Photo by Samuel Sweet

It’s time! The curtain unveils! It’s your first monthly dollop of travel! And this time I’m driving you through the quintessential magic of the Cotswolds!

An afternoons drive from London or shorter from Oxford, the Cotswolds is probably one of the most romantic and picturesque parts of the UK. As you enter the region you’ll be greeted with postcard worthy scenes of honey hued cottages with thatched roofs, winding lanes and rolling hills and farms that adds an air of whimsy! You’re transported to a Disney movie, where the cows graze in the meadows, the air is cold and crisp, stone walls line the tiny lanes, people cycle around and milk and eggs are kept outside farms for you to pay and go. Life moves slower and yet feels so much more beautiful!

Armed with some aged cheddar from a local cheese shop and some crackers, I stopped by the road to forage some wild blackberry growing by the side of the road and I was in heaven!

So here’s the lowdown. My favourite towns, places to see, eat, shop and meander around in the Cotswolds!

Burford

A picturesque town that’s famous for its High Street that unrolls downhill and is lined with tea shops, places to buy antiques and cute little stores that’s got all the holiday goers a buzz.

Lower Slaughters

A few miles from Burton on the water this charming little village is build using traditional honey dew stone of the Cotswolds. These beautiful houses are draped in beautiful vines and flowers.

Burton on the water

 Beautiful village with cottages by the river. It's a summer paradise! Locals play river football, and there are charming little shops nearby. Perfect for a peaceful afternoon, though it can get busy with tourists.

Daylesford

If you’re a culinary enthusiast and you had one day in the Cotswolds, Off you go to Daylesford! This little town is famous for the daylesfordOrganic.

Upper Slaughters

 Gorgeous lil town for walks along the river, its a stones throw away from the lower slaughters.

Bibury

Famous for a road called the Arlington Row it is one of the cutest roads in the Cotswolds.

Stow in the wold

Stow on the Wold is the highest town in the Cotswolds, known for its charm, surrounded by villages and scenic countryside, art shops, antique stores, and a lovely Saxon Church.

Castle Combe

Famous for being the backdrop in the Harry Potter series among others this one is a gem.

  • Upper slaughter

  • Stow on the wold

  • The Porch House

  • Daylesford

  • Burton on the water

  • Church in Burford

  • Lunch in Daylesford

    • The Burford Cheese Co - For some gorgeous added cheddar and charcuterie. Perfect for a mid morning snack while driving! 

    • Bakery on the water- Located in Burton on the water, this place is perfect to grab a cinnamon bun, watch the river and let time go by. 

    • The Chip Shed (Burton on the water)- For all you fish and chip enthusiasts 

    • Daylesford Farms - Organic store and restaurants for that hearty earthy farm to fork lunch! This place is truly heaven for all you food lovers, farming enthusiasts and garden lovers. The store is divided into a food store where you get the best produce, charcuterie and wheatgrass smoothies, a farm and garden store and a home store. They have 2 gorgeous restaurants complete with their wood fired oven and gorgeous cottages where you can spend a quiet weekend in the country. I picked apples here that were practically falling off the tree! 

    • Cotswold Baguettes - For baguettes fresh out of the oven and baked potoatoes stuffed with magic! 

    • The Porch House (stow on the wold) is the Oldest pub in Britain almost 1000 years old.

    • The Manor House Hotel- For afternoon tea! The perfect lazy afternoon for when you’re tired of walking around the villages.

    • St John the Baptist church - To transport yourself to a pre Celtic era! - Burford 

    • St Edwards Church- Has a door that inspired the Door of Durin in Lord of the rings.

    • Burford Garden Company - For all you plant enthusiasts, this isn’t your typical tiny garden centre but rather a sprawling wonderland !It’s got garden supplies, seeds, plants and books galore.You could spend half a day there, and be very pleased looking at the boot of your car all filled up. 

    • Daylesford Organic- It’s got the cutest farm, home and garden store! Foods, chutneys, jams its a world of its own! 

    • Cutter Brooks - The fashion director of Barneys New York, moved to The Cotswolds and has created magic with her hand painted crockery, textile and beautifully scented candles! A Must stopover! 

    • Cotswold Distillery- For Cotswold Dry Gin and some award winning Whiskey.

    • Soho Farmhouse- For all you Soho members, here comes 100 acres of farmland with sunken hot tubs, horse riding and wellness experiences to die for. 

    • Thyme England - A family run space where they merge food, nature and conservation to give you a spectacular experience! 

    • Daylesford Organic Farm - They have gorgeous cottages to stay for the weekend, complete with the Bamford Wellness spa that’s got you spoils for choice!

    • The Painswick - This boutique hotel is all things chic. Set in the idyllic town called Painswick, this 18th Century Palladian House is just gorgeous. 

    • The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe- This 14th Century House is the place to pamper yourself over a quiet weekend. Complete with a Michelin starred restaurant, golf course and cozy fireplaces, it’s going to sweep you off your feet!