Cotswold District, Administrative district in Gloucestershire, England.
Cotswold District is an administrative area in Gloucestershire spanning rolling hills and encompassing several market towns with Cirencester at its center. The landscape consists of villages connected by public paths, with open countryside and variable terrain throughout.
The district was formed in 1974 when Cirencester urban area merged with surrounding rural administrative zones. This reorganization combined formerly separate local government areas into its current structure.
The district sustains farming traditions through regular markets and craft fairs held in its communities. Visitors can experience how these events shape daily life and reflect the region's deep connection to rural traditions.
Walking paths crisscross the area, making it easy to explore villages and countryside on foot at your own pace. Public footpaths connect most settlements, so you can navigate between places without always needing a car.
Most of the district drains into the Thames River system through smaller waterways like the Windrush and Leach. These rivers have shaped settlement patterns and continue to influence how the landscape looks and functions today.
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