http://cotswolds.com present a series of short films to show that the Cotswolds & Forest of Dean really is Britain’s Rural Capital of Culture. Visit the website for more information.
Duration : 0:2:7
Cotswolds Holidays – The Lower Mill Estate
The Lower Mill Estate is a peaceful and tranquil environment, ideal for relaxing Cotswolds holidays. Here you’ll find an entire lifestyle on your doorstep. The Lower Mill Estate offers access to stunning Cotswold countryside and some stunning Cotswolds holiday accommodation. All in all the Estate covers 450 acres of gated landscape that boasts 7 lakes, 3 rivers (including the River Thames, just 3 miles from its source), woodland and meadows. With all this to explore, Cotswolds Holidays on the Lower Mill Estate are full of things to find and discover
Unwinding and Re-energising
When it’s time for unwinding or re-energising, try the stunning, award winning Artspa complex. It’s a super spa and pool facility with a touch of luxury and a slate lined pool. Alternatively, choose from the many leisurely walks, bike rides along nature trails, afternoons fishing or lazily boating on the lake. There really is so much to discover about the estate’s heritage, including the working mill, one of only two such remaining buildings on the River Thames.
The Farm Shop
When it comes to time for practical things, you can pick up luxurious essentials – including locally sourced seasonal produce – at the estate farm shop. If you arrive late at night or haven’t the time to do the shopping, arrangements can be made for a box of fresh local vegetables and meat to be delivered to your door.
This unique combination of a truly idyllic location, spectacular modernist architecture and an award winning world class on site spa facility, all makes for the perfect Cotswolds short break. What’s more, you’ll just find couples, family’s and well behaved mixed groups amongst your fellow holidaymakers. “Hen” or “stag” groups are actively discouraged in order that all can experience the peaceful enjoyment of the estate.
The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat to the countryside to enjoy an idyllic Cotswold holiday.
This unique countryside is a picturesque place for the keenest of walkers and cyclists, along with those who are just looking to relax and unwind. There is a variety of accommodation in some stunning settings from hotels, guesthouses, self-catering cottages to camping in the outdoors.
Walking in The Cotswolds
There are many ways to walk the Cotswolds countryside, whether it’s by a published route guide, your own map or by a guided walking leader. The Cotswold Way is a long distance walking trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden in the North and the city of Bath in the South. It passes through picturesque villages close to a number of historic sites, churches and lakes.
Cotswolds Water Park
The Cotswolds Water Park is Britain’s largest water park and consists of over 140 lakes covering 40 square miles. Within the area there is Keynes Park which provides a range of outdoor facilities all year round including a lakeside cafe, nature reserves, water sports, safe bathing, walking and cycling trails, adventure park and angling. Neighbridge Park is on the other hand, more undeveloped and offers an idyllic setting for people who want to get away.
The Cotswold countryside offers something for everyone, come rain or shine. This unique combination of countryside and culture makes the perfect Cotswolds break for families, couples or groups of friends.
http://cotswolds.com present a series of short films to show that the Cotswolds & Forest of Dean really is Britain’s Rural Capital of Culture. Visit the website for more information.
Duration : 0:1:46
The Cotswolds is a beautiful region which falls into the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire among others. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966 and contains idyllic honey-coloured towns and villages, rolling Cotswolds hills and true picturesque English countryside.
There are a range of things to explore in the region, from the bustling market towns to the endless walking routes across the Cotswolds countryside. There are also many historic houses and beautiful English gardens to visit.
Local Towns
The Cotswolds is the hub of rural England, where the small Cotswolds towns and villages have retained and preserved English character and charm. Cirencester is the largest of the towns and is known as the ‘capital’ town of the Cotswolds. A couple of other towns to visit include:
Malmesbury
Malmesbury is reputed to be the oldest borough in England and its hilltop presence means that it is described as the ‘Queen of the hilltop towns’. The town is surrounded by two forks of the River Avon and sweeping steep slopes which together act as a natural defence. The great stone walls which were once used to fortify for the town can still be seen to this day, along with the weavers’ cottages which are dotted along the High Street, as like most Cotswolds towns, Malmesbury was a wealthy wool town. Today the town is still bustling and vibrant presenting a good selection of small, independent shops where the major chain stores are very rare among the town.
Moreton-in-Marsh
Moreton-in-Marsh is situated at the head of the Evenlode Valley on the Fosse Way which was a major Roman road which runs from the South coast to Lincoln. The town was granted market charter in 1227 and the weekly markets still takes place each Tuesday. Like Malmesbury, Moreton-in-Marsh was also heavily involved in wool and cloth making which was the source of income during the medieval years. At present, the town is lined with specialist stores, tea-rooms, galleries and the Wellington Aviation and Art Museum is a haven for World War II enthusiasts.
