Having decided to go to the Cotswolds and take in a number of villages there. Lower Slaughter was high on the list. It’s not that big at all but is so beautiful from the photo’s we saw, we had to check it out for ourselves. Just to give you an idea of how small it is, the population is around 250 people, even for a village that is low.
How do you get there
We personally used Cheltenham as a base and got a really good Airbnb in the centre, rented a car to get around the Cotswolds for the day. It’s about 30 mins drive from central Cheltenham and would say it’s a no brainier to stop off in Burton-on-the-Water.
You can also use taxis and they are listed on the Uber platform but this will certainly not be cheap and probably not so reliable unless you rent a car and driver for a day.
Top Tip: parking is none existent in Lower Slaughter but if you approach from Bourton-on-the-Water you can go through the entire village and as you leave there is a layby on the left that can hold up to 3 cars and there were 2 spaces so we pulled in here and walked back to the village which took 5 mins.
Now let’s talk about the top 7 things to do in and around Lower Slaughter
1. Explore the village of Lower Slaughter
This can be done rather quickly but to fully take in the village you probably need about 45 mins to an hour. Walking through the heart of the village you will be walking by the River Eye that flows through both Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter.
When we were walking through, there was a convoy of horse riders from a riding school going through the river. Which made a nice sight and really gave you the feeling of rural England.
There are many photo opportunities, against the backdrop of honey-coloured stone cottages along with greenery and even a good old fashioned red telephone box which has been converted into a defibrillator station.
2. Lower Slaughter Manor
Off the main road of the village you will find the Manor. This place just screams class and this is reflected in the price if you wanted to stay the night. Rooms start from around £250 for 2 people. Each room has its own theme and atmosphere.
The grounds are well maintained and you can take a stroll through to enjoy the garden and natural beauty. There is also seating so sit down, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
One of the things that is worth doing here is Afternoon Tea. It couldn’t get anymore English if you tried. Enjoy a choice of 3 offerings. I would go for the ‘Full Afternoon Tea’ option which offers scones, sandwiches and a choice of Tea and Coffee. There is an alcoholic option but most likely you’ll be driving so probably not a good idea with all the windy roads.
3. Old Mill Museum
When you drive through Lower Slaughter you can’t help but see the Old Mill in the skyline and it catches the eye. You can walk up close to it and see a huge historical part of the village.
The ‘Old Mill’ is a Water Mill that was used for milling grain, now it is an icon of the village and drives a lot of interest and photo opportunities.
4. St. Mary’s Church
A visit to this church is a must. It’s a good way to finish your trip off to Lower Slaughter. The building itself is a grade 2 listed building. It has beautiful stained windows which showcase both religious imagery and intricate designs.
The Church is open to the public but worth checking times before going, if this is going to be a big part of your trip.
5. Countryside Walks
Lower Slaughter to Upper Slaughter Circular Walk
This is a short and delightful circular walk that takes you through both Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter villages. You’ll get to enjoy the charming architecture, the River Windrush, and the peaceful countryside in between. This walk will take an average walker over 2 and a half hours.
Cotswold Way: Lower Slaughter to Bourton-on-the-Water
Part of the Cotswold Way, this walk allows you to journey from Lower Slaughter to the neighbouring village of Bourton-on-the-Water. This longer route provides stunning views of the rolling hills and the River Windrush. This walk will take you around 30 mins
Naunton Circular Walk
Extend your exploration by walking from Lower Slaughter to the nearby village of Naunton. This circular walk takes you through idyllic Cotswold scenery and provides a good mix of fields, woodlands, and villages. This walk can take you easily up to 4 hours so this could be a lot of your day but will be rewarded with so much great natural beauty.
6. Bourton-on-the-Water
You could say this is a little bit of a cheat as it isn’t in Lower Slaughter or even starts there. But this is a must visit and only 1.7 miles away (4 min drive). I would recommend going here early as this place gets busy with tourists, even at around 10am on a Friday morning there were maybe 300-400 people wandering around and taking pictures.
You can park up for 90 mins max in one of the parking bays free of charge, again these fill up quickly. This place is referred to as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. Nearly every building or step is a picture opportunity in this village and really cannot be missed if you are visiting the Cotswolds.
7. Pubs and Cafes
In general there are so many options to grab a drink or food in the various villages. We have had to rope in some nearby villages to get a few options but all within walking distance to a very short drive.
The Slaughter Country Inn – very much an English pub with a proper English menu and selection of drinks.
The Old Manse (Bourton-on-the-Water) – This pub is located next to the river Windrush and has a lovely beer garden to sit in as you enjoy your pint and or food.
The Old Mill Coffee House (Stow-on-the-Wold) – so again not in Lower Slaughter but only 3 miles away and assuming that you’ll be travelling by car or willing to walk. Here you will have an array of coffee and tea options and lite snacks.
Lucy’s Tearoom (Stow-on-the-Wold) – loving the neighbouring village. Lucy’s Tearoom is a quaint spot known for its traditional English tea and homemade cakes.