The picturesque village of Lower Slaughter in Gloucestershire has retained its quintessentially English allure for over a century, remaining a stalwart of English history in the Cotswolds. Nestled in the heart of the region, Lower Slaughter looks as if it has been taken from a Victorian postcard with its charming limestone cottages along the River Eye. The golden Cotswold stone houses boast pristine exteriors, peppered with quaint village shops and a country pub, all set against the backdrop of the gently flowing river.
Smaller and quieter than its fairy-tale-like named neighbours Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, Lower Slaughter offers a brief but enchanting stroll through its serene streets. It’s this tranquil and charming character that enchants visitors the most. Many visitors have commented on how little the village has changed and how it is seemingly “frozen in time.” One person wrote on their Shoffmire blog: “Once here, I discovered that Oxford sits on the edge of the Cotswolds, an area of extraordinary natural beauty and stunning villages built from honey-colored stones that look frozen in time.”
One nostalgic commenter on the All About Great Britain Facebook page remarked: “That’s what I love about the Cotswolds. You can’t improve on perfect.”
Another shared their fond memories: “Lovely little Cotswold Village – I remember riding through it as a young lad, with my cycling club. Quite a few years ago now! I always felt that the Cotswolds, Mendips and the Quantocks, epitomised the beauty of the English countryside and still do.”
Perhaps the most iconic landmark in the village is The Slaughters Manor House, a grand country retreat that has been a fixture in the village since 1004. With a rich past as a covenant and nunnery, the Manor was returned to the crown in 1603 and became the residence of the Whitemore family for over three centuries.
Today, The Slaughters is a stunning four AA star hotel, popular among those seeking a tranquil yet luxurious countryside getaway.
Another favourite with visitors is the Slaughters Country Inn. Nestled in the heart of the village, it offers indulgent afternoon teas and an extensive lunch and dinner menu.
With an impressive overall rating of 4.4 on TripAdvisor, guests were particularly taken with the exceptional cuisine and charming bedrooms.
Giving it five stars one visitor commented: “From the moment we stepped foot inside this charming Inn we were warmly welcomed by all the staff.
Yes, the food is a little over priced but the quality was excellent with homemade sauces. You get what you pay for. “The toilets even had L’Occitane hand wash and hand lotion. The grounds are simply stunning next to a river where you can have a little paddle and doggies can have a drink/swim.”