A Two-Day Tour of The Cotswolds In Spring
Have you visited the Cotswolds in Spring? The Cow parsley is in abundance, the birds create a soundtrack to your winding tree-lined drives. It’s truly a magical time of year to visit.
One of my favourite parts of England for its fairytale villages, cosy pubs, quiet scenes and darling shops, my map of collected places in the Cotswolds is vast and ever-growing.
Here is a two-day suggested itinerary, with the hotel choice in mind as a base, for a visit to the Cotswolds from London.
This is one of my well-travelled routes — each time is different, which is why I have included alternate and optional pit stops along the way. I will always travel for food, beauty and intentional shopping, so this guide is reflective of those cravings for good places!
Make it your own; note, a car is necessary for this route.
Mood: landscape, architecture, food, cute shops, farm life, countryside style, local knowledge, photographer aesthetics, beautiful villages.
Starting Point / Hotel Choice / A good Base to start from
Day One
London →
Breakfast/tea & cake
Worton Kitchen Gardens (booking advised)→
Optional pit stop/alternatives: The Straw Kitchen, The Yurt at Nicholsons, Quince & Clover.
See & Do
Southrop →
Lunch
The Ox Barn at Thyme (booking advised) →
See & Do, Shop, Eat & Drink
Optional pit stop/alternatives: Burford Garden Co and Burford to the Oxford Brush Company) →
Optional pit stop/alternatives: Stow-on-the-Wold to see Tolkein’s door, D’Ambrosi, Cotswolds Art Supplies, Cutter Brooks. →
Nap/relax
Dinner
The Ebrington Arms (booking advised)
Optional pit stop/alternatives: Sunset views on Fish Hill, found when turning off Fish Hill towards Farncombe Estate.
Day Two
Breakfast/brunch
The Straw Kitchen & Whichford Pottery →
see & do
National Trust Hidcote Manor →
Lunch
Old Post Office Guiting Power &/or Cotswold Guy →
See & Do
Bibury: The Swan Hotel, The Twig→
Optional pit stop/alternatives: Bourton-on-the-water, Snowshill (Snowshill Manor, if time allows), The Stump (dinner for pizza, gluten-free pizza available!)