Based in Burford, how to spend our time
 

Hi everyone,

Our trip is fast approaching and I don't have a good handle on how to handle our three days in the Cotswolds, sigh.

We'll be in Bath 11,12,13 September; depart Bath for Burford on 14 September and stay there 3 nights (14, 15, 16). We will have a car and hopefully a functioning GPS! We're staying at the Lamb Inn.

I bought "The Rough Guide to the Cotswolds" and did lots of searching the forums and maps.

Must see's: Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Camden, a castle/stately home (or two or three!), husband is really interested in the Rollwright Stones

So ~very tentatively~ we're thinking the following: (I like to put a lot of things in the itinerary ~knowing~ that we will not see them all, It's OCD but I've come to accept that about myself, lol).

Bath to Burford: Castle Combe, Tetbury, Cirencester, Bibury (night #1 in Burford)

Burford back to Burford: Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper and Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Sezincote House, Rollright Stones (night #2 in Burford)

Burford back to Burford: Chipping Camden, Hidcote Manor, Broadway (and Tower), Snowshill Manor, Winchcombe, Sudely Castle (night #3 in Burford)--

If you've been to all three of these castles/homes, Hidcote, Snowshill, Sudely, which was your favorite?--I know we can't see them all (we do plan on seeing Sezincote).

Burford to Heathrow (return car, spend night at a hotel, flight is 18/09 in the morning): Minster Lowell, Blenheim Palace, Oxford (night at LHR hotel).

Husband's 55th birthday is while we're in the Cotswolds. Appreciate any suggestions for a great dining experience to celebrate.

Thank you for your thoughts. NOLA

I don't have time right now to work out all your plans/days right now. But I see no reason you can't easily see Hidcote, Snowshill, the Rollright stones, chipping Campden and more in one day.

For a special dinner, book into the Kingham Plough

If you get a clear day be sure to visit the Mount Inn in Stanton - specifically at lunch time.


Btw, I really wouldn't make a big deal about visiting Chipping Campden. It is just a very nice Cotswold town, and you are staying in one that is even better.

Thank you, janisj! I'll be booking the Kingham Plough and making a note to visit the Mount Inn. We're sure hoping for some clear weather.

I hope you're enjoying your lovely trip! :)

Nola: These pics may help you select Cotswold destinations.
However, I've been a trying to make the transition from Picasa Pics to Google and met with difficulties. Please notify me if you have trouble with this link.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...acX7oDLjh8cIbH I appreciate your help.

Nola...as an alternative, please try this https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...7oDLjh8cIbHHPk

"If you've been to all three of these castles/homes, Hidcote, Snowshill, Sudely, which was your favorite?"

Firstly, Hidcote is a garden, a magnificent one but, if your focus is on houses, the house isn't open. I recently spent a week in a village across the fields from it so I could walk there and spend as much time as I liked and I encourage you to visit. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

Sudeley Castle is in a lovely setting and the walled garden is especially beautiful, alongside it the chapel where Catherine Parr is buried as this was her home. It's privately owned and while I understand the need for funds for such a place, over the years the emphasis on the commercial opportunities it affords have grown so, while not a reason not to go, I find it not as pleasnat as it used to be. http://www.sudeleycastle.co.uk/

Snowshill is one of my favorites and I much prefer it to Sudeley for it's intimate and idiosyncratic nature. A real jewel, smaller than many National Trust properties, filled with the former owner's collections and a garden set into the hillside. I love this place. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sno...nor-and-garden

I agree 10000% that I would do Hidcote and Snowshill before Sudeley. (I'd assumed you knew Hidcote is a garden)

While you're in Burford be sure to go down the road to minster lovel old hall and check out the doocot (dovecote) too.

Just noticed the typo . . . Minster Lovell

@tower, I have looked at your lovely pictures more times than you really want to know (I've felt a bit stalkerish, really) and can't wait to see some of the sights for myself.

@MmePerdu, thank you for the descriptions. I did know Hidcote was a garden--that's what happens when you're typing too fast (and at work). We will take your and janisj's advice and visit Hidcote and Snowshill. Sudeley can wait for another time.

And janisj, I have Minster Lovell on the itinerary for the last day because the description in the guidebook was intriguing. Thanks for confirming that it's a worthwhile stop!

