A Local's Guide
Walks straight from the door, farm shops made famous on TV, and some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds — all within a short drive of Glebe Cottage.
Bledington sits quietly in the Evenlode Valley, on the Oxfordshire–Gloucestershire border, and it's a genuinely good base for exploring the North Cotswolds — close enough to the well-known spots to reach them easily, far enough to still feel like a proper village rather than a tourist stop. Here's what we'd actually recommend, based on years of hosting guests at Glebe Cottage.
You don't need to get in the car to start exploring. There are three circular walks that start right from Bledington itself, and the village lies on the Oxfordshire Way, a long-distance path that runs through some of the county's best countryside — route maps and directions are available via the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Within walking distance is Foxholes Nature Reserve, over 165 acres of tranquil woodland that's home to an abundance of wildlife year-round, and particularly well known for its spring bluebells.
Fans of Clarkson's Farm will want to know that Diddly Squat Farm Shop is around 7 miles away — about a 20-minute drive from the cottage. The Farmers Dog, the pub featured in the show, is nearby too, at the Asthall Barrow Roundabout near Burford.
A short 10-minute drive, or a lovely 45-minute walk if you'd rather make a morning of it, Daylesford Organic is one of the finest farm shops in England — a grocery store with an outstanding range of local and organic produce, a homeware and garden section, the Bamford boutique, and a restaurant and café for lunch.
If your visit lines up with it, The Big Feastival — one of the UK's best-loved food and music festivals, run by Alex James of Blur — takes place just up the road in Kingham, about 1.5 miles from Glebe Cottage. Close enough to walk to, which makes staying here a genuinely good alternative to camping on-site.
The Kings Head Inn, right on the Bledington village green, is a two-minute walk from the cottage — a 16th century pub, Good Pub Guide's Inn of the Year in 2021, and very dog friendly. A little further afield, the Wild Rabbit and The Kingham Plough in Kingham, the Feathered Nest Country Inn in Nether Westcote, and the Chequers in Churchill are all worth the short drive.
Back in the village, the Bledington Community Shop & Café — run by local volunteers since the original village shop closed in 2006 — is a lovely spot for a coffee and stocks fresh local produce, wine and household essentials.
The larger Cotswold towns are all within easy reach — Stow-on-the-Wold (around 4 miles, 10 minutes) and Chipping Norton (around 6 miles, 15 minutes) both have a good mix of independent shops, tearooms and pubs, along with plenty of parking, though they can get busy in peak season. Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford are a little further but well worth the trip.
If you'd rather escape the crowds, the quieter villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter, Churchill and Bibury are all close by and every bit as picturesque.
Bledington's own Church of St Leonard dates to the 12th century and is well worth a visit — home to a 12th century tub font, remnants of medieval wall paintings, and an unused bell dating to the reign of Charles I. For a bigger day out, Blenheim Palace is within easy driving distance.
A fuller local guide, including our favourite walking routes, is left in the welcome folder for every guest staying at Glebe Cottage.