Cotswolds Articles

5 Reasons To Take A Weekend Break In The Cotswolds

Rather than spending the weekend catching up on household tasks why not treat yourself to a weekend break in the Cotswolds.

We all get stuck in our own routines of doing things and not giving ourselves enough time to do what we would really love to do. A weekend break in the Cotswolds has the advantage of getting away from everyday life to relax, revive and refresh yourselves.

1 The wonderful location of the Cotswolds puts it very easily within reach for so many people. This is perfect for a weekend break because you obviously don’t want to be travelling too far to get to where you want to be. You want to be enjoying the maximum amount of time at your chosen destination.

2 It is right out in the countryside. It does not take long to reach the Cotswolds from many parts of the country. Towns and villages such as Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water are some of the loveliest and most stunning villages in the whole of the country. Where better could you spend a weekend break than in the Cotswolds?

3 There are plenty of places to stay in to suit all tastes. Just decide what you all want from your Cotswolds holiday. Whatever you opt for it will feel so different from home.

4 There are lots of things to do. You might want to visit places like the Cotswold Farm Park if you have children. If it is an adults’ only weekend perhaps a tour of the local area would fit the bill instead. Whatever your interests you will find it on a short Cotswolds holiday of two or three days.

5 The scenery is amazing! You cannot beat the Cotswolds scenery for giving you lots of reasons to get out your camera. Every village and town is worth visiting purely for taking photos and creating lots of memories of your weekend away. What better way could there be to unwind and leave your everyday life behind for a couple of days than to look out on some different and calming scenery when you wake up in the morning.

As you can see a visit to the Cotswolds for a weekend break will have you wanting to return as there is so much to discover for every age and ability. Why not get out your diary now to find your next free weekend? 

4 Benefits Of Renting a Private Cotswold Cottage Over a Hotel

Private luxury Cotswold cottage rentals offer value for money and therefore one of the most cost effective solutions for your Cotswolds holiday. With a private rental you can save up to 50% compared to the average family hotel stay so you're free to spend the saving on enjoying yourself! And, with great accommodation at affordable prices, you can afford real luxury for less.

A space to call your own

When you stay in a private Cotswold cottage holiday rental you'll never have to worry about being disturbed by staff so you can enjoy your holiday in total privacy. As you're not restricted to just hotel rooms you'll have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy quality time with your family or friends. You can tuck the children up in bed and claim the evening for yourselves knowing they're sleeping safe and sound upstairs.

Make your own plans

With a private Cotswolds cottage holiday rental you can choose to enjoy your holiday as you prefer. Unlike a package deal there are no restrictions of dining options or tour schedules – you can tailor your itinerary to suit your family and friends. From choosing the attractions you want to visit, the restaurants you want to dine in and the experiences you want to have – you're free to come and go as you please.

Get your friends and family together

Do you want to enjoy a getaway where there's space for everyone? Whether you're thinking of New Year with friends, or a family reunion – Cotswold cottage private holiday rentals offer plenty space and privacy for the whole party to get together whatever the occasion. And what's more, if you are a group of six, the lower the cost per head, so private Cotswold cottage holiday rentals offer great value small group holidays.

Share the perfect meal

Flexible dining options are one of the many benefits of a private Cotswold cottage holiday rental. You can cater to your own family's tastes by producing mouth-watering meals, cooked with the freshest ingredients from the local markets – or choose to abandon the cooking altogether and enjoy regional delicacies in the best local restaurants. Even if it's just somewhere to make breakfast in the morning your own kitchen is invaluable.

Cotswolds Family Activities

Are you planning to visit the Cotswolds? If so you may be wondering about finding activities that will be suitable for both you and your children. Have no fear, there's no need to worry. The Cotswolds region offers many varied activities for all the family.

Cycling
If your children are able to cycle, or you have a way to tow them along while you cycle the Cotswolds offer both trails and paths to suit all tastes. What could be more fun than riding along a shady river trail with your family! You can bring your own cycles, or you can rent bicycles when you arrive. We recommend Go-By-Cycle in Somerford Keynes.

Cotswold River Cruise
Take a trip on the Thames launch Inglesham which operates throughout the summer season. This is a relaxed and informative trip which we recommend for all the family.

Cotswold Farm Park
The Cotswold Farm Park has to be one of the best venues in the Cotswolds for the children to visit. Here you'll find animals to pet and feed including the renowned Cotswold sheep, farming demonstrations dependant upon on the season, and tractor rides.

