Traveling in the Cotswolds
 

Any advice on places to stay in the Cotswolds north of Bristol. What places to visit? Any advice will be helpful

We loved The Lamb Inn at Great Rissington and also The Bell in Charlbury. If you are driving, you won't have a bit of trouble coming up with loads of terrific looking places.

Look back, look back through all the messages in this forum - including archives. Key on "Cotswolds". I think you'll find all kinds of tips. <BR> Have fun - beautiful area.

Hello Sandy -- <BR> <BR>My husband I very much enjoyed Cotswold House in Chipping Camden. There's a lovely garden out back and several package options to decrease cost and increase value. Chipping Camden itself oozes beauty and charm . . . I never tired of walking through town. <BR> <BR>There are wonderful and justly famous gardens in the Cotswolds. Miss at your peril Kiftsgate Court (about 2 miles from Chipping Campden); Hidcote Manor (just across the road from Kiftsgate); and Rosemary Verey's Barnsley House at Cirencester.

<BR>On the way to the Cotswold - to and from Heathrow or Gatwick is a delightful river valley at Goring-on-Thames with superb river views and walks. Wind in the Willows and Three men in a Boat was set there and there are sme great pubs and eating places in the area. If you're feeling a bit flush, The Boathouse at the Beetle & Wedge nearby at Moulsfod is brilliant. But don't use their main restauant unless you're in oil or your name is Bill Gates. <BR>In Goring there's a great shop called the Fine Food Club which sells nothing but British speciality foods from small producers all around the UK. <BR>

Calcott Manor in Tetbury is wonderful! It's rather deluxe but worth it.They also have a wonderful staff ready to take care of you but the atmosphere is very low-key and relaxed! <BR> <BR>

A delightfully run B&B is the Top of the Wold in Stow on the Wold. Accommodations are three bedrooms atop an antique store, located right on the town square. We were quite charmed by the whole place (a very pleasant, large bathroom was a nice plus), including the host. Rate was about 48-50 pounds.

I don't know your price range but a lovely place to stay is The Malt House in Broad Campden, which is 3 minutes outside of Chipping Campden. The inn is beautiful and the rooms are very attractive and spacious. The most memorable thing is the food. Dinner is excellently prepared with fresh ingredients from their large garden. The cost is approx. $150/night. I found them through Karen Brown's English Inns & Itineraries book which is a great read to familiarize yourself with the area. She also has an excellent website - www.karenbrown.com. <BR>

I won't be able to give you much advice on places to stay, since we always rent different cottages in the Cotswolds, but below are some places that would be included on my dream itinterary for the Cotswolds: if you like shopping spend a day in any of Chipping Campden, Stratford, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway or Banbury. Be prepared for crowds, always a mixture of tourists and locals, but rather than bemoan the fact - as so many tourists do - enjoy all the different nationalities, the hum of ppl on holiday and those going about their shopping. Must see: Sudeley Castle, Snowshill, Warwick Castle, Baddesley Clinton, Waddesdon Manor, Chastleton House (if you can get in), Blenheim (at least once in your life) (and if you are a William Morris fan - Kelmscott Manor). Could see: Hidcote Manor Gardens, Charlecote, Burghley (not legitimately in the Cotswolds, it's in Northamptonshire) but a fascinating house). If the season is right see a play in Stratford, or take a day trip into London fr. either Banbury or Moreton-on-Marsh for a matinee. Can't miss (pubs) the Falkland Arms in Great Tew, The Fleece at Bretforton, the Wykham Arms in Sibford Gower, the Three Pigeons in Banbury, the Brasenose Arms in Cropredy or the Green Man in Mollington. The friendliest pub we have ever been in was The Plough on the A423 (I think) north of Banbury (on the way to Southam). Spend a Sunday in Oxford - go to church at Christ Church cathedral, tour the college, rent a punt and float with a book of poetry and a bottle of wine on the Cherwell, walk through the Botanic Gardens, wander through the Ashmolean museum (pay special attention to the Tradescant's Ark collection), take pictures of the Bridge of Sighs, linger at any of a hundred great pubs - see the City of Oxford's websites for a list of the best. I can't imagine visiting without a car, take some backroads and let yourself get lost for a bit, you'll always turn out not too far from home and will probably come across something spectacular - the last time we came across a field of sunflowers as far as was possible to see. Breathtaking. Enjoy yourself. Need anyone to carry your suitcase?