The Cotswolds - An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Cotswolds is an impossibly picturesque area of southern England, popular with both the English themselves and visitors from all over the world.
The beauty of the Cotswolds was recognised officially in 1966 when it was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and 2006 is the 40th anniversary of this designation.
The Cotswolds is now the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in England and Wales.
The cotswolds.org website is a one-stop guide to the Cotswolds. Cotswold accommodation, Cotswold attractions, Cotswold events, Cotswold towns and villages, Cotswold photographs and much, much more.
Cotswold Accommodation
Given the popularity of the Cotswolds as a destination for visitors from all over the world, it will come as no surprise that the Cotswolds is home to some of the best country hotels, self catering accommodation and bed & breakfast establishments in the country. So whether you are looking for a Cirencester bed and breakfast to use as a base for your Cotswold visit, a village cottage to get away from it all, or simply a comfortable guest house while you visit the Cotswolds on business then use our Cotswold accommodation guide to find details of accommodation in the Cotswolds (Pictured is the Swan Hotel in Bibury). Link : Cotswolds accommodation
Cotswold Attractions
If you are planning a visit to the Cotswolds then one thing is a must, make sure to plan a return visit as you will not have time to see all of the attractions that the Cotswolds has to offer in one visit. You may not expect to see lions in the Cotswolds, except if you are visiting the Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford, you may not expect to find a cottage smaller than a shoe box, except if you are visiting the model village in Bourton on the Water and you may not expect to see the tallest hedge in Europe, except if you are visiting Cirencester. Find out all about Cotswold attractions in the Cotswold attractions section.
The photo shows Sabu, a male Asiatic Lion. Sabu, from the Cotswold Wildlife Park, sadly contracted a viral infection and did not recover from it. After he did not respond to treatment the decision was made to euthanase him on 21st November at the age of 13 years.
Towns and Villages in The Cotswolds
Many towns in the Cotswolds were important wool towns and the abundance of wealthy wool merchants left a legacy of impressive buildings. But well before this the town of Cirencester (pictured) was an important Roman settlement, second only in importance to London. Find out about Bibury, Bourton on the Water, Burford, Cirencester, Moreton in Marsh, Stow on the Wold and the other towns and villages of the Cotswolds in the Cotswold towns and villages section.
Cotswold Events
The Cotswolds plays host to countless events throughout the year, from craft markets and local Farmers' markets to The Cotswold Show in Cirencester and the world famous Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. More details of Cotswold events can be found in the Cotswolds events section of this site or by going to the Cotswold Events website.
On Cotswolds Events you will find details of events all over the Cotswolds. Popular events in the Cotswolds include the Badminton Horse Trials, the Cheltenham Festival and the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Cotswold Headlines
Weekly Waste Service To Start on April 21st
9th April 2008Cotswold District Council's new weekly charged-for garden waste collection service will start from Monday, 21st April, and food waste will also be collected across much of the District from that date.
Cotswold Gets Council Tax Increase At 3.5%
26th February 2008Cotswold District Council today set its Council Tax for the coming financial year. A meeting of full Council agreed to add £4.64 to its share of the annual average bill (Band D), a 3.5% increase.
Gloucestershire County Council has increased its Council Tax by 4.9%, or £48.35 per year for a Band D property, while the Gloucestershire Police Authority has increased its bill by £8.96 (4.99%).
Roll-Out Of New Cotswold Waster Service Begins
12th February 2008The roll-out of Cotswold District Council’s new waste and recycling service has begun in earnest.
People who live in and around the three villages of Birdlip, Cowley and Coberley will be the first in the District to start using the new service in March.
Residents to have say in Cotswold Water Park’s future
23rd January 2008People living within the Cotswold Water Park are being invited to comment on plans for its future during a six-week public consultation.
Commissioned by the Cotswold Water Park Joint Committee, which is made up of the five local authorities with responsibility for the area, together with the Cotswold Water Park Society, the plans set out a long-term strategic vision for the development of the area over the next 20 years.
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