The Cotswolds earned its prestigious designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966, but the qualities that make this 790-square-mile treasure special have been developing for millennia. This remarkable landscape represents one of Britain’s most distinctive and celebrated natural environments.
At its foundation lies the unique Jurassic limestone that defines the region. This golden-hued stone creates the area’s signature rolling hills and escarpments, forming a natural amphitheatre that captures light in a way that photographers and artists have attempted to immortalise for centuries. The limestone also gives rise to rare grassland habitats that support diverse wildlife, including endangered butterfly species and rare orchids found nowhere else in Britain.
Ancient woodlands dot the landscape, some dating back over 400 years. These precious ecosystems harbour protected species like the lesser horseshoe bat and provide crucial wildlife corridors throughout the region. The Cotswold Water Park, with its 150+ lakes, offers vital wetland habitats for migratory birds and aquatic species. To find out about Cotswolds Private Tours, contact cotswoldtour.co.uk/cotswolds-private-tours/
The region’s distinctive dry-stone walls, constructed without mortar, represent both cultural heritage and ecological importance. These walls, totaling over 4,000 miles, create microhabitats for insects, small mammals, and specialised plants that thrive in their nooks and crevices.
The Cotswolds’ river systems, including the Thames, Windrush, and Coln, carve gentle valleys through the landscape while supporting vibrant riparian ecosystems. These chalk streams with their crystal-clear waters host brown trout and water voles among other protected species.
This harmonious blend of geological features, diverse habitats, and cultural landscapes creates a living tapestry that continues to evolve while maintaining its timeless character—the very essence of what makes an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty truly outstanding.
