Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE
best
TRAVEL
EXPERIENCES IN THE
COTSWOLDS
W
Hiking the Cotswold Way:
This rustic hiking trail is one of the most popular in
England, for good reason—it winds its way through 100 miles of lush Cotswold
countryside, taking in some of the region's most awe-inspiring towns and villages:
Chipping Camden, Painswick, and Bath. See p. 427.
W
Shopping for English antiques:
The Cotswolds is a major center for high-quality
antiques, and you could spend several weeks digging around for bargains in its
numerous antique stores; expect anything from Georgian furniture to Victorian
dolls. Stow-on-the-Wold is the best place to begin. See p. 442.
W
Climbing Broadway Tower:
Make your way up this 17-m (55-ft.) folly designed by
Capability Brown—the second highest point in the Cotswolds—for gasp-inducing
views across the entire region. See p. 444.
W
Going to the races:
Every year in March, Cheltenham hosts the Gold Cup, the
most prestigious horse-jump race in the U.K. Races are often dramatic, raucous
affairs, and a unique slice of English life. See p. 432.
W
Sleeping in a four-poster bed:
The Cotswolds are littered with old country
houses, pubs, and inns that have been converted into plush hotels, unashamedly
cashing in on the region's historic appeal with a liberal sprinkling of four-poster
beds—the Swan Hotel in Bibury is a good example. See p. 431.
11
BURFORD
176 miles NW of London; 20 miles W of Oxford
Built of classic honey-gold Cotswold stone, the unspoiled medieval town of
Burford
serves as the best gateway to the region coming from London or Oxford. The town
was one of the last of the great wool centers, the industry bleating out its last breath
during Queen Victoria's reign. Today it's best known for its Norman church and its
High Street lined with old coaching inns and antique shops.
On Your Bike
Biking the country roads of the Cots-
wolds is one of the best ways to experi-
ence the quiet beauty of the area. For
a self-guided tour (but with a lot of
help), you can hook up with
Cotswold
Country Cycles
(
&
01386/438706;
www.cotswoldcountrycycles.com),
whose tours are designed to take you
off the beaten track. Lodging is
arranged in advance, often at manor
houses or historic homes. A typical
offering is the 3-day, 2-night adventure
called “Simply Cotswolds,” based in
Chipping Campden (p. 447) and start-
ing at £225 per person. A simpler
option is offered by
Hartwells Cycle-
Hire
(
&
01451/820405;
www.hartwells.
supanet.com), which rents bikes (£12 a
day, £7 children 15 and under) from its
base on Bourton-on-the-Water
(p. 437).
