Discover Kingham: One of the Cotswolds’ Most Loved Villages
Kingham is everything you hope for in a Cotswold village – beautiful, welcoming and full of life 🌿
A vibrant community sits at its heart, with people from all walks of life calling it home. Despite its peaceful, rural setting, Kingham has everything you need: an excellent primary school, two outstanding pubs, a village shop and post office, playing fields, a village hall and a much-loved children’s playground.
It’s a place that feels both quintessentially English and wonderfully alive.
Perfectly Placed in the Cotswolds
Kingham is just under a 10-minute drive from the charming market town of Chipping Norton – known locally as “Chippy”.
Here you’ll find everything from everyday essentials (Aldi to M&S Food) to independent boutiques perfect for a leisurely afternoon of browsing. A particular favourite is Station Mill, a treasure trove for antiques and vintage finds, with over 50 dealers and constantly changing stock. In fact, many of the pieces you’ll find in our cottages have been sourced there.
Just Next Door: Daylesford Organic
Kingham is also the closest village to Daylesford Organic Farm – just a 5-minute drive or a scenic 20-minute walk along the farm track from our cottages.
But this is no ordinary farm shop. Daylesford is a destination in its own right – beautifully curated and offering everything from seasonal food and homewares to gardens, wellness, clothing and exceptional dining. It’s the kind of place you arrive for a quick visit… and end up spending hours.
A Village with a Story (and a Sense of Humour)
Kingham was named “England’s Favourite Village” by Country Life magazine – something we still smile about.
Each shortlisted village was visited by a judge, and ours was Olga Polizzi. After exploring the village and its many clubs, organisations and community spirit, she concluded:
“Kingham is the village I’d really like to be buried in.”
It might sound like faint praise – but it was enough for us to win!
Familiar Faces & Local Life
In recent years, Kingham has attracted a few well-known residents, including Alex James, who lives nearby and hosts The Big Feastival each August Bank Holiday – a hugely popular mix of music, food and family fun.
You may also spot the occasional familiar face in the local pubs or around Chipping Norton – part of the relaxed, unpretentious charm of the area.
Community & Annual Highlights
Life in Kingham follows a gentle but lively rhythm throughout the year.
Highlights include:
- The village fête in summer
- Bonfire Night celebrations
- Festive Christmas events
- Regular Sunday services at St. Andrew’s Church
- The biennial Sculpture at Kingham Lodge exhibition, held in our gardens
There’s also a monthly village newsletter, which you’ll find in your cottage, full of local events and happenings during your stay.
A Village Steeped in History
Kingham’s roots run deep – it was recorded in the Domesday Book, and the first school here opened in 1717.
As you wander through the village, you’ll notice the beautiful honey-coloured stone cottages alongside grander houses such as Kingham House (formerly the Old Rectory), built in 1688.
One of the more unusual features is the distinctive banding of red and white stone on some of the older buildings. This comes from two historic quarries — one producing “red” stone and the other “white” — located on neighbouring hills. Although these quarries are now no longer in use, they remain part of the village’s unique architectural character.
A Place to Slow Down
What makes Kingham so special is not just its beauty, but its balance – a peaceful village with a strong sense of community, surrounded by countryside yet close to everything you might need.
Whether you’re here for long walks, great food, local events or simply a slower pace of life, Kingham offers a true taste of the Cotswolds.
Stay with Us at Kingham Cottages
Set within five acres of gardens, Kingham Cottages offers the perfect base to experience village life and explore the surrounding countryside.
We’d love to welcome you.
