About Bourton-on-the-Water
The Venice of the Cotswolds
Regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on -the-Water has a unique appeal to visitors and residents alike.
The Village
Bourton-on-the-Water is located in the Cotswolds, within the heart of England, famous for its honey coloured stone architecture and idyllic village scenes.
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, this one village offers a wealth of attractions and shops, restaurants and tea rooms, or simply the space for you to enjoy some tranquil time by the River Windrush, spanned by its five arched bridges. Further reading: Bourton-on-the-Water - A Potted History.
Walking around the Village
The Cotswolds generally is renowned for its walking trails and here in the Bourton area we have footpaths a-plenty ideal for a gentle amble or a more ambitious hike! Several named paths either start, end or pass through Bourton including waymarked walking routes, e.g. Oxfordshire Way, Monarch’s Way, Windrush Way, Warden’s Way, Donnington Way, Heart of England Way, Macmillan Way and Gloucestershire Way to name just a few. There are also local paths and bridleways which are easily accessible.
Dogs are often welcome companions on walks and many of the footpaths are ideal for four legs as well as two. You don’t have to do the whole length of any of the walks, just a pick a mile or two depending on your time and ability. Check our online shop for walking books and maps or call into the Information Centre when you are here for advice and suggestions on suitable routes for you.
Please make sure that you follow The Countryside Code when walking and note that many of the walks are across fields which can be muddy and/or uneven at times, so bring appropriate footwear.
Cycling around the Village
Cycling is another popular activity around the area and while there are limited off-road routes, many of the minor roads are suitable for the cyclist. As Bourton is in a slight valley and the Cotswolds are described as ‘undulating hills’ be prepared for the occasional uphill challenge! Check the online shop for suggestions.
The River
Bourton-on-the-Water’s most prized feature is its tranquil river. Fed from many springs, its source is approximately ten miles from the village, and even in the 1976 drought the flow continued.
Where the river enters the village centre, over the rapids next to the Old Mill, its clear waters flow under a miscellany of arched stone bridges past the green with its banks of Cotswold stone. Read more about the River Windrush.
The Churches
The earliest evidence of a Christian presence in Bourton-on-the-Water goes back as far as 709AD when a wooden church was built on land donated by the local king, centred to the Abbey of Evesham.