Long Weekend in the Cotswolds

It’s what English countryside dreams are made of. A combination of green rolling hills, dotted with grazing sheep, honey-stone villages, country pubs, grand mansions and manicured gardens that are all pretty much English perfection. While you could easily spend a week or more enjoying each of the picturesque villages, I am going to pick out some of the essential highlights. So here’s how to spend a long weekend in the Cotswolds.

Friday afternoon/evening

The Cotswolds is not an easy place to get around by public transport which is why it is an ideal campervan trip. Avoid the weekend crowds and head to the beautiful Bourton on the Water first. Often referred to as ‘Venice of the Cotswolds', this village is often voted one of the prettiest in England. Typically, it is known for its low bridges, tree-lined paths. Head to the Motoring Museum, grab an afternoon coffee or an evening meal, before heading to a campsite.

Saturday

Start the day early and head to Bibury. Be sure to see the cottages of Arlington Row (a row of 17th century weavers’ cottages) before the coaches of tourists arrive! These cottages are often referred to as the most photographed and beautiful cottages in the country. This village is also the most famous of all Cotswold villages and has starred in films like Stardust and Bridget Jones’ Diary. The weaver cottages are stunning, but take your photos and move on.

Next up is the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Despite the somewhat gruesome names, Lower Slaughter, particularly, is is one of the most charming Cotswold villages. Follow the shallow River Eye past chocolate-box country cottages draped in flowers to The Old Mill. Continue on past the mill and you’ll pick up the path for the mile-long walk to Upper Slaughter, along the riverside and across open fields.

Always looking for new experiences to try, I booked a Pot Throw and Decorate Workshop at Honeybourne Pottery Studio. This workshop began with a full demonstration. Then we were individually assigned a potter’s wheel for the duration of the workshop and it was our turn to get hands-on and have fun practicing our pottery skills! The girls were given guidance as required to complete their pot of choice and were thrilled with the outcome. Read more about our experience here.

Sunday

Before heading home, be sure to visit Chipping Campden and Broadway.

Chipping Campden is a small 7th Century market town where wool was famously traded. There isn't a market anymore however, but the 400 year old market hall is a fascinating step back in time. Today, the town is bustling with trade whether it be pubs, restaurants, boutique shops and tea rooms that you are looking for. St James Church stood out for us. It is the heart of Chipping Campden and can be seen from nearly every angle of the town. Be sure to pop in and take a look yourself, but make sure you take a walk through the surrounding gardens too.

Broadway and in particular, Broadway Tower are highlights not to be missed. Broadway Tower sits at the top of the second highest point in the Cotswolds and on a clear day, from the top, you can see sixteen different counties and for up to sixty two miles. Broadway is a large village, quintessentially English, full of charm and character and probably our most favourite spot.