Avoid Sudeley Castle. It is expensive and is more of a Madame Tussaud's experience than a stately home. The few family rooms that you do see are hardly inspiring (or memorable...) We were bitterly disappointed by our visit. You can read my review here:
http://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/r...isabled-access

The Chapel was heavily restored in the C19th. Katherine Parr's original tomb was destroyed during the Civil War,so the one you see was designed for her in the C19th by George Gilbert Scott.

In the side chapel is a modern tableau of Katherine Parr lying in state. This feels and looks tacky and is out of keeping with the rest of the church


Minster Lovell hall is definitely worth visiting - and the ghosts may be there for you...
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/castle...ell/index.html

Hidcote Gardens are lovely as are also Kitfsgate Court Gardens, which are about half a mile away. The two are completely different.
http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/

Regarding Kiftsgate, yes, a short walk between the 2 but check open times as they don't always coincide. Kiftsgate is privately owned, as opposed to Hidcote which is National Trust, and I found it a bit down at the heels on my visit in May. Don't rush Hidcote to try to fit in Kiftsgate on the same day and if you have plenty of time for both, do check open times and schedule accordingly.

Thank you, everyone! I knew I'd get good advice and tips here.

Sudeley castle is definitely off the list. Minster Hall looks very interesting, great pics in the link, ESW.

I think I'm going to invest in the 14 day National Trust Touring Pass. It seems like a good buy for us.

I'd love to hear any other suggestions. :)

NOLA

NOLA:
as for garden visits...over the years we had toured most of those mentioned in the posts above....therefore, on our most recent visit to The Cotswolds, we had heard of a far lesser known little gem near Chipping Campden...it's featured in my picture posts above...in the little village of Blockley.

Hard to believe but we were the only visitors on the day we went there...the admission was a fair number, just s few pounds if I recall. We just took our time on meandering every nook, enjoying the surroundings immensely. Highly recommend for a change of pace...Milldene Gardens.

http://www.milldenegarden.co.uk/
Looks like admissions have gone up to 9 pounds since 8 years ago. What else is new? Well worth it IMO.

Thank you for the great suggestion, tower. Milldene Gardens is on the list--I love that it's both beautiful and quirky.

BTW, I can't open the photo links anymore--the second one worked yesterday but not today, weirdly.

https://goo.gl/photos/k3navFwF1crN9BuC7
Needless to say, Ms. NOLA, I'm going slowly nutso with this transition from Picasa (which I loved for so many years) to Google..unreal. I thought if I tried the "share" route it would be OK...please inform...and enjoy Milldene. You will!

Husband's birthday might try the pub scene..highly recommend the pub shown in the pics, located in Walford just a short country road ride from Moreton. I will get you the link. We were there in 1980 and again in 2008...very authentic and they had a great new chef at the time. Prices are not astronomical...ambience within the fireplace dining room is romantic (watch out!!)
stu (are you from LA?)

tower, I loved picasa, too, and am not over it being jettisoned. And unfortunately the link isn't working, sorry.

Yes, I'm from New Orleans, LA.

If you're coming from Burford, take the short-cut 10 miles A424 to the A429 at Stow-on-Wold. Continue on 429 just a few miles to Moreton-in- Marsh,drive through town to the A44 posted east to Oxford...no more than a mile out of town you'll see the country road on your left posted to Great Wolford...quick drive to the small village....and there will be the Fox and Hounds Pub/Inn.
http://www.pub-explorer.com/olpg/fox...ford/index.htm

<< Burford to Heathrow (return car, spend night at a hotel, flight is 18/09 in the morning): Minster Lowell, Blenheim Palace, Oxford (night at LHR hotel).>>

This is a long and busy day. Blenheim takes at least half a day and Oxford can use up days.

As if you don't have enough on your list, you might also want to visit Warwick Castle and Stratford on Avon.

@tower, thank you for the shortcut and link.

@mimar, I figured our Saturday would be long but since we're just returning the car and sleeping at the airport hotel, I thought we'd try to get a few interesting sights in.

Now I have to look up Warwick Castle and Stratford on Avon... I already know we'll have to come back to the Cotswolds--there's just too much to see and do!