[Photo: Thyme, The Lodge by Rich Stapleton]
The Cotswolds has never been more desirable – but for those who know it well, it remains an area that is discreet and full of hidden delights rather than headline-grabbing destinations.
Step away from the main routes, choose your moments carefully, and the region reveals empty roads, discreet hotels, and places that feel discovered rather than advertised.
As we’ve already highlighted in our blog, Scenic drives in the Cotswolds, the Cotswolds is an ideal setting for a road trip, from either our Cotswold facility or our London home.
From rolling hills and historic villages to spa retreats and modern rural hideaways, these romantic drives through the Cotswolds are designed for discerning couples who are looking for a secret escape, not a tourist trail.
1. Cotswold village charm and scenic views
[Photo: Arlington Row]
Barnsley & Bibury to Broadway Tower
This is the Cotswolds people dream of – intimate, unforced, and picture-postcard pretty. Your starting point is the beautiful Cotswold village of Barnsley. From here, take a detour through the quaint and charming Bibury, described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in England’. Be sure to take in the famous Arlington Row – a string of weavers’ cottages that have been the backdrop for movies like Stardust and Bridget Jones’s Diary. Leaving Bibury, the road immediately tightens, guiding you through Temple Guiting, Lower Swell, and the stunning Slaughters – the idyllic twin villages of Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. Renowned for their picturesque, untouched 17th-century limestone cottages and tranquil setting along the River Eye, these unassuming Cotswolds haunts take you back in time.
The ascent towards Broadway Tower is the culmination of your journey – a steady climb that delivers one of the most romantic views in the Cotswolds, particularly striking in late afternoon light.
Why it’s worth the drive:
This route reminds you why the Cotswolds became desirable in the first place. It feels timeless, unhurried, and reassuringly familiar.
Where to stay or dine:
Return to Barnsley to stay at the Pig-in-the-Cotswolds, the latest addition to the boutique hotel chain, for a candlelit supper and overnight stay. Or choose the sister venue, The Village Pub, just down the road, for something more intimate.
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2. Unique pitstops, farmshops and spa retreats
[Photo: Stow-on-the-Wold]
Chipping Campden to Daylesford Organic
Starting at the idyllic Dormy House and Spa, perched above the vale of Chipping Campden, this drive descends gradually towards the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Here, the open views give way to tighter lanes, villages reappear, and the driving becomes more intimate.
Leaving Stow, the road towards Kingham is particularly satisfying. It flows gently through farmland, offering just enough visibility and movement to keep the drive engaging without demanding too much attention. Continue east towards Daylesford Organic, the celebrated farmshop, spa retreat and restaurant. Whether you stop for a shop, a class, or simply to enjoy a coffee, Daylesford is a highlight on any romantic road trip.
A pause at The Kingham Plough for late lunch or supper is a must – enjoy a menu that celebrates local seasonal produce and a curated wine list of hand-selected wines from favourite vineyards.
Why it’s worth the drive:
This route captures some of the best food and drink in the Cotswolds while enjoying the day at your own pace.
Where to stay or dine:
An overnight stay at Dormy House and Spa bookends the drive beautifully, particularly for couples seeking stillness and restoration. Alternatively, stay at The Kingham Plough for a quietly authentic Cotswold experience.
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3. Roman grandeur, lakeside lunch and a celebrated stopover
[Photo: Thyme – Ox Barn]
Cirencester to the Cotswold Water Park and Southrop
Starting in Cirencester, the historic Roman capital of the southern Cotswolds, this gentle drive is defined by natural beauty and historic charm.
Leaving the elegance of Cirencester, head south-east towards the Cotswold Water Park, where the landscape opens unexpectedly. The transition is part of the pleasure: stone gives way to water, hedgerows recede, and the horizon stretches wider than one expects in the Cotswolds. The roads here are unhurried and expansive, encouraging a relaxed, steady pace – and a rewarding spot for a romantic water-side walk and picnic.
From the lakes, the scenery changes again as you head towards Southrop and its renowned eateries, key Cotswolds destinations for those in the know. The approach feels deliberately calming – smaller roads, softer scenery, a drive that gradually lowers the tempo before announcing your arrival at the area’s most celebrated haunts – The Swan and Thyme.
Why it’s worth the drive:
This route takes in nature, history, and celebrated dining, without drama – an ideal itinerary for an unhurried day behind the wheel.
Where to stay or dine:
Thyme is a stunning boutique hotel and spa, renowned for its nature-inspired calm and restorative menus, led by celebrated chef, Charlie Hibbert. From the same team but for something more informal, The Swan provides warmth and excellent cooking without fuss.
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4. Valley roads, big skies and royal heritage
[Photo: Westonbirt Arboretum]
Painswick and Laurie Lee’s Slad Valley, across Minchinhampton Common to Tetbury
Begin in Painswick, ‘the Queen of the Cotswolds’, a village that feels less curated and less touristy than many. The churchyard alone is worth lingering over, but it is the roads beyond that truly reward. Descend gently into Slad Valley, where the landscape tightens and the sense of seclusion deepens.
The descent into Slad is one of the most evocative stretches of driving in the Cotswolds. Trees crowd the verges, light filters unevenly through the canopy, and the sense of separation from the outside world deepens with every bend. A pause at The Woolpack Inn, Slad – where time seems to have stood still since Laurie Lee first made the area famous with his novel, ‘Cider with Rosie’ – feels almost part of the ritual.
Climbing out of the valley, the scenery shifts once more as you reach Minchinhampton Common. Here, the Cotswolds opens dramatically. The road runs high and exposed, with wide skies, grazing cattle in summer and long views across the surrounding countryside. It is one of the region’s most quietly stirring places to stop, step out, and let the drive settle.
From the common, continue south towards picturesque Tetbury, home to high-end antique stores and Highgrove, the residence of King Charles III. Just beyond lies Westonbirt Arboretum, the perfect place to stretch the legs and enjoy nature’s seasonal displays.
Why it’s worth the drive:
This route delivers constant variation – from the intimacy of the valley to open common land and formal woodland.
Where to stay or dine:
Return north for a night at The Painswick – an ideal base for couples who value calm design, good light and an unforced sense of luxury. Alternatively, Whatley Manor near Tetbury offers discreet boutique options for those wishing to remain closer to Westonbirt.
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5. The easiest way to leave the city behind
[Photo: Soho Farmhouse, by Ben C Photography]
Oxfordshire Borders to Soho Farmhouse
For those approaching from Windrush’s London facility, this drive provides a gentle transition from city to countryside. As the urban edges fall away, the roads across the Oxfordshire borders become smoother, more fluid, and less built up, allowing both car and driver to settle into a gentler rhythm.
Long, well-sighted stretches are punctuated by broad bends and lightly undulating countryside, creating a sense of calm progression rather than destination-led urgency. It is the ideal antidote to city driving – purposeful without pressure, engaging without demand.
As you near Soho Farmhouse, the landscape becomes more private, more self-contained. The shift from open road to discreet retreat is seamless, with no sense of intrusion from the outside world.
Why it’s worth the drive:
This route bridges the gap between city and countryside with ease, pairing the satisfaction of a well-composed drive with a destination that understands modern rural luxury without pastiche.
Where to stay:
An overnight stay at Soho Farmhouse offers privacy and comfort, ideal for a romantic escape.
See the route:
Making it happen with Windrush Car Storage
With Windrush Car Storage, these journeys begin long before the engine starts. Whether your car is stored securely within the Cotswolds or released from our London facility, we ensure it is prepared, presented and ready – allowing you to focus entirely on the pleasure of the drive.
With our 5-star service, we will collect and deliver your car to wherever your heart desires. For trips beyond the Cotswolds, take a look at our blog, 5 of the UK’s most Romantic Roads.
> Get in touch with us to start planning your route.
