Tetbury anyone? Cotswolds?
Jan 27th, 2012, 10:25 AM
#21
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hi ann, well if you know the Rumpole stories - he can be pretty outrageous. 
I love his books.
We wanted to go off season and have more time in Dec/Jan but are definately not going now based upon the wise advice from everyone. We might be able to go in April this year but would be pushing it. It may have to be Aug after all, but we really wanted to hunker down and avoid the tourist season.
I love his books.We wanted to go off season and have more time in Dec/Jan but are definately not going now based upon the wise advice from everyone. We might be able to go in April this year but would be pushing it. It may have to be Aug after all, but we really wanted to hunker down and avoid the tourist season.
Jan 27th, 2012, 11:50 AM
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I wouldn't worry in the slightest about the tourist season. If you're staying here, there isn't one. A handful of towns (of which Tetbury isn't one) get a short uplift in visitors between 11 am and 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from Mothering Sunday (4th Sunday in Lent: mean date March 18)to Michaelmas (Sep 29)
If that's your only experience of the area, you can convince yourself there's a tourist peak, which is why there's so much claptrap churned out by the untravelled about crowds on forums like this. Accommodation has slightly different peaks, geared to school holidays, half terms and dirty weekends.
Nov's a better idea than Jan (especially if it goes into enough of Dec for carol concerts etc, which peak around Dec 15), but depends on what you want to do (some attractions close in Oct, reopen during Advent then close till early March). There was a trip report from one of the US regulars here about five years back about an extended session in Nov/Dec in North Oxfordshire (I think it was Adderbury or Deddington), and her comments (generally favourable) would apply to you as much.
Can't find it (pre-dinner cocktails clicking in already) but someone else might remember.
If that's your only experience of the area, you can convince yourself there's a tourist peak, which is why there's so much claptrap churned out by the untravelled about crowds on forums like this. Accommodation has slightly different peaks, geared to school holidays, half terms and dirty weekends.
Nov's a better idea than Jan (especially if it goes into enough of Dec for carol concerts etc, which peak around Dec 15), but depends on what you want to do (some attractions close in Oct, reopen during Advent then close till early March). There was a trip report from one of the US regulars here about five years back about an extended session in Nov/Dec in North Oxfordshire (I think it was Adderbury or Deddington), and her comments (generally favourable) would apply to you as much.
Can't find it (pre-dinner cocktails clicking in already) but someone else might remember.
Jan 27th, 2012, 12:37 PM
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>>There was a trip report from one of the US regulars here about five years back about an extended session in Nov/Dec in North Oxfordshire (I think it was Adderbury or Deddington), and her comments (generally favourable) would apply to you as much.
Can't find it (pre-dinner cocktails clicking in already) but someone else might remember.<<
It took a little digging, but I think this is the report. Rickmav spent four months in England and Italy.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...land-italy.cfm
Lee Ann
Can't find it (pre-dinner cocktails clicking in already) but someone else might remember.<<
It took a little digging, but I think this is the report. Rickmav spent four months in England and Italy.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...land-italy.cfm
Lee Ann
Jan 27th, 2012, 12:54 PM
#27
I <i>think</i> Rickmav's TR is the one flanner means (Took me a while - it was a year farther back than i remembered)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-england.cfm
Its an absolutely fabulous report of 7 weeks in Wilmcote and 1 week in Stanton St John.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...in-england.cfm
Its an absolutely fabulous report of 7 weeks in Wilmcote and 1 week in Stanton St John.
Mar 12th, 2012, 08:29 AM
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We have decided to go to the Cotswolds in April of 2012, instead of next Dec/Jan. How's the weather generally that time of year? After googling, it appears the temp in April is 12 degrees C or around the mid 60's F. Does it rain a lot as well? The weather isn't a deal breaker, but would just like an idea of what to pack.
Mar 12th, 2012, 08:56 AM
#31
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"Does it rain a lot as well?"
It never rains a lot in England (even when it's wet, it rains little but often) And now we're now formally in drought.
Contrary to ill-informed stereotypes, England gets very little rain, and we don't have the huge natural reservoirs of snowy mountain tops, lakes or long wide rivers other countries have. The past few winters, even by our parched standards, have been exceptionally short of rain
The past is never a guide to the future with British weather, so it might (we all hope) rain all the time you're here. No offence, but our gardens matter a great deal more to us than our tourists. So it might rain, or it might not. We won't know till it happens.
Prepare for anything - including overnight frost at night (a virtual certainty at least one April night in the Cotswolds, especially once you've put the basil outdoors to harden off) and daytime temps in the mid to high 70s. Relying on average historical temps gets you nowhere.
