Pre-Cruise Cotswolds Summer '17

[need2cruisesoon]

Looking for recommendations on hotel or BnB in the Cotswolds for next summer.

 

My game plan is to rent a car at LHR then drive up to the Cotswolds and stay for 4-5 nights before our Baltic cruise. Some towns and villages I've heard mention are Snowshill, Painswick and Tetbury....

 

The rental part I am still researching as I'd like to drop the car off in Southampton if possible, so will see on this.

 

Thanks in advance,

Ron

[John Bull]

An eminently sensible plan :)

 

Hertz, Alamo, Europcar, National & Sixt have depots near the cruise terminals in Southampton, but do check whether they're open on a sunday if that's relevant.

Avis aren't represented in the city - you'd have to return the car to their depot at Southampton airport, about a £20 / 20 minute taxi ride or a train ride from the port.

 

Bear in mind that most rental cars are shift-stick - if you need an automatic, be sure to specify.

 

To those Cotswolds villages add Burford, Stow-in-the-Wold, Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and (rather touristy) Bourton-on-the-Water.

All typically Cotswold - not spectacular, just very pleasant & laid-back.

Also consider Churchill's Blenheim Palace (near Woodstock) on your way from LHR.

Plus Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle at the top end of the Cotswolds.

Plus Bath & Gloucester, mebbe even into Wales (Raglan Castle & the lower Wye Valley) to the west.

And Lacock, Avebury Ring, Stonehenge and Salisbury as you head to Southampton.

How many weeks did you say you have? ;)

 

I don't know the local hotels & b&b's, only ever been a day-visitor or passing-through.

But we have a resident Eagle who might be able to help.

 

JB :)

Edited November 26, 2016 by John Bull

[need2cruisesoon]

An eminently sensible plan :)

 

Bear in mind that most rental cars are shift-stick - if you need an automatic, be sure to specify.

 

To those Cotswolds villages add Burford, Stow-in-the-Wold, Broadway, Moreton-in-Marsh and (rather touristy) Bourton-on-the-Water.

All typically Cotswold - not spectacular, just very pleasant & laid-back.

Also consider Churchill's Blenheim Palace (near Woodstock) on your way from LHR.

 

But we have a resident Eagle who might be able to help.

 

JB :)

 

Awesome info Mr Bull.

Let me buy you a pint when I see you next June my friend.

Edited November 27, 2016 by need2cruisesoon

[Thejuggler]

We stayed in a cottage in Tetbury a few years ago over Christmas. For 4-5 nights this could be a cheaper option and you will get your own place.

 

A decent sized town and a good location to visit many of the other smaller places.

[Bob++]

Welcome to our part of the world. If you like that sort of thing, the Cotswolds is certainly the place to go. From shopping in Cheltenham or Oxford to simple sightseeing on a drive from Burford through The Slaughters and Bourton on the Water, or over to Gloucester for the dockyard and the cathedral.

 

Pubs abound; every village has one or more and many of them serve very good food at reasonable prices, as well as a variety of beers, wines and spirits. Accommodation ranges from luxury at places like Wyck Hill House Hotel & Spa - http://www.wyckhillhousehotel.co.uk/ - or more modestly at a B&B (private house or pub) - too many to mention, and the standard is high. Where you stay might depend on your budget and whether you want old world charm (with no A/C, wonky floors and no lift) or more modern with all the amenities - there is a Crowne Plaza (formerly a Hilton) at Stratford for example.

 

Stratford upon Avon will be packed with tourists, but if you want to see some out-of-the-ordinary theatre, the RSC has Oscar Wilde's Salome at The Swan Theatre from June to September. https://www.rsc.org.uk/salome/

Edited November 27, 2016 by Bob++

[ReturnCruiser]

Looking for recommendations on hotel or BnB in the Cotswolds for next summer.

 

My game plan is to rent a car at LHR then drive up to the Cotswolds and stay for 4-5 nights before our Baltic cruise. Some towns and villages I've heard mention are Snowshill, Painswick and Tetbury....

 

The rental part I am still researching as I'd like to drop the car off in Southampton if possible, so will see on this.

 

Thanks in advance,

Ron

 

We rented from Enterprise in Southampton - likely many options at LHR. We were told that if we had specified a manual transmission, the rental car would have been smaller sized. A smaller sized car in the Cotswolds is a good thing. We did a number of day trips from both Bath and Chipping Campden. In Bath, we stayed at Apsley House and, in Chipping Camden, we stayed The Chance B&B. Both were very nice.

 

Notes about the trip can be read from my below blog link.

[John Bull]

We rented from Enterprise in Southampton .

 

Ooops, yes.

Forgot to include Enterprise in my list, they've taken over the premises formerly occupied by Avis.

Just a 300 yard walk from that depot, adjacent Holiday Inn at Dock Gate 8, to City Cruise Terminal. That's where Celebrity normally berth.