Attractions
The Cotswolds reflects history with its grand houses, abbeys and castles dotted throughout the region. Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is set among 2100 acres of beautiful parkland, sweeping lawns and award-winning landscaped gardens.
The Cotswolds is also home to some of the finest gardens in England, from small cottage gardens to the more famous gardens such as Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury which is filled with fabulous garden designs and powerful aromas. Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury displays over 18,000 specimens and has one of the world’s finest collections of trees and shrubs.
Cotswolds Water Park is another place worth visiting and offers something for everyone. It is Britain’s largest water park and consists of 140 lakes covering 40 square miles. Activities range from sailing, fishing, swimming and cycling.
After spending a number of holidays in the Cotswolds, I have explored many of the picturesque towns whilst staying in great hotels in Cotswolds.
Things to do in the Cotswolds
If you love to explore and venture outside, then the charm of the Cotswolds awaits you. Close by is Cirencester, a bustling market town that has an excellent range of shops, pubs and choice of great restaurants. The vibrant farmers market offers a wide selection of local produce and takes place every other Saturday.
Cotswold Wildlife and Water Park
For extra fun and excitement, families will love the Cotswold Wildlife Park, which is home to amazing collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. Alternatively visit the Cotswold Water Park, which boasts over 130 lakes and has many attractions for all the family, including a cable water ski and a lakeside beach at Keynes Country Park.
Cotswold Villages
Discover the honey coloured, pretty Cotswolds Cottages and villages like Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford and Bibury. Further north, you’ll find more delights in store such as elegant Broadway and Moreton-in-the-Marsh as well as what is considered by serious horticulturists to be one of the country’s most beautiful and influential gardens, the National Trust owned Hidcote Manor.
Places to Visit in the Cotswolds
The North Cotswolds is home to well-known villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden whilst to the south, the area has a slightly wilder nature, especially in the beautiful five valleys around Stroud. There are lots of towns or villages to visit whilst staying in the cotswolds, from hamlets with no shops to charming market towns with restaurants and pubs.
Luxury Cotswolds Holidays in Lower Mill Estate are easily accessed from the M4 and M5 and is just 11 miles from junction 15 of the M4. The nearest rail station is at Kemble, three miles away and from here there are frequent services to Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham as well as a regular service to London, Paddington.
Cirencester 5 miles – Swindon 15 miles – Cheltenham 23 miles – Gloucester 30 miles – Bath 33 miles – Longleat 46 miles – Bristol 60 miles – Cardiff 72 miles – Birmingham 79 miles – London 100 miles.
For many the Cotswolds epitomise their vision of quintessential England. The glorious hotchpotch of honey coloured stone buildings, ancient rooftops and wonky gables all provide a wonderful backdrop for the many pretty cottages, charming pubs, traditional tearooms and unique art dealers that can be found in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Popular with both the English and foreign travellers alike the Cotswolds are famous for their gentle rolling hills and historic towns and delightful villages. Many come to the Cotswolds envisaging country walks, cycling along the highways and byways, exploring the wonderfully unique boutiques each charming town and village have to offer and relaxing with a fabulous cream tea or sitting in front of an open fire at the end of the day.
Although the pretty cottages, well kept gardens, charming pubs, local shops, quiet churches and village greens may give the impression of laid back England, do not underestimate what the Cotswolds has to offer. Visitors are pulled back to the Cotswolds time and time again because all interests, ages and abilities are catered for.
Families coming away together can enjoy time together exploring all the attractions on offer. Perhaps a play at the famous Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a visit to the Cotswold Rare Breed Farm Park, or for the more energetic the Cotswold Water Park has everything from canoeing to windsurfing and wakeboarding all set in a wonderful nature reserve.
Whereas many a UK holiday can and do provide a wide range of activities, their main focus is on introducing people to different activities and as such their offerings are at a basic level. The Cotswolds on the other hand, is an ideal place for people of all differing ages, abilities and interests to get together and enjoy the activities on offer.
There are always people on hand to introduce you to a new hobby, as well as handing over the reigns to the more experienced. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely trot through the beautiful Cotswold villages on horseback, or looking to blow the cobwebs away during your own hack, you’ll never be too far away from someone who can assist.
The Cotswolds have a charm all year round. Spring brings bursts of colour when the plants begin to grow. The vast display of snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Garden and feeding the lambs at the Cotswold Farm Park are popular attractions. The many unique gardens and country houses are a great way to enjoy the lighter summer evenings, whereas Westonbirt Arboretum comes alive with its vast array of stunning leaf displays in autumn. The variety of Christmas markets gives a festive backdrop to indulge in the lovely heart warming food in front of an open fire without feeling too guilty on those crisp winter days!
