Cotswolds Information & Tourism Guide

Wren’s Cottage is a charming Cotswold stone holiday cottage in bath with a small garden, perfect for a self-catering holiday. Biddestone has a traditional village green with a duck pond, a Norman/Saxon Church and two public houses offering a wide variety of excellent food- all within easy walking distance . It is ideally situated for visiting many historic and beautiful sites in and around the Cotswolds including nearby Castle Coombe, Lacock Abbey, Corsham Court and Bowood House. A short drive will take you to the City of Bath or Stonehenge on rolling Salisbury Plain.

ACCOMMODATION:
All rooms are of a good size.
The large country style Kitchen / Dining Room has a gas hob, electric oven, microwave, washing machine and fridge/freezer. This welcoming room opens onto the garden which is ideal for outdoor dining and relaxation. A large dining table seats eight people.
Separate Utility Room with tumble dryer and WC.
Sitting Room with comfortable sofas and easy chairs.

Upstairs:
Bedroom One with one double with a single bed.
Bedroom Two with one double bed.
Bedroom Three with three single beds.
Bathroom has WC, hand basin and shaver point, bath and separate shower.

Central heating & electricity included all year. On street parking. Cot & high chair available.
*£40 per person per stay if more than 6 people are staying.

No pets. Any day changeover.

The Forest of Dean is continually voted as one of the most attractive places in the whole of the UK.  It’s not surprising then that so many people decide to choose this as the place to go on holiday each year.

What’s more, Forest of Dean self catering accommodation gives you total freedom to go wherever you want to and return back to your accommodation whenever you like.  What better way to find the freedom to explore this stunning area?

There are lots of villages you should add to your list of places to see too, and here are five of them.

Parkend

You can find the Dean Forest Railway in Parkend, which is truly a sleepy little village in the area, just north of Lydney.  This is no ordinary railway though – it’s a steam railway that makes Parkend well worth a visit.

Enjoy steaming through the nearby countryside on your weekend break or holiday to the Forest of Dean!

St Briavels

If you opt for a weekend break somewhere near St Briavels, you might not want to leave this stunning village at all!

It is very picturesque and affords great views across the Wye Valley.  Don’t miss St Briavel’s Castle; it has enjoyed a multi-purpose history since it was built way back in 1131.

Clearwell

If your idea of a UK holiday is staying in or near a historic village, then Clearwell certainly fits the bill.

Clearwell has been around since Roman times, and you’ll find plenty to delight in just by wandering round and taking in your surroundings.  Perhaps the most notable sight in Clearwell is Clearwell Castle.  Even though it is used for weddings nowadays, you can still take a look from outside – it is a very majestic and imposing looking building.

English Bicknor

This somewhat unusually named village has roots going back to around 1066!  Look for the remains of a Norman castle not far from the church in English Bicknor – they provide something of an insight into centuries that have long since passed.  You won’t see the castle itself, but there are enough remnants to show you where it used to stand.

Kempley

If you want to fill your UK holiday in the Forest of Dean with countryside and get away from it all, make sure the village of Kempley is on your list.

It has a tiny population and you’ve got the peaceful Dymock wood nearby to wander in during the day.  Make sure you pay a visit to St Mary’s church as well; it’s been in Kempley for centuries.

As you can see, there are plenty of charming villages dotted all over the Forest of Dean.  And of course, Forest of Dean self catering accommodation is available in plenty of locations too.  Why not book with Manor Cottages now and make sure you see the best of this area during your stay?

If you like to relax and explore the countryside during your UK holiday, you can’t do much better than to visit this beautiful area of the country.

When you plan active holidays in the UK and you want to go somewhere like the Cotswolds, you can be sure that you will find plenty of things to do there.

No matter where in the Cotswolds you want to stay, you can get up and out nice and early and enjoy everything the countryside has to offer.  There are lots of cottages in the Cotswolds that put you right on the doorstep to activities you’ll love to get involved in.

And here is just a taster of some of the things you could be doing.

Go on a walk

This has to be the best way to explore some of the Cotswolds villages.  Start off from the village that your own Cotswolds holiday cottage is in, and use a map to get you to the next one.

You can buy lots of walking guides that will take you on circular routes, ensuring you see the best of the Cotswolds along the way.

