As autumn painted its vibrant hues across the rolling hills and picturesque villages of the Cotswolds, I embarked on a photography trip to capture new images for my photo stock library and year calendars. Basing myself in the charming town of Stow-on-the-Wold, I spent the long weekend weaving my way through the countryside stopping at many villages including Snowshill, Lower and Upper Slaughter and Bourton-on-the-Water. I thought I’d try and give a little information on each location in this blog (accompanied by a handful of images) as I had to do a fair amount of research before the trip as the Cotswolds isn’t an area I’m very familiar with. We got very lucky with the weather, experiencing some beautiful sunlight and most warm conditions.

Stow-on-the-Wold: A Quaint Haven

Nestled atop a hill, Stow-on-the-Wold is full of medieval charm and features a bustling market square at its core. With its golden-hued stone buildings adorned with cascading ivy, this historic town served as the perfect base for my Cotswolds adventure. Wandering through its narrow streets, I found hidden alleyways, cozy cafes and charming cottages each offering a glimpse into the region's rich heritage. St Edward's Church is popular spot for Instagrammers, with the church's north door (pictured below), flanked by two ancient yew trees is rumoured to be the inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien's “Doors of Durin”.

Snowshill: A Photographer's Paradise

One the first day of the trip we visited the idyllic village of Snowshill, where time seemed to stand still amidst its rolling fields and rustic cottages. Every corner turned revealed a new photographic opportunity, from the quaint churchyard to the enchanting National Trust run Snowshill Manor. The village centre features in many postcards from the Cotswolds and getting a unique view is a little challenging. I got lucky with the light in Snowshill, we had a downpour and then the village was illuminated for around 30 minutes with glorious side lighting. Being a week day and out of season, it was relatively quiet in Snowshill with only a handful of people out in the village.

Lower and Upper Slaughter: Tranquility Amidst Nature's Canvas

On day 2 we were out for a walk starting at sunrise around the serene villages of Lower and Upper Slaughter, where the tranquil River Eye meanders through the heart of the villages. Here, ancient stone bridges arch gracefully over the water in the centre of Lower Slaughter offering one of the most photographed views in the Cotswolds. The villages provided the perfect frame for the reflection of autumn's brilliance, the sunrise turned out to be perfectly positioned with just a hint of autumn mist by the small river. It was halloween weekend and many of the cottages were decorated with spooky spiders webs and intricately carved pumpkins. The walk around the villages and local countryside is highly recommended with waterproof shoes required for the muddy country paths.

Bourton-on-the-Water: A Postcard Perfect Retreat

My final destination of the trip was the iconic village of Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' for its charming bridges spanning the gently flowing River Windrush. We sat for most of the morning by the riverside enjoying fresh coffee and cake. I was captivated by the reflections of the quaint cottages and weeping willows mirrored in the water below. The bridges and stark red foliage offered photo opportunities a plenty and I tried to capture a few shots which were a little out of the ordinary. I’m not sure these will be useful for anything but I enjoyed taking them all the same.