Cotswolds Information & Tourism Guide

If you have never heard of the Royal Route, you have missed out on one of the real treasures of this part of the country.  Not only is it inspiring, it also gives you lots to see and do during a UK holiday to the Forest of Dean.  If you are looking for cheap weekend breaks, you should think about basing one around this route.  You wouldn’t need much more than a packed lunch each day to help you enjoy the best that this route has to offer.

Here are five excellent reasons why you should try out the Royal Route:

1.    It is ideal regardless of whether you enjoy walking or cycling.  The Royal Route has miles and miles of scenery to appreciate and is well set up for cyclists to enjoy as well as those who prefer two feet as opposed to two wheels!

2.    The Royal Route is circular.  It has twenty miles of delights to see all in all, so you could either do part of it over the course of a weekend or the whole route over the course of a week long UK holiday.  It all depends on how fit you are, whether you walk or cycle, and how many times you want to stop off on the way.

3.    There is plenty to see on the route, including Clearwell Caves.  These naturally occurring caves have been used since the Iron Age, so they are a real piece of history which it is good to stop off and see.  You also have the Nag’s Head Nature Reserve – an ideal place to stop and relax while looking out for wildlife and enjoying a sandwich or two.  The Perrygrove Railway is also nearby, as is the famous Puzzlewood attraction.  If you like the unusual and the unforgettable, Puzzlewood can bring you both in large amounts!

4.    Every time of year offers something different to enjoy.  This isn’t the type of tourist attraction that is only worth visiting when the weather is good and we’re in the midst of summer.  The Royal Route still looks spectacular when the frost is on the ground, or when the autumn leaves have fallen.  And spring reawakens the whole area with a whole new range of sights to appreciate.  So regardless of when you want to plan a UK weekend break or a holiday in the UK, be sure to explore the Royal Route for things to see and do.

5.    The Golden Mile, as it is known, gives you another spectacular reason to get your camera out and enjoy what nature has to show us in every season.  Look out for the bluebells in May – we defy you to count them!

As you can see, the Royal Route is packed with the best of the Forest of Dean, all contained on this welcoming and stunning route.  However you decide to travel around the loop, and however long you spend doing so, it really is something worth doing over and over again.

We’d all love to have a guarantee of good weather when it is time to take a short weekend break or a longer UK holiday in Bath.  But of course with the wonderful British weather the way it is, things aren’t always that simple.

That is why we have put together this rainy day list of things to do and places to go when the heavens open and turn Bath into more of a, well… bath!

Take a look at the following, and if you are visiting Bath in the near future make sure you bookmark this page and print off the options nearer the time.

1.    You can cool your heels and sample Bath’s very own Sally Lunn Bun in the Sally Lunn Refreshment House and Museum.  You’ve heard of Bath buns before – well this is where they originated.

The restaurant is also the oldest building in the city by some way – it is hundreds of years old.  As the title says, it is a museum as well as a tea house and restaurant, and many items have been excavated from the property.  Some finds date back as far as Roman times!

2.    If you’d prefer somewhere a little quieter where you can appreciate works of art in a stunning setting, make sure you visit the Victoria Art Gallery.  This is free to enter, so you can nip in during a rain shower and catch sight of some of the best local artwork on offer.

You might even be able to take a piece of art home with you; they often have sales from temporary exhibitions, so keep an eye out for those.

3.    If you like works of art but you’d prefer to see something a little different on your weekend or holiday in Bath, try the Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass for size.

They offer several timings for glass blowing each day, but do check before you visit to make sure they are not fully booked.  Needless to say there are plenty of glass items to be bought there as well, so you might be able to take home a memento of your visit.

4.    No visit to Bath is complete without trying out the Thermae Bath Spa.  This has the benefit of offering you the chance to dip into the thermal waters both inside and outside.  So if the weather has been good for you then you could try out their rooftop pool!

The Hot Bath and the Minerva Bath are both situated indoors however, so if you have been unlucky and got bad weather on your UK weekend break away, you don’t have to worry.  You can still enjoy all the delights of bathing in thermal baths and drinking in the relaxation that comes with it.

So there we have it – four great options to get you started if you don’t get the best of the UK weather in Bath.  And there are plenty more besides, so be sure to do some research before you go!

