Where Would You Stay in the Cotswolds
 

We will be in the Cotswolds for the first time in mid May for 5 nights. It seems everything is fairly close together and I'm trying to decide on a couple locations based on apt availability. We will have a car and enjoy driving. We want to do some walks and check out some villages & gardens. One day we will likely go to Stratford upon Avon. The towns we are considering are Great Rissington, Cheltenham and Blockley. Any thoughts on these locations? thanks

Where all the yellow cars are !

Despite the seeming compactness of the Cotswold district, it can take some time driving from one part to another. If you have no particular destinations in mind and are just enjoying the scenery then it doesn't matter much. But if you have a list of places to see I'd recommend finding a place to stay in proximity to as many as possible.

I've stayed in Cheltenham with a car and found it less desirable than others more central and confusing to negotiate driving. For parking purposes, if your accommodation doesn't have a car park, smaller towns are better, or in the countryside, of course.

Here are my most recent, if you need some ideas, posting on Saturdays, several more to come: http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/portmoresby-in-england

My favorite town would be Burford. Hands down. Large enough to have choices of pubs and restaurants but still quite 'village-y'.

I would NOT stay in Cheltenham.

Great Rissington would be OK -- Near to Burford, the Slaughters etc.

Blockley is farther north so nearer to Hidecote, Snowshill, Sezincote and Stratford. If you want convenience to those sites -- Blockley will save you drive times.

The 'yellow car' is in Bibury and no, you probably don't want to stay there for the places you want to visit ;)

We also prefer Burford. We had a lovely stay at the Lamb Inn.

Burford would be my choice.

Thanks for the advice. I'm still searching for a self catering.
Janis, jamikins & historytraveler -- is it the location of Burford you like or the town?
So far Buford doesn't have anything in our price range or with a larger bed.

Have you looked at the following website? www.burfordbedandbreakfast.co.uk

I believe Star Cottage offers a king bed but best double check.

>> is it the location of Burford you like or the town?<<

both

Agree with Janisj, the town is lovely with several pubs and shops. It is also easy to get in and out and drive to other villages.

history traveler- it does have 1 room with a king bed, but it's booked for our dates.

I'll continue to look for buford or surrounds. Really prefer a self catering for 5 days. Unfortunately I just heard from our cottage in Skye and he's selling so we have to find other accommodations. Had trouble back finding a place when I looked and booked in January and now everything is showing booked. So for now that will be my focus.

It is really getting very late for booking a place in May. You may just have to take whatever is available regardless of location. Much the same if not more so on Skye. Seems rude to cancel your booking without offering any alternatives. Good luck I hope you find something.

I agree. At this late date B&Bs might be easier to find - and even that might be tough on Skye :(

Calling Great Rissington (pop: 367) a "town" is - well, interesting. A decent pub, a few pretty houses inhabited almost only at weekends, a lovely church with one service most Sundays and that's it. Except for the constant feeling you've stepped into a film set without any humans - or any other animal life apart from the distant sound of a few sheep.

Blockley does have some of the facilities you might expect from a Cotswold nano-town, and a clear sense people live there. It's important these days, when looking at self-catering round here, to check how you're going to eat, and how far your cottage or whatever is from the nearest eating place.

Driving a few miles along our our unlit (but rarely empty) roads after sunset after a couple of hours in a pub isn't everyone's idea of a relaxing end to an evening. Walking across the fields in the dark's differently - but equally - tricky. Walking along the road's close to suicidal.

Get the cottage's FULL postcode (as in GL63 5ZA), and input it into Google Maps. That'll show you what evenings are really going to be like.

flanneruk - good point about the driving after sunset. We plan to eat in and/or have early dinners as sunset won't be until close to 9.

janis & ht -- yes, I don't like being in this position. I tend to book far out when I can. Skye was difficult when I first booked back in January. And now there was very few places available esp around the area we wanted to stay. The cottage owner that cancelled provided a FB page where you can put your needs and owners can respond as well as post their vacancies 6 weeks out. Yesterday I got 2 good possibilities from cancellations and did book a place. Still deciding on the Cotswolds.

historytraveler - i found your TR from a couple years ago. It was great! I wish I had known about the tour company, I might have considered it.

yestravel, very happy to hear you got something booked on Skye. I'll assume you have looked at the website www.manor ottages.co.uk. You might even call to see if they have any cancellations. As janisj's said, you may have to go with a B&B. Any location within the Cotswolds would be fine as the area can be covered rather easily. At this late date, I wouldn't worry about specific areas.

Glad you enjoyed the trip report. It's the only one I've done.

yestravel,I just found this website in my travel file. www.lastminute-cottages.co.uk

How about Broadway. We loved it and it has nice pubs, grocery store and is not too busy?

Just to follow up. We are staying in a small cottage in Greater Rissington. The location is ok for us. We are about 5 miles in one direction to Burford and in the other direction to Bourton-on-the-Water. Driving has been fine and we've enjoyed going from place to place. We see people walking about in this tiny village. As mentioned aside from the Lamb's Inn there's no commercial establishments. A co-op for food is maybe 5 minutes drive. Thanks again for the advice.

>>Greater Rissington<<

That would be Great (no 'er') Rissington and a fine base though you will have to drive to any meals other the Lamb Inn

I had a friend who lived there and stayed with her a couple of times years ago.

We liked staying in Malvern Wells.

Ah, yes, Great Rissington...sorry, we've been joking about the names and calling places lesser, greater, smaller. And yes, we are here now and it's not been a problem at all going to dinners. Easy to get back by dark since it's light until 9ish.
Janisj - you mentioned you might be in London in June? Would love to meet you.

>>And yes, we are here now and it's not been a problem at all going to dinners. Easy to get back by dark since it's light until 9ish.<<

Ah -- so you must not drink as much beer/wine/Pimm's/adult beverages as I do. ;) ((B)) I like to be walking distance for dinner.

>>Janisj - you mentioned you might be in London in June?<<

Not likely :( Thankfully all the tests indicated it was only a 'mechanical' thing and am now in P-T which is really helping. But now it's a bit late to plan a trip for June.


(I did just book a bucket list trip to Machu Pichu for August, so the next time I can probably make it back to the UK won't be until Fall)

Meant to add - if the weather cooperates -- do try to get up to the Mount Inn for lunch one day. Sit out on the deck if possible.

Years ago I stopped at the Mount Inn for lunch on a day I was walking the Cotswold Way. I see the game pie is no longer on the menu, the game parts of that day's likely hung too long for their own good. Or I should say, my own good with predictable results.

Sorry we won't see you in London, janisj. Likely we don't enjoy at dinner when driving is involved a lot of alcohol. However, we do enjoy drinks in our apt or wherever at night.��

Supposed to be no rain tomorrow so may seek out ythe recommendations for
Mount Inn. Thanks!

>>I see the game pie is no longer on the menu<<

Game pie would be a seasonal thing (unless it is frozen) - so not it likely isn't on the menu now.

Those of a less literal turn of mind might consider the ramifications beyond the season.