chipping Campden or Stow on the Wold in Jan/Feb?
 

I am considering a couple of different cottages in the Cotswolds for a week for the end of Jan/early Feb.
Not the best time of year, I know, but that's out of my hands.

Opinions on the benefits/drawbacks of each town at that time of year would be appreciated! For example, is the weather in Stow any worse or better on average given its elevation?

We have a local saying that Stow is always a cardigan colder than the surrounding towns.

But, given the rarity of snow, it'd be unusual if that translated into anything more serious than a few degrees of extra chill.

The question that'd concern me in both cases is where are you actually staying? Addresses round here always include the post town, which can be miles from the real location: somewhere with an apparently Stow address can be anywhere in GL54, and a Chipping Campden address can be anywhere in GL55.

If you're driving, I'd recommend staying in one of the towns themselves (you're as likely to get fog in winter as lots of ice, and driving to remote country hamlets in midwinter gloom really isn't fun). If you're using public transport, there's simply no question: you HAVE to stay in one of the towns.

Otherwise, Chipping Campden gets my vote every time. Stow is unusual in having a boring church, Ch Campden's prettier and it's got better access to the national footpath network.

I am put in mind of the old nursery rhyme:

"At Brill on the Hill, the wind blows shrill;
The cook no meat can dress.
At Stow on the Wold, the wind blows cold
I know no more than this."

I have been to both and I like the smallness and quaintness of Stow-in-the-Wold.

Sorry I have not been there in January nor February, so I can't comment on the weather.

Thanks a bunch - my weather suspicions are confirmed.

I'd be staying steps away from the high street in Chipping Campden, or a 30-second walk from the square in Stow, so right in the centre of things. I will have a car too, but I chose my prospective cottages based on their proximity to the centre of each town. I just know I don't ALWAYS want to have to jump in the car to get anywhere.
Definitely leaning towards Chipping Campden, although flanner the idea of that boring church has me very, very intrigued!! :P