14 minute read
Journey through The Cotswolds
Nestled in the heart of England, the Cotswolds is a picturesque region renowned for its rolling hills, quaint villages, and idyllic countryside. With its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and diverse cultural offerings, the Cotswolds is an ideal destination for an immersive and quintessentially British Dream Escape experience.
Quaint and Charming
The Cotswolds is home to some of the most alluring villages in England, each with its own unique character and charm. From the honey-coloured stone cottages of Bibury to the medieval market town of Burford, the Cotswolds is dotted with quaint villages that offer a glimpse into England’s rich cultural heritage.
Dream Escape will arrange for you to visit these villages, including the well-known highlights such as Chipping Campden, famed for its wool trading, Stow-on-the-Wold and Lower Slaughter, and take you off the beaten track to villages such as Blockley and Hidcote Bartrim (pictured above).
As you stroll down Chipping Campden High Street, you can visit Harts Silversmiths, the last operating remnant of the Guild of Handicraft, or visit the ancient Market Hall used for locals selling their goods. In the charming village of Broadway, you can taste local delights at the Broadway Deli, and from here, ‘Kennel Lane’ is just a short stroll where you can meet the foxhounds kept at the back of the High Street.
On a Dream Escape Cotswolds villages tour, you will discover where the monks came to worship in Hailes and in Naunton, and witness a delightful village tucked away where Lewis Carroll had the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland. Explore where Father Brown was filmed, or learn where Jane Austen lived. We’ll show you the best thatched houses in the world or stop for a picnic overlooking the rolling hills. For an authentic taste of the Cotswolds, try your hand at some dry stonewalling – famous to the Cotswolds, or pick some peas in the fields and stroll across the meadows full of Cotswold sheep.
History and Culture
Using our local knowledge, Dream Escape will give you a real taste of the Cotswolds away from the major tourist spots and immerse you in local Cotswold culture. For those with interests in film, literature and history, visits of Warwick Castle, Stratford-uponAvon, and the famous Magic Alley should be on the must-see list.
For the adventurous, the Tower Climb of Gloucester Cathedral offers breathtaking views of the Cotswolds (on a clear day, you can see up to 40 miles across the countryside to the Malvern Hills), and one of our favourite things to do in Stratford, the birthplace of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare, charter a rowing boat before rowing up the majestic River to Shakespeare’s church. After a visit to the town, there are many other Shakespeare-led sites to visit too, such as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Before heading to Warwick Castle, you might like to pop into the town of Warwick and stop for lunch in the historic town. Then immerse yourself in a thousand years of history and climb the Castle's walls, or head into the dungeons for some of the darkest, bloodiest and most frightening times in the Castle’s history, as live actors and special effects bring to life these gruesome tales.
Harry Potter fans will wish to visit the medieval village of Lacock. Lacock Abbey in the village stood in as Hogwarts for two of the films, and the abbey’s cloisters were used in many of the films and one of houses was used as Harry Potter's parents’ house. Metalwork and mastery combine in a smallholding in the beautiful 17th-century forge and house on the Stanway Estate in the charming village of Didbrook, where award-winning artistic blacksmith Reddog Forge is keeping the tradition alive. Learn more about the craft or try your own hand at the masterful techniques, as Reddog demonstrates his skills and shares his knowledge and passion for the craft.
Meet local legend Robin Dale, a farmer and tour guide who participated in Episode 6 of Clarkson’s Farm Season 2 and had the privilege of spending time with His Majesty King Charles at a small private hedge-laying event (one of His Majesty’s favorite hobbies) on his estate last year.
Dream Escape will arrange for you to partake in Robin’s brand new Clarkson-themed private tour, celebrating the rural beauty of the Cotswolds, stopping at Clarkson’s farm shop and taking a tour of Robin’s farm, where you will learn about rural British skills – including hedge-laying and stonewalling – and explore his very own private museum.
The Cotswolds is also home to many beautiful gardens you can visit. Sezincote, located near Moreton-in-Marsh, features a unique blend of Indian and British architecture and is surrounded by landscaped gardens and a lake. Snowshill Manor and Garden, also near Moreton-in-Marsh, has stunning views of the countryside and features a variety of themed gardens, including a lavender garden and a water garden.
Hidcote Manor Garden, located near Chipping Campden, is famous for its intricate outdoor ‘rooms’ and stunning plant collections. And of course, you can’t miss Highgrove, (pictured below) the private gardens of King Charles located near the market town of Tetbury, which feature beautiful and unique displays of flora. All of these gardens offer a wonderful opportunity to take in the beauty of the Cotswolds and its lush greenery.
