Winchcombe Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Winchcombe which includes street scenes, a bar and heritage elements
Winchcombe
Winchcombe showing flowers and heritage elements
Winchcombe featuring a small town or village, street scenes and heritage elements
Winchcombe showing heritage elements, street scenes and a small town or village
In addition to a grand royal castle, this Cotswold town has quaint teahouses, award-winning restaurants, hiking trails and a scenic train journey.

Winchcombe is a tranquil market town framed by the stunning Cotswold Hills. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Mercia, it grew to be an important medieval trading town and welcomed famous kings during the Tudor years. Today, Winchcombe’s ancient ruins, castle and mellow-hued stone houses showcase its celebrated past. Use the town as a starting point to walk throughout the Cotswold countryside.

One Winchcombe highlight is the 15th-century Sudeley CastleOpens in a new window. Walk where Richard III, Henry VIII and Charles I, among other British kings, passed. See the tomb of Katherine Parr, paintings by old masters, 16th-century tapestries and Roman antiquities. Wander around a series of expertly manicured gardens and enjoy picnics on lush green lawns.

Stroll along the town center streets and admire the rows of half-timbered houses and stone mansions. Several double as cafés, craft shops and teahouses while others are still private residences. Browse exhibits about local social history and displays of British police memorabilia at the Winchcombe Museum. Spot 40 grotesque gargoyles, Saxon coffins and a cloth stitched by Catherine of Aragon at St. Peter’s Church.

A short drive from the town center are more reminders of bygone eras. Admire the ruins of Hailes Abbey, a Cistercian pilgrimage site. Visit Belas Knap, a Neolithic burial chamber thought to date back to about 3800 B.C.

Rejoice in the selection of dining options, which range from medieval pubs to traditional fish and chip shops. The Lion Inn opened in the 1400s and 5 North Street is a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Explore deeper into the Cotswolds via marked walking trails. The Winchcombe Way is a 42-mile (68-kilometer) figure eight route around the town and its surrounding hills. Follow the Cotswolds Way to Cleeve Hill and the Gloucestershire Way to the Tudor town of Tewkesbury. Alternatively, ride the GWR Steam Railway from nearby Toddington to Cheltenham.

Winchcombe is 8 miles (13 kilometers) northeast of CheltenhamOpens in a new window. Combine your visit with a tour of storybook villages such as Bourton-on-the-WaterOpens in a new window and Chipping CamdenOpens in a new window.

De Vere Cotswold Water Park
De Vere Cotswold Water Park
4 out of 5
Lake 6 Spine Road East, South Cerney, Cirencester, England
The price is AU$165 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$165
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cirencester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Breakfast spread was very good. All staff very friendly. Housekeeping service very poor in the hotel rooms, was completed in a rush, left dirty towels etc behind. On another day did not come at all to clean the room and lacked top up of basics such as toilet rolls etc."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

De Vere Cotswold Water Park
Cotswolds Hotel & Spa
Cotswolds Hotel & Spa
3.5 out of 5
Southcombe, Chipping Norton, England
The price is AU$121 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$121
includes taxes & fees
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in Chipping Norton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Very nice hotel, room was nice with everything you would need and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Would definitely stay again without a doubt. The only negative was the sofa bed. I think they need vast improvement as it was extremely uncomfortable with next to no padding. This unfortunately ..."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Cotswolds Hotel & Spa
Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon by IHG
Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon by IHG
4 out of 5
Bridgefoot, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
The price is AU$166 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
AU$166
includes taxes & fees
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (958 reviews)
"Had a 2 night stay, good rest and used the hotel swimming pool nice, had breakfast on last day very nice spoilt for chose."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2025

Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stunning BIG COTSWOLD COTTAGE + Annexe sleeps 16
Stunning BIG COTSWOLD COTTAGE + Annexe sleeps 16
Greet
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Cheltenham. Enjoy free WiFi, a sauna, and a garden. Popular attractions Cheltenham Racecourse and Belas ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (10 reviews)
Lovely Christmas Stay
"Wanted somewhere with a feeling of space to get the extended family all together for a Christmas break. House was perfect, spacious and everything we needed. Great TV room btw!!!"

Reviewed on 29 Dec. 2022

Stunning BIG COTSWOLD COTTAGE + Annexe sleeps 16
4 Star Cotswold Stone Cottage
4 Star Cotswold Stone Cottage
Winchcombe
Stay at this cottage in Cheltenham. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (85 reviews)
One night sat over
"Lovely house. Only stayed one night. The beds was very comfy the home was very clean and tidy well maintained. The owner was very quick in replying to an enquiry I had. I would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

4 Star Cotswold Stone Cottage
Stunning Grade II listed cottage on Vineyard Street in the heart of Winchcombe.
Stunning Grade II listed cottage on Vineyard Street in the heart of Winchcombe.
Winchcombe
Stay at this vacation home in Cheltenham. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and furnished patios. Popular attractions Cheltenham Racecourse and Winchcombe Folk and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Beautiful place to stay
"Wonderful cottage in a beautiful town."

Reviewed on 2 Nov. 2024

Stunning Grade II listed cottage on Vineyard Street in the heart of Winchcombe.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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