Bourton-on-the-Water

Famed for its picturesque High Street. Lying on the meandering River Windrush with several low arched stone bridges resulted in the village becoming known as "Venice of the Cotswolds". With a population of around 3,300, it is a large village whereas nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford with smaller populations are both "Market Towns".
The River Windrush source, 10 miles from the village, is fed by springs and thus continues to flow even in severe drought.
There is evidence of habitation dating back to neolithic times (4,000 BC), habitation continuing through to Roman times (Roman pottery and coins found in the village show extended Roman occupation). Christian occupation dates back to 709 AD when a wooden church was built. In 1110 a stone Normal church was built; today only the chancel (from 1328) remains.
Today almost all buildings are of 17th-century origin, mostly built using Cotswold limestone characteristic of the area.

By road

Driving from Cirencester, just follow the A429 North, you'll pass signs saying you've entered the village. From the North, just follow the A429 South. Follow signs to the large car park at the edge of the village. There is a footpath from the car park to the main street.

By train

Nearest train station Moreton-in-Marsh station

• Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station

  address: Station Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AA
  Station managed and services operated by Great Western Railway. On the Cotswold Line running between Oxford-Hereford.

By bus

• Pulhams Coaches 801 service: Moreton-in-Marsh – Stow-on-the-Wold – Bourton-on-the-Water – Northleach – Cheltenham Timetable
• Pulhams Coaches 802 service: Bourton-on-the-Water – Great Rissington/Little Rissington – Upper Rissington – Stow-on-the-Wold – Kingham Railway Station Timetable
• Pulhams Coaches 803 service: Bourton-on-the-Water – Upper Oddington – Longborough – Moreton-in-Marsh Timetable
• Pulhams Coaches 855 service: Moreton-in-Marsh – Stow-on-the-Wold – Bourton-on-the-Water – Northleach – Aldsworth – Bibury – Barnsley – Cirencester Timetable

By bicycle

• National Cycle Route 48Lincoln to Exeter will run through the town; the route is under construction, Cirencester-Northleach and Moreton-in-Marsh-Southam completed (10-mile section through Bourton on the Water under construction as of 2017).

• National Cycle Route 57Passes through Northleach 5½ miles S of Bourton-on-the-Water. When complete will run Northleach to Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Bourton is quite attractive as a family destination. The river Windrush flows through the village, next to the main street.
In the charming centre you'll find a lot of attractions, including:

• Model Village

  address: The Old New Inn, GL54 2AF
  A miniature version of Bourton at 1:9th of the scale (with also a miniature of the miniature of the....)

• Birdland Park and Gardens

  phone: +44 1451 820480
  address: Rissington Rd, GL54 2BN

• Dragonfly Maze

• Cotswold Motor Museum & Toy Collection

  address: The Old Mill, GL54 2BY

• The Old Mill

  phone: +44 1451 820052
  address: Mill Lane, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX

• Oxfordshire WayWalk the start of this long distance walking route, maybe going for ten miles to Shipton-under-Wychwood, or continue and walk the full 68 miles to Henley-on-Thames.

• Bloody Bourton Walking Tour

  phone: +44 7954 182016 (mobile)
  Tickets are available from the Visitors Information Centre.

• Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre

  phone: +44 1451 821101
  address: College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN

• Cotswold Brewing Company

  phone: +44 1451 824488
  address: College Farm, Stow Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2HN
  One of the oldest lager microbreweries in the UK

Shop in the small shops.

• Bakery on the Water

  phone: +44 1451 822748
  address: 1 Sherborne St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY

• Cotswold Perfumery

  phone: +44 1451 820698
  address: Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BU

• Cotswold Candle Makers

  phone: +44 1451 824285
  address: Victoria St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BX

• Londis

  phone: +44 1451 822055
  address: High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AQ

• The Cotswold Pottery

  phone: +44 1451 820173
  address: Clapton Row, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2DN

• The Victorian Christmas Shop

  phone: +44 1451 822622
  address: High St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AP
  Sells Christmas items for around the world, figurines and ornaments.

• Sweet Treats & Gifts

  phone: +44 1451 820639
  address: High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AE

A couple of pubs do food and drink

• The Duke of Wellington

  phone: +44 1451 820539
  address: Sherbourne St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BY
  Mediocre pub

• The Chestnut Tree

  phone: +44 1451 820474
  address: 1 Chestnuts, High St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AN

• The Croft

  phone: +44 1451 821132
  address: Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BS

• Aroma

  phone: +44 1451 810600
  address: Station Rd, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AA

• Kingsbridge

  phone: +44 1451 824119
  address: Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2BS

• The Old New Inn

  phone: +44 1451 820467
  address: Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AF

• Mary's Rest

  phone: +44 1451 798941
  address: Moore Rd, Bourton-on-the-water G L54 2AZ

• Green & Pleasant Tea Rooms

  phone: +44 1451 821911
  address: Windrush Cottage Shop, Riverside, Bourton on the Water GL54 2DP

• The Plough

  phone: +44 1451 822602
  address: Cold Aston Nr. Northleach GL54 3BN

• The Mousetrap Inn

  phone: +44 1451 820579
  address: Lansdowne, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AR

• Old Manse Hotel

  phone: +44 845 6086040 (premium)
  address: Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY
  Free Wi-Fi. Free breakfast

• Chester House Hotel

  phone: +44 1451 820286
  address: Victoria St, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BS

• Dial House

  phone: +44 1451 822244
  address: High St, Bourton on the Water GL54 2AN

• Manor Close

  phone: +44 1451 820339
  address: High St, Bourton-on-the-water GL54 2AP

• The Landsdown

  phone: +44 1451 820673
  address: Lansdowne, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2AR

• Whiteshoots Cottage

  phone: +44 1451 822698
  address: Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2LE

• Broadlands Guest House

  phone: +44 1451 822002
  address: Clapton Row, Bourton-On-The-Water GL54 2DN
  No pets

• Post Office

  address: High Street, Bourton-On-The-Water GL54 2AG

• Burford "Gateway to the Cotswolds" (10 miles SE)
• Stow-on-the-Wold 4 miles NE
• Chipping Norton 13 miles E
• Moreton-in-Marsh 8 miles N
• Cheltenham 16 miles W
• Cirencester 16 miles SW
• Oxford 30 miles E