Discover Bourton On The Water

Bourton On The Water combines a riverside setting, historic attractions and unusual experiences within a compact area, without requiring every outing to follow the same pattern. The River Windrush flows through the centre of the village and is crossed by low bridges. Along the riverbank, you can enjoy coffee or afternoon tea. This makes Bourton On The Water a destination for anyone who wants to combine culture, nature and family-friendly discoveries when choosing a holiday rental or holiday home.

Riverside scenery and paths through the Cotswolds

Numerous footpaths around Bourton On The Water lead through the gentle Cotswold hills and picturesque agricultural landscape. A popular circular walking route connects the village with the neighbouring Slaughters. For longer walks, the long-distance Oxfordshire Way passes through the Greystones Farm nature reserve. Anyone wishing to focus more on landscapes and wildlife observation will find ancient meadows and rivers there that support a diverse range of wildlife.

Greystones Farm is freely accessible year-round. The area's species-rich, wildflower-filled meadows are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. Greystones Farm is also home to Salmonsbury Camp, a Scheduled Monument. Depending on your preferred daily rhythm, you can therefore plan a stay focused on walks, longer hikes or cultural visits without mixing the different priorities.

Historic places and special experiences

The Model Village is a scale model of Bourton On The Water at a ratio of 1:9. The model was built between 1936 and 1940 and is designated as a Grade II listed building. St Lawrence’s Church offers another historic detail: its oldest part is the chancel, built by Walter de Burhton in 1328.

The Cotswold Perfumery also contributes to the village's range of experiences. It was founded in 1966 and specialises in producing fine fragrances for the niche market. The Perfumery is housed in a 300-year-old Grade II listed building. Throughout the year, it runs perfume-making courses and workshops in Bourton On The Water. If you are looking for a holiday rental as a base for cultural and creative activities, this focus can be incorporated specifically into your travel plans.

Birds, penguins and playful discoveries

Birdland Park and Gardens is home to exotic birds such as penguins, flamingos, macaws, emus and birds of prey. The hands-on Feed the Penguins experience includes a presentation by an experienced keeper about the penguins' personalities and lives. The Encounters Area offers up-close encounters with the animals that live there. Penguin Shore provides viewing areas above and below the water's surface for observing the penguins.

For a playful outdoor experience, you can also explore the Dragonfly Maze. Together with The Model Village and the wildlife experiences at Birdland Park and Gardens, this provides a varied selection for families with children of different ages, without requiring every day of the trip to be organised in the same way.

The right base for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday rental or holiday home, you can first decide whether the riverside, historic culture, nature trails or wildlife experiences should be the main focus. For planning your journey to Bourton On The Water, there is the Rail Link Service 801, a combined rail-and-bus service for Bourton On The Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Norton. You can find further destinations in the surrounding area at Winchcombe, Guiting Power, Somerford Keynes, Longborough, Badgeworth, Awre, Sevenhampton and Didmarton.

To the higher-level travel overview: Gloucestershire.