Does anyone know anything about this B&B in Banbury? They have two rooms and the photograph makes the property look lovely. The address is: Gower's Close, Sibford Gower, Banbury, OX15 5RW, Oxfordshire.

We're also considering staying at the Bibury Court Hotel. It also looks nice and has been recommended by some people on this board.

I don't know the B&B - but I do know the village. it is not in Banbury - Sibford Gower is a small village about 7 or 8 miles west of Banbury. I think it is actually a bit nearer to Shipston-on-Stour than it is to Banbury. it is a nice area on the northern edge of the Cotswolds.

(that is the way many UK addresses are -- house name, village name, nearest big-ish town/village. Often the place is 5 to 10 miles from the town in the address)

Now - Bibury is a whole different situation - it is a larger village but still "small-ish". During the summer and especially on weekends, Bibury gets very crowded. Sort of like Bourton-on-the-Water on a smaller scale. It is a very scenic village and it isn't unusual to have a couple of hundred cars parked along the river and on the village roads

But staying in Bibury is OK - the VAST majority of those folks are daytrippers who leave the village before dinner time.

Thank you, Janis. We will be traveling mid-week in May. Hopefully, not too much traffic.

There are so many lovely places to stay. Hoping to find that magical one that will stay in our memories for a long time.

Budgetwise, we're hoping to find that memorable B&B/inn for under 100GBP for a twin, or about 65GBP each for two singles. You seem to know the area -- any suggestions? We're open to any of the more charming towns.

Gower's Close is listed in Alistair Sawday's guides "Special Places to Stay"-a good thing. The listing says the owner is a garden writer and the place has a lovely garden. I know the area (not the town) and it's lovely. Here's the listing
http://www.specialplacestostay.com/s...FileID=gbb1372

The Bibury Court gets rave reviews on tripadvisor. Many many years ago I made my first trip to the Cotswolds and stayed at the Swan Hotel in Bibury (now owned by others with not very good reviws). You absolutely feel like you're in a fairy tale.

I asume you're planning on picking 1 or the other? How long will you stay? If it's just a day or 2 I think either would be great.

Most of the summer day crowds in Bibury tend to congregate at the north end of the village around the ice cream van and the Trout Farm and Mill. Alot of people have come to Bibury to photograph the weaver's cottages at Arlington Row.
Bibury Court is at the southernmost part of the village and as it is set in it's own grounds, as a result it can be much quieter than the rest of the area in question.

We'll be staying four nights -- Sunday-Thursday.

We found Gower's Close through Sawday's, and the website is dated 2003. Could not find any other mention of it anywhere. Was hoping someone here stayed there.

I've thought about two nights in Banbury and two nights in Bibury, but it's nice to settle into a place for four nights, too.

I will provide a full report upon our return.

One more question: The Bibury Court Hotel talks about lunch and dinner on their website. Do they serve breakfast? If so, is it included in the room rate?

I would certainly assume they serve breakfast as there's no place else around I know except the Swan. Perhaps the reason they don't mention it is it's included which it often is at these places.

Now you say you're staying for 4 days, do you realize there's nothing in Bibury besides your hotel, the Swan and maybe a pub? I'm not sure how big Sibford Gower is, but the reason I specifically said either would be fine for a night or 2 is if longer, if you want to dine in different places and avoid having to drive at night on those dark country roads, I wonder if you wouldn't prefer staying in a town or just outside a town with restaurants etc. like Burford or Woodstock or Chipping Camden. Just something to thing about if you've never been to the Cotwolds.

where ever you decide on - stay the same place for all 4 nights. The area is pretty compact and it really does not make much sense to move 15 or 20 miles.

Either village would be fine - Gower House sounds lovely - I often look for places where the owner is a garden writer, gardener, etc. They usually have lovely grounds.

And I know Bibury Court - it would be nice too.

But for a 4 night stay I agree w/ mclaurie. Staying in a larger village like Burford, Stow on the Wold, Chipping Campden, etc means you don't have to drive every night to find someplace to eat and don't have to worry about driving after stopping at a pub..

In Burford for instance there are several pubs, restaurants, a tea shop, plus an Indian and a Chinese restaurant. All would be walking distance from any of the B&Bs or hotels in the village.

You are correct that we will want to dine in different places each night. I don't drink alcohol, so that is not an issue, and it should be getting dark around 9:00 pm at that time of year. We will probably be back at our accommodations around that time, so I'm not overly concerned about driving in the dark.

We will be out and about during the day visiting the small villages, and wandering down any lane that appeals to us. Photographing the English cottages and gardens is our main focus on this trip.

Years ago I was traveling in the English countryside with a friend and we went down a lane and truly felt as if we'd been transported back in time. We were about ten miles south of Bath, I think.

Of course, you've given us more to think about, and it is much appreciated.

I agree based on the scenario you describe that either place would work if you have your dinner while out and about. But when you mentioned gardens, I remembered there was quite a lot of info here on gardens in the Cotswolds. Can't remember whether you participated in some of those threads, Luvtotravel.

So here's some info you might have missed. I think the most famous garden in the Cotswolds is Hidcote Manor. And next door to it is Kiftsgate Manor and nearby that is Sezincote which is only open 2 days a week (not sure which). Then I remembered there's a website that shows you places to stay near gardens

http://greatbritishgardens.co.uk

Looked on there for Hidcote and found a b and b called Laverton Hill House, just outside of Broadway. It's looks lovely!

http://www.lavertonhill.co.uk/

Now I can't find any reviews I'd trust so don't want to steer you wrong, but thought you might like to have a look.

Some other websites that might interest you

http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsgardenfinder/gardenfinder.asp

http://www.ngs.org.uk/search.htm

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

I believe the first allows you to search for private gardens that might have open days when you'll be there. Good luck and hope you don't mind the info.