Children will also enjoy the play areas both indoors and outdoors. Taking children here will give them an insight of the culture that became the Cotswolds, in an entertaining manner. They can learn about raising sheep, shearing them, and turning their wool into cloth, which will be an unforgettable experience.

The Cotswold Farm Park also includes a restaurant, children's gift shop, and a camping area. Most children enjoy experiencing the Cotswolds in this "hands on" way.

Ride on a Steam Train
Children usually enjoy trains, and steam train rides can be especially fun for everyone. A popular one is the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, starting in the South Cotswolds at Blunsdon at the weekends. Passengers can experience the Cotswolds countryside and get a taste of history at the same time when they choose to ride this steam train.

The railway offer 'special days' throughout the year. These include Kids go free weekends and Santa Specials. Check with the railway to find out if any of these days coincide with your visit. Whether they do or not, riding this train will be an adventure your kids will remember for a long time.

It's All About Having Fun
Whatever you choose to do in the Cotswolds with your family  remember it's all about having fun. Give the children new experiences for a memorable holiday in the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds Westonbirt Arboretum

It may sound like a bizarre name but 'leaf peeping' is an American phrase relating to the hobby of admiring the dramatically changing colours of autumn foliage. We must not forget that we here in the UK have our own fair share of autumnal loveliness. Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury in the Cotswolds is very famous for its fiery autumn colours.

The action usually begins in early September with dazzlingly bright full moon maples (some of the largest in the world), acer, japonicums and Chinese spindles.

From about mid-October the Japanese maples dominate. If that was not enough excitement, other trees start producing rich aromas, such as the katsura, which smells of burnt caramel. Even the common beech tree turns the most beautiful shades of gold, russet and yellow.

The arboretum is quite close to Tetbury in the Cotswolds where Prince Charles has a residence and the town itself is well worth a visit. Westonbirt is well worth a visit at any time of the year to see the wide selection of flowering trees and shrubs

Visit Cotswolds Gardens

If you enjoy the sight of a well-kept garden don’t miss a trip to the picturesque gardens during your Cotswolds holiday. This part of southwest England is home to many spectacular gardens, from small houses to the large mansions.

The gardens attract visitors from around the world throughout the year and are also very popular a romantic weekend in the Cotswolds.

Hidcote Manor Garden is one of the most famous of these attractions is, a National Trust managed site is located close to Chipping Campden.

Painswick Rococo Garden was designed in the 18th Century and attracts thousands of visitors at the end of each winter when the site is covered with a carpet of snowdrops on the imminent arrival of spring. They claim to have the   largest collection of varieties in England.

Kiftsgate Courtyard, located in Chipping Campden, was created and is managed by three generations of women gardeners and gardens is connected, the different plants, depending on where they are made function. The upper gardens are designed for home flower arrangements are complimentary in terms of color, while the lower sheltered garden is a haven for plants growing in warmer climates.

Sezincote House if you are interested in unusual gardens can be found in Moreton-in-Marsh. The Oriental water garden is just one of many fascinating features of the house, built in the Regency style with an Indian twist.

There are some ideas for visiting gardens during your Cotswolds holiday

Tips on Lake Fishing for a Great Outdoor Experience

For many years, lake fish have been classified under three general heads: game fish, food fish, and forage or bait fish.

The bass, trout, pike, pickerel, muskellunge, pike perch, etc., have been generally known as game fish because of their sporting value.

On the other hand, carp, suckers, some of the catfish, yellow perch, etc., have been considered as food fish. While this latter group has not been considered as furnishing the sport that the so-called game fish do, nevertheless, it has a real economic and recreational value.

Generally speaking, in lake fishing, words are really inadequate when it comes to describing the correct procedure in casting. The best way to learn how to cast is to go down to the beach, watch an expert at work, and try to do likewise.

Nevertheless, lake fishing can really be fun and the novice will quickly master the correct form in lake fishing. Therefore, to further harness their craft, here are some tips that could help the anglers on their lake fishing activity.

1. In lake fishing, as with other forms of fishing, a smooth, snappy stroke is required but not as snappy as when snapping a whip. This type of stroke will cause the loss of many flies.

2. Anglers should remember that it is the line that is cast, not the fly. The fly is but a passenger, which is attached to the leader.

3. Proper timing is an important factor on both the backcast and forward cast.

4. Know the fish habitat and the kinds of fish that inhabit the lakes. Some of them are the sunfish, and the small mouth black bass.

These kinds of fish can usually be found hiding near some submerged log or stump, or among the plants.

