Best attractions and places to see around Cold Aston include a variety of historical gems and natural landscapes within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The region is characterized by rolling hills, stone-built villages, and ancient woodlands, offering a tranquil escape. Cold Aston serves as a base for exploring the wider picturesque area, with notable landmarks and scenic routes like the Gloucestershire Way.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
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Worth a visit, and pre-book the house visit online before going.
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In the case of a "market cross," as we encounter here again, one would have to ask the fundamental question of whether it is actually primarily a small sacred monument—as its cross shape suggests—or whether it is more of a secular object. In times long past, such a cross—unlike classic wayside crosses or field crosses—was only allowed to be erected if the corresponding locality also possessed so-called "market rights"—that is, if it had been granted them by the local ruler.
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In the middle of a small green area within the village, a cross rises atop a tall stone shaft. However, as hikers notice upon approach, this is by no means a small sacred monument in the sense of the wayside crosses common in some regions. Rather, this monument, like those found in many villages, is dedicated to the memory of the victims of war and tyranny.
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Famous for its honey-coloured traditional Cotswold stone buildings, Bourton-on-the-Water is often referred to as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. The River Windrush runs through the middle of the town with five stone bridges crossing it. The bridges were built between 1654 and 1911.
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Lower Slaughter is a beautifully quaint village with the Little Eye stream running through the middle of it. The village mill with original water wheel sits proudly on one side of the stream.
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Go to Broughton-on-the-hill, just behind the Church is a path that joins with Heart of England Way where you can walk to Sezincote House for free. If you want to go in the House and Gardens at close proximity you will need to pay for a ticket and it is usually only open in the week. Check their website for seasonal opening hours.
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Cold Aston is nestled within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), offering rolling hills, stone-built villages, and ancient woodlands. The village itself features a centuries-old, enormous oak tree on its green. Nearby, you can explore the Greystones Farm Nature Reserve, which boasts rare tree species, ancient hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and the River Eye.
Yes, Cold Aston has its own historical gems, including the Church of St Andrew, which features Norman design and older Saxon stonework. A lovely Georgian rectory is also in the village center. Further afield, you can visit The Old Mill, Lower Slaughter, a historic site dating back to at least 1086. The Stow-on-the-Wold Market Cross is another medieval landmark, and the Chedworth Roman Villa offers a glimpse into Roman-British history with well-preserved bathhouses and mosaics.
Several attractions cater to families. Bourton-on-the-Water village, known as the 'Venice of England', offers attractions like the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection, Birdland Park and Gardens, and The Model Village. Greystones Farm Nature Reserve also has waymarked trails suitable for families and a cafe. The Old Mill, Lower Slaughter includes a museum and shop that can be interesting for all ages.
Absolutely. Cold Aston is an excellent base for hiking. The Gloucestershire Way, a long-distance path, runs between Notgrove and Cold Aston. For more structured routes, you can explore various options, including the 'Bourton-on-the-Water & Clapton-on-the-Hill loop' or the 'Lower Slaughter – River Eye in The Cotswolds loop'. You can find more details and routes on the Hiking around Cold Aston guide.
Yes, the area around Cold Aston is popular for both mountain biking and road cycling. You can find routes like the 'Muddy Path in The Cotswolds – Sweeping Downs Near Cold Aston loop' for MTB, or 'Naunton Village – Windrush Ford loop' for road cycling. Explore more routes and details on the MTB Trails around Cold Aston and Road Cycling Routes around Cold Aston guides.
Cold Aston is surrounded by some of the Cotswolds' most picturesque villages. Bourton-on-the-Water village is famous for its charming cottages and the River Windrush. Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter are also highly regarded for their beauty, with Lower Slaughter featuring The Old Mill.
In Cold Aston itself, The Plough is a quintessential 17th-century Grade II listed pub. It's the only pub serving Cold Aston, Turkdean, and Notgrove, offering a true taste of local hospitality and is rumored to have a resident ghost named 'Old Harry'.
Yes, the Greystones Farm Nature Reserve is a significant spot for nature lovers. It's home to rare tree species, ancient hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and a lake teeming with wildlife. It's also an important archaeological site, hosting one of Europe's earliest known towns.
The region around Cold Aston, being part of the Cotswolds AONB, offers stunning views of rolling hills and picturesque valleys. For panoramic vistas, Broadway Tower, an 18th-century folly situated on a hill, provides expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
While specific accessibility details for all paths vary, some highlights like Bourton-on-the-Water village and Stow-on-the-Wold Market Cross are noted as having wheelchair-accessible categories, suggesting some ease of access in these village centers.
The Cotswolds are beautiful year-round, but for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, late spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) generally offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds than peak summer, and vibrant landscapes with blooming flowers or changing foliage.
Bourton-on-the-Water village is often called the 'Venice of England' due to the River Windrush flowing through its center, spanned by picturesque low arched stone bridges. Its charm comes from a mix of pretty cottages and honey-coloured brick houses, along with attractions like the Cotswold Motoring Museum and The Model Village.
Lower Slaughter is considered one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds. It's characterized by the tranquil River Eye running through it and features a former 19th-century watermill, now The Old Mill, which houses a museum, shop, and riverside cafe.


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