Take a bike ride

If you want to cover more ground without having to carry too much on your back, saddle up and pack your lunch into a bike basket!

You can hire a bike or even take one with you if you have a bike rack, but you can cycle easily for miles from village to village.  Try pedalling from Bourton on the Water to Cold Aston for example, or North Cerney Downs to Bibury.  There are lots of alternatives depending on how fit you are, so why not give it a go?

Try llama trekking

Yes it’s possible – and it’s one of those things you might never do otherwise!  Walking and cycling generally uses roads and paths, but llama trekking gives you the opportunity to get off the beaten track and use bridleways to get from A to B.

Attempt fly fishing

Just imagine sitting by the side of a peaceful lake somewhere in the Cotswolds, waiting for something to snap at your line.  That’s the beauty of fly fishing, and there are plenty of spots to try your hand at it.  This is an ideal activity for a long weekend break in the area.

Explore the Cotswolds Water Park

This has so much to offer, you won’t get bored!  And since Manor Cottages has holiday properties in the park itself, you won’t have to venture far to get involved either.

The advantage of staying in the water park is that there are plenty of water sports you can try your hand at.  Canoeing, kayaking and sailing are just three of the many things you can attempt.  You’ll probably be glad to get back to your Cotswolds holiday accommodation at the end of a hard day’s exercise!

While the Cotswolds is known for being a relaxing and peaceful area, you don’t have to spend your whole UK holiday doing nothing.  In fact you can make it as active as you like – and with that in mind, why not try some of the suggestions above?

Everyone knows the most famous person to have lived in Stratford upon Avon.  Today, the market town regularly attracts millions of people a year, as they flock to see where William Shakespeare lived.

If you have never been to the town yourself, there is no better time than right now!  Manor Cottages can make sure you have a wonderful stay in Stratford upon Avon accommodation – and we’ll even give you a head start on where to go!

There are several properties in the town which have distinct links with Shakespeare himself.  Lots of people make sure they visit all of them, so let’s take a look at them now.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

This is quite a big property for Shakespeare’s time, and it can be found on Henley Street.  There is no front garden, and it can be quite strange finding the building – ancient looking as it is, from the 16th century – sitting in the same street as many modern shops!  Well worth a look, though.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Even if you are only in Stratford upon Avon for a weekend break, make doubly sure you visit this property.  It is quite stunning – a truly picture postcard affair.

This is where Anne Hathaway lived before she married Stratford upon Avon’s most famous playwright.  When you arrive you will get a guided tour to the property which truly is fascinating – they will reveal what life was really like back in the 16th century.  You’ll be glad you have a modern day cottage to stay in during your own holiday here!

Hall’s Croft

The playwright’s eldest daughter lived here.  Since she married a doctor you’ll be able to find out more about medicine back in that time during your visit.  And when you have finished, pop along the road to Holy Trinity Church.  You will be able to see the grave of Shakespeare himself.

New Place

You will see this referred to as Nash’s House as well on occasion, but in fact the two are separate from each other.  New Place was where Shakespeare retired to, but unfortunately it is no longer there.  Only the foundations remain.

If you find Nash’s House however, you can gain access to what remains of New Place.  Both are well worth seeing.

Mary Arden’s House

This is the last of the Shakespeare properties you can see.  You might say that this is where it all began, because this is the house that Mary Arden originally lived in.  She was the mother of the boy who would grow up to become this country’s greatest playwright.

She then moved to Henley Street where she gave birth to him, and the rest really is history.

It is well worth making time to see all the properties if you can, but if you only have time to see a couple, make sure you visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Shakespeare’s Birthplace.  These are extremely popular and make the ideal day out when you are spending a weekend break in the area.

Bath has to be one of the best places to visit on a day trip, but if you are staying nearby for the week – in one of our holiday cottages perhaps – you will find plenty to do on a prolonged stay as well.

But let’s face it, the one thing everyone wants to do on their Bath self catering holiday is to relax.  So where can you go and what can you do in Bath that serves this purpose?  Let’s take a look.

Wander round the Roman Baths

You may not be able to dip a toe in the waters, but it is still very peaceful to sit beside them and imagine what must have been going on here hundreds of years ago.

