Ah, the Cotswolds; her rolling hills, her verdant pastures and her perfect pubs... it's no wonder the great and the good flock to this quiet oasis in the heart of England to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And it's no surprise that many a famous poem and pieces of literature have found their inspiration and soul from this area. A treasured favourite being Beatrix Potter and her 'Tales of Gloucester' - evoking the childhood nostalgia that floods back when you return to this idyllic countryside haven.
Dotting the pristine rolling countryside are picture postcard villages, with their Cotswold stone cottages standing proudly, as they have done, for several centuries. Every so often, on a relaxed ramble through the fields or a leisurely drive through the country lanes, you'll spy an impressive Manor House emerging through the trees of the densely enclosed private estates. Many still in the same family, having been passed down through the generations. Others now in safe keeping, with the National Trust enlisted to preserve their rich heritage and invite visitors in. We urge you do so. Be it Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, the Rococco Gardens in Painswick, or Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, there are so many jewels to discover in one of England's prettiest Counties.
And you can't possibly come to the Cotswolds and not try the age-old tradition of enjoying an Afternoon Tea with scones! There are plenty to choose from in the likes of the quintessentially Cotswold villages of Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold, as well as those on offer in the larger, buzzing town of Cheltenham - made famous for the Horse Racing calendar. The food culture in the Cotswold is pioneering with many a great chef choosing to move their skills from the City to the countryside. And fortunately with it being so accessible from the City to the Cotswolds, they've fallen hook, line and sinker for this magical place. You really will be spoilt for choice.
Please contact your Destination Specialist for more information on +44 (0) 1993 824198
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The weather is as unpredictable as with the rest of the UK and it is possible to see elements of all four seasons in one day. Read More
January - New Year’s Day Races, Cheltenham Racecourse
February - Carpets of Snowdrops, Painswick Rococo, Colesbourne and Newark Park Gardens
March - Cheltenham Gold Cup Week
March - Made by Hand - The Contemporary Craft Festival, Cheltenham
May - Badminton Horse Trials
May - Cheltenham Jazz Festival
May - Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester
May - The Tetbury Woolsack Races
May - September - Gifford’s Circus tours the Cotswolds
June - September - Longborough Festival Opera
June - Burford Festival
June - Gloucestershire Festival of Polo at Beaufort Polo Club
June - Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
June / July - ‘Fresh Air’ biannual sculpture exhibition, a celebration of contemporary sculpture, Quenington
July - Cornbury Festival, The Great Tew Park
July - The Cotswold Show, Cirencester
July - Battle of the Proms, Blenheim Palace
July - Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford
July - Broadway Car Show including one day of modern supercars and one day of Classic Cars
July - WOMAD Festival, Charlton Park Malmesbury
August - Wilderness Festival, Chipping Norton
August - The Big Feastival, Kingham
October - Cheltenham Literature Festival
October - Westonbirt Arboretum - Autumn Colour Spectacular
October - Batsford Arboretum - Autumn Colour Spectacular
December - Christmas markets in various Cotswolds towns
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