Dream Escape will also arrange a private tour of Chavenage House with the owner Caroline Lowsley-Williams, who was born at the property. The estate has been the backdrop for numerous fashion shoots and was also featured in the popular BBC drama Poldark. Or you might prefer to visit Sulgrave Manor and Garden, a beautiful and historic property that was George Washington’s ancestral home. The property has a lot of documents and artifacts on display, making it a great place for Americans and history enthusiasts to visit.
Active Relaxation
For those seeking a more energetic experience, the Cotswolds offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to horse riding and fishing. The region is home to several worldclass golf courses, including Cotswold Hills in Cheltenham, Naunton Downs in Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway in Worcestershire.
Dream Escape will arrange for you to experience the thrill of the catch with a tailor-made fly-fishing session, learning the art and testing your skills catching rainbow trout in clear-water lakes at Salford Trout Lakes near Chipping Norton. Experienced fishers can practise their skills on the River Coln at Fairford, with excellent dry fly and nymph fishing for wild brown trout and grayling. Or perhaps clay pigeon shooting with a former English sporting champion is more your speed.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, our qualified instructors have you covered, with a variety of different stands that include ‘going away’, ‘crossing’, ‘driven’ and many other varying targets , depending on your skill level. Located in the heart of the Cotswold countryside, the picturesque valley overlooks a deer park, providing a remarkable backdrop to the excitement of clay pigeon shooting. For bird enthusiasts, Dream Escape will arrange a private guided Hawk Walk or Owl Encounter, or a one-of-a-kind lesson to experience flying a variety of different birds of prey. Under expert guidance, you’ll get to experience the thrill of handling these majestic creatures up close.
Culinary Delights
For foodies, the Cotswolds is a gastronomic paradise, with a thriving food scene that showcases the region’s local produce and traditional dishes. From Michelin-starred restaurants to quaint country pubs, the Cotswolds has something to offer every discerning palate.
Malmesbury is a charming market town with a variety of locally owned shops, boutiques, and specialty stores including the weekly Malmesbury Farmers & Artist Market, which offers a wide range of locally sourced fresh produce, artisan bread, cheese, honey, and much more.
The famous Diddly Squat Farm Shop is a must-see, with visitors coming from all over the world to view the site, following the success of Jeremy Clarkson's popular television series Clarkson’s Farm. The shop is packed full of produce from Clarkson’s farm or local suppliers. Sample some of the acclaimed ‘Cow Juice’ or ‘Gin in a Tin’. You can grab lunch at the farm shop or have a picnic in the beautiful Cotswold fields or you may fancy a country pub lunch. Whatever you choose, Dream Escape guides will be able to suggest the best spots.
There’s also Daylesford Organic Farm, an ultra-trendy wellness hang-out and foodie destination with a cookery school, garden tours and floristry workshops, as well as Bamford Wellness Spa’s treatments and classes.
Explore the charm and history of the English countryside on a foodie tour of Wells, Glastonbury, and Cheddar Gorge. Visit Wells Cathedral, Vicars' Close, Glastonbury Tor and Glastonbury Abbey, steeped in legend and mysticism. End the tour at the breathtaking Cheddar Gorge and Caves, where you can witness the geological formation and learn about the oldest complete skeleton ever found in Britain. Then take the chance to sample some of the celebrated cave-aged cheese, which is still carried by hand, stored, and left to mature 200ft underground, in the Wookey Hole Caves.
If you have ever considered learning how to make your own cheese, we have the perfect hands-on tour with a local farmer. Not only will you be able to see the entire cheesemaking process up close, but you’ll also have the opportunity to give your cheese a unique name!
And, if all this foodie excitement has left you thirsty, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to taste some of the finest locally produced ale at Donnington Brewery. The brewery has been in operation since 1865, and the beer is still brewed the same way today as 158 years ago. From here, you can visit the Rollright Stones, an ancient complex where you can hear the folklore for these stones; or head to Belas Knap for impressive views of the Cotswold Hills and Sudeley Castle. Whisky lovers should make time for a private guided tour and tasting at the Cotswolds Distillery. Here you will see the distillery’s impressive copper pot stills, learn about the distillation process, its spirits, production process, and history before tasting a variety of the distillery’s spirits, including whisky, gin, and vodka. The Cotswolds is a destination that promises to delight and inspire. With its marvellous natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and opulent offerings.