Short taxi hop (about £8) to other cruise terminals - or walkable to Mayflower or Ocean terminals, especially if you drop your luggage first.

 

JB :)

Edited November 28, 2016 by John Bull

[4774Papa]

I have been planning a four week drive tour of England and Wales for pre cruise in October 17.

 

Here is some information that I have collected for the trip related to the Cotswolds.

 

We plan to stay in Bath three days, go to Wales, then return for six days staying in Chipping Campden.

 

While in CC we plan to visit Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Stratford on Avon, see the signs in the Cotswolds as well and Warwick Castle on our way to York.

 

Here is the information:

Biggest of the Wool Churches

The largest and greatest of the Cotswold Gothic churches (sometimes known as 'Woolgothic') is the church of St. John the Baptist at Cirencester.

 

Largest Norman Tower in the World

Tewkesbury Abbey in the town of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire has the largest Norman Tower in the world. The abbey also boasts in having the largest exterior arch in Britain.

 

Most visited Church in the Cotswolds

The Church of the Holy Trinity at Stratford-upon-Avon is the most visited church in England due to it being William Shakespeare's burial place.

 

Most visited Cotswolds Village

The north Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water is the most visited by tourists in all of the Cotswolds.

 

Romanesque Sculptures

The Malmesbury Apostles sculpture at Malmesbury Abbey south entrance have been descibed as the most outstanding Romanesque sculptures in Britain. For more information - about Malmesbury.

 

Top Ten most visited Tourist Attractions in the UK

Warwick Castle is in the top ten of the most visited Tourist Attarctions in the United Kingdom.

Roman Baths at City of Bath Spa.

World Heritage City of Bath

The Georgian Bath Spa city is Britain's only designated World Heritage City.

 

 

https://bedandbreakfast.uk/property.asp?PropertyID=1766

 

 

APPLE TREE GUESTHOUSE

http://www.appletreeguesthouse.com

 

 

Day 6: Oxford & its University

Return to London and then transfer on to another fast train leaving from Paddington Station, reaching Oxford in 1 1/2 hours. Five trains run to Oxford every hour.

For atmosphere and affordable food, have lunch at the Turf Tavern, following in the footsteps of everybody from Elizabeth Taylor to Bill Clinton. We'd then recommend a 2-hour walking tour that departs at 2pm daily from the Oxford Tourist Information Centre. This is the best orientation for the highlights of this university city. To crown the afternoon, climb Carfax Tower for a panoramic view of the "city of dreaming spires." If there's still time in the afternoon, engage in that popular local pastime: "Punting the River Cherwell".

Day 7: Blenheim Palace & Hampton Court Palace

If you move fast enough, you can see two of England's greatest palaces -- each one different -- before the day's end. From Oxford, trains depart every 12 minutes to Woodstock, home of Blenheim Palace, called England's answer to Versailles. The ancestral seat of the dukes of Marlborough, it was also the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. After a tour of the palace, lasting 1 1/2 hours, return to Oxford and take a fast train back to London, where you can check into a hotel.

 

 

Day 10: Wells, Glastonbury Abbey & Exeter

A busy day indeed. Leave Bath in the morning and drive 34km (21 miles) southwest to the city of Wells, where you can visit its famous cathedral, dating from the 12th century. The structure is noted for its vast and intricate inverted arches added in 1338. After a visit lasting less than an hour, continue 9.5km (6 miles) to the southwest to visit historic Glastonbury Abbey, the famous abbey ruins and legendary retreat of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Allow 45 minutes for a visit.

Arrive in Exeter, the capital of Devon, and check into a hotel. Exeter lies 151km (94 miles) southwest of Bath. If time remains, visit its cathedral dating from 1112.

 

 

Day 14: Driving Through the Cotswolds

For your final day in England, arm yourself with a good map and set out to explore the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds.

From Cheltenham, and by doing some crisscrossing here and there, you can take in the best of the Cotswolds. Scenic highlights of your day will include Upper and Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Moreton-in-Marsh. Finally, in the north Cotswolds, you arrive in the most scenic town of Broadway, with what is arguably the most beautiful High Street in England. However, it's overrun with visitors in summer and charges very high prices. Make your way northeast to the even more charming village of Chipping Campden, which you can walk around and explore in 2 hours, spending the night before heading back to London and your final destination in the morning.

 

 

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/england/732079#ixzz42ukPX6MP

 

If you are driving, your choices of places to stay open up. For example, I would consider Chipping Campden (finest High Street in England, allegedly) instead of Moreton or Stratford - Cam

 

pden has a good choice of hotels, B&Bs, pubs and restaurants. Or stay in a nearby village pub - the Horse and Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill or Ebrington Arms in, er, Ebrington are local favourites.

 

And JB is correct, if you want a day in Oxford take the train from Moreton if in that part of the Cotswolds. But avoid Moreton on Tuesday, which is market day when parking gets more challenging!

