Gloucestershire

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds near Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton House Garden surrounds a graceful 18th-century manor and a stunning 16th-century tithe barn. While the house remains private, the three-acre gardens are a destination in their own right. Much of this is thanks to the Paice family, who spent twenty-five years starting in 1983 turning a neglected patch of land into a lush, creative sanctuary—an effort recognized when they won the Historic Houses Association's Garden of the Year in 2007.

Guests can explore a diverse landscape featuring a formal knot garden, sculpted topiary, a parterre, and expansive borders filled with rare plants. Natural springs feed peaceful water features, and a dedicated shade house protects delicate species. Just across the road, a stroll through the pastures reveals impressive specimen trees, while the ancient tithe barn grounds the entire experience in history.

Tucked away in a natural bowl beneath Cleeve Hill at Prestbury Park, just on the outskirts of Cheltenham, this is the heart of British jump racing. Horses have been racing here for nearly two hundred years, and over time, the course has become one of the most respected venues in the sport, framed by the beautiful scenery of the Cotswold escarpment.

The track is most famous for the Cheltenham Festival every March, a four-day extravaganza that peaks with the Gold Cup. It's the highlight of the racing year, attracting massive crowds and an incredible atmosphere. When there isn't a race on, the venue hosts conferences and events, and guests can explore its history and the legendary horses and jockeys who made it famous. From the grandstands, you get stunning views across the course and the rolling hills beyond.

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway winds through the heart of the Cotswolds, following a beautiful stretch of the old Great Western line between Cheltenham and Warwick. Since 1981, a dedicated team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to rebuild about fifteen miles of track, bringing old stations, signal boxes, and locomotives back to life. Today, trains run from Cheltenham Racecourse through Gotherington and Winchcombe, all the way to the faithfully restored station at Broadway.

The ride itself is a highlight, taking passengers through the long Greet Tunnel and across the graceful Stanway Viaduct with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Travelers are pulled by carefully restored steam and heritage diesel engines and can hop off to explore the period stations. Toddington features a locomotive yard and a heritage trail, while Winchcombe boasts a charming 1950s-style café. Throughout the season, the railway also hosts special events, dining trains, and festive trips.

Sezincote is one of England's most remarkable country houses, an Indian-inspired mansion tucked away in the Cotswold hills of Gloucestershire. Built around 1805 for Charles Cockerell, who grew wealthy through the East India Company, the home was designed by his brother Samuel Pepys Cockerell with input from the artist Thomas Daniell, who had spent years sketching in India. With its striking copper onion dome, minarets, and peacock-tail arches, the house is a rare piece of Neo-Mughal architecture that reportedly inspired the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

The gardens are just as enchanting. Humphry Repton helped shape the landscape, which features a water garden with cascading pools, a grotto, and a crescent bridge, along with a small temple dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god. This blend of Indian fantasy and classic English parkland creates a romantic and surprising sight amidst the rolling countryside.

Nestled in the Cotswold hills near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, Sudeley Castle is a Tudor gem with a thousand years of history that still serves as a family home. It is most famous for its royal ties, specifically as the final residence of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth and last wife. She passed away here in 1548 and is buried in St Mary’s church, making Sudeley the only private castle in England to house a queen's tomb.

Inside, visitors can wander through rooms filled with art and treasures, including a detailed history of the estate and personal letters written by Katherine Parr. The outdoor grounds are just as impressive, featuring award-winning gardens and the centerpiece Queen's Garden—a Tudor-style parterre filled with hundreds of heirloom roses. To round out the experience, there are peaceful grounds and crumbling Tudor walls to explore.