Shaws

Graham Knott A day out in the Cotswolds

Gliding along in the glorious sunshine as it highlights the russet, gold and amber of the autumn leaves, without a second thought to the price of fuel, the location of the car parks at your destination or the appropriate route. All these things are taken care of by a driver with an impeccable uniform, jovial but not too hearty, who knows exactly where to stop for that morning cuppa and refresh break! So ladies and gentlemen, this starts your day out with Shaws of Maxey. Not only that but you can be safe in the knowledge that your one full coach is keeping 50 cars off the road and – reducing traffic by one mile! A peaceful and most enjoyable way to make your stand for the planet.

Shaws have a century of experience in catering for the travelling public and you instantly know that you are in safe hands – from the carefully planned choice of destinations to the effortless and personal booking procedure, topped off by a seamless travelling experience. Shaws keep it local with all their Great Days Out and Door2Door Holidays including a departure from Deeping. In fact you may well see some familiar faces on the coach but you are equally likely to get chatting to a stranger who, like you, is looking forward to a few hours or days away. Many firm friendships have been made with likeminded individuals choosing this effortless way to explore the country and go further afield as well. As the price of fuel rises so too does the appeal of coach travel. For a long time a closely guarded secret by older members of the community, we see younger audiences becoming more intrigued by this social and economical way of travelling, and increasingly their tastes are catered for by the carefully curated itineraries of this award-winning coach company.

Moreton-in-Marsh on market day was our latest destination in a series of trips which have seen us exploring the Cotswolds this year. Driving through picturesque villages with their honey-coloured cottages and handsome period houses only serves to whet the appetite for more. Of course Shaws would choose market day to visit Moreton – the best day to people-watch. Seeing a colourful pageant of locals and visitors often with their dogs sampling the stalls, all from the comfort from one of one of the myriad coffee shops and eateries that line the streets is a delightful way to spend a morning. And there is time to investigate the town as well, to come across the secret garden just off the high street – the perfect place to eat your pack up! Or to walk a little further to the church and to wonder why on the only day it is closed to the public, a stream of elderly residents are making their way to a meeting, the first apparently since lockdown, all with the same official literature clasped tightly under their arms and to wonder what could be driving the purposefulness of their strides?

At the appointed time the driver has returned to the pick-up point to whisk us away through the idyllic countryside and onto Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the Venice of the Cotswolds because of the attractive bridges that cross the River Windrush as it wends its way through the centre of this vibrant little village. There are a number of attractions well placed to visit in the town, not least the captivating model village. Stroll through the village streets and seek out a teashop to while away a warm sun-kissed afternoon in late autumn before boarding the coach again and being transported seamlessly back home.

It’s not surprising to learn that in 2019 there were 23 million coach visits to tourist attractions, contributing £14 billion to the UK economy. So, as you mount the coach steps weary on your way home with the purchases that you have made at Moreton Market carefully stowed in the overhead luggage compartment, you are safe in the knowledge that you are at the forefront of what is fast becoming a global trend! www.shawscoaches.co.uk Judy Stevens