Most romantic UK places: Bourton-on-the-Water guide

Bourton-on-the-Water is a charming English village in the heart of the Cotswolds with plenty to see and do for a romantic holiday. That's why we consider it one of the most romantic places in the UK .

Enjoy the big variety of shops, restaurants and attractions this “Little Venice” has to offer. Walk hand-in-hand through the picturesque Cotswolds countryside and experience true romance in the charming Cotswolds towns and villages.

One of the most romantic ways to fall in love with Bourton-on-the-Water and the Cotswolds is to hire a caravan and tour Cotswolds finest romantic spots. That way you can journey through the idyllic romantic hotspots in a caravan with the beautiful scenery passing you by.

Things to do in Bourton-on-the-Water

A visit to the Cotswolds allows you to relax, unwind and connect with your partner. In addition to providing the perfect opportunity for the two of you to experience the many romantic attractions in the beautiful Cotswolds.

Visit the Cotswold Perfumery

Learn the skills involved in developing and making your own perfume. What a perfect memory to take home with you after a romantic weekend? Established in 1966, the Cotswold Perfumery specialises in creating fine fragrances, and they have even made scents for the Queen herself.

They offer a range of unique fragrances from their picture-perfect shop in the beautiful Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water and you can even make your own. Their Perfume making courses and workshops run throughout the year in a dedicated teaching room/laboratory.

Check out the Bourton Model Railway Exhibition

Enter the world of your or perhaps your partner’s childhood dream with some of the finest operating indoor model railway villages in the country. The Model Railway Exhibition covers over 500 square feet of track.

Follow the trains' journey through the imaginatively designed scenery of open countryside, mountains, steams, industrial sites and suburbia. Watch day change to night, experience the fun of the fair and generally enjoy the attractive illusion of colour and movement enhanced by many working model accessories.

Visit the beautiful Lavender Farm

Experience the beauty of the Lavender Fields and Wildflower Meadow on top of the Cotswold Hills. Enjoy the views as you walk among the Lavender Farm and then relax with a cream tea in the romantic Barn.

Nature is at its very best in the summer months. In a typical English summer, the lavender fields should start to come into flower mid-June, with the best time to see them early-mid July but it can differ year to year with the weather.

The Cotswolds are also known for their wildflowers. Every year they are treated to a fantastic display of colour. From the vivid red of the Field Poppy, the violet of the Corn Cockle through to the refreshing blue of the Cornflower,

Visit the fascinating Cotswold Motoring Museum

Hold your lover's hand and start a fascinating journey through time as you explore the history of 20th-century motoring. This fascinating Motoring Museum has a large collection of rare and classic vehicles that will give you a nostalgic glimpse of life on the road as it used to be.

Check out The Old New Inn Model Village

Get an idea of what it would have felt like to be Gulliver in Lilliput as you explore the only Grade II listed model village in the country.

The Old New Inn was created from local Cotswold stone by highly skilled craftsmen, it is a replica of the buildings that existed in Bourton-on-the-Water in the 1930s and shows how they are being used today. The River Windrush flows under Bourton's famous bridges. The beeches, cherries and chestnuts are all in miniature.

Places to eat in Bourton-on-the-Water

The Cotswolds is famous for fine dining experiences in award-winning romantic restaurants. Prepare for a holiday full of culinary delights and jam-packed wine cellars.

The Slaughters Manor House Restaurant

Dine in the picture-perfect village of Lower Slaughter just down the road from Bourton-on-the-Water. The Slaughters Manor House Restaurant is perfect for a special romantic occasion , the eight-course dining menu or a la carte dishes served in the restaurant's light and airy dining room fits the bill.

Celebrating the finest produce the Cotswolds has to offer, the team of skilled chefs create amazing menus filled with flavour, using regionally sourced and fresh ingredients. Perfectly matched by the sommelier’s wine selections.

The Rose Tree Restaurant

The Rose Tree Restaurant is a Grade II listed cottage , where the menu is traditional-British and Continental. They have a large outside sitting area facing the river, so you and your loved one can sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy a romantic evening.

Bakery on the Water

This small family-run artisan bakery is located in the heart of the Cotswolds that is well worth a visit. Enjoy your hot drink and baked goods at Bakery on the Water or order a picnic-to-go if you fancy a romantic lunch outdoors while exploring more of the Cotswolds.

Things to do near Bourton-on-the-water

Enjoy a romantic day at a Roman Bath

Bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Bath it's only 1h distance from Bourton-in-the-Water and it's a perfect break whilst visiting Bourton-on-the-Water.

By day and by night, you can relax at Thermae Bath Spa and its open-air rooftop pool with spectacular views over the city of Bath. Additionally, you can refresh your senses in the new Wellness Suite and choose from over 40 spa treatments and packages.

Visiting Cotswold Famous Gardens

Romantic days out in the Cotswolds are easy to come across with plenty of romantic walks, an abundance of gardens to explore and many romantic country houses. No wonder why Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most romantic holiday places in the UK.

There are several famous and romantic gardens within a 20 minutes journey of Bourton on the Water village including Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor, Bourton House, Sezincote, Kiftsgate Court and Batsford Arboretum.

Plan your trip today

Get away from the city jungle and have a romantic break with your loved one. Bourton-on-the-Water and The Cotswolds are a very romantic destination for a short break.

The selection of romantic things to do and enjoy should make the Cotswolds one of your first options for a getaway with your loved one.

Make the most of it by hiring a van

Today's vans, motorhomes and caravans can be very luxurious and comfortable for a romantic roadtrip. Waking up in the middle of nature, smell the fresh air and have all you need just there is an incredible experience.

No matter what your current location or budget is , with Camplify you can find a vast range of vans near your home or pick one up at your destination.

At Camplify we offer thousands of private camper vans and motorhomes for hire , so you can get the most of your romantic holiday, just take a look at our search page and specify what type of van you want or need.

Why Camplify

We are proud to be the UK’s fastest-growing campervan, motorhome and caravan sharing community. When you find a van for hire in our platform, you get lots of advantages:

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By hiring at Camplify, you are also helping the families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across the UK in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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