There’s something quintessentially British about a thatched cottage – with golden stone walls, trailing roses and leaded windows, they could come straight from the pages of a book. They epitomise the traditional charms of rural areas like the Cotswolds. But where can you find them? Here are the best towns and villages to visit to see thatched cottages in the Cotswolds. And if you fancy a taste of fairytale life, we’ve also included details of thatched properties you can rent.
What is thatching?
It’s thought that thatching dates back to the Neolithic period. Highly trained master thatchers layer dry vegetation like straw, reeds or grasses to create a waterproof and insulated roof covering. No two roofs are quite the same – some are simple and others embellished with ornate decorations.
Up until the 13th century, thatched roofs were popular as they were fairly cheap. But as towns and cities grew and properties were built closer together, larger cities started to ban thatch because of the risk of fire, starting with London in 1212. It was still popular in rural areas though until the Industrial Revolution, when other materials like slate tiles became more readily available.
But there’s recently been resurgence in thatching, partly because of its historical importance and partly as it’s sustainable and environmentally friendly. Although thatch needs more maintenance than a tiled roof, modern techniques and materials mean it’s now safer and lasts longer.
There are around 60,000 thatched cottages in the UK today, with the best master thatchers in high demand. Thatched roofs are most common in East Anglia, Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire, but you can also find plenty of picturesque thatched cottages around the Cotswolds too.
Where to see thatched cottages in the Cotswolds
Before the 17th century, you’d have seen a lot more thatched roofs around the Cotswolds. Many were replaced by slates made from local limestone. But there are still places where you can see traditional thatches, most commonly on the edges of the region in Worcestershire and Oxfordshire. Here’s our pick of the best places to see them, as well as some lovely thatched cottages you can stay in.
Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is one of the best-known towns in the Cotswolds. But you could easily visit and not see any thatched cottages, as you won’t spot them along the High Street. Instead you need to head out of the centre of town, following Sheep Street to the south. Keep going when the road turns to the right onto Conduit Hill and you’ll see a row of cottages straight out of a fairytale.
There’s also a thatched cottage on Hoo Lane where the writer Graham Greene, author of The Third Man, Brighton Rock and The End of the Affair, lived between 1931 and 1933.
There’s lots more to do in Chipping Campden too, including the Court Barn Museum where you can find out about the town’s links with the Arts and Crafts Movement. You can also buy contemporary crafts at the Old Silk Mill or visit one of the town’s many cafés, pubs and restaurants – the Bantam Tea Rooms, Michael’s Mediterranean and the Eight Bells Inn are a few of our favourites.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Chipping Campden
Appropriately named, The Thatch* is a Grade II-listed, Cotswold stone thatched cottage located on the edge of Chipping Campden. This quaint one-bedroom property is perfect for a romantic break, with a cosy log-burning stove in an inglenook fireplace and original beamed ceilings. There’s a compact but well-equipped kitchen, or it’s a short walk into Chipping Campden to eat out.
Broad Campden
Broad Campden is just over a mile south of its bigger neighbour Chipping Campden, so it’s easy to combine visiting the two of them. Although it’s only a small place, Broad Campden has a great selection of thatched cottages to see, which are stretched out through the village.
There are some scenic country walks nearby too – take a short stroll to Chipping Campden or a longer walk to the gardens at Hidcote or Kiftsgate. The village also has a local pub, The Baker’s Arms, which does tasty food and featured in the TV series Father Brown as the priest’s local.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Broad Campden
If you’ve ever bought a postcard of the Cotswolds, you might recognise Inglenook Cottage* and its chocolate-box good looks. The cottage dates back over 300 years and used to be the village blacksmiths. But it’s now been converted into a charming holiday home with a king-sized bedroom, inglenook fireplace with wood-burner, country kitchen and walled courtyard garden.
Stanton
Another place to see thatched cottages in the Cotswolds is Stanton near Broadway. There are a few thatched cottages around the village, including Sheppey Corner at the top of the High Street which was built around 1650 and is now divided into three cottages. You can also see a half-timbered thatched cottage along Stanway Road in a change from the usual Cotswold stone.
Stanton is only 3.5 miles from Broadway, and you can walk there along a stretch of the Cotswold Way long-distance walking route. It’s also close to Stanway House, which has the highest gravity fountain in the world (open in summer). And there’s a good village pub – The Mount Inn.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Stanton
The thatched Old Cider Press* was used to make cider in the 1700s, but now has a new life as a holiday cottage sleeping four. Its topsy-turvy design means the two king-sized bedrooms and bathroom are on the ground floor, with an open-plan kitchen, diner and living room on the first floor. And from there you can go on up a spiral staircase to reach a mezzanine reading nook.
Bretforton
The small village of Bretforton in Worcestershire has some of the prettiest thatched cottages in the Cotswolds. Look up and you can see hares, ducks and foxes perched on the rooftops. These are known as straw finials and were originally made to show who owned the property or to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. Today they’re purely decorative to show off the thatcher’s skills.
The village is also home to The Fleece Inn, a 300-year old pub owned by the National Trust. They hold an annual Asparagus Festival every May/June, with an Asparagus Auction to raise money for the Bretforton Silver Band, ‘Asparabus’ tours and plenty of asparagus on the menu.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Bretforten
With a family of straw foxes making their way across the roof, there’s no mystery as to where Old Fox Cottage* got its name. Inside there are two bedrooms (one king and one twin), with crooked wooden beams giving it plenty of character. There’s also a country-cottage kitchen, comfortable lounge and light-filled conservatory – and the Fleece Inn is right on the doorstep.
Minster Lovell & Taynton
Six miles east of Burford, Minster Lovell in Oxfordshire is where you find the riverside ruins of 15th-century Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote. But the village also has some handsome thatched cottages. To find them, walk down the road between The Old Swan and Minster Lovell Hall.
It’s worth checking out Minster Lovell Hall too, and if you fancy lunch, The Old Swan is a relaxed country pub or the neighbouring Minster Mill hotel has a three AA Rosette restaurant. You can also see more thatched cottages in the nearby village of Taynton, the other side of Burford.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Taynton
Betty’s Cottage* in Taynton is just 1.5 miles from Burford. Its unusual old-meets-new design features a traditional stone thatched cottage at the front with woodburner, beams and flagstone floors. Then there’s a light and bright glass-walled kitchen-diner at the back overlooking the gardens. The cottage sleeps six, and has three bedrooms (including one downstairs) and two bathrooms.
Great Tew
It’s best known for its celebrity residents thanks to the fashionable members’ club Soho Farmhouse nearby, but Great Tew is also one of the best places to visit to see thatched cottages in the Cotswolds. The village is part of the Great Tew Estate, and many buildings were constructed in the 17th century using red ironstone from the local quarry, topped with gabled thatched roofs.
It’s hard to imagine now, but in the 1980s many of the buildings were derelict. But it’s been beautifully repaired and restored. If (like us) you’re not on the list for Soho Farmhouse, you don’t have to miss out as there’s also a village pub – The Falkland Arms – and Quince and Clover café.
Stay in a thatched cottage in Great Tew
In a scenic spot overlooking the village green, Thatch on the Green* is made up of two 17th-century houses joined together. It has bags of historic features, including mullioned windows, stone floors, an open fire and window seat. The three bedrooms are up two separate staircases, making it ideal for families or two couples. And there’s a secluded private garden with a patio and lawn.
* This site contains affiliate links, where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.
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