We have visited several Country House Hotels in the Cotswolds in England and trust that the following will help in your search for a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds which is a beautiful part of England with numerous old English market towns and villages.

Broadway is a small town in the Cotswolds whose high street has a number of antique and gift shops and homes built of Cotswold stone. The Lygon Arms can be found in the high street and is one of several character Country House Hotels in close proximity to Broadway in the Cotswolds in England. The restaurant has a Michelin star and there are spa facilities. You can be assured of a warm welcome with roaring log fires in the winter months. This is indeed a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds.

Chipping Camden is a small town in the Cotswolds again with a wonderful high street where you will find The Cotswold House Hotel is a fine luxury hotel in the Cotswolds in England offering service of the highest standard with exquisite food served in both the restaurant and brasserie. This Country House Hotel has been designed inside in a modern theme but full of character with no expense spared.

Lower Slaughter is a small Cotswold Village with the trout filled River Eye running through it. Lower Slaughter Manor is in the centre of the village next to the church. It is one of two Country House Hotels in this Cotswolds village in this tranquil part of England. Personal service of the highest standard is provided. Enjoy afternoon tea in front of a roaring log fire in the winter or on the front lawn in summer. Beautifully decorated and furnished Lower Slaughter Manor is a luxury hotel close to the Cotswolds town of Stow on the Wold here in England.

Please do not hesitate to telephone us on 01562 631682 for further advice about a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds.

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Taking a break from the daily grind is always something to look forward to. Most people set their sights on a sandy beach to soak up the Mediterranean sun and recharge the batteries; but ironically often say that they come back needing a holiday. All the hustle and bustle of airports and passports, travel insurance and immunisations can turn taking a break into a major mission. With the new credit crunch well under way, people are beginning to discover that there are places in England that are worthy of a weeklong break. The undulating countryside has become a welcome paradise and sought after space to get a real rest from routine, and many prefer a break in the British countryside to a stay on the Costa del Sol.

The epitome of Britishness is said to be in the Cotswolds. This tourist haven is still a delicately peaceful and quaint area of the country with its gently rolling hills and limestone villages. The idyllic vision of sheep on the hillside, dry stone walls and ambling ramblers is the actual vision that greets visitors to this area. As a native Britton, it can be difficult to imagine what is so good about the quintessentially English way of things. The best way to rectify this is by booking into a Boutique hotel in one of the beautiful Cotswold towns, allowing yourself to relax. Here are my top tips for relaxation the rural way.

The Cotswold town of Bath is famed for the traditional spas built during the Roman times. Bath was built around the famous hot water spring that provides a healing and relaxing mineral rich soak. The stone pillars and pathways built by the Romans are still there today and add to the authentic atmosphere of the area.

Nearby Cheltenham is also a spa town, but is generally better known for being the home of Cheltenham Races, one of the most famous horse racing days in the calendar. Be warned however, that taking a break at this time of year requires booking many months in advance and is not the right time to go to the area if you are after a bit of peace and quiet.

The Romantic Road is a little known way of getting to know the Cotswold area. It weaves through some of the most beautiful towns and villages, past churches to deliver a truly romantic experience that has inspired poets, musicians, writers and artists for centuries. This journey offers the opportunity to take a break in traditional English pubs along the way, where you can sample ales, enjoy the fresh air and warm yourself by the fire.

If you like a bit of horticulture, then it is worth knowing that the Cotswolds are just as famed for its manicured gardens and arboretums as it is for the wild countryside. Walking into cottage garden inspired public gardens is a truly romantic experience, and like walking into a novel by Virginia Wolfe. With a setting like this, it is the perfect place to make a proposal and then head back to a romantic hideaway in a Boutique hotel.

Nestled in the gently rolling hills, a romantic hideaway is the perfect place to end a busy day of sitting in a spa, drinking ale at a pub and taking a leisurely stroll through the countryside. With views so stunning, they attract visitors the world over, make the most of what is on your doorstep. Why fly to Benidorm to get burned when you can bathe in the baths of Bath and retreat to a Boutique bed for two right here in Britain?

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we are planning to go 23 Dec and ideally would love an old traditional cottage with wood burning fire etc.

Why don’t you simply search in google? I found so many sites, like this one:

http://www.holidayset.com/holidaycottage/holiday.cottage.asp

Happy hunting.

I’m planning a two week trip to England with my family in August. We are talking to an agency that arranges "cottage" rentals. We would rent for two weeks, and use the location as a home base.

To the extent reasonably possible, we prefer to get away from crowds and intense tourism.

The locations that the agent is recommending are in Blockley, Tetbury, Broadway and Chipping Campden.

