Cotswolds Information & Tourism Guide

Now that might sound like a very odd question, but if you are heading for a Cotswolds Holiday in May you will have a chance to watch people doing just that.

Cheese rolling isn’t a euphemism for another activity altogether either. We are referring to the activity of rolling a cheese down a hill. This isn’t any ordinary cheese you will find at your local supermarket either. This weighs several pounds and acts as the prize as well as the object of everyone’s attention!

The race is always begun at the top of a hill. Coopers Hill is the best example. Someone rolls the cheese down the hill and then the idea is that everyone who is taking part in the race chases after it. Of course it isn’t as easy as it sounds – the steep gradient of the chosen hill means that few competitors actually make it down the entire hill on foot. Many thrills and spills occur en route, before one person finally makes it down first and gets to keep the cheese as a prize.

It has to be seen to be believed, but this event is thought to have its roots way back in history. If you can imagine the Romans throwing themselves down the hill after such a lump of cheese, you will get an idea of how far back this idea stretches.

In theory you are supposed to literally catch the cheese to win, but this is virtually impossible given the speed it is going. The steepness of the hill also leads to many people reaching the bottom on something other than their feet! Some have clearly worked on a technique to stay on their feet as long as possible, and when they fall they tuck and roll to keep going as fast as they can.

You may find it unbelievable but there are usually people waiting at the bottom to try and catch those who are taking part in the race to slow them down!

Some would say it is a typically mad English pastime, but those who take part seem to enjoy it. There are crash barriers made from straw and a waiting bank of St John’s Ambulance people at the foot of the hill though, so it might seem a high price to pay to try and win a lump of cheese!

If you want to stay close to the action you can stay at Hay Barn Cottage in Coopers Hill itself. This building itself is some two hundred years old, but it isn’t thought to pre-date the cheese rolling competition!

Even if you don’t quite have the nerve to try chasing after the cheese yourself, you can still watch the action if you pay a visit during May. Monday 25^th May is the date to put in your diary, so see if you can book your visit to the Cotswolds so you are in the area on that day.

Be prepared for traffic though, as the event is very popular.

Many people like to stay in Cotswolds Cottages. It makes you feel closer to the traditional feel of the place, somehow.

It is also very convenient for those who like self catering. If you don’t mind doing a spot of cooking while you are on holiday it is nice to stay in a cosy cottage where you can cook whatever time you like.

And luckily you will be able to find plenty of local produce to use for your meals. There are countless great examples of farmers markets in the Cotswolds, and exploring what they have to offer is one way to spend a fantastic day out doing something a little bit different.

The farmers’ market at Stroud is held on a Saturday morning from 9am onwards. It usually finishes at about 2pm, giving you plenty of time to wander round and select the ingredients you need for a nice Saturday night meal. You should also find a stall or two offering home baked morsels to keep your strength up as you explore!

This market will be particularly useful if you are staying in Bisley. Sycamore Cottage will be perfect if you want to start your Cotswolds Holiday midweek, or even on a Friday perhaps. You can make sure you are up nice and early to catch the farmers’ market the next day and enjoy a home cooked meal with fresh goods on Saturday evening.

But there are also other farmers’ markets which take place during the week. These are better if you are on holiday from Saturday to Saturday. Stow on the Wold holds a market on the second Thursday in each month, so if you are going to visit a market or two, make sure you find out when they are. If you do this before you book your holiday you won’t be disappointed.

With that said though, you should find a couple of markets to visit whatever week it is. Some are held early in the month, such as the one in Woodstock. Our property The Bothy is superbly and conveniently situated for this.

You will be able to get all the ingredients for a fully rounded meal too. You’ll find fresh meat, wonderful cheeses and superb vegetables no matter which market you visit. And you can also treat yourself to some locally made pastries for those days when you don’t fancy cooking at all!

You’ll be surprised at just how many farmers’ markets there are dotted about the Cotswolds. So no matter where you are staying you won’t be too far away from some of the best and freshest produce in the area. It’s by far the best way to enjoy a taste of the Cotswolds on your own terms. Why pop out for a meal when you can enjoy cooking with the finest ingredients yourself?

If you are after a romantic night in with your partner, watching the sun setting over the hills, this could be just the way to do it.

A Day On The Farm In The Cotswolds

Farm parks are always a good bet if you have children you need to entertain on a trip to the Cotswolds. And we certainly have a lot of farm parks and more besides to tempt you with!

There is the Cotswolds Farm Park itself for a start. This is right in the middle of the Cotswolds, so wherever you choose to stay you will find this to be perfectly situated for your needs. It is to the west of Stow on the Wold, the north west of the popular spot Bourton on the Water, and to the east of Winchcombe.

That means if you are staying in our Stone Cottage in Winchcombe, or perhaps the two hundred year old Glebe Cottage in Stow on the Wold, you won’t have far to go to reach it. There are pigs, sheep, horses and ponies to introduce the kids to once you arrive, along with the famous Shire Horses and Exmoor ponies, among others!

But there are plenty of other places to see as well. Bourton on the Water plays host to Birdland, which introduces you to all kinds of birds including some penguins you can watch being fed. There are hundreds of different species and types altogether, so you can expect to be fascinated by plenty you haven’t seen before. Birdland is in one of the most popular parts of the entire Cotswolds, and just south of Stow on the Wold, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it at all.

For birds of another kind altogether, don’t miss out on the Cotswold Falconry Centre. You will find it in Batsford Park, and if you want to stay somewhere nearby you will find Moreton in Marsh the ideal spot. Our property The Cottage sleeps up to six people, so there is plenty of room for the whole family. This is a wonderful spot to stay in, and with the opportunity to see falcons, eagles and even vultures nearby, why would you want to stay anywhere else?

But if you would rather opt for something a bit different from anything you may have seen before, how about visiting the Bibury Trout Farm? The farm itself is fully working, which means you can catch one yourself if you have the right skills to do so! The kids will love getting up close to these wonderful fish, and they will love the play area that has been provided for them too. It makes for a slightly unusual day out and a change from the usual farm park.

Bibury is also good for staying in our Lavender Cottage. Perfect for a family of four, this will provide a cosy and welcoming venue to use as a base for your holiday. And of course it is close by to the Trout Farm if you wish to visit.

So as you can see, there are plenty of places you can go that give you an insight into the worlds of birds and animals in the Cotswolds.