On our last day in the UK, we are taking a private tour to the Cotswolds. What are your must-see villages?

There are so many -- none really are 'must see' over many others.

This is just a short list -- there are many others:
• Most people think Bibury is iconic -- but it can can be totall overrun mid day with all the tourists because the most scenic part (Arlington row, The Swan/river) is very small.

* Lower Slaughter and its mill is one of the prettiest.

* Stanton has the most amazing views from The Mount pub at the top of the village -- though the pub can get overwhelmed if the weather is nice.

• Hailes Abbey and church across the way isn't a village but os beautiful

• Burford is a lively village (busy with lots of shops and restaurants and one of the best churches in the Cotswolds)

• Bourton-on-the-Water is on most peoples mus see list but is tourist central between about 11 AM and 3-ish PM

• Painswick and its Rococo Garden is lovely but a bit far SE from some of the others mentioned. A long time Fodorite lives there)

What about Castle Combe?

(sorry about all the typos in my 1st post)

Where are you starting this tour from?? Castle Combe is beautiful but is a long way from the places I listed -- it s closer to Bath.

Burford is not too bad in the evening and early morning, but during the day it is just a swarm of tourists, hence it might be a good base

Burford is not too bad in the evening and early morning, but during the day it is just a swarm of tourists, hence it might be a good base

Frankly the Cotswolds are very like other small areas in the UK that have underdeveloped for many years (an area trapped in a time warp as it were), and you may do better to visit some others, eg the Yorkshire Dales, the Isle of Purbeck, large parts of Cornwall, etc etc

They have one day -- not likely the Dales or Cornwall would fit . . .

one day.... is that a holiday ;-)

I would absolutely love to do the Yorkshire Dales but as Janis said, only one day! Friday Sept 12. Next time!
We'll be starting in Windsor and returning to LHR. Originally, my daughters wanted to go to Downton Abbey sites but unfortunately closed that date, so a taste of the Cotswolds seemed like a good alternative.

You might enjoy it if your list is short and sweet. You are obviously getting just a small taste. Are you visiting Windsor that morning, also, or starting in Windsor after spending the night?
How long do you have your driver for? I assume that you are spending the night at LHR before your flight the next day.

Starting after spending a couple of nights in Windsor, so we can leave early, Tours I think are typicallty 8 hours or so but you can pay for additional time. And yes, sadly, spending the night at LHR before an early flight home.