It feels as if the summer is nearly over already.  But is it too late to book a UK holiday in the Cotswolds?

In reality it is never too late to book.  But you need to think practically and remember that due to the recession, more people than ever are staying in this country.  There is no doubt that the Cotswolds is one of the most popular UK holiday destinations that people head for each year.  It is full to the brim with gorgeous scenery, history waiting to be discovered, and shops, pubs and walks galore to dip into.

That’s why many of our cottages get booked up very early each year, as people are looking for the ideal spot to spend a week or two away from home for their UK holidays.

But if you haven’t booked yet, don’t worry.  There are some great advantages to doing so, as you are about to find out:

1.    Be prepared to look for something a bit different from what you would have booked in the first place.  So for example, you might find that your ideal village – the ever popular Bourton on the Water for example – is fully booked up.  Not to worry though, because none of the villages in the Cotswolds are that far from each other.  Have a look at an online map of the area and find a cottage or property that is close by if you can.

2.    Another point to consider is the time you book your cottage.  It tends to be easier to find a property that is available once all the kids have gone back to school at the beginning of September.  We know a lot of people who leave their summer holidays until the end of that month!  And for the past few years the weather has been surprisingly good at that time of year as well.  The more flexible you can be with your preferred dates for holidaying in the Cotswolds, the better.

3.    Late holidays provide you with cheaper prices too.  Booking during school holidays will always be more expensive, so you can save a lot of money by coming to the Cotswolds at different times.

4.    The Cotswolds are always very popular among UK travellers.  But you will find that coming to the Cotswolds later in the year provides you with a much quieter holiday.  The important thing to remember is that the Cotswolds has plenty to offer no matter what time of year you visit us.  It’s wise to check the opening times of any specific locations or venues you want to visit when you are here, to make sure everywhere will be open when you visit.  Quite often winter opening times are shorter than summer ones, so you can still go to most places; you just have to adjust your arrival and departure times.

So you see it’s never too late to book a Cotswolds holiday in UK.  Provided you are ready to compromise a little, a great holiday will still await you.

The location of the Cotswolds is a fantastic one for many reasons.  It is probably best known for its rolling countryside, which offers different views around every corner.

But the Cotswolds is about far more than just the countryside.  When you visit on a UK holiday or weekend break you will find there are surprises awaiting you around every corner.  And among those surprises there are some majestic castles standing firm on the landscape.

Here are just three of the ones you could visit while you are staying in weekend hotels or holiday cottages.

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle is to the south west of Cheltenham, so it is really on the outskirts of the main part of the Cotswolds.  However don’t let this put you off paying a visit.  It is well worth the journey, no matter where in the Cotswolds you might be staying.

This castle is huge and it is over nine hundred years old, so it has seen a lot of changes and visitors over the centuries.  It is a Norman fortress and if you see a picture of it from the air you will get a better idea of just how big it is.

It sits in an estate of six thousand acres, so it has impressive grounds as well.  Any visit should really have a day dedicated to it, so make sure you do just that.

Broughton Castle

This castle is in Banbury, which is a short distance to the north east of Chipping Norton, another famous location in the Cotswolds.

Broughton Castle is arguably one of the most attractive castles in England.  It has the benefit of a huge moat as well, which was formed from three separate streams.  This was in fact why the site was originally selected for Broughton Castle way back in 1300.

You can visit many areas of the castle, including the attractive gardens, the chapel and the Great Hall.  Be sure to allocate enough time to enjoy everything that Broughton Castle has to offer.

Sudeley Castle and Gardens

Sudeley Castle is located to the north east of Cheltenham, so you aren’t too far from it, no matter where your Cotswold cottage is situated.  It should form part of every UK holiday to the area, as it has links which stretch back hundreds of years into history.

If you love hearing about Henry VIII and his wives, then you will certainly want to pay a visit.  The last of his six wives, Catherine Parr, is actually buried here.  But Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII himself also visited the castle centuries ago, so you can see there is a lot of Royal history tied up here.

These are perhaps the three most important and most stunning of the castles you can visit in this general area.  The Cotswolds has definite and distinct roots way back into history – and these castles are the ideal way of finding out how far back those roots go.

