Cosy Cotswolds
Just an hour west of London, the Cotswolds is one of the most pretty parts of the world all year around. Famed for its beautiful villages and picturesque honey-coloured stone cottages, the Cotswolds is perfect as a short weekend break from London. Full of cosy country-house hotels and the country pubs that you see in films, with roaring open fires and hearty pub food menus, this is England at it’s best.
Covering a huge area of 800 square miles and stretching into five different counties, you’ll need a little while to see it all. But luckily it’s an area that is more about the experience than racing to see everything, and most importantly it's a place to relax and enjoy.
The Greenway Hotel & Spa
There are countless luxurious hotels to choose from. We went for The Greenway Hotel & Spa, a luxurious Elizabethan manor house dating back around 400 years, with a focus on relaxation. It’s located on the western fringes of the Cotswolds and set in 8 acres of landscaped gardens, complete with an award-wining restaurant and well-equipped spa. The hotel features an outdoor hot tub, perfect for warming up after a long day of exploring.
Broadway Tower
Broadway town is a perfect example of a Cotswolds town full of honey-washed stone houses. The Tower sits at the second-highest point in the Cotswolds, at the centre of a country park with unrivalled views. With plenty of parking, it’s a great spot to start a walk through the Cotswolds countryside, being conveniently located on the Cotswold Way.
Blenheim Palace
Comfy shoes are a must for a visit to Blenheim Palace and its glorious parkland. As grand as it sounds, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides an impressive experience for visitors. The stunning stately home, a famous filming location, is filled with state rooms packed in history. In December, the gardens are converted into a stunning display of lighting illuminations, bringing Christmas to Blenheim.
Cleeve Hill
Cleeve Hill is the highest point in the Cotswolds with a clear view over to Cheltenham, the River Severn and into Wales. The summit is 330m high with a network of paths leading in all directions, so finding the peak can be both a challenge and a great workout!
Sudeley Castle
A fairytale castle with more than a millennia of history, it dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and has a wealth of royal connections including Richard III, Elizabeth I and the last of Henry VIII’s wives who lived and died in the castle. The Banqueting Hall ruins provide a dramatic backdrop for the award-winning gardens, complete with a maze, which attract visitors in their own right.
Crickley Hill Country Park
Perched on the edge of the Cotswolds, Crickley Hill has impressive views over the rolling Malvern Hills. There are a number of trails that can be explored, and prehistoric sites dating back six thousand years with Neolithic and Iron Age settlements to discover.
