The Cotswold Hills extend over a length of about 60 miles , the highest point being Cleeve Hill at a height of 1134 feet, although the average height is about 550 feet. It is a popular misconception that the Cotswolds commence at Wotton-under-Edge in the south, but they actually commence at Bath continuing north into parts of Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

The ridge is solid limestone of a kind called oolite, eggstone due to the fact that small round granules resemble roe. The stone has been used over the centuries for building, including tiles and the famous stone walls for which the area is well known. There are about 30 sizes of tiles with names like Long Bachelors and Short Wivetts etc.

Wool from the Cotswolds sheep was the basis of the English wealth in the 13th and 14th centuries. The cloth making was more to the south, Stroud, Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge areas, while the sheep were more to the north. The wealth from the wool provided the fine churches of the Cotswolds, with Cirencester church being larger than some cathedrals, and often called the capital of the Cotswolds.

An interesting story of the area relates to the "Bisley Boy". It is said that King Henry VIII sent his daughter Elizabeth (the first) to Over Court to stay, and while she was there she died of the cold during the winter. Worried how the King might react they searched for a young girl to take her place. Unable to find a girl of similar appearance, they found a 7 year old boy with red hair and similar looks to take her place! This is one story that is used to explain the reason why the Queen Elizabeth I started to go bald fairly early in her life, and that she never married.