If you didn’t think the postal system was all that interesting, think again.  You’ll certainly need to if you decide to pay this museum a visit, because you might just be surprised and amazed at what you find inside.

As with any other museum it provides a look back through history.  In this case of course we’re talking about the history of the postal service itself.  But if you still need some convincing that it’s worth exploring this museum in closer detail while you are enjoying your Bath holiday, here are some facts that might help you out.

1.    Find out how the British post box has changed over time.  Did you know, for example, that the famous novelist Anthony Trollope is credited with having created the post box in the first place?  While this isn’t a big secret, he isn’t as well known for this as he is for his novels.  You can find out a lot more about how the shape and size of the post box has changed as time has gone on as well.

2.    Learn more about how the post has changed throughout history.  It might seem surprising but the museum has on display what could have been the very first letter ever sent from one person to another.  It goes way back to around 2000 BC, so you can see that the post we know today has gone through a lot of changes – and time – since then.

3.    Enjoy regular exhibitions focusing on different parts of the postal service.  The museum is always creating new exhibitions to entertain and educate everyone who comes to visit.  A recent example was a look back at the history of the various vehicles used by the Post Office to deliver and collect mail.

4.    Learn more about the people who made the postal service what it is today, and find out how some Bath locals figure in the story too.  Thousands upon thousands of people have been involved in the history and story of the Post Office and the mail system since it first came into being.  The museum focuses on these people just as much as the system itself, and you can discover who they were and what they did to advance the system to the stage it is at today.

As you can see, the Bath Postal Museum is well worth a visit.  You’ll find it in Northgate Street, and if you are near Pulteney Bridge you will find it takes just three or four minutes to walk there from the bridge itself.

The museum is open every day of the week except for Sundays, so you should be able to fit it into any stay in Bath.  Even a long weekend in Bath would provide enough time for a wander round this museum, so do keep an eye out for it.  You might never look at the postal system the same way again – or Anthony Trollope for that matter!

There are plenty of places you can stay in when you go on holiday in the Cotswolds.  But arguably the best option of the lot is the country cottage.  Cotswolds cottages in particular have a certain look and feel about them that makes it clear you are in this part of the country!

Here at Manor Cottages we’ve got plenty of countryside cottages in the Cotswolds that you can escape to for a weekend break or longer holiday.  And there is no doubt that they are all exceptionally popular.

If you’re looking for some reasons to convince you that holidays in the UK are better when taken in a holiday cottage, the following pointers should help.

1.    You can enjoy period features.  Some of our cottages are hundreds of years old.  Take Corner Cottage for example, which is located in Burford.  This dates back to the 16th century, so who knows who may have been there before you?  It’s certainly got more character and history than you would get from the average bed and breakfast location!
2.    You can see what it’s like to live in a real Cotswolds cottage.  We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to up sticks and move to the Cotswolds permanently.  After all, it has plenty to offer and the scenery is amazing.  But staying in a Cotswolds self catering cottage for a short break is the ideal way to sample life in this part of the country.  For starters many of them are constructed from real Cotswold stone.  The Greys is a typical example.  Situated in Chedworth, this cottage has a lot going for it – not least its wood burning stove and the classic exterior look that is common to the area.
3.    The cottages are usually located in quiet areas.  If you are escaping to the Cotswolds for a few days, you’re probably doing so in order to get some peace, quiet and rest.  Holiday cottages are almost always situated in out of the way places, although they are still usually close enough to essential amenities to offer the best of both worlds.
4.    Features such as open fires are ideal for those winter breaks.  A stay in the Cotswolds isn’t just restricted to the summer months.  In fact a winter break is generally a lot cheaper than a summer one, and if you find it’s a bit cold you’ll want to look for a cottage that has an open fire to use.  Snuggling up in front of the fire for a romantic evening in – what could be better?

You probably don’t need any more convincing that a stay in a typical Cotswolds country cottage is the best way to enjoy a holiday in the area.  And there are lots to choose from, as you’ll see from our website.

But no matter which one you settle on, you won’t find yourself too far away from all the best locations, attractions and venues worth paying a visit to.  So don’t spend all day enjoying the cottage – there’s much more to see yet!

Stratford upon Avon is a very popular destination when it comes to escaping somewhere for weekend break.

