Cotswolds Vacation: A Glimpse Into The English Countryside & On Mondays We Link Up (#87)

We’re continuing our England tour, because every time I look at these photos I relive the beauty, and I need to share it! I’m revisiting our Cotswolds vacation today!

COTSWOLDS VACATION OUTFIT 1 DETAILS:

The Cotswolds are the pretty little towns in the English countryside. Think thatched roof homes, walking paths, pastures of sheep, charming little pocket towns, and endless greenery. We packed up our car in Bath and headed to our home base in the Cotswolds, Stow On The Wold.

On our way, we stopped at a pub to have a traditional English Sunday feast called the Sunday roast. It consists of beef, potatoes, and a Yorkshire pudding roll – very much like Thanksgiving on a Sunday morning! Partaking in local traditions is always fun, even if it makes you feel like a zombie the rest of the morning.

We rolled ourselves out of the pub and on to Stow On The Wold. We stayed in an historic little hotel called the Kings Arms, which is probably older than America itself. Cozy, quiet, free wifi, and free breakfast – that checks all my boxes! After lugging our bags up a teensy narrow stairway, out we went to go for a hike up to Broadway tower through fields of sheep – the perfect activity to work off those Sunday roast calories.

I want to clear up a few stereotypes about the English countryside since I’ve been there. Does everyone wear Hunter boots and waxed jackets? Yes – yes they certainly do. Tweed, rubber boots, cute dogs, and pulling the car over for partridges crossing the street are things we saw and embraced in the Cotswolds. And I loved every minute.

I couldn’t fit my Hunter Boots in my bag, but my Patricia Nash boots and buckle flats were perfect. And although I don’t have a waxed Barbour jacket, my green J.Crew jacket helped me fit right in.

The most touristy town in the Cotswolds is probably Bourton On The Water. We strategized to go there really early to beat all the tour busses. It is probably so touristy because it is stunningly beautiful, with a stream running through the middle of town with cute little walking bridges – a photo opportunity no one could miss. Luckily, our plan worked so we were able to beat most of the tourist traffic. We did a little photo shoot ourselves, followed by the most delicious almond croissants and coffee at Bakery On The Water.

Since we had a car, we were able to visit a couple of other memorable Cotswold towns! Each town is about 5 minutes to 20 minutes away driving. With stops to gander at the cows and sheep, of course.

• Upper and Lower Slaughter are both ridiculously cute towns, with lots of flowers and homes begging to be photographed.  I think we watched this adorable dog play fetch in a stream for literally 20 minutes.
• Moreton-in-Marsh has a beautiful drag of shops, including a pub that inspired the Prancing Pony in Lord Of The Rings. Since we are nerds we had to go. They also have a market on Tuesday mornings.
• Chipping Campden is relaxing, with a lot of historical sights, including a magnificent high street and a 400 year old market hall.
• Snowshill Manor is a mansion that was owned by an eccentric art collector. The grounds are beautiful, but I’d skip it if you’re short on time.

COTSWOLDS VACATION OUTFIT 2 DETAILS:

 

Our Cotswolds vacation was everything I hoped it would be. Quaint and homey, with lots of history and sheep.

Want to see where else we went in England, aside from this Cotswolds vacation? Here are my posts on Windsor and Bath!

On Mondays We Link Up