Quaint would be the word that comes to mind when describing The Cotswolds. Located around 2 hours west of London, this region is known for its old world charm. Laced with ivy covered stone cottages, picket fences and cobbled lanes, its villages exude an old world charm that has drawn visitors under its spell for years.
It’s not hard to see why. Just two hours west of London, it’s an easy weekend getaway and one of the best places to see quaint English villages too. There are so many Cotswolds villages to choose from, all with their own unique charm, however one of the best Cotswolds villages to visit is the iconic The Slaughters.
The Slaughters are one of the best Cotswolds villages to visit if you love stone cottages
Now to call it a village is a misstatement as The Slaughters are twin villages – Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. It’s worth noting that you can easily walk between the two villages. In old English the word Slaughter comes from the word ‘slough’. Sough means ‘wet land’. The name suits the landscape despite it sounding odd in modern English.
The River Eye runs through the village and and a series of foot bridges join the opposing sides. Lining the riverside are the typical Cotswold cottages that this region is so famous for. Hand cut stone, shingled and thatched roofs topped off with a chimney stack. The white picket fences and perfectly manicured cottage gardens are delightful. The centre of the village is a car free zone.
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The History of The Slaughters
The twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter sit only a mile from each other and can be reached by car or a pleasant 25 minute stroll. The Domesday Book mentions Lower Slaughter. Settled for more than 1000 years, the Slaughters are the best Cotswold Villages to visit if you enjoy stepping back in time.
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The historic mill at The Slaughters
The river will inexplicably draw you to the mill. Built in the 1900’s its perfect set amongst the Cotswold cottages and gives off a fairytale vibe. The mill operated until the 1950’s. It is now a shop and a cafe. It is the perfect spot to stop and interact with the ducks whilst you enjoy some refreshments.
The Domesday book records there being a mill on the same site in 1086. In contrast to the sandstone cottages the mill is constructed from red brick. A village like this can’t help but draw you in and make you wonder what it looked like in times gone by.
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What to explore in this quaint English village
This beautiful Cotswold village is renown for its traditional stone cottages and English cottage gardens. St Mary’s church’s architecture is reminiscent of the 1900s, featuring a beautiful spire and well kept grave yard. The church is lovely to wander through or you can explore the grounds.
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The best locations to stay in the area
There are several options within the township of The Slaughters itself, most notably the Slaughter Manor House and the Slaughters Country Inn. Due to its fame as being one of the best Cotswold villages to visit, Accommodation within the town centre does come at a premium.
We chose to stay 4 miles down the road at an Air BnB cottage located in Stowe on the Wold. We had the most expensive pub meal we’ve ever had in our lives (it cost about the same price as our overnight accommodation!) but altogether it was a fraction of the price of staying any closer.
The Cotswolds are not a cheap area to visit, so if you are on a budget, The Slaughters are easily explored within a day trip from London and are around a 30 minute drive from Oxford.
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The Slaughters are a must see stop when visiting the Cotswolds
You simply can’t visit The Cotswolds without visiting The Slaughters. With their history, beautiful stream and mill they are one of the best Cotswolds villages to visit. There are plenty of photo opportunities so pack a camera. Allow 1-2 hours to explore them properly. Additionally The Slaughters are an easy day tour from London. Alternatively look into staying somewhere central such as at Calcot Manor in Tetbury near the M4.
Finally, we visited on a rainy mid Autumn day and it was as pretty as mid summer. I can imagine some of its charm may be lost in winter however. It is nonetheless a great place to visit during the other seasons.
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