5. When catching big fish in the lake, it is best to use big, sturdy rods. Big fish like the bass usually attain a weight of 12 pounds, which usually inhabits the lake or pond. The reason why they grow really big is that in lakes or ponds, the food is both abundant and very rich.

Hence, to handles these sizes, the ideal length and weight of the rod is 8 ½ feet in length and from 4 to four and three quarters of an ounce in weight.

Indeed, the fundamental principles in lake fishing are not difficult to master and with little patience and practice, the novice can become a successful angler in the lake.

Golf Bags for Beginner Golfers

You might be a golf beginner looking for your first set of golf clubs and equipment or a pro shopping for upgrades, but all will agree that golf bags are essential in the game. Next to golf clubs, a golf bag is one of the most important golfing equipment there is.

It is considered a necessity. A good golf bag will lessen your worries on the golf course, (i.e. all your clubs are in their proper place) and you can focus on your teeing.

If you're a beginner golfer, then golf bags are definitely a must. However, there are things that you should know before going to the nearest golf store and buying a golf bag on impulse. First, there are two types of golf bags? carry bags and cart bags.

Carry bags are golf bags that are used when you are planning to have a lot of walking on the golf course. Cart golf bags are those that you use when walking is not possible (as some golf courses prohibit walking), and riding a golf cart is your option. A beginner golfer will most definitely buy a walking bag at first, although if you are a serious beginner of the game, then you will eventually buy both types of golf bags.

If you are a newbie in the game, you might ask "What is a golf bag for? I only have four golf clubs." A golf bag is a functional equipment rather than a fashion statement. It is not just for your golf clubs, but it can also hold your other golf equipment and accessories. Some advanced golf bags even have pocket coolers that can keep your drink ice-cold even for hours! You might want to consider that, especially when you will buy a carry golf bag.

When buying a golf bag, especially a carry golf bag, find a comfortable one. One should check the straps to see if it fits comfortably and whether it can be carried easily. Remember that your golf bag will be one of your trusted companions on the greens, and that you will spend hours with it. So choose wisely. Don't buy low quality bags, because you will end up purchasing another bag in the next few months if your old golf bag tears up. You should also buy your golf bag depending on the number of golf clubs that you have. Most golf bags can carry up to 15 golf clubs. A tournament however limits the number of golf clubs in your golf bag.

Another important thing to consider when purchasing a golf bag is its weight. This is one of the most important things to know. Golf bags should be light enough to be carried or carted easily, but sturdy enough to hold your clubs and protect them. Some golf bags are even water resistant, and are rain proofed for the protection of your clubs. Most of these golf bags have 8 or 9 dividers or pockets. Again, the number of dividers that you will need depend on the amount of clubs and accessories you will carry. If you have many golf clubs then choose a golf bag with many dividers. However, these types of golf bags have the tendency to be heavier. Some bags can weigh less than 5 pounds! These types of bags are made up of space-age materials such as graphite, however, they more expensive.

Remember that when buying golf bags, the lighter it is, the better and more comfortable it will be.

6 Cotswold HolidayTips

To ensure everyone enjoys
their holiday it is important to include all the family in the planning of your
holiday. 

1   Discover as much about the holiday in advance in order to anticipate and avoid disappointments later. Involve the children in the holiday planning and preparations then the journey will be an adventure and everyone knows exactly what they can look forward to and expect. Have agreed meeting times like lunch and dinner where
you can spend quality time with your children talking and sharing the day's activities.

2   Find a Cotswolds holiday where all ages are catered for and where your children can be occupied and do their own thing in a safe environment. Make sure that some of the activities are activities you can, like fishing, tennis, etc.

3   Doing ordinary things in different environments can be fun such as fetching the morning paper, getting things
together for a day out, shopping at local markets, barbecuing and eating alfresco.

4   Friends are important to a child's enjoyment of holidays. If your child is shy or at that self-conscious age, help them make friends by making friends yourself with parents whose children are of a similar age. Pursuing an existing interest or trying a new hobby is a great way to meet people and make friends.

5   Strange places can upset little ones... Bring something that reminds them of home, like a blanket or a soft toy to help them settle in a strange new place. Stick to their bed-time routines. Bring some 'wind down' toys or books so that your children can get relax before going to sleep after a busy and exciting day.

6    Have family discussions about where to go and what to see during your stay. Compromises may have to be made to ensure you agree on a balanced itinerary. Have realistic expectations of the children's behaviour - they're likely to be noisy, excited and get carried away. Don't have disagreements with your partner about how to deal with them, let the parent who usually sets the rules get on with it.