We loved it. It’s peaceful, it’s gorgeous, and there’s just enough to do in a couple of hours. And while walking around it you feel like you’re in some movie set.
The River Windrush & the Stone Bridges
The river is the whole point of Bourton-on-the-Water, I mean look at the name. Everything is built around it, and the best thing you can do is simply walk along the banks, cross the bridges. The water is clean, shallow so you can see the rocks, even a few duckies if you are lucky. Ona sunny days it’s a perfect place to relax, we saw people sitting on the grass on the banks, kids and dogs playing in the water. It’s a nice place to enjoy and relax.
The Model Village
This is one of the best things we saw on our trip. We come from a small village and we immediately thought this would be perfect for our hometown as well.
It may sound a bit stupid, but wait till you see this. Behin the Old New Inn there is a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water. It was build in 1937 from the same local Cotswold stone as the real village. Every building, every bridge, every detail recreated in miniature. It’s the only Grade II listed model village in the country, which means it’s a protected historic monument, which is both absurd and completely correct.
Another funny thing is that inside the model village, there’s a model of the model village. And inside that, apparently, another one. It’s Inception with stone buildings and it’s very good.
There is a small entrance fee but it’s so worth it! And while walking around this miniature village you can literally retrace your steps on how you got there, the bridge you crossed, the church you passed, it’s just brilliant.
The Cotswold Motoring Museum
Inside a converted old mill on the river, the Cotswold Motoring Museum has seven galleries packed with vintage cars, classic motorcycles, caravans, enamel advertising signs, and a collection of old toys that will make anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s get a bit emotional.
The star of the show, at least for us, is Brum, the little yellow self-driving car from the 90s children’s TV show. He lives here. You can see him, take a photo with him, and if you’re travelling with kids there’s a mini Brum they can actually ride. If you grew up watching Brum on a Saturday morning, this will be such a throwback.
⏰ Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, mid-February to early December
🎟️ Tickets: £9,50 adults (~11€), £6,50 children aged 5 to 16
The Shops, Cafes & Little Nooks
Beyond the river and the main attractions, Bourton-on-the-Water is a lovely place to wander. There are antique shops, candle makers, independent boutiques, sweet shops with homemade fudge in the window, little cafes serving tea and very good cake. The Cotswolds Perfumery has been blending its own fragrances here for over 30 years, based in an 18th century stone building with oak beams and a fireplace. Worth a browse even if you’re not buying anything.
Where to Park in Bourton-on-the-Water
There’s a parking area on the main road just after you cross the bridge into the village, and it’s free for up to 90 minutes. For most people just wanting to explore the village and walk along the river, 90 minutes is honestly enough. If you want to visit the Model Village and the Motoring Museum as well, you’ll need a bit longer, in which case there are paid car parks a short walk from the centre.
Where to Stay in Bourton-on-the-Water
If you find yourself in need of accommodation in Bourton-on-the-Water, we got you covered:
Bourton-on-the-Water is one of those villages that makes you understand why people fall in love with the Cotswolds. It’s small, it’s unhurried, and it’s genuinely as beautiful as it looks in photos. A perfect stop on a UK road trip.
Until next time, be mesmerized 💛
