The Cotswolds, anyone?

23 August 2023

Daydreaming of days spent in the Cotswold countryside?

The Cotswolds is known for its picture-perfect, well, everything really. Outdoorsyness is the game’s name here. It’s oh-so beautiful and oh-so green, and there’s oh-so much to make you glad you’re there.

And whether you’re tottering around towns, wandering villages or rambling around rolling hills with your littlies, your lovelies, or your lovers, you’ll not be short of things to do.

car covered in moss with a sign in front that reads "Halt, motoring museum ahead"

Let’s start with kids.
There’s loads to keep them chipper in The Cotswolds.
Loads.

Animals, animals everywhere. And not just English countryside ones. Head to Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford, and you’ll be sharing air with the likes of lions, two-toed sloths, giraffes, penguins, rhinos, meerkats, zebras, otters (who doesn’t love an otter?), pandas (who doesn’t love a panda?).

And that’s not the only animal-based fun to be had in this lovely part of the country. There are petting farms and sanctuaries, a falconry centre, and the UK’s only crocodile zoo. Llamas, plenty of llamas. It’s amazing. Not just for the kids, really.

There’s also all the water-based stuff. Not least, the Cotswold Country Park & Beach. That’s where you’ll find the largest inland paddling beach in the UK. There’s a sandy beach, a lagoon for swimming. Or (are you ready?) inflatable assault course, kayaks, SUP board hire, boat hire, adventure playgrounds, mini golf, picnic areas, and BBQ pitch hire if you want to settle in.

And for the days the sun hasn’t got his hat on and you’ve not packed the wellies, brollies and macks, there’s plenty of inside-y things to keep them entertained, too. Like the Cotswold Motoring Museum, Sudeley Castle, Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey.

Plenty, then.

dining area with tables, chairs, and glasses

Let’s ditch the kids and talk about the grown-up goodness.

If you like to hike, you’re in good lands. There are more walks than you can shake a stick at. Broadway Tower stands atop the jelly-leg-inducing Beacon Hill with views for miles, or if more gentle ambles are your thing then take in ‘The Slaughters’ (often voted England’s most beautiful villages).

Then there is the whole thing of mooching about the villages for their restaurants, cafes, markets, and independent shops (lots of vintage finds and antiques in that category). And if you like getting out in nature, you can boat, dive, fish, horse ride, forage, do archery, you name it. There are plenty of spas, too, if you’d rather chill right out.

There are also too many houses and gardens to mention. Strike that; we have to mention these gooduns: Highgrove House (King Charles is absolutely fine with you visiting his gardens, but you have to book), Hidcote, and Kiftsgate Court.

And the food and drink scene is incredible too. There are a few Michelin-star places if you’re going for gourmet gold, including Le Champignon Sauvage, just a stroll from George Hotel or No.38 The Park (pictured) in charming Cheltenham.

So with all these wonderful things to do, where is there to stay?

We’ve got five pretty-as-a-picture places for you to stay in the Cotswolds. Two in Cheltenham, one in Northleach, one in Stow-on-the-Wold and one newbie in Ford. They’re all quite different. So, here’s a little about each of them so you can choose your perfect Cotswold base.

exterior view of the White Hart, a Young's pub

Let’s start with those countryside-y spots.

There’s Wheatsheaf Inn, in the loveliest village of Northleach (about 30 minutes out from Cheltenham). About as country-quaint as it gets, this proper muddy-boot pub with wonderfully wonky lintels and ye-olde-beams has 14 boutique-y bedrooms upstairs, heaps of cosy corners and wonderfully green multi-tired gardens.

Then we’ve got The Bell, in Stow-on-the-Wold. This absolute charmer of a picture-perfect pub is a country lover’s dream come true. The 14 boutique bedrooms (found above the pub and in Stuart House, a honey-hued cottage a short stroll into the village) are deeply relaxing, and the whole vibe is uber-cosy. So, it’s great for those feet-up times after lovely long rambles.

And last but most certainly not least, we’ve got the White Hart (pictured), taking pride of place in the little hamlet of Ford. This gorgeous olde-worlde coaching inn is nothing short of cosy and welcoming, with a real get-away-from-it-all vibes. You really do feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. But in a good way (we promise).

exterior view of the George Hotel, a Young's establishment

Now let’s head to Cheltenham.

There’s George Hotel (pictured) in Cheltenham. It’s as close as we get to a classic hotel, the George. Lots of rooms, pubs nearby rather than downstairs (The Tavern is our fav), and right in the centre of town. It’s good for solo travellers, weekend revellers, romantics, and families (including the dog/s). Speaking of which, keep an eye out for resident pet pooch, Autumn.

Next up, there’s No.38 The Park, also in Cheltenham. We’ve a treat for you if you like Georgian gorgeousness, plushness and boutique-hotel character at its best. No.38 is also super-central but with a little more of a residential vibe, sitting pretty on a leafy corner of Pittville.

See you in the Cotswolds, then?

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