Luxurious Accommodation
In addition to its exquisite setting and cultural offerings, the Cotswolds is also home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious places to stay in England. From opulent country estates to cosy boutique hotels, and exquisite manor house’ made of Cotswold stone.
Best for couples: Estelle Manor
For a country-house hotel that offers something for everyone, take a look at this newly opened Oxfordshire pad. A sister to private club Maison Estelle in London, it has a kids club, gym, workspace and outdoor pool; and a newly opened Roman baths complex featuring five indoor pools.
Stay in elegant Manor House rooms with vintage furnishings or in child-friendly properties scattered throughout the grounds. You can eat informally in the brasserie, or live it up in the Chinese restaurant, with its Murano glass chandeliers and green velvet seats.
Best for families: Lucknam Park
This graciously restored Palladian manor is set within 500 acres of glorious parkland. Enveloped within its own classical gardens and paddocks, Lucknam Park is something out of a fairy tale. Arriving to any house from a milelong, sweeping avenue of beech and lime trees is always going to be a special occasion, but the approach to Lucknam Park is just a mere hint at the elegance that awaits fortunate guests. Make time for yourself in the spa, indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine, enjoy relaxed dining in The Brasserie, and sleep in four-poster comfort. This is a place for imagination and rejuvenation.
Best for exclusive use: Temple Guiting
Temple Guiting is a beautiful estate located in the picturesque village of Temple Guiting in the heart of the Cotswolds. The estate comprises five stunning stone properties that have been carefully restored and refurbished, each with its own unique character and charm. In addition to the outdoor pool, cinema, hot tub and tennis courts, guests can now enjoy a range of wellness activities at the newly opened wellness centre, offering morning yoga, lunchtime fitness or spa treatments. With its tranquil setting and luxurious amenities, Temple Guiting is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Best for village setting: Lords of the Manor
Enjoy a stay and fabulous dining at Lords of the Manor. Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the countryside while taking in the sensational scenery around the hotel and local area, with the River Eye meandering through the grounds and the ancient and unspoilt attractive village of Upper Slaughter. A stay at this beautiful hotel will allow you to indulge in everything the Cotswolds has to offer, from timeless scenery and rolling rural countryside to the enchanting sights of quaint villages like Chipping Campden, Broadway Tower, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury. There are also countless natural attractions to enjoy, including Batsford Arboretum, Cotswold Farm Park, Sudley Castle, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and many more.
Best for celebrating a special event: Daylesford Village
Dream Escape can arrange for you to take over an entire Cotswolds village. There are 15 stone cottages at Daylesford, a 2,500-acre estate launched by Carole Bamford. Her farm shop, just down the road, offers cookery classes, floristry workshops, winetasting, and the use of the Bamford Wellness Spa. And if you don’t want to cook, it’s just a short walk to the two pubs in Bamford’s empire: The Fox at Oddington and The Wild Rabbit.
ENGLAND'S LARGEST AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
Glorious all year-round, the Cotswolds are the largest of all the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. Perhaps the key to the Cotswolds’ irresistible and characteristic pull lies in the limestone bedrock from which so many of its towns and villages are built. It is this golden stone – attributed from medieval wealth from wool merchants – that makes the area equally as beautiful on an overcast afternoon or a sunny morning. Interesting facts: The word Cotswold originates from the ancient English word ‘wolds’ meaning 'gentle hills'. The total length of Cotswold stone walls running through the Cotswolds is longer than the Great Wall of China. Don't miss the annual cheese rolling at Coopers Hill, Birdlip which involves chasing a 7lb Double Gloucester round of cheese down a very steep (1 in 1) hill. The first person to reach the cheese gets to keep it! enquiries@dreamescape.co.uk
Rebecca Morrison
Associate Director & Head of Guest Experience
The Cotswolds picture-postcard towns and villages set between what seem like endless green fields is one of my favourite regions of England. Take a wander for some unique shopping; my favourites are Broadway at Tetbury and – for beautiful gifts and produce – Daylesford Organic Farm. Get your walking boots on for a leisurely ramble, taking in the fabulous views and fresh air. Better still, nothing beats a visit to a local stables to take the horses out for a ride, or a stop off at a Cotswolds farm to meet the clever sheepdogs and see them in action. A delicious lunch in the corner of an idyllic village pub is also a must to top off the perfect day.
Words | Jessica Way
