Picture this: quintessentially Cotswolds villages, outdoor picnics, long hikes through rolling countryside, pub pit stops, farm shop trips and festival field magic. August in the Cotswolds hits different. The month defined by long, sunny days and endless romanticizing feels even more storybook here. Dreaming of planning a last-minute trip? Here at Bolthole Retreats, we have curated the ultimate guide on what to do, where to stay and how to embrace the Cotswolds way of life this season. We invite you to slow down and make this your most memorable summer yet.
Step Outside
Cotswold Country Park and Beach
Perhaps the best place to be on a hot day is Cotswold Country Park. Embody lakeside life by enjoying a range of on-site water sports activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, swimming and paddling as well as other facilities including mini golf, pedal karts and playgrounds with ample walking routes and nature trails on-site. This location is a haven for adventure lovers and the perfect destination for groups.
The Cotswold Way
Live the classic countryside lifestyle by hiking along The Cotswold Way. Starting in Chipping Campden and ending in Bath, this walking route is 102 miles long. Many people chose to walk parts of The Cotswold Way as opposed to walking it all in one go. Some popular shorter routes along The Cotswold Way are: Chipping Campden > Broadway, Winchcombe > Belas Knap and Cleeve Hill and The Escarpment Loop. Expect lush green fields, vast countryside views and the remedy of fresh rural air.
Pick Your Own
Head to one of the local farms and pick your own fruit and flowers this August! Enjoy sunny afternoons in the fields surrounded by the sounds of nature and your favourite company.
Primrose Vale Farm Shop
Based just outside Cheltenham, Primrose Vale is a working farm offering a café, outdoor playing area and farm shop. Here, you can pick your own summer fruits including strawberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and raspberries.
Hayles Fruit Farm
Set in Winchcombe, Hayles Fruit Farm is a family run business offering a pick your own apples, strawberries and plums service. You can also shop for local produce in their farm shop and buy their various varieties of homemade apple juices.
Over Farm
Take your punnet and pick your own strawberries! Then weigh, pay and enjoy your harvest! Whilst at Over Farm, why not wander the sunflower meadows and meet the animals on-site. Pop into the farm shop for some goodies before heading home.
Events
Experience one of The Cotswolds’ much-loved yearly events and savour the last moments of summer. From festivals to village traditions, there is plenty for you to discover!
The Big Feastival
For all the foodies and music lovers, this summer festival is the perfect activity to add to your summer Cotswolds itinerary. Hosted on Blur bassist Alex James’s farm and taking place over bank holiday weekend, this much-loved event is where great music, great food and great vibes unite. With this year’s musical acts including Basement Jaxx, Bastille and even a DJ set from Simon Pegg, this event is not to be missed!
Football in the River
Be among the thousands that gather to watch Bourton-on-the-Water’s century-old tradition of playing football in the River Windrush. This unique match is played by Bourton Rovers Club every August bank holiday and is a must-see if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
Broadway Car Show 2026
Running from August 15th to August 16th, this famous biennial event returns for 2026 with two days of exciting car exhibitions. Saturday is the dedicated Supercar show featuring a large selection of modern supercars. Expect to see Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches and Bentleys. This year, discover the car that holds the UK land speed record, the Vampire Jet car! The bonus is – the admission is free!
Stay Nearby
The epitome of Cotswolds’ charm, this idyllic chocolate-box cottage is impeccably designed to offer a delightful countryside retreat.-
Stylish Cotswold stone holiday home with a spacious open-plan living area and a sunny private garden with patio. -
Broadway Box Cottage
4.6/5A quintessential honey-stone cottage in stunning Broadway, perfect for a romantic couple’s getaway or family escape to the Cotswolds.
Places to Eat and Drink
When it comes to finding the best places to eat and drink in the Summer in the Cotswolds, you are simply spoilt for choice. Whether you’re looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant, cosy pub lunch or sunny beer garden, we have got you covered!
Daylesford Organic
Explore one of the most popular spots in The Cotswolds, Daylesford Organic. If you’re looking to create the perfect picnic, visit Daylesford Farm Shop and shop their range of high-quality fresh fruit and veg, award-winning cheeses, high welfare organic meats and artisan bread.
Or perhaps you wish to experience one of Daylesford’s on-site dining areas, The Trough, a Michelin star restaurant offering a wonderful seasonal menu. Indulge in a wood-fired pizza at The Old Spot restaurant and enjoy the rustic elegance Daylesford offers.
Dunkertons
Dunkertons is a unique social destination featuring an array of independent street food traders, a farm shop and deli selling local produce as well as a taproom bar. With an impressive beer garden and regular host of events including masterclasses and cidery tours, this is a vibrant place to unwind on a summers evening.
The Frogmill
Delight in high-end British classic pub food at The Frogmill and discover their seasonal grill dishes cooked on their Josper coal-fired oven and American Smoker. Soak up the sun in the spacious beer garden and discover the historic mill stream running past it.
The Farmer’s Dog
Visit Jeremy Clarkson’s popular pub featured on his hit Amazon Prime series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ and tuck into a traditional British pub meal using locally and responsibly sourced British-farmed ingredients. Spend time with your friends with a pint of Hawkstone in the outdoor garden as the sun sets over the nearby fields.
The Fleece Inn
The story-book English pub, popular walkers stop and real-ale hot-spot. Expect hearty pub fare, a beautiful orchard and a historic atmosphere.
Escape the Crowds
Wishing to experience the beauty of summer in The Cotswolds minus the endless sea of tourists? We’ve curated a list of charming alternatives that trade bustling crowds for a calm and authentic rural village environment.
Winchcombe
With its historic architecture, rich royal heritage and narrow lanes, Winchcombe is an example of a Cotswolds market town that has retained its traditional atmosphere. Visit Sudeley Castle and wander its impressive grounds. Explore the town’s host of independent bakeries, cafés and shops.
Stay in Winchcombe:
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Charming restored holiday let with a private courtyard garden on the edge of the Sudeley Castle estate. -
Bright and spacious detached cottage on the edge of the Sudeley Castle estate forming the perfect base to explore the Cotswolds. -
A delightful, detached cottage located on the Sudeley Estate just a short walk into pretty Winchcombe town.
Great Tew
A secluded, privately owned estate of picturesque houses located near Oxfordshire. Wander its quiet village streets to much-loved classically Cotswolds pub, The Falkland Arms.
Stanway
3 miles south from Broadway is a beautiful village, Stanway. Exhibiting wonderful Jacobean architecture and featuring the world’s highest gravity fountain, Stanway was once frequented by author J.M. Barrie.
Top Tip: If you do wish to add the more well-known Cotswolds destinations to your itinerary, for example Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Bibury, aim to get there early morning around 8am or late afternoon, early evening. These are the times you are more likely to escape the bustle of tourists!
Camping Trip
If you’re looking for a fun summer camping trip with a touch of luxury, experience one of our beloved shepherds’ huts in and just outside of The Cotswolds.
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This charming shepherds hut commands wonderful views and is a glorious spot from which to explore the beautiful Forest of Dean. -
This shepherds hut in the beautiful Forest of Dean is a place to rest and reconnect in the most glorious of settings. -
A charming shepherd’s hut with a wood-fired hot tub in the heart of the countryside, near Winchcombe.