Today, the “wool churches” of the Cotswolds are among the most beautiful, intricate and architecturally attractive in the entire country, due to donations from wealthy merchants and farmers who benefited from the medieval wool trade. Here we take a look at the most beautiful and inspiring historic churches dotted around the Cotswolds.
1. St Barnabas Church, Snowshill
St Barnabas Church in Snowshill, near Broadway, is the work of an unknown architect. Built in 1864 for £1,700, the building’s original plans allegedly called for a spire, but funds ran short, and the tower was instead capped with a pointed roof. This roof was then removed in 1958 in the interests of safety. Almost all the interior is Victorian, but the church also contains a bell cast around 1350-1380 in Bristol. There is also an intricate 17th-century pulpit on display and a beautiful stained glass work in the front. Snowshill is an easy drive from Cheltenham, just 11 miles (18 km) from this popular Cotswold village.
2. St John the Baptist’s Church, Cirencester
Cirencester lies on the River Churn in Gloucestershire and is the largest town in the Cotswolds. So it’s no surprise that the town is home to another glorious church. In fact, St John the Baptist’s Church is actually one of the largest parish churches in England. Its impressive Perpendicular Gothic tower with flying buttresses (c 1400) gives the church more of a feeling of a Cathedral. As does its beautiful three-storey south porch, built in the late 15th century but subsequently used as a town hall. If you like uncovering historical treasures, have a look at the church’s wall safe, which houses the Boleyn Cup, made for Anne Boleyn in 1535.
Our South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour and our Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot visit Cirencester along their routes.
3. St James’ Church, Chipping Campden
Like St John the Baptist, St James’ Church in Chipping Campden is celebrated as one of the finest ‘wool’ churches in England, a testament to the wealth of local wool merchants during the country’s late medieval period. This church was constructed in Perpendicular Gothic style in the late 15th century using wool-trade profits. The earliest church on this site was erected in the Norman period, sometime in the 12th century. But the remarkable row of almshouses along Church Street, just nearby, was constructed in 1612.
Many of our tours stop in Chipping Campden, making a visit to St. James’ Church easy, including:
4. St Mary’s Church, Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton is the highest town in Oxfordshire, and its church does not disappoint. St Mary’s was constructed in 1448, but two arches in the chancel date back to around 1200. The church boasts a magnificent Perpendicular nave and clerestory, several alabaster tombs, and fluted, diamond-shaped pillars. Interestingly, when the new English Prayer Book was first introduced under Edward VI, there was widespread unrest in Oxfordshire. And one of the leaders of the resistance was the vicar of Chipping Norton, Henry Joyce, who was hanged in the church’s tower for his dissent!
5. Church of St Peter & St Paul, Northleach
The delightful Cotswold town of Northleach is a true Cotswold gem. And the grandeur and architectural complexity of its church bring in 20,000 visitors from all over the world each year. The Church of St Peter & St Paul has been called “The Cathedral of the Cotswolds”, and you can see why. The origins of the building date back to the 12th century, but much of what we can see today dates from the 15th century, when the building was extensively reworked during the important wool boom.
Our South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour and our Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot stop in Northleach.
6. Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester
Though technically a cathedral rather than a parish church, Gloucester Cathedral is an unmissable stop for any lover of ecclesiastical architecture in the Cotswolds region. Towering over the city of Gloucester, this magnificent structure was originally founded as an abbey in 678–679 and became a cathedral in 1541 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It showcases a striking blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with its awe-inspiring fan-vaulted cloisters considered among the finest in Europe. The cathedral is also the burial place of King Edward II, whose tomb became a medieval pilgrimage site. Harry Potter fans may also recognise the cathedral’s cloisters, famously featured in several of the films.
From grand wool churches to iconic cathedrals, the Cotswolds are home to some of England’s most beautiful and historically rich places of worship. Whether you’re drawn by their architectural splendour, peaceful settings, or fascinating pasts, these churches offer a unique window into the region’s heritage—and are well worth adding to your Cotswold itinerary.