Make the most of this World Heritage Site and explore where the water comes from as well as how it ends up in the baths themselves.   This is a great ‘real life history’ trip for kids to enjoy as well as adults!

Visit the Thermae Bath Spa

Everyone knows about the Roman Baths, but did you know you can actually try out a bath spa for real too?

You can enjoy two or four hours relaxing at the spa, and you can even spend it all in the mineral filled Minerva Bath if you wish.  Why not see the Roman Baths first and then visit the Thermae Bath Spa before returning to your holiday cottage in Bath to relax for the rest of the evening too?

Take a boat trip down the River Avon

Pulteney Weir is one of the most famous sights in Bath, and you can take your seat on a pleasure boat leaving from here and travelling along the River Avon.

It’s a great excuse to just sit back and relax while you take in your surroundings.  And don’t forget your camera – there are plenty of photo opportunities!

See Bath from the air

Fancy trying to spot your Bath accommodation from the air?  If you do, why not book a hot air balloon flight taking off from Bath?

There is no better way to see Bath than this – it’s all laid out below you, and you can see a lot more besides.

Explore Prior Park Landscape Garden

Not everyone knows about this wonderful place to go to escape from the hustle and bustle.  It’s just on the outskirts of Bath, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch with your partner or family.  Don’t miss out on seeing the Palladian bridge!

There we have it – five top activities that shouldn’t wear you out too much.  After all, the whole point of a holiday is to enjoy yourself and relax.  And we’ve got plenty of English country cottages you can head back to in the evenings to do just that as well.

You can book Bath self catering accommodation nearby, so you won’t be too far from all the action – if indeed action is the right word to use!

It’s always nice to explore the modern side of the Cotswolds.  But at the same time the curious side of us wants to know what the villages and towns were like in time gone by.

Luckily there are plenty of museums in the Cotswolds that help to give us a picture of how things used to be.  As such, why not make some time on your Cotswolds holiday to visit a museum or two?  We’ve listed five of the best below, so you’ve got a good head start before you even go!

Chipping Norton Museum

As the name would suggest, this gives you an insight into the past of this particular town.  There are plenty of exhibits and it reveals information and knowledge going back as far as the Saxon times.

Not the biggest museum you will have visited, but it is still a great way to while away an hour or two.

Cotswold Motoring Museum

It seems as if most people visiting the Cotswolds want to visit Bourton on the Water, as it is one of the prettiest villages in the region.  It is also the home of the Cotswolds Motoring Museum, which has a fantastic range of cars and caravans that will take you back a few years!  It’s a great time for all the family.

The kids will enjoy it too, because it has an extensive range of toys from yesteryear on display as well.  They might find it a shock to see how much things have changed!

Cricklade Museum

Not far from South Cerney, this museum is small but well packed with local history.  Some centuries are better represented than others but nonetheless there are thousands of artefacts to browse through here.

Winchcombe Railway Museum and Gardens

You may have heard of the steam railway that runs between Cheltenham and Toddington.  But you can get off the train at Winchcombe if you wish and explore the museum.

This is chock full of ticket machines, signs and maps from times gone by, and it is a real cornucopia of items for anyone who loves railways.  The gardens are also well worth a look, and they provide a nice contrast to the museum itself.

Corinium Museum

Finally this gem of a museum will give you an insight into the Cotswolds as a whole.  Located in Cirencester, you will find plenty of items that have been found in the area and hark back many years – indeed, many centuries.

But the Cotswolds as a whole are also explored, and you will find that a few hours here will give you a better idea of how the Cotswolds has developed over the years.

Of course, there are other museums you can visit in the Cotswolds, depending on where your Cotswolds holiday accommodation is situated.  Museums can sometimes have a bad reputation, but you can learn a lot about the place you are staying in by spending an hour or two exploring one.  Why not add it to your list of things to do when you visit the Cotswolds this year?

Wherever you go on holiday in the Cotswolds you will usually come across at least one National Trust property that you could visit.  The same certainly applies to the Cotswolds and surrounding areas.  Whether you are staying in weekend hotels or you have booked yourself into one of the wonderful Cotswold cottages in the area, you can expect a great break and a taste of what the National Trust does too.

