So Taylor Swift has reportedly been hiding out in the Chipping Norton area this summer, avoiding fans by renting a “secret” £3,000-a-night property between gigs. What a smart move in all respects. It enjoys the picturesque tranquility and also taps into the British obsession that is the Cotswolds. So what is the problem with this… Read More »
For all the columns, airtime, and social media outcries devoted to Taylor Swift, the woman herself remains a sort of empty space. Music’s biggest star is a 34-year-old self-made billionaire who is currently on the European leg of a stadium tour that has broken more records than a rogue elephant at HMV. Yet what we… Read More »
Checkerboard fields stretch over gentle rolling hills, towering church spiers punctuate villages of honey-coloured stone, and wildflower meadows dot gently winding valleys. Stretching from Chipping Campden in the north to the outskirts of Bath in the south, the Cotswolds are nearly 800 square miles of quintessentially idyllic England. The idyllic landscape reflects centuries of interaction… Read More »
Your own organic farm seems like the last thing a celebrity should own, but could it soon become the preserve of the rich and famous? Baking Star Prue Leith, who has a small organic farm at her Cotswolds home, has criticized the “red tape” associated with sustainable farming. “The Cotswolds probably have a higher concentration… Read More »
The Cotswolds are arcadian England. The centuries-old interaction between humans and nature is expressed in the landscape: tapestries of fields; managed forest areas; magnificent churches bearing witness to a rich, sheep-shaped past; Not just a border, but 6,000 kilometers of drystone walls that are home to wrens, mice and more. Easily accessible from London and… Read More »
The Cotswolds are heart-stoppingly beautiful, with their honeystone villages and manor houses, rolling landscapes of sheep-gnawed hills and beautiful churches. Who wouldn’t want to come visit for a short or long break? The 800 square miles that make up the region are criss-crossed by trails and bisected by nearly 4,000 miles of drystone walls, adding… Read More »
Stop the clock. There’s nothing like the luxury of settling into a Cotswold teahouse for an hour or more, and when you do you’ll find it almost inevitable that you’ll lose track of time. The only challenge is deciding between having a sumptuous afternoon tea at one of the area’s elegant manor hotels (in summer… Read More »
Our favorite picks include where to find the best crafts, antiques and local products. For more inspiration for the perfect holiday in the Cotswolds, check out our guide to the region’s best hotels, restaurants, bars, afternoon teas and things to do. Find places to shop by area North Cotswolds Chipping Campden, in the north of… Read More »
Jack Rear sent to investigate tourism boom in some of England’s most beautiful villages – The Telegraph’s John Lawrence “We all boarded for lunch in the Cotswolds,” says Derek Lavery, checking the names on his clipboard. It’s 8am at Victoria Coach Station and I’m boarding the Premium Tours “Lunch in Britain’s Most Beautiful Village” bus… Read More »
Facilities at Calcot & Spa are first-class, from the lavender-lined hot tub with open fireplace to the steam room with sauna and relaxation area – Lynk Photography/Adam Lynk All hotels were independently reviewed and selected. If you book through the links below we will earn a commission but this never affects our rating. Our expert… Read More »