The key characteristics of the Cotswolds are:

107. Cotswolds

The key characteristics of the Cotswolds are:

• Defined by its underlying geology: a dramatic scarp rising above adjacent lowlands with steep combes, scarp foot villages and beech woodlands.

• Rolling, open, high wold plateaux moulded by physical and human influences, with arable and large blocks of woodland, divided up by small, narrow valleys.

• Incised landscapes with deep wide valleys.

• Flat, open dip slope landscape with extensive arable farmland. 

• Prominent outliers within the lowlands.

• Honey-coloured Cotswold stone in walls, houses and churches. 

• Attractive stone villages with a unity of design and materials.

For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.