The Cotswolds, set in the Southern area of England, was recently rated 2nd in the ‘Fine Living Top 10: Paradises On Earth’, by a well-known Men’s Online Magazine, for locations around the world that seem to have remained untouched by civilisation. If you don’t believe this statement, you obviously haven’t visited the Cotswolds. With many towns and villages, the Cotswolds holds some truly spectacular gems when staying in Cheltenham or the surrounding areas.

Cheltenham Spa

Cheltenham, rich in Georgian architecture and historic past, make this one of the most interesting Towns in the Cotswolds. With a vast range of shops, museums, gardens and an array of festivals, including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, visitors flock in big numbers. Set in the West of the Cotswolds, finding accommodation in Cheltenham would be recommended, as it acts as the perfect gateway to the rest of the Cotswolds, with easy road, and railway access.

Bourton-on-the-Water

Sometimes referred to as ‘The Venice of the Cotswolds’, Bourton-on-the-Water is a very historic village, with cottages and houses dating back to the Elizabethan times. The River Windrush flows straight through the village, along the main street, with small stone bridges providing regular crossing points. It is an extremely popular tourist destination in the summer and is great for just sitting and watching the ducks on the river. It is equally busy in the winter and autumn, with particular areas of interest being the Miniature Village, Model Railway and the Cotswold Perfumery.

Broadway

Broadway is the largest of the Cotswold villages set in Worcestershire, and is referred to as ‘The Jewel of the Cotswolds’. A short drive from the village centre is the Broadway Tower, set in Broadway Tower Country Park. The tower, which was constructed in the late 18th century, has spectacular views over thirteen counties on a clear day. A range of boutiques, gift shops, tearooms and cafes, make this an ideal, and must see village, to stop at during your visit to the Cotswolds.

Chipping Campden

One of ‘the most beautiful villages in the UK’, Chipping Campden is an ideal venue for a holiday, or a short break. The ancient town has many places of interest, with beautiful buildings, providing a mix of architectural styles, including St James Church, the Market Hall, and the Old Silk Mill. The village was host to the ‘Cotswold Olympics’, which was founded in 1612, long before the modern Olympic Games had even been established. Even today, this version of the games takes place every summer. With so much to see and do, you will have to come back more than once to fit everything in!

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Known for it’s easy road and rail access, it is the perfect destination for a day out or a short break. The town sits on the banks of the River Avon, which was once a key trade route. Now, the River is used mainly for a number of leisure activities that involve all of the locals. Like many of the other towns and villages in the Cotswolds, the town is surrounded by superb rural countryside. Bursting with culture and history, ‘Shakespeare’s Stratford’ is a delightful surprise.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the most visited placed in the Cotswolds. The Market Square is the feature point of the village, with an ancient cross at one end, and 19th Century stocks at the other. Despite the village having a wide and open appearance, there are many alleyways and small passages which link up to the square, all of which are begging to be explored and followed. Home to the oldest accommodation in the Cotswolds, and for that matter in England, is The Royalist Inn, with history tracing back to 947AD. Many ghostly tales have been heard about this inn.

Quite simply, the Cotswolds is the largest ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in England and Wales. Set in an extremely picturesque area of Southern England, it is brimming with history and culture. Whether you spend one day, or one week in the area, you will have to return to see all of its true magnificence. With Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Chipping Campden, and Stow-on-the-Wold all within 14 miles of Cheltenham, staying at a 5 star luxury hotel in Cheltenham, is the obvious choice to get the most out of your break.

For 5 star luxury accommodation in the Cotswolds, please contact us at Beaumont House Hotel today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_D_James

Technorati Tags: accommodation, Cotswold, Cotswolds, Tourism, tourist

 Take A Tour Of England And Get Off The Beaten Track

A tour of England can be an excellent way to experience all this unique culture has to offer. By ensuring your tour keeps away from the major tourist destinations, the real England is opened up to the traveller. Beautiful countryside, unique villages and towns as well as some of the most historically rich monuments in the world are all just a short drive away. Depending on what kind of tour you are likely to undertake there are options for all types of traveller, whether looking for luxury or travelling on a budget, England amazes and enthrals at every turn.

If you are looking for scenic beauty no place in England is better than the Lake District for your tour. The Lakes contain the five highest mountains in England as well as the deepest lake. In this unique region two national parks are situated, both are considered areas of outstanding natural beauty and subsequently are legally protected to keep the sublime landscapes and wealth of wildlife in abundance.

It is truly the great outdoors and as you tour the mountains and lake shores you will see some of the best flora and fauna England has to offer. It is not just the scenery in the Lakes that is worth seeing; each village and town has its own unique culture and heritage. Whether this may be the city of Carlisle or the small town of Kendall, (famed for its mint cake) it is well worth adding to the itinerary of your tour.

If you would prefer to enter a less rugged area of England on your tour, the Cotswolds offer idyllic beauty that could be straight from Tolkeins Shire. Once again, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty its genteel attitude is visible at every turn.This pretty part of England can be described as quintessential; the villages you will pass through on your tour are literally straight from the postcards and represent all that is right with England.

This area is the reason why so many have written about this gorgeous landscape of gentle slopes dotted with English oak. There is no prettier site in the world than a sunrise in the Cotswolds, as the sun envelopes the shallow, mist filled valleys, your heart will raise to new plains of enjoyment. No place will show England in a better light while you are on your tour.

If you would like to discover some of the history of England there is a historical wealth that is hard to match anywhere in the world. Castles and stately homes are present in much of the countryside, and even the cities. Learning about the various dukes and lords who have owned these estates is of fascinating interest and even those who have no great love of history will find it hard not to be moved by harrowing tales of love, war and deceit.

England is a very old country and hence its history is extensive, whether a fan of the medieval period, with its castles and brutal battles or a fan of the civil war period when families were pitted against each other in the worst period of strife the country has ever seen, all comers will be enthralled. From these periods all the way up to modern times and the two world wars, visitors will be amazed by the wealth of information on offer as you tour this magical land.

As well as these aspects there are the sporting attractions that should make up an element of your itinerary for your tour of England. England has the finest football (soccer) league in the world and if you can get hold of tickets the experience is not to be missed. With some of the oldest race tracks in the world, horse racing also makes a brilliant addition to your tour if you like a flutter. Added to these sports there is also the quintessential pursuit of the English, cricket. Listening to the sound of leather on willow in the dying stages of a sultry summers day is something all tourists should experience; this is England in a nutshell.

Of course England has some very well developed tourist attractions for visitors, it is worth however including other elements on your tour away from the tourist trail. Whether this is experiencing a village cricket match, eating in a tea room somewhere in Lake District or exploring the grounds of a seventeenth century manner. The real England is out there for you to see, get off the beaten track and strive to find it when you embark on your tour.

By:

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Travel expert looks into an England tour as a brilliant vacation idea. To find out more please visit www.classic-england.com/

Technorati Tags: Cotswold, idyllic scenery, touring the Cotswolds