But why is this?  What does it offer that draws so many people to it?  Some reasons are obvious but others aren’t so much.  Let’s see what you could expect from a weekend break in a Stratford upon Avon holiday cottage.

1.    Indulge in some Shakespearean history.  It’s the main reason why so many people are drawn to the area for a weekend stay or even longer.  Shakespeare was born, lived and died here, so there are lots of properties you can go and view.  See one or see them all – you’ve got plenty of time if you are in town for a few days.

2.    Enjoy some shopping.  Stratford is known for its shops and regardless of whether you want to see familiar household names or quaint local delights you will find plenty to browse round here.  Since the whole area is peppered with old buildings with a history, wandering around the shops gives you a good opportunity to sightsee as well.

3.    Try a spot of boating on the River Avon.  If the weather is good and you fancy a lazy afternoon on the river, you can do just that in Stratford upon Avon.  There are various river cruises you can go on, and there is even an old ferry that provides a fascinating way to get from one side of the River Avon to the other.  And if you have got the energy why not hire a rowing boat and explore the river yourself?  It’s a lovely way to get some exercise!

4.    Explore the many tea rooms and restaurants in Stratford upon Avon.  No town like this would be complete without a tea room, and Stratford has its fair share of places to visit.  The Dirty Duck is very well known in the area, and you can also visit an inn which is named after William Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden.

5.    Look for somewhere to stay when you come back for another long weekend.  There are so many lovely holiday cottages and so much self catering accommodation you can stay in that you won’t want to try the same place twice!  Check our selection of holiday properties near Stratford upon Avon to see how many options there are.

You can see that you won’t run short of things to do during a weekend in this particular town.  There is a lot of history to get involved with and even wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere is definitely to be recommended.

Be sure to explore the many other non-Shakespearean attractions in the area as well though.  There are lots of them and they all cater for the many tourists who frequent the area throughout the year.

And if you don’t have time to see it all, you can come back again to view the rest of the delights that Stratford upon Avon has in store for you.

When you’re staying somewhere in the Wye Valley on holiday, you’ll want to make sure you frequent some of the lovely pubs and inns you’ll find in the area.

Since many people take advantage of booking a walking or rambling holiday, it makes perfect sense to search out a few nice pubs along the way that you can stop in.  Whether it’s for a quick drink or a more substantial snack or meal, these few suggestions should help you along the way.

Be aware that there are plenty more though, so wherever you are staying for your UK holiday or weekend break, be sure you do your research before you go.

1.    The King’s Head Hotel in Ross on Wye.  Market towns always have some nice pubs on offer, and this one is no exception.  And it caters for all tastes too.  If you just want a nice filling snack with a pint, why not try their steak and Wye Valley ale pie?  Alternatively book a table in the restaurant and have a great evening meal instead.

2.    The Saracens Head Inn on the River Wye.  If a river view is what you’re after, you can’t do much better than the Saracens Head Inn.  From sandwiches at lunchtime to tea and cakes in the afternoon, going right through to a full evening meal, whenever you stop here you will be sure of a great welcome.  It’s one of the best inns to try while you are enjoying your UK holiday.

3.    The Red Lion Inn in Ross on Wye.  Another good choice for those staying in or near Ross on Wye, this one will tempt you with some great Ploughman’s lunches, as well as nibbles and some hearty meals to boot.  This is a family run affair which means you’ll be well looked after whatever you decide to order.

4.    The Inn on the Wye in Ross on Wye.  Our final choice makes the list for many reasons – not least of which are the delightful and mouth watering menus you will be presented with if you decide to dine there.  The glorious setting and charming dining room will help you relax while you decide where else to go on your cheap weekend break in the UK.

These pubs and inns focus mainly on Ross on Wye, but don’t forget that many market towns, villages and other locations have more than one pub to tempt you with as well.  If in doubt, ask the locals to recommend one (or more!) that you can try out during your stay.

Even though staying in self catering accommodation has its perks, you might not want to cook every night.  In this case finding a local pub serving local specialities and dishes will be the best solution to getting out of the washing up!

In short, don’t be afraid to try all the different country pubs you come across.  Each one offers a very different experience.

