Has anyone got any tips at all for sight seeing, restaurants etc in the Cotswolds. We are staying in the village of Northleach from next Saturday and would appreciate any advice.<BR><BR>Thank you

The Cotswolds is a favorite area for us. My husband and I have been there three times. Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace are two places which should be on your "don't miss" list. Stratford is so touristy, but Anne Hathaway's house is well-known and kind of interesting, however, pretty far down our list. Bourton-on-the-Water is a beautiful village, and very touristy in the summer. They have a cool model of the village to tour, which we thought was kind of cute. We love spending time walking through the villages and meeting locals in the pubs. Everyone is so friendly. A pub we enjoyed and which has received outstanding reviews is in Stow-on-the-Wold attached to The Royalist Hotel. It is the Eagle and Child. I think it was voted one of the six or eight top pubs in England. And we always have a meal at the pub in The Unicorn Hotel in Stow. Excellent fish. The Feathers in Woodstock (close to Blenheim Palace) has great food too, but it is a bit spendy. And this last time, we finally were able to attend two Evensong services, and I would recommend that, if you have never done so. We attended a Sunday Evensong at Wells Cathedral, and I will make a point of doing so again. We also attended Evensong at St. Paul's in London, but both of us thought the music at Wells was more inspiring. Have a wonderful time! (The Roman Baths are well worth seeing, but you may want to concentrate your time closer to Northleach. However, I would make the effort if you have not been there before.)

topping, for buzzy...<BR>

I live near to Stratford on Avon- if you're staying in Northleach, I'd recommend visiting Winchcombe which is on the way to Cheltenham (good shopping). Winchcombe has a pottery,and Sudeley Castle (Katharine Parr, one of Henry VIII's wives, lived there). The Wesley House Hotel in the village is always well recommended for food. You might also like to visit Sezincote near Moreton in Marsh. The exterior has Indian influences although the interior is classical.Tewkesbury on the edge of the Cotswolds has a lovely Abbey. Fairford Church has magnificient satined glass and the church in Cirencester is well worth a visit also.<BR>N.B. You should check that the historis houses are open as many do not open until Easter weekend (29-31 March)

Northleach is lovely. You won't run into terrible crowds - except on the weekends - even in places like Bibury and Bourton on the water. There will be some Easter crowds but not like in the summer.<BR><BR>Be sure to spend time in Burford which is about 8 miles east of Northleach on the main Oxford road. It is a great little town with several good restaurants/pubs and shops. The Burford church is one of the best "wool churches".<BR><BR>Check out Chedworth Roman Villa - a large roman home with a lot of excavated rooms.<BR><BR>Do head north to Warwick - Stratford is only 6 miles from Warwick so it makes a good day trip. But Warwick should be first and then any time you have left devote to Stratford.<BR><BR>Since Blenheim opens for the season this weekend you should go there. Woodstock is only 7 miles from Oxford so that is another obvious day trip loop. Woodstock/Blenheim and then after lunch drive over to Oxford. Park in the Park And Ride lot as you get to Oxford. It will save you a LOT of grief trying to get around in Oxford.<BR><BR>