The Cotswolds: My Quiet Escape & Creative Sanctuary

jagan jijo
May 8
4 min read

Some places don’t just make for good photos—they speak to your soul. The Cotswolds has always been that place for me. Over the years, I’ve wandered its winding lanes, paused in its quiet gardens, and filmed in the golden light spilling across fields and rooftops. Living between Cardiff and Birmingham, this storybook stretch of English countryside has become my silent escape—my place to breathe, reset, and create.

This isn’t a guide packed with must-dos or touristy checklists. It’s more of a personal invitation—to take the long way around, stop for no reason, carry a camera even if you never post the photos, and rediscover a kind of peace that only stillness can bring.

Castle Combe – Like Stepping into a Fairytale

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve driven to Castle Combe, but every visit feels like the first. There’s something cinematic about it—the way the cottages lean into the lane, the ivy creeping across the stone, the sound of the By Brook quietly flowing behind it all. It’s often called “England’s Prettiest Village”, and rightly so. But beyond the pretty facades, it’s the quietness that stays with me. No signs screaming for your attention, no rush. Just timeless beauty.

In the early morning, when the mist still hangs low and the village is hushed, it’s like you’ve stepped off the map entirely. If you’re into photography, this is golden hour heaven. If you’re not, just take it in—it’s a memory your mind will photograph on its own.

Bibury – A Postcard That Breathes

I first discovered Bibury thanks to a news article calling it one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Naturally, I had to see for myself—and now it’s one of my favorite corners of the Cotswolds. Arlington Row, with its 17th-century weavers' cottages, is as charming in real life as the postcards suggest. But there’s more to Bibury than that one famous view.

Walk beyond the row, past the trout farm, and you’ll find trails, tiny bridges, and blooming gardens. In summer, the entire village comes alive in colour—roses crawling over doorways, wildflowers spilling onto stone paths, and the sound of birdsong echoing through the valley. It’s pure, effortless magic.

Summer in Colour – The Cotswolds in Bloom

While the Cotswolds is beautiful all year round, summer has a way of draping it in poetry. Lavender fields hum with bees, gardens burst into bloom, and the skies stretch out endlessly. If you’re chasing colour, warmth, and those soft golden hues, here are a few more places that have captured my lens and heart:

Snowshill – A hilltop village with sweeping views and dreamy lavender fields. Visit near sunset and you’ll want to stay forever.
Lower Slaughter – Quiet, intimate, and utterly charming. The old watermill, the shallow stream, and the overflowing cottage gardens feel like scenes from a Jane Austen film.
Stow-on-the-Wold – For a bit of bustle and brilliant antique shops. Don’t miss the church door hidden between two ancient yews—it’s like something out of Tolkien.
Bourton-on-the-Water – More lively, especially in summer, but still worth a walk at dusk. The reflections in the river are stunning.
Cotswold Lavender (near Broadway) – Come late June to mid-July, when the fields are at their peak. It’s like standing inside a painting.

Bath – Where Stone Meets Story

Just on the southern edge of the Cotswolds lies Bath, a city that feels like it was carved from poetry. The creamy Georgian buildings, the Roman Baths, and the grand sweep of the Royal Crescent make it one of the most elegant cities I’ve ever photographed.

Bath is for long afternoon strolls, golden hour light hitting stone, and quiet coffees tucked away in courtyards. If you get a clear day, head up to Alexandra Park for a sweeping view of the city’s rooftops. Or just wander, get lost, and let the city reveal itself slowly—it always does.

Bristol – A Dash of City Energy

And if you want to blend countryside calm with just a hint of city buzz, Bristol is perfect. It's not as overwhelming as London, but it has everything: cosy pubs, live music, independent cafes, art along every wall, and that unmistakable creative energy.

It’s the kind of place you can explore without an agenda. Walk along the harbourside, catch a sunset over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or just find a good rooftop bar and let the night unfold. It’s a nice contrast to the softness of the Cotswolds—vibrant, but still grounded.

Why I Keep Coming Back

Maybe it’s the light, maybe it’s the pace, maybe it’s the feeling of being held by the landscape—but the Cotswolds has become more than a destination for me. It’s my creative refuge. I’ve filmed campaigns, shot personal projects, or just gone for a quiet drive with no plan at all. And every time, it gives me something back—peace, perspective, and endless inspiration.

If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, if you’re craving beauty without chaos, or simply want to wander through villages where time doesn’t hurry—this corner of England is waiting for you.