LOCATION

The Cotswold Water Park is an area spanning 40 square miles, with more than 150 lakes. It’s a great place for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, there are some superb walking and cycling tracks, plus it’s the best place to go for watersports in the summer. Lake activities include boating, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, wakeboarding, water skiing and windsurfing.

Said to be the inspiration behind J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Weathertop’ in Lord of the Rings, this picturesque village is a must-visit for anyone who loves visiting quaint little villages steeped in history. Adorned with black and white thatched cottages, this is one of the most photogenic spots in the Cotswolds, and it’s also great for traditional pubs. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, head to Three Ways House, where locals and visitors can indulge in the ‘Pudding Club’ themed night.

Enjoy a few pints at Britain’s oldest pub, The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold. Although there have been many inns claiming to be the oldest, The Porch House is said to have parts of its building dating as far back as 947! This Grade II-listed pub offers fantastic guestrooms for those who wish to stay the night, and the restaurant serves filling English classics such as Cotswold Lamb Rump.

Lower Slaughter, another one of the Cotswolds’ popular chocolate box villages, is home to ‘the most romantic street in Britain’. Copse Hill Road runs adjacent to a pretty stream from the River Eye and is lined with lush green trees and beautiful stone cottages. The village is extremely charming and boasts honey coloured stone architecture throughout. Don’t miss The Old Mill to learn about the history of bread making, or the five acres of landscape at Manor Gardens.

A 94 mile walk starting from Chepstow to Tewkesbury. The route will take you along the Welsh-English border, through the ancient Forest of Dean, and across the River Severn in Gloucester, over Crickley Hill to Salperton, and through Stow-on-the-Wold and Winchcombe.

The 56 acre arboretum at Batsford is situated just a mile west of the historic market town of Moreton in Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds.

A former home to the famous Mitford family, interest in the arboretum begins in late winter when the snowdrops, aconites and early flowering daffodils spring into life, followed by magnolias, hellebores, fritillaries and the beautiful Japanese ornamental cherries – stars of the show from late March until mid April. The handkerchief tree is another show-stopper in May, as are the beautiful wildflower meadows which bloom in high summer.

Don’t miss nature’s natural fireworks spectacular in autumn as the Japanese maples give the performance of their lives, with colours ranging from butter gold to bright reds and salmon pinks. Whatever time of year you visit, the plant centre and garden shop offer a wide range of beautiful plants and gardening sundries and there’s a range of unique gifts available in the Arboretum shop too.

One of the most spectacular pieces of architecture in the region, Sudeley Castle is a historic gem and a wonderful day out for the family. With a history spanning over 1,000 years and with 10 magnificent gardens to explore, it’s one of the best attractions in the Cotswolds. The café is also the perfect spot for afternoon tea, with panoramic views from the outdoor terrace or garden room.

Explore this stunning Cotswold manor house and spend the day enjoying the beautiful garden or taking the 3 mile or ½ mile walk around the estate. Snowshill Manor itself is also packed with extraordinary treasures collected over a life time by Charles Wade, so there’s plenty to see inside too. Both the manor house and the gardens are open daily to the public, and there’s also a reception, cafe and shop on site.