Some people do not realise that the National Trust is actually a charity.  That’s why any fees you pay to visit one of their many properties up and down the country – including the Cotswolds – will go towards valuable work.  That work can continue long into the future if we support them while we are enjoying our weekend breaks.

So where can we head to in the Cotswolds?  Well there are three spots worthy of our attention, so let’s take a look at each one and see why we should think about going there.

Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate

If you love to visit ornate and quite simply stunning properties, then this should be top of your list of things to do when you enjoy your UK holiday in the Cotswolds.

Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate is located in Aldsworth near Cheltenham, so it is quite easy to access from various parts of the Cotswolds.  For example, the ever popular Bourton on the Water is just a short fifteen minute drive from Lodge Park.

The National Trust has been taking care of the property since 1982, and the building is nearly four hundred years old.  It is in fine shape though, as you will see when you visit.  There is a wonderful deer park here and you can also enjoy walking in the grounds.

Hidcote Manor Garden

Hidcote Manor Garden is directly north of Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate, and it is north of Bourton on the Water too.  If you are staying in that area, expect a half hour drive to reach the garden.

Put simply, if you love gardens and you have an appreciation for fine gardening, then you will love Hidcote Manor.  Situated at Chipping Campden, the manor is an absolute must to take a camera to.  A video camera will capture plenty too, so make sure you go prepared!

Chedworth Roman Villa

For those with a taste for the past, the Chedworth Roman Villa should definitely be on the itinerary.  The villa is to the south west of Bourton on the Water, so as you can see all three of these National Trust properties are easily reachable wherever you happen to be staying.

This is a property that is one thousand seven hundred years old – but of course you won’t see it completely as it was back then.  What remains however is a stunning example of how things used to be, and walking round the property now is an experience not to be missed.

If you are having a week long UK holiday in the Cotswolds, you would do well to visit all three.

Bath is undoubtedly a great place to visit no matter whether you are going for a day or for a weekend.  And of course if you are staying in Bath or the Cotswolds for a week you could quite easily visit from there as well.  It is only an hour and forty minutes or so from Chipping Norton, and just an hour and ten minutes from Cheltenham along the M5.

The only ‘problem’ with Bath, if you could call it that, is that there is so much to see and do you could get quite worn out spending your UK weekend break wandering around trying to see everything!  And that calls for a relaxing pit stop somewhere to refresh yourself a bit.

So with that in mind, here are a few suggestions for places to do just that.

The John Rennie

If you are travelling to Bath with friends and family and you want to make the occasion extra special, try pre-booking the John Rennie.  This is actually a floating restaurant moored at Sydney Wharf.  It can cater for parties of just ten or more, so why not consider this if you fancy booking something very different in advance?

The Pump Room Restaurant

If you have enjoyed wandering around the Roman Baths then there is no better place to go afterwards than the Pump Room Restaurant.  It is just next door and it serves cream teas and many other snacks during the day.  This really is one of the finest restaurants you could try in Bath, and you should

definitely make room for a cream tea here during your Bath holiday.

The Belvedere Wine Vaults

Now doesn’t that sound appealing?  These vaults are located to the north of Bath, outside of the main town centre itself.  It’s a fairly straight route out though, and worth the trip.  It should take about ten minutes as it is a direct route on foot.

If you like seafood then the Belvedere Wine Vaults will keep you happily amused in their dining room.  As the name would suggest there are plenty of fine wines here too, and you can also order a refreshing beer in their bar.  It is perfect for a lunch time stop or an evening meal.

Le Parisien and Café Rene

You need to head to Milsom Place to find this little gem.  This is a four minute walk directly north of the Roman Baths.  Once you are seated and enjoying a bite to eat, you would almost forget you are in Bath and assume you are in Paris instead!

There are plenty of baguettes on offer, and with delights such as Provencale quiche and Mussels Mariniere as well, you might have trouble deciding what you fancy the most!

So there we are – some tasty suggestions for locations to grab a bite to eat in Bath.  There are plenty more places too of course, but we have picked these to show you that there are some unusual choices out there alongside the more mainstream ones.

The words ‘Stratford upon Avon’ and ‘budget’ don’t exactly seem to go together, do they?

But you would be surprised at what things you can do in the Cotswolds when you look in the right places for information.  Luckily you don’t have to do that yourself if you are visiting Stratford upon Avon in the near future, because we have unearthed a few great days out for you at bargain prices.

