I would like to make Chipping Campden the base of my Cotswold stay next April, but I would like to stay at a really nice place in town that really has a lot of history...so may dad and I feel like we are living the history of the place. The Cotswold House although it looks wonderful, looks to modern. I don't want that. I want an old inn or hotel that has been around for hundreds of years. Thanks for any advice.

to the top

Quite close to Chipping Camden and also, historic Moreton in Marsh,is the very old hamlet of Barton on the Heath. The 1636 manor house, called Barton House, is also a B&amp;B. This is operated by the eldest son and and his wife; the family has an entry in Burke's Landed Gentry, if that sort of thing appeals to you. Here is the website address. <BR><BR>http://www.europetraditions.com/england/int/443.html

At one time or another, I have walked by or gone into all of these places (see center column) but have never stayed in one of them. Some may not even let rooms for all I know, but at least you have some places to research. All of them are extremely atmospheric and historic (as is the whole town, especially the High Street).<BR><BR>http://members.shaw.ca/panthers1/AChipp.html<BR><BR>The finest and most historic lodging in the area, IMO, is 'just up the road a fair piece' in the town of Broadway at the Lygon Arms. Take lots and lots of &pound;&pound;&pound; though.<BR><BR>http://www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk/lygon.html<BR><BR><BR><BR>

I am leaning toward the Noel Arms. It seems to have the most history. Cotsold House just seems to Ritzy and not enough history. Any other comments are welcomed...

http://www.shavencrown.co.uk/<BR><BR>Is this anywhere close to where you want to be?<BR>650 years of history impressed us.

This looks amazing! My concerns are 1) is it central to all the other Northern Cotswolds towns, and 2) What is the town like that this B &amp;B is in? <BR><BR>Thanks again.<BR>Len

Closer to Blenheim and Oxford than Broadway. Maybe more south than north. By car the Cotswalds are all so close you never get into high gear between towns.

Len - pick any village in the Cotswolds - they are all a mere stone's throw apart (In some cases, literally)<BR><BR>the Shaven Crown is very nice and Shipton-under-Wychwood is convenient to anywhere you'd want to visit. BUT so are 40 other Cotswold villages . . .

Excuse me aaack. That was meant to be Cotswolds not Cotswalds.

Thanks guys. I am so confused. I guess I want a real historical town with a historical hotel. Whichever of these towns can offer both is wher I would like to be. Chipping Campden seems to be a popular choice on this site so that is why I think I will go with that. Again so confused...

Len - EVERY Cotswold town is &quot;historical&quot; and MOST every town or village has a &quot;historical&quot; inn or hotel. Chipping Campden is more picturesque than some - but less than others. Probably the ONLY Cotswold village you should avoid staying in is Bourton-on-the-Water. Not because it isn't old - the Old New Inn is about the oldest place in all the Cotswolds - but because it gets overrun by tourists.<BR><BR>Unless you have been to the Cotswolds you probably can't visualize this - BUT every single Cotswold village has an ancient church, honey colored bldgs from the middle ages, one or two or more very old hotels and a pub or several datinf from the 1600's or earlier.<BR><BR>Just pick a place that looks nice and don't agonize about it so much. You will enjoy which ever village you choose.

You are right Janis. I am thrilled bay all of it actually, and don't want to sound like I am not. Chipping amden sounds awesome so I will look for a place there. Noel Arms is lookinggood right now. Thanks again.

Len, you've picked the right spot. You'll be amazed by the beauty and history of the Cotswolds. We were there in September for the 3rd time, and it's delightful. In addition to driving, take some time to explore on foot. Your hotel should be able to help you find local walking paths. As others have pointed out, the villages are very close together, and they're connected by public footpaths. Walking from one village to another is a great way to see the area.

Buckland Manor in the Cotswolds is one of the nicest places we've ever stayed. Check it out....

Thanks everyone for all you help. The Buckland Manor looks awesome, but a little out of my price range. I'd rather stay under 200 GBP per night.<BR><BR>This has been so helpful...

Len:<BR>I just made reservations at The Noel Arms for Nov. 2002. If you are interested I will send you my comments when we return. I am hoping it is really like the pictures on the web. You might also want to look at the Falkland Arms in the Great Tew. It looked very interesting to me also but they were booked for our dates. Plan on trying to have a pint there while in the Cotswolds.<BR><BR>All of this research is exhausting - we have been researching for months on hotels, etc.

Amen! Exhausting is right! Although I guess there could be worse things to have to research. Thanks for your advice and I would LOVE a report on the Noel Arms and your trip when you return.<BR><BR>Thanks again,<BR>Len

Len:<BR><BR>We'll be back the first week of Dec. I will let you know more about Noel Arms when we return.<BR><BR>Brenda

Hi Len,<BR> Just FYI, the Cotswold House is a wonderful hotel and not all that new! The main building is from around 1800 and the annex is probably at least 100 years older. (Plumbing and heat seem new!) Very nice accomodations for the price. <BR><BR>Have also stayed at the Lygon Arms (as noted above somewhat expensive) which is older (Tudor I'd say)and found it to be permeated with wood smoke, quite smelly really. Went their for tea on a later visit and still smelled like wood smoke.<BR><BR>My other favorite there (along with Cotswold House) is Lords of the Manor in one of the Slaughters, Upper I think. Very old, very posh and very $$$$. <BR><BR>Just thought I'd share this...really hard to go wrong with location in the Cotswolds as said above. Happy travels.