Where Would You Stay in the Cotswolds
#1
Original Poster
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
#3
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
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
#4
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.
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.
#8
Original Poster
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.
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.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Have you looked at the following website? www.burfordbedandbreakfast.co.uk
I believe Star Cottage offers a king bed but best double check.
I believe Star Cottage offers a king bed but best double check.
#12
Original Poster
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.
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.
#13
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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.
#15
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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.
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.
#16
Original Poster
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.
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.
#17
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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.
Glad you enjoyed the trip report. It's the only one I've done.
#18
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yestravel,I just found this website in my travel file. www.lastminute-cottages.co.uk
#20
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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.