a blogger’s guide to the cotswolds b - habitat … · 8 emma bourton on the water picture...
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JOANNA
bidbury village
The Epitome of a Beautiful Village
Joanna xx
Theworldinmypocket.co.uk
@OanaRoua
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@oana_roua
The World in My Pocket is a travel
blog focused on storytelling and
unique experiences around the
world. I wonder around the world,
with my backpack and my camera,
and I gather stories about people
and local cultures. Contributing to
zmake the world a better place.
Articles illustrating beautiful villages of the world often use the British village of Bidbury for imagery, but in reality it is much prettier than in any picture taken.
The village is built entirely out of honey coloured stone cottages with steeply pitched roofs and it is surrounded by nature. For outdoors lovers, the area is perfect for short hikes in the English countryside.
The most famous spot of the village is Arlington Row, built in 1380 as a monastic wool store. Time has passed and the wool store has been converted into a row of weavers’ cottages. From Arlington Row, on the River Coln, ducks are teaching their ducklings to swim while people feed the swans with tiny bits of bread. On the other side, cute traditional teahouses invite their guests for a nice pot of tea accompanied by a yummy piece of cake.
A bit further up the road, there’s the church, an architectural gem dating from the Saxon period, with 12th century glass windows and a 15th century roof.
Crossing the narrow stone bridge, dressed in green and red ivy, there is the trout farm where you can stop for some home-made ginger cookies and coffee. The little shop belonging to the trout farm sells all sorts of local delicacies, like locally baked bread, free range eggs, milk and of course, fresh trout – perfect to put on the BBQ for dinner.
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KAREN
snowshill village
Varieties of Lavender
Karen x
Stoppingattwo.co.uk
@karenjwhitlock
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@stoppingattwo
Stopping At Two, is the day-to-day
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The appeal of the Cotswolds for so many are the quaint villages with their honey-coloured stone buildings. One such village is Snowshill, near Broadway.Here you can visit Snowshill Manor or see the Cotswold stone church of St. Barnabas, but for me, the real gem of this part of the world is Cotswold Lavender, a 35 acre lavender farm. The lavender farm is only open between June and August each year, before they harvest the flowers. it really is a delight for all the senses. As you get closer to the fields, you will get a glimpse of vivid violet. However, when you enter the fields themselves, you realise there is a vast array of many different shades of violet from the different varieties of lavender plants grown there.
As you walk through row upon row of plants, you cannot fail to miss the delicate scent in the air, and the soft hum of the bees as they fly from flower to flower. This is heightened towards the middle of a sunny summer’s day. There really is no place more beautiful in the Cotswolds at this time of year.
After a gentle stroll through the fields, you can then rest and take some refreshment in the tea room. In addition to hot drinks and sandwiches you can also enjoy lavender shortbread, a lavender scone or a slice of lemon and lavender cake.
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NORTHLEACH MARKET TOWN
Ancient stone houses
Loiuse
Nestled in the rolling Cotswold hills lies the historic market town of Northleach. Butter yellow, ancient stone houses make it a very beautiful and quaint place to visit.
The beautiful St Peter’s Church is open to visitors daily, with guides on hand to answer questions. There is also a popular mechanical museum and the old prison; a visitor centre and café on the way in. Far Peak is nearby too, a campsite with a climbing centre. Also recommended are the many walks from the town - a guide to which is available to purchase from the shops.
Last but not least is the many pubs and cafes in Northleach, mostly centered around the square. There are also several little shops, and a small convenience store too.
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EMMA
BOURTON ON THE WATER
Picture postcard
Emma Bradley
Emma and 3 Mums Savvy Savings
@emmaand3
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Emma is an award winning blogger
at Emma and 3 and Mums Savvy
Savings. Committed to all young
people Emma can be found writing
about a diverse range of things,
from raising the aspirations and
confidence of girls to day trips and
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always open to trying trips away.
Bourton is often referred to as one of England’s prettiest villages. It has picture postcard looks and the river that flows through the village is a place to sit and relax whilst children paddle on summer’s days. The village is geared up for the many tourists and is the perfect place for a traditional afternoon tea and slice of homemade cake.
One of the popular attractions is the model village. It is a sight to see as it replicates the village in its entirety. It is built with a ratio of 9 -1 and took the skilled craftsmen five years to build. Children and adults alike enjoy the attraction which even has the river flowing through it.
The model village replicates the houses made of Cotswold Stone which is what many tourists imagine a Cotswold village to look like. It also includes a miniature world which comprises of scenes and room sets. Children love feeling like they have stepped into tiny world where they are giants. The model village is open all year and shares a car park with The New Inn. It is a delight of place and no trip to Bourton is complete without taking in the model village.
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Images of Lower Mill
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DAN
COTSWOLDS EXCURSION
Big smoke to countryside
Dan Spry
cityandcinema.blogspot.co.uk
@Dan_Spry
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@dan_spry
I’ve lived in South London my whole life and the city is a place very close to my heart. I love the hustle and bustle of city living, but to really appreciate the “big smoke” you should maybe take a few days to unwind in a remote location.
I took 3 nights out to enjoy the tranquillity of the English countryside in the Cotswolds. Chocolate-box village hopping in the Cotswolds gives you such a homely experience but for food, I visited Daylesford farm, which is an organic farm & supermarket with a lovely store in Notting Hill. It also has a couple of really fantastic restaurants, only serving it’s farm grown goods. I’d also recommend visiting a few National Trust sites, like Hidecote Gardens.
It’s a good opportunity to feel like you’re walking through a Jane Austen novel.
All in all, being in the city all the time, you forget how beautiful this country is.
Images of Lower Mill
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