There is something about farm shops that many people find very attractive.  For starters no two are the same.  Most rural areas have plenty of them for you to explore, but you’ll find countless different delights in each and every one.

If you are visiting the Cotswolds on a weekend break or a UK holiday, you should definitely take the time to visit one or two farm shops while you are here.  As well as being a good way to sample produce that has been created locally, it is also a wonderful way to plan for self catered meals during your stay.  What better meal could there be than one that is served with locally reared meat, freshly grown vegetables and locally dug potatoes?

Here are some treats you might want to look in on while you are here.

1.    The Cockleford Trout Farm.  Not all farm produce is grown in a field!  And if you fancy smoked trout for dinner one night, you won’t be disappointed at what you can buy at this trout farm.  The shop has plenty to keep you happy, and you’ll find it in Cowley, near Cheltenham.

2.    The Cotswold Farm Fayre.  This is really a lot more than just a farm shop.  There is a coffee shop and a butcher’s here as well, so you’ll be able to stock up your holiday cottage for the whole time you are away.  They make some of the cheeses themselves, and the others are locally made as well.

3.    The Simple Suppers Farm Shop.  You’ll find this one in Moreton in Marsh, and it specialises in freshly made sausages, pies and much more besides.  You can buy all your meat here and then visit another farm shop for the vegetables!
4.    The Organic Farm Shop.  If organic produce is important to you, you’ll be pleased to know this shop has it all.  You’ll find it located in Burford Road, Cirencester.  And it has a lot more than simply organic farm produce on offer as well.  You will also find a wide range of gift items, so if you need some items to take back home with you it might be worth a look.

This is just a sample of the many farm shops that are available in the Cotswolds.  Wherever you happen to be staying when you visit for your short break UK holiday, make sure you ask locally where the nearest – and best – farm shop happens to be.  You can then pay a visit early on in your holiday and buy whatever supplies you need from local producers.

Being able to make the most of local produce and dishes while you are here is one of the most delightful ways to enjoy any Cotswolds based holiday.  Why bring food with you or go straight to the nearest supermarket when you can taste homemade flavours and dishes every day of the week?  It certainly makes for a more exciting dinner – and one that everyone will love.

No we’re not talking about Broadway as in New York and top theatre shows – we’re talking about a very different Broadway indeed!

This particular Broadway is very sleepy and relaxed in comparison to the New York version.  And it provides just the setting for a quiet peaceful Cotswolds holiday too.  We have a stunning and very popular cottage in the village – called simply One, The Green – and it is always in demand.  Could it be the setting for your next Short Breaks in the Cotswolds?

Regardless of where you decide to stay for your holiday in the Cotswolds, you should make a point of visiting this wonderful village.  But why is it so wonderful?  What makes it a place to be close to during your stay?

Well firstly it is one of the most attractive villages in the area.  The main street of the village is how it came to be name Broadway in the first place – it literally means ‘broad way’, as the road is wide and was originally used for stagecoaches many centuries ago.  It is this obvious connection with the past that makes this village so appealing.  You can imagine how things may have looked all those years ago, while still appreciating how things are today.

Another good reason for staying near here is the fact that there are some lovely pubs and tea rooms to try out while you are there!  Some people come and stay in weekend hotels too, as Broadway is a lovely venue for a couple of days of rest and recuperation from your busy work week.

You should also venture just outside the town to walk up to the Broadway Tower.  This is a fine vantage point and given good weather you would be amazed at how many counties – yes we did say counties – you can see.  It only costs a few pounds to go inside the tower and there is just as much to appreciate on the inside as there is on the outside.

Broadway is also a stunning example of how beautiful traditional Cotswold stone houses can be.  Many of them have changed very little over the years, and it is this appealing nature of the cottages and buildings that makes Broadway very different from many modern towns.  Once you have paid that first visit, you will certainly want to come back here time and time again.

You should take time as well to browse around the many galleries and antique shops in the village.  If you are looking for a unique memento of your holiday in the Cotswolds, a painting of the area would be a wonderful option.  You might have trouble choosing from the many that are usually on display however!

As you can see, Broadway has plenty to offer to the tourist, no matter whether you are staying for a weekend or a longer period of time.  And each season offers a new view of this pretty village – giving you the perfect reason to come back again and again.