A trip to the Cotswolds is quite literally a breath of fresh air, with endless walking routes stretching across the calm of the countryside to get you back to nature, from trails along the river on the Windrush Way walk to taking in the panoramic views at the summit of the Cleeve Hill Ring.
With centuries-old manor houses and palaces, history buffs will love stepping back in time during a visit to Blenheim Palace and Sudeley Castle. The grounds of a grand country house such as Cirencester Park make for a perfect afternoon outing and a leisurely stroll around the grounds.
Understanding the Cotswolds
Even with so many serene walks and splendid buildings, the picture that comes to many minds when daydreaming of the Cotswolds is of the endearing villages teaming in English charm. Bibury is undoubtedly the most iconic, affectionately known as ‘the most beautiful village in England’, with rows of slate roof cottages lining the River Coln.
Equally as enchanting is Bourton-on-the-water, with the miniature Model Village perfect for all the family, and Castel Combe with delightful honey-coloured cottages and reportedly the oldest working clock in the country. No matter which village you pick to visit on your Cotswolds luxury villa holiday, you will be sure to be captivated by this quintessentially English retreat.
When to Visit the Cotswolds
Whatever the weather, the Cotswolds will be sure to delight you. June through to September are the warmest months for enjoying the countryside. The spring months of March and April frequently play host to bright blue skies and the countryside begins to bloom, whilst September and October are a riot of autumnal colours. The Cotswolds are magical under a blanket of snow, and with many Christmas markets and luxury Cotswold villas with roaring log fires, December is a wonderful time of the year to visit.
What We Love About the Cotswolds
We love that there is something for everyone on a luxury villa holiday in the Cotswolds.
When the kids are in tow, we love the Cotswolds Farm Park for a day of farmyard fun, or for those who are wilder at heart, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park has everything from towering giraffes to cheeky lemurs.
Always fans of keeping it local, we love the glorious sparkling wines and rosés produced in the English vineyards. Bothy Vineyard knows how to create a delicious English white wine, and we love the tours and tastings available at the Three Choirs Vineyard.
For culture vultures, we love the abundance of festivals that fill the calendar year on year. Noteworthy events for the diary are the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May for those who find music is their muse, and The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival in October is an annual highlight for bibliophiles.
Getting to the Cotswolds
We strongly recommend having a car for your trip, as many lodges and villas in the Cotswolds are in countryside locations and taxis are not in abundance if you wish to dine out or explore the area. Bristol is the closest airport, whilst London Heathrow is only a 1 hour 30-minute drive away.
You can reach the Cotswolds via train, with many major stations including Bath, Cheltenham Spa and Moreton-in-Marsh. However, as the Cotswolds region runs through five counties, our specialists can advise the nearest local train station to your luxury villa.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Cotswolds
Fifty restaurants in the Cotswolds featured in the Michelin Guide at the turn of the decade: the only challenge is which one to choose. Flip a coin to decide between the 17th-century Churchill Arms for traditional English fare, (picture Sunday roasts and succulent meat cuts), or the seasonal dishes on offer at the Potting Shed which can be enjoyed in front of a roaring fire.
For a shabby chic setting, look no further than Wild Thyme where Nick’s homemade bread has become a local favourite.
Or for those of you who love to create the dishes before dining, The Cookery School at Thyme is one of the most famous in the country, with worldwide culinary influencers teaching you the secret to edible success, using the freshest ingredients from the kitchen garden.
For a tipple, look no further than the Great British vineyards. Poulton Hill Vineyard has trademarked the term ‘Bulari’, from the Latin word for bubbles’, to describe English sparkling wine, so a visit is a must. Tours with tastings run from June to October and be sure to book your place to avoid disappointment…..and an empty glass!
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