Holiday rentals in Kingham

Nestled in the Evenlode Valley, the small Oxfordshire village of Kingham is located minutes from the antique shops and bunting of Chipping Norton. People come here to admire a picture-perfect snapshot of English village life. The large, manicured village green is surrounded by 17th- and 18th-century stone cottages with vines climbing around pastel-coloured doors towards their traditional thatched roofs.

The hilltop church in this thriving rural village has a 14th-century gothic tower visible for miles around, while the two nearby pubs are renowned for their culinary offerings and celebrity chef connections. The area has a rich agricultural heritage and produces award-winning ingredients that can be found in local farm shops and restaurants. Kingham is conveniently located for discovering the popular towns and villages of the Cotswolds with their traditional markets, intimate tearooms, and family-run shops. Meanwhile, the surrounding countryside is ideal for walking and cycling, with abundant wildlife and typical rural English scenes.

The village’s pastoral surroundings make Kingham cottages popular holiday lets all year round. In spring and summer, you can enjoy the scenery and wildlife, with longer days, less chance of rain, and newborn lambs in farmers’ fields. Between June and August, the Cotswolds’ fragrant lavender fields are in full bloom, and bright window boxes adorn the region’s traditional stone cottages.

A visit to Kingham in the winter months can involve chilly temperatures, but wrapping up and snagging an armchair by an open fire is a cosy way to finish a brisk, frosty walk to the local pub. The Christmas Cotswold Fair takes place in nearby Daylesford in November, offering more than 200 stalls of local foods, crafts, and unique gifts.

St Andrew’s Church

Though the current St Andrew’s Parish Church in Kingham was built in the 1850s, there has been a church on this site for more than 900 years. Located at the heart of the village, the imposing, Gothic-style church is open to the public from April to September. You can attend services here, or come to admire the architecture and style of the church as well as learn about Kingham itself through the archive displays.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, home of the duke of Marlborough and birthplace of one of the United Kingdom’s most famous prime ministers, is just half an hour from the village. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was built more than 300 years ago and is an incredibly well-preserved example of Baroque architecture. The interiors are full to the brim with paintings, tapestries, and gilded furniture, while the grounds have over 2,000 acres of parks and gardens to explore.

Cycling the Cotswolds

One of the best ways to get a feel for the Cotswolds and discover the Kingham area is on two wheels. Join one of the electric bike tours departing from the train station, or plan your own route. One of the region’s most popular routes is 28 miles long, allowing for plenty of pit stops at village pubs and picnic sites.