The Cotswolds region has a rich historical heritage dating back to the times when Britain was part of the Roman Empire.  It was the birthplace of the world's most famous poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, and was home to such notable figures as Beatrix Potter and Jane Austen.  Today this heritage has left its mark in the many museums and attractions available to visitors in the Cotswolds.  For its size, the Cotswolds has more museums and historical sites than almost any place else in the country.

The Cotswolds town of Bath was founded by the ancient Romans, and beneath its streets is located what is considered to be the most well preserved Roman baths of the ancient world.  The site, constructed around a natural hot spring, is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, and has been transformed into a museum where visitors can come and see just how the Romans may have lived.  The museum is open every day and gives guided tours.  For directions and more information see the Roman Baths Museum website. 

Another of the Cotswold's notable historic sites is the 1,300-year old Gloucester Cathedral, located in Gloucester.  This church, built by the Normans, still holds daily services.  It is the burial place of King Edward II and was used as a location in one of the Harry Potter books.  For more information, see the website.

If you want to see where Edward II was murdered (with a red hot poker) visit Berkeley Castle which was built to protect the Bristol -Gloucester road and keep out the Welsh: it dates from 1153. The cell where Edward was held and dungeon are still there to see in the ancient shell keep. The Berkeley Family have lived in Berkeley since 1117 and are one of only three families in England that can trace their lineage to Saxon times through the male heirs. Also to be seen is the 14th Century Great Hall, Tudor wall hangings, tapestries and the 35ft breach in the Keep made by Cromwell during the siege of 1645. The Castle has remained a Norman Marcher castle in shape but been changed over the centuries into a comfortable home.

For listing of other museums and attraction in the Cotswolds, click here.