History of Cotswolds in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 19, 2025

The Cotswolds is a region in South West and South East England, characterized by rolling hills and Jurassic limestone bedrock. This bedrock is quarried to produce the distinctive golden-colored Cotswold stone, prevalent in the area's architecture. Situated across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and parts of other counties, its highest point is Cleeve Hill. The Cotswolds are renowned for its rural landscape dotted with stone-built villages, towns, stately homes, and gardens, all showcasing the local stone.

1916: Howells' Piano Quartet in A minor in 1916

In 1916, Herbert Howells wrote his first major piece, the Piano Quartet in A minor, inspired by the view of the Malverns and dedicated it to "the hill at Chosen (Churchdown) and Ivor Gurney who knows it".

1934: J.B. Priestley's Description of Cotswold Buildings in 1934

In his 1934 book, English Journey, J. B. Priestley described Cotswold buildings as having a unique, indescribable color, faintly warm and luminous, as if they knew the trick of keeping the lost sunlight of centuries glimmering about them.

1949: National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was created in 1949.

1966: Cotswolds Designated as National Landscape

In 1966, a large area within the Cotswolds was designated as a National Landscape, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This designation covered 787 square miles (2,038 km²), making it England's third-largest protected landscape.

1966: Original Designation of Cotswolds AONB in 1966

The Cotswolds National Landscape area (formerly the Cotswolds AONB) was originally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966.

1968: Establishment of Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Service in 1968

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Service was established in 1968 to help conserve and enhance the area.

1981: Wildlife Protection Under Act of 1981

Some flora and fauna within the Cotswolds AONB are so endangered that they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.

1988: Derek Bourgeois' 6th Symphony in 1988

In 1988, the 6th symphony (Op. 109) of composer Derek Bourgeois was titled A Cotswold Symphony.

December 1990: Expansion of the Cotswolds AONB in December 1990

The Cotswolds AONB was expanded on December 21, 1990, to 1,990 square kilometers (768 sq mi).

1991: Measurement of AONBs in 1991

In 1991, all AONBs were measured again using modern methods, and the official area of the Cotswolds AONB was increased to 2,038 square kilometers (787 sq mi).

2000: AONBs' Landscape Quality Confirmed in 2000

In 2000, the government confirmed that AONBs have the same landscape quality and status as National Parks.

2000: Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 amends the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

2002: Livestock Sector Declining Since 2002

The livestock sector in the Cotswolds has been declining since 2002.

2004: Establishment of the Cotswolds Conservation Board in 2004

The Cotswolds Conservation Board was established under statute in 2004 as an independent public body.

2008: Release of 'Better Things' in 2008

The 2008 film Better Things, directed by Duane Hopkins, is set in a small Cotswold village.

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2011: Census Data - 2011

According to 2011 census data for the Cotswolds, the wholesale and retail trade was the largest employer (15.8% of the workforce), followed by education (9.7%) and health and social work (9.3%).

2011: Ethnic Groups in Cotswold in 2011

In 2011, 97.8% of people in Cotswold identified their ethnic group with the "White" category.

2011: Cotswold Local Authority Population in 2011

The population of the Cotswold local authority area in the 2011 census was 82,900.

2016: Tourism Revenue in 2016

In 2016, the Cotswold District area gained over £373 million from visitor spending on accommodation, £157 million on local attractions and entertainments, and about £100m on travel. In the larger Cotswolds Tourism area, tourism generated about £1 billion and provided 200,000 jobs.

2016: Population of the National Landscape Area in 2016

In 2016, the population of the Cotswolds National Landscape area was 139,000.

August 2017: Unemployment Report - August 2017

An August 2017 report showed only 315 unemployed persons in the Cotswold District, a decrease of five from a year earlier, making unemployment among the lowest in the country.

2017: Report on Employment in the AONB in 2017

A 2017 report on employment within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stated that the main sources of income were real estate, renting and business activities, manufacturing, and wholesale & retail trade repairs.

April 2018: Cotswolds Conservation Board Requesting National Park Consideration in April 2018

In April 2018, the Cotswolds Conservation Board had written to Natural England "requesting that consideration be given to making the Cotswolds a National Park".

June 2018: AONB Visitor Numbers in June 2018

A June 2018 report stated that the AONB receives "23 million visitors a year, the third largest of any protected landscape".

August 2018: Final Decision on Local Plan - August 2018

In August 2018, the final decision was made for a Local Plan that would lead to the building of nearly 7,000 additional homes by 2031, in addition to over 3,000 already built.

September 2018: Adoption of AONB Management Plan 2018–2023 in September 2018

In September 2018, the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2018–2023 was adopted by the Cotswolds Conservation Board.

2018: Top Cotswold Attractions in 2018

According to users of the worldwide TripAdvisor travel site, in 2018, the following were among the best attractions in the Cotswolds.

2019: Review Filing Report in 2019

The review to consider making some AONBs into National Parks was to file its report in 2019.

September 2020: Term Cotswolds National Landscape Adopted

In September 2020, the term "Cotswolds National Landscape" was adopted, as a proposed name replacement for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

2021: Ethnic Groups in Cotswold in 2021

In 2021, 96.3% of people in Cotswold identified their ethnic group with the "White" category.

2021: Excavation of Jurassic Period Fossils

In 2021, the largest excavation of Jurassic period echinoderm fossils, including rare and previously unknown species, occurred at a quarry in the Cotswolds.

2021: Cotswold District Population in 2021

In 2021, the population of the Cotswold local government district, which is within Gloucestershire and covers 450 square miles (1,200 km²), was 91,000.