Any thoughts on which of these towns would be most pleasant? Thansk.

about ten or twelve years ago we spent our summer holidays in Tetbury and enjoyed it a lot. It’s a great "base camp" location from which you can explore the area if you have a car (which I take it you’ll have). The countryside is beautiful, town centers can be a bit full esp on market days, but there’s a lot of nature to escape into. I can definitely recommend it!

We stayed in a cottage that used to be ome of several older farm buildings, beautifully restored. I remember a big plum tree in our back yard, we were there just when the plums were ripe. they were nice with children and hat some farm animals running (or rather trotting) free like this big old pig that would enjoy being patted.

The cottage we stayed in was called Weelwrights (ok, I had to look that up), livingroom and kitchen (and porch) downstairs, bedrooms upstairs, can’t remember where the bathroom was. Anyway, see for yourself. They’ve got a list on their site saying which attractions are at what distance.

http://www.gtb.co.uk/holidaycot_pages/holiday_cottages.html

Luxury bed & breakfast and holiday rental accommodation in the heart of the North Cotswolds

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Oxford & The Cotswolds tour with London Walks (Winner, Best Tourism Experience in England Award) and the cynosure of guides, Richard, golden of voice, red of cap, pink of courtesy…

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Has anyone else seen it, whats it doing ?!!
I think it was coming into land! It must be at Fairford, but why ? Where’s it been, or where’s it going?
This is a U2 http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/u2/

Well the U2 is one of the most secret planes in the USAF.

I would imagine its returning or transiting to the gulf but it could be going or retuning anywhere on exercise. They are all based at Beale AFB and Fairford would be the obvious choice for a stopover in the UK. Fairford is the USAF’s base in Europe for all the heavy and secret aircraft they use. Yes mildenhall and Rammstein could take it but the first choice would be Fairford.
Fairford is even equipped to handle the Space Shuttle in an emergency and can be an alternate runway.
In short no-one knows what that U2 is doing except the pilot, the base commander at Fairford and senior generals in the USAF.

It was in 1196 that Stratford-upon-Avon was first granted the right to hold a market and recognised as a town. Its name has become synonymous with its most famous son – William Shakespeare who was born here in 1564.

The town remains mostly unspoilt with fine examples of Elizabethan buildings in a picturesque setting. The river Avon runs through this pretty town and the marina harbours an array of brightly coloured boats providing a holiday atmosphere to what has become the most popular tourist attraction outside London.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Shakespeare was born of middle class parentage and his home has been lovingly and authentically restored. It provides an insight into life during the Elizabethan period. The actual birth room has been recently refurbished revealing a less austere look.

The room is ‘decorated’ with some interesting graffiti of the many famous visitors. Robert Browning and Walter Scott are just two of the literary giants that have scratched their names into the walls, ceilings and windows of this room.

Ann Hathaway’s House
At aged just 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway who was many years older than him. Ann lived in a house situated two miles from the centre of Stratford. It was occupied by the Hathaway family up until 1892. Here you will be fascinated by an Elizabethan kitchen and beautiful English country garden. There is a seat by the great fire place where Shakespeare is said to have sat whilst courting Ann.

Hall’s Croft
In 1607, Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna, married local physician Dr John Hall. This impressive Tudor building was named after him. Here you will find a collection of sixteenth and seventeenth century paintings and furnishings typical of a middle class family. Also, there is a collection of medical paraphernalia. Outside in the walled garden, you will find varieties of herbs and trees used in medicines of the time.

Holy Trinity
Dating from the thirteenth century this is the final resting place of William Shakespeare. Alongside him rest his wife and daughter Susanna. If you happen to be in Stratford on the Sunday closest to St. George’s day you will witness a grand possession of people, including school children from Shakespeare’s old school, coming to honour him and lay flowers at his grave.

Harvard House
There are many other attractions to entice you to visit Stratford-Upon -Avon. Harvard House may be of particular interest to American visitors. Amongst the interesting exhibits you will find the walking stick of Thomas Davis the Southern leader in the Civil war. This house was the home of John Harvard whose legacy is that of Harvard University.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is the centre of activity for the royal Shakespeare Company famous the world over. The theatre was designed specifically for the performance of Shakespeare’s plays. Set on the banks of the river Avon it is best viewed at night when floodlit. Here you will find many artefacts from the theatre on view and a picture gallery of famous Shakespearian thespians.

A visit to Stratford will take you to the heart of the area known as the Cotswolds renowned for its rolling gentle hills and distinctive Cotswold stone buildings. Steeped in history and folklore, dotted with quaint villages and churches, dry stone walls and village greens, this is England at its finest. To quote the bard himself, ‘I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.’

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