On the other end of the Cotswolds’ real estate spectrum are the historic country manors and grand estates which are dotted across the countryside.

Images taken in the Cotswolds villages of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter

Their lawns are beautifully manicured, and their gardens have magazine appeal.

Images taken in the Cotswolds villages of Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter

The beauty of their exterior is breathtaking.

But, it’s the dark secrets buried deep below some of their surfaces that will take your breath away.

Questioning the Legacy of Historic Country Houses in the Cotswolds

Economic facts behind several of the UK’s historic country houses are increasingly emerging from dark corners and hidden drawers and, wow, the data is intriguing. Even moreso because the country appears to treat this part of their history as a taboo topic.

The building, sustenance, improvements of many historic British country houses, several which can be found in the Cotswolds area – but certainly not exclusive to it – came about from the handsome profits derived from the transatlantic slave trade.

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National Trust (NT) Properties in the Cotswolds: Legacy of Colonial Wealth

The UK’s National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, has several properties under its care which are linked to the transatlantic slave trade.

The much-loved organization is actively working on producing greater visibility on the broader history of these properties. Not just the warm and fuzzy bits.

A dedicated page on its site now shares fascinating research on this matter of colonial wealth and properties in their care. You can read the early findings here.

a significant number of the collections, houses, gardens and parklands in our care were created or remodelled as expressions of the taste and wealth, as well as power and privilege, that derived from colonial connections and in some cases from the trade in enslaved people.

Excerpt from Interim Report on the Connections between Colonialism and Properties now in the Care of the National Trust, Including Links with Historic Slavery, September 2020

Image of Lodge Park & Sherborne Park Estate, NT. The 17th century grandstand was used for deer coursing, gambling, entertaining. “An old-fashioned man cave” per one IG user. The Gloucestershire property appears in a compensation grant for 464 enslaved people at Worthy Park Estate, St John, Jamaica. See NT report.

The report is a must-read and a fantastic resource if you are the type who likes to do a bit of research before visiting a site attraction.

Whilst historic country homes are beautiful to look at and wander around, to truly understand the full body and character of these heritage sites, this aspect of their social and economic history should not be overlooked.

If visiting these sites on your Cotswolds visit, be sure to get the 360 experience! Embrace the full story of England’s fairytale villages, farms, and parklands starting all the way from “once upon a time.”