It never rains a lot in England (even when it's wet, it rains little but often) And now we're now formally in drought.
Contrary to ill-informed stereotypes, England gets very little rain, and we don't have the huge natural reservoirs of snowy mountain tops, lakes or long wide rivers other countries have. The past few winters, even by our parched standards, have been exceptionally short of rain
The past is never a guide to the future with British weather, so it might (we all hope) rain all the time you're here. No offence, but our gardens matter a great deal more to us than our tourists. So it might rain, or it might not. We won't know till it happens.
Prepare for anything - including overnight frost at night (a virtual certainty at least one April night in the Cotswolds, especially once you've put the basil outdoors to harden off) and daytime temps in the mid to high 70s. Relying on average historical temps gets you nowhere.
Mar 12th, 2012, 09:02 AM
#32
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12 degrees C is the low 50s F, but really the temperature is unpredictable long in advance, and will depend on whether you go early or late in April.
As for rain, it might rain, or it might not. At present we are enjoying a period of settled weather, but with some early morning mist. Its good weather for walking round towns and villages, or round Westonbirt, the major local attraction as Highgrove is only open for those with U.K. passports and who can book long in advance.
Realistically, you should pack on the basis that it is likely to rain at some time during your visit, but the easiest thing is just to stay indoors if it's raining heavily. As for temperature, something windproof but not too heavy is probably best. Thin layers would be helpful.
As for rain, it might rain, or it might not. At present we are enjoying a period of settled weather, but with some early morning mist. Its good weather for walking round towns and villages, or round Westonbirt, the major local attraction as Highgrove is only open for those with U.K. passports and who can book long in advance.
Realistically, you should pack on the basis that it is likely to rain at some time during your visit, but the easiest thing is just to stay indoors if it's raining heavily. As for temperature, something windproof but not too heavy is probably best. Thin layers would be helpful.
Mar 12th, 2012, 09:11 AM
#33
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"Highgrove is only open for those with U.K. passports and who can book long in advance."
Apparently, the restrictions no longer apply:
http://www.highgrovegardens.com/garden-tours.html
Apparently, the restrictions no longer apply:
http://www.highgrovegardens.com/garden-tours.html
Mar 12th, 2012, 09:57 AM
#34
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thanks chartley and flanneruk.
I wasn't going to apply for tickets to Highgrove, but after reading the link flanner, I am now going to try. I figure if I sign up early enough I will have a good chance.
That the weather might be drizzley and cool is fine with us. I didn't mind the thought of origianlly going in Dec but everyone said it will be too cold and dark so that is why I wanted to check on April's weather. We live in a sunny climate so getting away to somewhere warm is not a priority.
I wasn't going to apply for tickets to Highgrove, but after reading the link flanner, I am now going to try. I figure if I sign up early enough I will have a good chance.
That the weather might be drizzley and cool is fine with us. I didn't mind the thought of origianlly going in Dec but everyone said it will be too cold and dark so that is why I wanted to check on April's weather. We live in a sunny climate so getting away to somewhere warm is not a priority.
Mar 12th, 2012, 10:23 AM
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You can anything in April in south Gloucestershire - literally. My daughter's birthdays are in April. Some years in mid-April we'd have children's parties where we were blessed with brilliant sunshine and got the water slide out, other years there could be snow on the ground and we'd be passing the parcel and in front of a roaring fire! (Though snow never lingers at that time of year.)
But I have to say that the average April is fairly decent weather. Pack light layers, a waterproof/windproof jacket and an umbrella.
Tetbury has 3 charity (thrift) shops, Nailsworth has a few, and Stroud has about 10! If you are cold you can always buy yourself a fleece or sweater for less than a fiver.
Hope you have a lovely time here in my neck of the woods. If you'd like to meet up, email me [email protected]
But I have to say that the average April is fairly decent weather. Pack light layers, a waterproof/windproof jacket and an umbrella.
Tetbury has 3 charity (thrift) shops, Nailsworth has a few, and Stroud has about 10! If you are cold you can always buy yourself a fleece or sweater for less than a fiver.
Hope you have a lovely time here in my neck of the woods. If you'd like to meet up, email me [email protected]
Mar 22nd, 2012, 07:48 AM
#38
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Hi Julia!
I wish it was THIS April!!
I can't get to England fast enough.
My husband and I have always said if we were independently wealthy we'd fly over to England every weekend!
I wish it was THIS April!!
I can't get to England fast enough.
My husband and I have always said if we were independently wealthy we'd fly over to England every weekend!
