Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds,' draws around 300,000 visitors each year, but locals say tourists consistently overlook one of the village's finest areas. The crystal-clear River Windrush, stone bridges, and immaculate lawns captivate most visitors, yet many never cross to the other side.
What Tourists See vs. What They Miss
During a Wednesday afternoon visit, the village was packed with people strolling along narrow paths, sitting on lawns, and photographing quintessential stone cottages. The river offers a serene setting with low-hanging trees, award-winning The Chip Shed fish and chips, and Cotswold Ice Creams from an authentic cart. Traditional tearooms like Mrs Rolt's Tea Rooms and Green & Pleasant Tea Rooms, plus coffee houses such as The Den and Bourton Riverside Café, sit at the heart of the action. Pubs like The Old Manse and Kingsbridge serve riverside pints and pub grub.
Attractions include the Cotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection, The Model Village, and shops like Once Upon a Candy Shop, which rivals Disney's 'It's a Small World' with its colourful display, and the Victorian Christmas Shop, brimming with festive ornaments year-round.
Local Shopkeeper Reveals Hidden Shops
A local shopkeeper told the journalist: "A lot of people just tend to stick to one side of the river, and they don't understand that there are shops behind the river as well. There are a lot of really good places, little bespoke shops like The Cotswolds Perfumery, the Cotswold Candlemakers, where they make all their own candles, and the crystal shop, The Lodestone. That's all on the other side of the bridges." The resident added: "They don't realise those shops are there, which I think is a shame because they're really good. But unfortunately, people just tend to stick to one side, sit on the green, and that's it. There's also The Cotswold Pottery shop that people don't know about."
Ice Cream Man's Advice
Allan Hymers, who cheerfully declared "I'm the famous ice cream man," urged visitors to wander off the beaten track. "I encourage people to take a walk and look at our houses, where we live, as it's not just about the cafes and pubs. There are little alleyways and a big house with a wheel, it's just lovely, and you'll only see it then. I call it the ice cream walk, do a circle around the back of the houses and come back for an ice cream."
Nearby Hidden Gems
Rebecca Olivia, who works at Bourton's Little Sweet Shop, recommended Lower Slaughter, a 10-minute walk away. "Lower Slaughter is a little village, a 10-minute walk from here. It's quite hidden away, but it's beautiful," she said. She also noted Stow-on-the-Wold, a hilltop market town a short drive away, as the place for shopping and eating. "It's very different, there's no river, and it used to be a market town for sheep, but if you want to go shopping or eat out, Stow is the place to go."
Conclusion
Next time you visit the Cotswolds, seek local recommendations. In Bourton-on-the-Water, cross the river and explore the alleys—you never know what you might discover.