Of course there are specific times of the year that the Cotswolds are more popular. Make sure you check out what seasonal events are on before you visit. The Cheltenham Gold Cup Racing Festival in March, The Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford in July and Cheese Rolling at Coopers Hill on Spring Bank Holiday even attract celebrities such as Paddy McGuiness and Rory McGrath!
What is more, if you are looking for a place for a family get together or meeting up with old friends the Cotswolds is centrally located and can be reached in less than 2 hours from London. Often finding the time to meet up with old friends in today’s hectic world is trouble enough, without spending half of your holiday travelling.
With all the activities and events on offer, coupled with its central location, it is even more pleasing to hear that on top of all this, compared to other UK holidays it is price competitive. Particularly large groups coming together can find excellent value for money!
Covering over 790 square miles, you will never be short of anything to do in the Cotswolds. There is adventure for everyone, the trick is to fit it all in!
Anna Phillips represents Jigsaw Holidays, specialists in supplying Cotswold Cottages and character properties as part of your Cotswold Holiday.
Exploring the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a beautiful corner of England that’s at the top of the list of places you must visit in the UK. Stretching from Ilmington in Warwickshire for over 100 miles to the historic city of Bath, it’s officially an area of outstanding natural beauty. ‘Wold’ is an old English word meaning ‘open rolling countryside in the uplands’.
When ‘Wool’ was King
Historically many of the Cotswolds towns and villages owe their initial prosperity to the wool industry. This trade lasted several centuries, with over half a million sheep grazing the land at one stage, and a highly significant volume of trade with Europe. Flemish weavers were brought to England to cope with demand, and many of the wool merchants grew wealthier than the King! As a result, numerous fine homes and churches were built over the centuries from the wealth of this trade. Fast-forward to present day life and the booming wool industry has long gone – however you still find sheep and arable farming on the open rolling hills. The local breed ‘the Cotswold’ can produce an impressive fleece in excess of 10 Kilos.
English Castles and Market Towns
Amongst the contours of the countryside you’ll find a whole host of interesting places to visit including English castles, ancient churches, glorious gardens, stately homes and many historic houses. Head out towards the picturesque market towns and you’ll find some of the oldest chartered weekly markets in the country! You can literally spend days out exploring the picturesque Cotswold countryside and many visitors take time out for a leisurely ramble – stopping for refreshments in a traditional Cotswolds pub.
Beautiful Cotswolds Scenery
Magnificent parkland and lakes, spectacular walks and breathtaking scenery awaits you with a wide range of wildlife such as badgers, beavers, butterflies, wild deer, kingfishers, nightingales, otters, egrets, owls and precious wild orchids. A ‘top of the list destination’ if: you’re exploring the UK for the first time; seeking a traditional Cotswolds Cottage holiday for a family break, or looking for a romantic weekend away. You’ll find plenty to do and see with pretty towns and villages scattered everywhere, providing a picture-perfect backdrop, easily identified as ‘The Cotswolds’ by the mellow coloured stone buildings. Alternatively, visit Cotswolds Water Park – there’s award winning modernist architecture and spectacular lakeside accommodation available for those looking for all of the modern-day luxuries in a traditional Cotswolds countryside setting.
Cotswolds Towns and Villages
Places in the Cotswolds where you may wish to research before your visit are: Adlestrop, Amberley, Bath, Bibury, Blockley, Bourton on the Water, Broadway, Burford, Castle Combe, Charlbury, Cheltenham Spa, Chippenham, Chipping Campden, Chipping Norton, Chipping Sodbury, Cirencester, Cotswold Water Park, Fairford, Gloucester, Guiting Power, Ilmington, Lacock, Lechlade, The Slaughters, Malmesbury, Mickleton, Minster Lovell, Moreton in Marsh, Nailsworth, Northleach, Painswick, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Snowshill, Stanton, Stow on the Wold, Stroud, Tetbury, Willersey, Winchcombe, Woodstock, and Wotton under Edge.
As a keen outdoor enthusiast and traditionalist, I’ve had many UK holiday breaks in The Cotswolds. Following some research on a list of Cotswolds towns and villages before a trip with my family, we discovered a new perspective to staying in traditional Cotswolds Holiday rental accommodation resourced from http://www.luxuryholidays.uk.com
The Cotswolds is beautiful region, which falls into the counties of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, among others. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966, it offers a true perception of English rural countryside, with idyllic towns and villages, sweeping Cotswolds hills and close-knit communities.