If cheap weekend breaks appeal to you and you want to enjoy some entertainment and great things to do when you arrive that won’t break the bank, check out these suggestions.

The Creaky Cauldron

The name alone makes this a must see!  Just £5 will pay for an adult entry to the Museum of Witchcraft and Wizardology.  There is a Wizard of Oz exhibit amongst other things, but you can also enjoy such delights as the Haunted Picture Gallery… among other things.  Do you have the nerve to explore this wonderful museum?

The Wellesbourne Wartime Museum

Just out to the east of Stratford upon Avon you can pay just £2 to wander round this museum.  Some of the exhibits can be found in an underground bunker, which really gives you a feel for how it must have been during World War II.  This is a fascinating look into the past, and well worth the £2 entry fee.

Boating on the River Avon

Finding things for all the family to do during a trip to Stratford upon Avon can be difficult – at least without spending a lot of money.  But just £11 will pay for the whole family to enjoy an hour in a rowing boat, exploring everything the river has to offer.

And if you don’t quite have the strength to row for that long, you can pay slightly more and enjoy a motor boat instead!  Some would say it is cheating, but this is your holiday in the UK, after all.

The Stratford Antiques Centre

This is in Ely Street, which runs parallel to Scholars Lane in Stratford upon Avon.  It is a beautiful building and you don’t have to pay anything to gain access and take a look around.  If you fancy doing something relaxing where you can just appreciate all the fine antiques – and perhaps even buy something that takes your fancy – then this is the place for you.

The Stratford Town Walk

This is a wonderful way to spend £5.  There is no better way to find out all there is to know about Stratford upon Avon than to book your place on this tour.  This is an award winning walk too, so you know you are in for a treat if you take part during your weekend break or holiday in Stratford upon Avon.

Apart from the basic town walk you can also muster up the courage to try the Ghost Walk – an ever popular walk that is never a disappointment!

So you see there are plenty of cheaper things you can get up to if you know where to look.  Have fun!

There is no doubting that the Royal Forest of Dean is one of the most stunning places you could ever hope to visit in the country.  If you are planning a holiday in the UK – perhaps staying in holiday cottages or other self catering accommodation – you couldn’t do much better than to pick the Forest of Dean to settle in for a week or two.

There are plenty of delightful places nearby to visit, so you won’t be short of things to do.  But of course one of the loveliest things you can do is simply to explore the Forest of Dean itself.  This is one area where walking in the cotswolds is definitely on the cards!

But we all know that walking and exercise build up a thirst in us as well as an appetite.  And that means it would be helpful to know about just some of the places you can stop for some refreshment.  So let’s check out some of the best right now.

The Florence Country House Hotel

If you take a look at a picture of this hotel you will see that it is surrounded by green on all sides.  What’s more, the menu is always changing so you could visit twice in the same week and be treated to a whole new range of delights to choose from.

The Bridge at Wilton

The restaurant here is AA rated, so you know you are in for a real treat when you sit down to dinner.  Colour, style and taste are all taken care of delightfully with every dish, so be sure you enjoy every mouthful.

The King’s Head Country Pub

From Sunday roasts to a wide range of traditional pub dishes, you can expect a hearty meal and a fine welcome at this wonderful country pub.  If you like a nice atmosphere in which to enjoy your meal, the King’s Head will certainly fit the bill during any UK weekend break.

Harry’s Restaurant

From fillet of beef to breast of duck, you can sample a mouth watering range of dishes including their famous Sunday lunch here at Harry’s.  The laid back name gives the restaurant a warm relaxed feel, which is enhanced by the decoration.

Lindors Country House

If a light lunch is what you need, then Lindors might be just the place to go.  Set in gorgeous surroundings in Lydney, the country house itself is stunning to look at.  Be sure to take some photos before you head inside to enjoy a bite to eat.

This is just a taster of what is to come when you book your holiday in the Forest of Dean.  There are plenty of restaurants, tea shops, snack bars and pubs dotted evenly around the area.  So no matter how hungry you are or what type of food you want to eat, you can be sure you will find something perfect for your tastes when you arrive.

Why not start looking now to see what else there is on offer?