Although its name can sound rather brutal, the term ‘slaughter’ has its roots in the Old English term for the wet, muddy lands by the River Eye on which this Gloucestershire village stands. There are two footbridges spanning the waters.

The River Eye is actually a tributary of the River Windrush, that runs through Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Lower Slaughter has a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere, and even once earned the title of Britain’s Most Attractive Street – and I can see why. I love this impossibly romantic village!

A village that looks to have stood still in time doesn’t get this way by mere accident – larger vehicles are actually banned from the village.

A story from the Parish Council in 2013 sums up the desire to keep things as they are. Apparently an icebox tricycle, which was selling ice creams daily for six months of the year, was deemed ‘excessive’ with concerns for damage to the riverside grass! 

What to see and things to do

The mill in Lower Slaughter is listed in the 1086 Domesday Book. The Old Mill is now open to the public as a museum.

While there isn’t a lot else to do in Lower Slaughter, the attractions of this Cotswold village include the Slaughters Country Inn, a typical English hostelry serving food and drinks.

Those who want to stay over can choose between the pub and Slaughters Manor House in Upper Slaughter – a luxury Cotswolds hotel where the current building dates back to the 17 century.

Parking in Lower Slaughter

The reality is that keeping a village as quaint and peaceful as this means that parking in Lower Slaughter is pretty much non-existent.

So, what can you do, especially if you’re visiting in the busy summer months? Firstly, there are no actual car parks and roadside parking is not generally possible throughout the village.

There are occasionally some available spots on Copsehill Road but it is very busy. If you are a patron of one of the hotels, then you may be able to park. 

Most people park in a nearby village and walk into Lower Slaughter. There are various public footpaths across the fields coming into Lower Slaughter making it an enjoyable way to reach the village.

Personally, I managed to find a little spot in a muddy lay-by just down the road from the village, which suited me perfectly.

For those who don’t mind a walk, I’d recommend parking in Bourton-on-the-Water and walking around 1-2 miles to Lower Slaughter.

You can also walk from the free car park in Stow-on-the-Wold into the village which is around three picturesque miles.