Despite the popularity of the Cotswolds you can still find peace and quiet, and be at complete ease within this beautiful area. Those looking for a self-catering holiday will find many options from charming, traditional honey-coloured limestone Cotswolds cottages to the more luxurious and modern self-catering lodges. Alternatively, there are many guest houses and country hotels dotted throughout the picturesque countryside.
Walking in The Cotswolds
One of the best ways to explore the region is by the endless walking routes across the Cotswolds countryside, whether you choose to join a guided walking tour or use your own map. The marked trails of the Cotswolds Way, Gloucestershire Way and Shakespeare’s Way are among the best walks in the Cotswolds area, especially for first time visitors.
Historic Sites and Gardens
The Cotswolds is steeped in history with its grand houses, abbeys and castles located throughout the region. The World Heritage Site of Blenheim Place in Woodstock is set among 2100 acres of beautiful parkland and landscaped gardens and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Berkeley Castle in Berkeley is an outstanding example of mediaeval domestic architecture and has been the home of the Berkeley family for 850 years.
The Cotswolds is also home to some of the finest gardens in England. These range from the smaller cottage gardens to more famous gardens such as Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury, which is filled with fabulous garden designs and powerful aromas. Another garden worth visiting is Rococo Garden situated in a hidden Cotswolds valley. It is the sole survivor from the brief 18th Century period of the English Rococo Garden design.
Local Towns
The Cotswolds is the hub of rural England, where the small Cotswolds towns and villages have retained and preserved English character and charm. Cirencester is the largest of towns and is known as the ‘capital’ of the Cotswolds. It still holds its weekly street market in the large and impressive Market Place. The town of Broadway is a typical picture perfect Cotswold town with its honey-coloured limestone buildings, specialist stores and spectacular surrounding scenery, making it popular with visitors. Another Cotswolds town which is a must see for first time visitors is the Spa town of Cheltenham which is renowned for its Regency architecture, stylish shops, horseracing and award-winning gardens.
Following many holidays in the Cotswolds, I have visited and stayed in some fabulous places from self-catering Cotswolds Cottages to country house hotels. Here?s a brief overview of various places to visit whilst you?re taking that weekend break or summer holiday in The Cotswolds.
If you’ve already visited The Cotswolds it’s not hard to see why this is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. The Cotswolds region is a perfect perception of true English living with its honey coloured stoned towns and villages, fabulous scenic countryside, rolling hills and steeping valleys. It was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966 and provides a perfect countryside retreat for all the family.
Accommodation in The Cotswolds
Finding accommodation is easy in the Cotswolds. There are a number of places to choose from. If you want that independent holiday without the ties of having to be up for breakfast before 10am then there are a range of self-catering cottages available in the area. If you really want to get immersed in rural life then why not stay on a farm bed and breakfast and soak up the countryside atmosphere with traditional English cooking. Alternatively, if you want to receive the service from a Cotswold hotel there are many country house hotels and luxury boutique hotels in the Cotswolds with spa and leisure facilities to keep you occupied during your Cotswolds break.
Attractions in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is an area rich in history which is reflected by the number of historical sites dotted throughout the region. They provide brilliant attractions for all the family. Blenheim Place, situated near Woodstock, is a Designated World Heritage Site and is home to the Duke of Marlborough and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Berkeley Castle is situated at Wotton-under-Edge and was built to keep out the Welsh with its various traps such as trip steps, murder holes and enormous barred doors.
Other attractions which are perfect for families include the Cotswold Water Park which is great for children and adults of all ages. There are many outdoor activities to keep you occupied with its nature reserves, water sports, fishing, cycling, camping and a safe summer children’s bathing area. The Cotswolds Wild Life Park is located near Burford and features over 200 animal species in approximately 200 acres of parkland.
Walking in The Cotswolds
This unique countryside is a walkers’ paradise whether you decide to follow a published walking route, with your own map or with a guided walking leader. The Cotswold Way is a long distance walking trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden in the North of the Cotswolds and the city of Bath in the South. This walk offers the perfect chance see some true English countryside, passing through picturesque towns, villages, historic sites, churches and lakes.
All in all, the Cotswolds provides the perfect place for a long holiday, romantic getaway or an Easter break with the family. The Cotswolds stunning countryside, quaint market towns, array of family attractions, gardens, historical sites and wildlife parks are all waiting to be explored. Cotswolds accommodation is available in abundance with its self catering cottages, town guest houses, farm bed and breakfasts and country house Cotswolds hotel. For those who want to really experience the outdoor then camping in the country is the perfect way – there are many camp sites located across the Cotswolds in hidden valleys and ancient Cotswolds woodland.
Accommodation in the Cotswolds is easy to find. Choose from quaint guest houses, a country Cotswold hotel and self catering properties.
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