Picturesque Cotswold village where time stands still with stunning churches and cosy pubs

Oxfordshire, brimming with history and lush landscapes, is perched on the edge of the Cotswolds, making it a prime location for picturesque villages that could grace any postcard. As city dwellers increasingly yearn for a respite from urban chaos, this county offers the perfect retreat for a tranquil weekend in the countryside.

If you're seeking rolling hills and charming villages this summer, Oxfordshire is your destination. With its stunning Cotswold hamlets, quintessential English pubs and more, there's a number of attractions at your disposal. It's no surprise that numerous celebrities opt to reside in the serene Oxfordshire countryside, where spacious homes and vast lands are readily available, and nature is just a step away. One village that has retained its bucolic charm over the years is Swinbrook, reports Oxfordshire Live.

The village's peaceful and enchanting character is further underscored by the 2011 Census, which recorded a minuscule population of 139 in the parish.

Nestled along the River Windrush, Swinbrook is renowned for its stone structures and wall that seem to have remained untouched for generations.

This quintessentially English village boasts a beautiful church, a wooden pavilion, and a local pub dating back to the 17th century.

With a stone bridge spanning the river, you'll feel as though time has stood still in this idyllic locale.

The beloved local pub and restaurant, The Swan Inn, enjoys tremendous popularity amongst both residents and tourists, earning recognition from The Guardian as one of the top 20 establishments of its type situated beside water.

Visitors can also book overnight accommodation, with several bedrooms available on the premises.

The Guardian praised the Swan, declaring: "The perfect-picture book Cotswold pub with bantam hens under the apple trees and sturdy tables on the banks of the Windrush river.

"It has a legendary Sunday lunch (booking is essential) with all the meat sourced locally, and there are 11 bedrooms between a cottage and a converted stable block."

To get to Swinsbrook it takes less than a two-hour drive from the UK capital or visitors can get a direct train to the Cotswold village from Paddington in one-and-a-half hours.