Dipping in and out of theCotswolds
Immerse in undeniable British beauty
Described by The Telegraph as “unremittingly pretty”, it should come as no surprise that the Cotswolds, the largest of the 38 areas of outstanding natural beauty in England and Wales, finds its way onto our list of incredible road trips across the UK. This is a particularly tricky one because you’ll genuinely struggle to keep your eyes on the road as you look out the window in awe of your surroundings. That’s why we’ve included numerous checkpoints, which help you immerse in the allure of this area.
Chipping Campden to Bath
- 2 days
- 104 miles
- £13.26 avg. fuel cost
Top three road trip gems...
Location: Crossways House the Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1AB
Few churches in the world will offer such an intriguing experience on entry, so much so J.R.R Tolkien had a book inspired by it. Come and walk under the two ancient yew trees that form the doorway.
Location: 14 Park St, Woodstock OX20 1SW
Alongside housing a comprehensive history of Oxfordshire, this museum, on the edge of the Cotswolds, also plays home to a fully interactive dinosaur feature. Seize the opportunity to examine the 168 million-year-old footprints.
Location: The Old Court House, 63 Long St, Tetbury GL8 8AA
A must-see for anyone bypassing Tetbury is the police museum and council offices. This interactive experience exists as a cornerstone of history in Tetbury.
Broadway
Depicted as the perfect base for a tour of the Cotswolds, Broadway is both historic and quaint. Its high street is lined with stone cottages, exquisite eateries, and cheerful chestnut trees. Visit the local motoring museum, the heritage railway centre, or the Little Soap School.
Blenheim Palace
Considered Britain’s greatest ever palace, Blenheim exists as the birthplace of Winston Churchill and his ancestor, the Duke of Marlborough. Buggy tours around the estate’s lake, a miniature railway, and a two mile yew tree maze are just a selection of the features of this astounding World Heritage site, and “the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of ‘palace’”.
The Route
Ancient woodland, rolling hills, and wild meadows are just some of the aesthetically pleasing features that litter this area which covers five different counties. Furthermore, incredible food which sample local specialties and traditional public houses offering up regional ales further add to the appeal.