Hometown Guide: Bourton-on-the-Water

The team from Seasalt Bourton share their favourite spots in this lovely Cotswolds village.

18/04/24

Surrounded by lush countryside and dotted with honey-coloured cottages, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the prettiest and best-loved places in the Cotswolds. The River Windrush winds through the village, lined with dappled trees and crossed by a row of old stone bridges.

The “Venice of the Cotswolds” is also home to a lively community of shops, pubs and restaurants. In our guide to the village, the team from Seasalt Bourton gives us the locals’ lowdown on their favourite spots.

For food

Bourton may not be big, but it has a great choice of places to eat. The Seasalt team decided on Smiths Boutique Burger Joint, which serves a varied burger menu in one of Bourton’s gorgeous old buildings. Feeling peckish? Try the Triple B: dry-aged beef burger, blueberry BBQ sauce, goat’s cheese and slow-roasted pork shoulder.

For coffee

They grab a coffee in style here in Bourton-on-the-Water. Head for The Dial House, a postcard-perfect seventeenth-century hotel, which combines classic Cotswolds architecture with a sumptuous Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen interior. Treat yourself to their delectable afternoon tea.

For cocktails

Stay with The Dial House, as Bourton’s favourite cocktail spot is in the hotel grounds. Maxi’s Tipi Lounge is the top spot to relax in the evening, or to enjoy a long lazy afternoon of street food dishes accompanied by chat with friends. Look out for their wine tasting events.

For take-out

The team is unanimous: take-away treats and coffees come from The Den. This bijou café serves made-to-order food, including a great vegan and veggie menu, and it scores extra points for being so friendly. Top tip: you’re missing out if you don’t try one of their cakes (although you might struggle to eat the entire piece in one sitting…).

For shopping

Seasalt Bourton has some wonderful neighbours, and browsing is a popular lunchbreak activity. The team suggests calling into Boho House, which sells locally crafted and ethically sourced homewares. Like many Cotswolds villages, Bourton-on-the-Water has a great selection of arts, crafts and antique shops.

For fun

Bourton-on-the-Water’s most famous attraction is The Model Village, a perfect recreation of Bourton in 1/9 scale, which even includes a model of itself. Originally created in the 1930s, the model village is continuously updated – and now includes the smallest branch of Seasalt in the country! As a bonus, the model village is in the grounds of The Old New Inn, which is the perfect place for a pub lunch.

If you’re in Bourton with the family, Birdland is a must. Meet 130 different species of birds in a beautiful park and woodland setting.

For walks

The Seasalt Bourton team is enthusiastic about the amazing walks in the area. Try the pretty pathway to nearby Upper and Lower Slaughter villages, as well as a wander around the nature reserve at Greystones Farm. If you fancy a longer walk, the 13.5-mile Windrush Way trail starts (or ends) at Bourton.