There’s nothing just like the English countryside. From films to televisions exhibits and journey documentaries, these quaint nation cottages that I’ve seen over time have all the time referred to as my identify. Anybody keep in mind the Vacation with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet? So after we determined to take a trip to England, I knew we needed to carve out a while to spend within the English Countryside, often known as the Cotswolds! Really a magical place!
Our Arrival
All the locations we needed to see in England had been inside driving distance of the Cotswolds, and The Rectory Lodge is located proper within the coronary heart of all of it. I used to be instantly enthusiastic about that. There’s nothing just like the storybook surroundings with a particular allure of the English countryside! The gorgeous Georgian structure is met with stone bridges, floral pathways, probably the most stunning villages. In fact, afternoon tea had available. It’s a quiet magnificence.
Once we arrived, I used to be completely thrilled to find that it was simply as wonderful in particular person because it was on the web site, and our household was in a position to have the one and solely cottage on the property! It’s higher than Downton Abbey and we actually felt like we had been within the lives of William Shakespeare there. It’s probably the greatest locations we’ve gotten to go to around the globe! If you can also make it on a transparent day, then the Cotswolds area is even better with one of the best views. It’s much less of a vacationer attraction and extra of a particular place.
Our Cottage
Initially, The Rectory Hotel is 100% about giving friends that traditional, British cottage really feel that simply appears to make you are feeling so at dwelling regardless of the place you’re from. This isn’t some multi-floor rectangle. Oh, no. This can be a stunning low-key, laid-back nation home lodge full with an English backyard. The grounds are breathtaking!
We stayed within the personal cottage, and from the second we arrived till the time we left, it felt like a house away from dwelling. Its Georgian styling offers off elegant cottage vibes in waves, nevertheless it doesn’t sacrifice fashionable conveniences. Our keep felt like a cross between dwelling in an England from 100 years in the past however with all the trendy facilities.
The Lodge
Along with its magnificence and magnificence, The Rectory Lodge additionally boasts a number of the finest meals I’ve ever had. The restaurant is elegantly informal, welcoming everybody who stays on the lodge, and the meals is great. Their menu is all about combining traditional meals with a contemporary twist, and with views which are breathtakingly stunning, it’s laborious to say if the surroundings or the meals is best.
We had been in a position to head to the entire villages we needed to see simply. It was a brief drive from our very personal British cottage to Burford and Bourton on the Water. Adopted by Stow on the Wooden, Cirencester, Oxfordshire, Bibury, and Barnsley. There are such a lot of little cities inside the Cotswolds! We tried to hit all of them throughout our 4 day keep within the countryside. These had been a few of our favorites, and I severely can not recover from the allure in these little cities.
One afternoon was spent on the Cotswolds Farm Park. Established in 1971 as the house of uncommon breed conservation, Cotswold Farm Park gives a fun-filled time out. The youngsters had been in a position to work together intently with the animals! A spotlight for us was seeing a child sheep simply born a little bit over an hour upon our arrival!
The Villages:
If I needed to decide a favourite village, I truthfully wouldn’t have the ability to select! However I do need to spotlight a number of we visited alongside the way in which. I discovered it a bit laborious to navigate which locations had been a should go to, and I’m completely happy to report every one had been so distinctive in their very own means!
Bourton-on-the-Water – they are saying this village is the Venice of the Cotswolds. River Windrush runs by way of the guts of the city, beneath a number of bridges which are simply breathtaking. I actually felt as if we had been in a scene of the films.
Bibury – it is a quiet village set alongside the the River Coln. This spot, we had been advised have been named probably the most stunning village in England. The cottages are all properly preserved, and the gardens are simply beautiful.
Stow-on-the-wold is the very best of the Cotswold villages, and sits 800 toes up, on Stow Hill. This city is tremendous small, however we did take pleasure in a superb pub right here, referred to as The Porch Home!
Burford is lined with charming vintage retailers, boutique shops, and cafés, it gives beautiful views of the countryside and was our most fav procuring spot.
Higher and Decrease Slaughter – I do know the identify, however we had been advised slaughter really means “muddy”, and I can positively agree with that. These two villages are joined by the River Eye and River Windrush, and are really stunning.
Cirencester was the closest to our cottage, and in addition recognized for as being the Capital of the Cotswolds, this historic city is gorgeous and bustling. You’ll discover loads of nice lodging choices, in addition to a excessive avenue stuffed with retailers.
Our final cease on our journey was the Broadway Tower! The castle-like constructing has three flooring of museum inside this properly positioned construction, which gives spectacular views of the encompassing countryside.
Lastly, over the course of our journey, we noticed some wonderful locations and skilled some wonderful issues. Furthermore, I’ve to say that my British cottage expertise at The Rectory Lodge was one of many greatest highlights of the journey. I acquired all of the traditional countryside feels. Learn extra about our London travels here!