With the world in a spin and most travel on pause, it’s no surprise that staycations have dramatically increased. If you’re dreaming of a break, I have just the place where you can escape to and take stock. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty spanning 800 square miles, it’s no surprise the Cotswolds usually attracts 30 million visitors each year. Famed for its many celebrity locals and picturesque houses here are six reasons to visit this truly stunning region.
1. Picture-perfect beauty
Take a trip to the Cotswolds and you’ll be left lost for words at the region’s surrounding rolling hills and beauty. Renowned for its sweet fairytale towns built with honey-hued stone, the area offers one of the most idyllic landscapes in the UK. The Cotswolds are also a perfect base for many keen hikers; I’d highly recommend the 100-mile Cotswold Way. Choose to embark on small stretches before enjoying a delicious pub lunch or plan a holiday around this breathtaking route.
2. The Cotswolds are steeped in history
Well known throughout Medieval Europe for the best wool around, if you love history then this place is for you. The small market town of Chipping Campden made its wealth in the lucrative wool trade and many of its associated buildings can still be seen today. The region is also home to some remarkable structures, most of which are manmade and built for royalty like the Prince of Wales’s Highgrove Estate. Then there’s the grand Corsham Court, a former royal manor whose gardens were designed by 18th-century landscape artist Capability Brown.
3. Quintessential tearooms and independent shops
Traditional values are indeed upheld in the Cotswolds with most villages still having a greengrocer on the corner. If ever there was also a place to enjoy a cream tea, you’ll find many delightful spots for a cake or scone. Additionally, if you are fed up with high street chains, there are some cute independent shops plus eclectic homeware stores to explore for days. If you also love home, fashion and crafts, pop by the Corn Hall to experience one of their many busy weekly events.
4. Characterful gastro pubs
If you’re a foodie at heart, then you’ll be happy to know there are some seriously good gastropubs in the Cotswolds. Sunday lunch highlights include The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, The Seven Tuns in Chedworth and multi-award-winning eatery, The Porch House in Stow-On-The-Wold.
5. There’s plenty to do in the Cotswolds…
Some of the best days out are in the Cotswolds where you can genuinely have a mini-adventure. Whether you want to roam a National Trust castle or one of many vast stately homes, there’s a reason tourists always return. The award-winning farm shop in Daylesford is well worth a visit or I can recommend a stroll around the 55 acres at Batsford Arboretum. In addition, the region is also a gateway to some of the UK’s best cities, why not take a day trip to Stratford, Cheltenham, Oxford or Bath?
6. Project Honeypot | Make your trip to the Cotswolds special
Not only is the Cotswolds home to some of the best views in Britain, but it’s also full of pretty rental cottages. Project Honeypot, in particular, is our family bolthole and is perfect if you want to get away with your brood. Just two hours from London, you can have the best of both worlds, enjoy the countryside and be home for Monday. Stay tuned for more blog
posts on this and how else you can make your stay special - I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
Thanks so much for reading!
- Jess x
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-Co-written with @hannahkingwritescopy
-All photos taken by @storiesbychloe