Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the UK. With easy road access, it is ideal for a full vacation or just a short break. Its central location in the North Cotswolds makes it an ideal base for a touring holiday, a long relaxing escape or a romantic mini-break. You can enjoy the delights not only of this charming old wool merchants' town, but also the nearby surrounding shire counties of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. From Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds to the south, to Worcester and the Malverns to the west (plus Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, with the best medieval castle in Europe) – they are all within an hour's journey from Chipping Campden.

The Cotswold-stone houses, in a town hardly touched by the centuries, are perfect gems of historic architecture, from tiny cottages to rather grand townhouses. They are united by the mellow honey-coloured stone and the picturesque stone-tiled roofs. Not surprisingly, there are strict listing controls on the architecture of the town, and there are even very stringent regulations on the appearance of the shop signs.

Hidcote Manor Garden (National Trust)
Hidcote, Chipping Campden
Tel: 01386 438333
This beautiful garden is one of England's greatest, a magical Arts & Crafts masterpiece designed by Major Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century. With a series of outdoor rooms, each with its own unique character, you will find old cottage garden familiars alongside unusual plants from around the world. The layout is exciting: there are long walks with beautiful vistas, lovely formal ponds and woodland streams, old roses, spectacular topiary and hidden surprises. From the edge of the garden, there is a stunning panorama across the Vale of Evesham. Lawrence Johnston's all-weather court has been restored and is open to players. The Theatre Lawn is open for croquet. The orchard is being transformed into a working kitchen garden.

Snowshill Manor  (National Trust)
Snowshill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JU
Tel: 01386 852410
Snowshill Manor, a Cotswold manor house with an eclectic collection of Charles Paget Wade's extraordinary collection of crafts and design. Each room has something to interest everyone, and the house is set in an intimate Arts & Crafts-style garden. In 1919 Charles Wade bought the ruinous house and 14 acres of land - all that remained of the original manor - and set about a major restoration. As an avid follower of the Arts & Craft movement, Wade was keen to preserve as much of the original structure as he could. Where he had to make replacements, he would employ the traditional skills of craftsmen. Snowshill Manor was not to become a home, but a place where Charles Wade could display his growing collections in an appropriate setting. All 21 rooms of the house are packed with his lifetime's treasure-hunting - it is a veritable 'Aladdin's Cave'. He didn't specialise in any one type of object or style, but collected anything that took his fancy, from everyday household objects to Samurai armour, from period costumes to 'bone-shaker' bicycles.

Sudeley Castle
Winchcombe, Near Cheltenham GL54 5JD
Tel: 01242 602308
Sitting proudly on this Cotswold escarpment, Sudeley Castle is surrounded by 14 acres of magnificent gardens.

Birdland Park & Gardens
Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BN
Tel: 01451 820480
A natural setting of woodland, river and gardens inhabited by over 500 birds: flamingos, pelicans, penguins and cranes in various water habitats.  There are over 50 aviaries of parrots, hornbills, toucans and many more. 

Campden Music Festival
Bennets Fine Wines, High Street, Chipping Campden
Tel: 01386 849018
Campden's Music Festival is popular with both visitors and locals alike.  It is a festival that has been running for several years and continues to go from strength to strength.

Painswick Rococo Garden
Painswick, Gloucestershire GL6 6TH
Tel: 01452 813204
Situated in a hidden Cotswold valley, Painswick is a unique eighteenth-century garden from the brief Rococo period, combining contemporary buildings, vistas, ponds, and much, much more. Its flamboyant design combines formality and informality, and is a magical experience at any time of the year.  Charming garden structures nestle among informal plantings, herbaceous borders and a striking kitchen garden.

Batsford Arboretum & Wild Garden
Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
Tel: 01386 701441
Local arboretum covering 55 acres with a collection of over 1500 shrubs.

Broadway Tower
Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7LB
Tel: 01386 852390
One of England's highest viewpoints and the second highest in the Cotswold ridge. Built in 1799, it is a perfect example of an eighteenth-century Gothic folly.

Longborough Opera
Longborough Festival Opera, Longborough, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0QF
Tel: 01451 830292
Longborough Festival Opera started simply, with two performances of opera for charity in the grounds of the house. Since then its reputation has grown year by year.

Snowshill Lavender Farm
Hill Barn Farm, Snowshill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY
Tel: 01386 854821
Lavender fields in the very heart of the North Cotswolds with lavender plants,  and toiletries made from essential oils grown and distilled on the farm.

Cotswold Falconry
Batsford Park, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB
Tel: 01386 701043
Eagles, hawks and falcons are flown throughout the day, giving you an opportunity to appreciate their speed, grace and agility, and their close relationship with the falconer.

Cotswold Wildlife Park
Burford, Oxfordshire
Tel: 01993 823006
A great day out for all the family. Open daily from 10.00 am. You will find a variety of animals from around the world from bats to big cats in 120 acres.  The wildlife park has gardens landscaped in many different styles from the exotic to the more familiar herbaceous borders.

Giffords Circus
Tel: 01242 572573
Giffords Circus is a fairytale recreation of a vintage circus, complete with showman's wagons and caravans. This is a show for all ages: it is witty, glamorous, mischievous, intimate and great fun, and has electrified audiences since its launch in 2000.  Marvel at the spellbinding acts, including acrobats, jugglers, stunt riders, clowns, horses, a live band and much more.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways
The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5DT
Tel: 01242 621405
The GWR is an all-volunteer steam and diesel heritage railway in the Cotswolds. Since 1981, the volunteers have restored over 10 miles of line, together with platforms, buildings, steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. In addition to a scheduled service, GWR hosts a number of galas and enthusiasts’ events throughout the year, including the ever popular Santa Specials. The railway offers a 20-mile round trip between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse, through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Cotswolds. As you leave Toddington, once a major fruit distribution centre, the train passes the workshops where the fleet of steam and diesel locomotives are maintained and restored. Good views of the Cotswolds can be seen from both sides of the train, before arriving at Winchcombe station, which is actually at Greet, about a mile from the town. As the line approaches Cheltenham Racecourse, the railway once again fulfils its original purpose - bringing race-goers for important meetings such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup.