Bourton-on-the-Water is, without doubt, a charming Cotswold village. As scenery goes, the village is as picturesque as they come. Pretty sandstone cottages line the banks of the river with quaint low bridges connecting either side. Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the gems of the Cotswolds.
The River Windrush runs through the centre of the village. There are several low stone bridges that cross the river and give the village a tranquil waterway look and feel. It’s commonly known as the Venice of the Cotswolds.
The population is around 3,300, but millions of tourists visit the village each year. I’ve visited twice and it’s not difficult to see what draws people in.
History Past to Present
The village dates back to the Stone Age with evidence of settlements. During the Bronze Age there was a fort where the village is now. The name tells us this – Bourton – from the Saxon, ‘burgh’, meaning ‘fort’.
During medieval times, the village started to develop with the 11th century church and a 12th century market being established. It was also a key location to stop along the pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey.
Noble houses, including Bourton Manor, started to be built in the 17th century, bringing in money and resources for prosperity. The wool trade was also central to village life during the 18th century.
Tourists started to flock to Bourton-on-the-Water with the arrival of the railway during the 1800s. Today, it is perhaps the most visited Cotswolds destination.
When to Visit
Any time of the year is good to visit Bourton-on-the-Water. Most visitors come in the summer months. For me, springtime is best because the weather, although chilly, is usually quite pleasant and, with plenty of new blooms and brighter lighting conditions, it’s great for photos.
Arriving fairly in the morning will more likely reward you with a parking space. The tourists pour in through the day and, even though there are a number of car parks, they fill up quickly. Check out Google, Bing or other online maps to note where the car parks are and their charges. I used the Station Road car park. The price seemed reasonable and it wasn’t too far to walk to the village centre.
There is also a railway and, likely, coaches and bus services. So do look out for public transport alternatives.
What to See
The centre of the village is the main attraction. I headed for a junction that is to the SE corner of the centre. Just look for the Post Office on your online map. From here, you can walk through the amazing scenery to the NW corner.
Rissington Road runs right the way through the village and has an array of lovely shops, cafes and restaurants on one side with a green strip and the river on the other. I wandered along this road, in and out of shops, to the other end, but continued walking. The residents of Bourton-on-the-Water are very proud of their properties and, in particular, their gardens. There is a good taste of this at the NW end of the village.
Heading back into the centre, I crossed over the river by the Motor Museum and The Willows pub. On this side of the river there are more tea rooms, cafes and restaurants with a few craft and gift shops.
The roads and walkways meander along, close to the river. Take in the views of the low stone bridges over the river, flanked by trees and beautiful cottages. Also notice how shallow the water is. You really don’t have to work hard to get amazing photos here.
I walked to the SE corner and beyond. As the buildings start to thin out, there is a stretch of greenery to walk further along the river. It comes to a bend and, although you could continue walking, I turned back.
What to Do
Aside from the riverside walks and taking lots of photos, there is plenty to do at Bourton-on-the-Water.
I’ve mentioned the many tea rooms, cafes, restaurants and food outlets, so it makes sense to sample the delights. Perhaps a nice lunch or coffee and cakes. There is so much choice. I imagine that when it gets quieter in the evenings, dinner at one of the amazing pubs or restaurants would be wonderful. Great food with wonderful surroundings for a stroll before or after your meal.
On the high street there are lots of gift and jewellery shops and boutiques that are very appealing for all tastes. Look out for the Perfumery where you can dabble to make your own scents.
There is a model village that has a replica of the village itself. If you are short of time you could pop in and take in the whole village – in miniature.
I didn’t realise that there is a bird park nearby – Birdland. This looks amazing and might be a good choice to keep the kids’ enthusiasm levels up. Maybe look around the village, grab some lunch to eat on the lawn by the river, and then off to Birdland in the afternoon.
There is also the Motor Museum to spend a few hours taking in their wonderful collection of vintage cars and other modes of transport.
There’s plenty to do in and around Bourton-on-the-Water.
Where to Stay
Set in the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water would be the perfect place to stay for a short break. You could easily occupy a few days in the village alone.
There are many holiday properties and hotels in and around the village. Staying a bit further out might get you a better location for visiting more of the Cotswolds if you are intending a longer holiday.
Take a look at these gorgeous places to stay in and around Bourton-on-the-Water.
There are some great books too. Grab yourself a visitor’s guide or indulge in a great novel while taking it easy on the banks of the River Windrush.
If you want more ideas of where to stay and what to do in the Cotswolds, read my article: Kirtlington – a Cotswolds Holiday.