 

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes?departure=Cardigan%2C%20United%20Kingdom&departureId=31NDE4Y2cxMGNOVEl1TURnek13PT1jTFRRdU5qVTROalk9&arrival=worcester%2C%20united%20kingdom&arrivalId=31NDFkOGUxMGNOVEl1TVRreU1EWT1jTFRJdU1qSXpOVGM9&index=2&vehicle=0&type=0&distance=km&currency=EUR&avoidClosedRoad=&motorway=&toll=&vignette=&orc=&crossing=true&caravan=&car=hatchback&fuel=petrol&fuelCost=1.36&allowance=&corridor=

 

One base would make sense for those visits - I live between Moreton and Campden and am no more than 40 minutes by car from any of them (and plenty more, of course!)

 

Yes, plenty of car parks in Stratford and it's a compact place to walk round once you are there.

 

If doing Belnheim and Oxford in one day, you probably want to drive there, and I strongly suggest using the Pear Tree Park and Ride to get in to Oxford itself. It is well signposted as you approach the Oxford Ring Road on the A44 from Blenheim (Woodstock).

 

http://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/tour-details/

 

Guided minibus tour of the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon-Avon.

When?

Tours run every*Wednesday, Friday*and Sunday*throughout the year* departing at approximately 9.15am and returning to Stratford-upon-Avon by 5pm+.

How much?

Just £35 per adult and £25 per child (15 and under) for a full day’s guided tour.*Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) are also available for £95.

What’s included?

• Tour of the Cotswolds with a friendly local driver guide who provides a commentary filled with Cotswold facts, stats, legend and folklore at various stops throughout the day.

• Pick-up from/drop-off at your accommodation, or another convenient location in Stratford-upon-Avon or Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa rail stations.

• Maps (with discount vouchers) for the stops at Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold.

Where does the tour visit?

The*tour visits a variety of towns, villages and beauty spots that characterise the beauty of the Cotswolds; stopping at Dover’s Hill, Chipping Campden, Broadway Tower, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and the Rollright Stone Circle. We also visit a secret of-the-beaten-track Cotswolds village – but you’ll have to join us on a tour to find out about this one!We’ll visit the breathtaking viewpoints at Dover’s Hill and Broadway Tower, admire the small market town charm of Chipping Campden, stop for lunch in the beautiful town of Stow-on-the-Wold, stroll through picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water, and count the mystic Rollright Stones. We’ll also pass through many other quaint villages, including a secret, off-the-beaten-track village where you’ll be the only tourists!

 

 

 

http://www.gocotswolds.co.uk/tour-details/

 

We’ll visit the breathtaking viewpoints at Dover’s Hill and Broadway Tower, admire the small market town charm of Chipping Campden, stop for lunch in the beautiful town of Stow-on-the-Wold, stroll through picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water, and count the mystic Rollright Stones. We’ll also pass through many other quaint villages, including a secret, off-the-beaten-track village where you’ll probably be the only tourists!

 

Stratford on Avon

 

http://stratfordtownwalk.co.uk/

 

Meet by the yellow sign, close to the Swan fountain on Waterside, near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and opposite the junction of*Sheep Street.

 

Mon, Tue, Wed,*Thur, Fri at 11am

Sat &*Sun at 11am and 2pm
Christmas Day at 10.30am

Duration approximately 2hrs

Adults £6* * *

Over 65's and students*£5

Children (under 16) £3

Under 8 years FREE!

Just turn up, whatever the weather! There is no need to book (unless a group of 10+).*

(Booking is required for school/college groups, and any group of 10 or more. This is to ensure the overall group size is manageable for the guide. *In the unlikely event too many people turn up for a walk, the guide will call for a backup, or if a back up is not available, restrict the numbers).

Use the vouchers attached to your ticket to obtain discounts at a range of shops, restaurants, pubs and attractions (e.g. '2 for 1' Shakespeare House tickets). See our discounts page.

The Town Walk
As you*walk in William Shakespeare's footsteps*from Birthplace to grave, along the historic spine*of ancient Stratford, your guide will unravel the Shakespeare story. *It's like walking through the pages of history. You will*see the houses connected to William Shakespeare and his family -

The*Birthplace, Nash's House and*the site of New Place, and the beautiful Hall's Croft.**If you have free time after the walk, you may wish to visit the houses and take advantage of a special discount offered to Stratford Town Walk customers (2FOR1 entry).

 

 

Other highlights include*the picturesque River Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Theatres,*15th century timber-framed buildings and Guild Chapel. Wander in to see the amazing medieval wall paintings, including the Doom (one of the largest surviving in Britain). *Pass by Shakespeare's grammar school and marvel at his schooldays, before visiting Holy Trinity Church.* See*where William Shakespeare is buried in the Chancel and find out why there is a*'curse' on his grave.* There is a*small fee to*enter the Chancel (payable to the Church on the day), but the*Chancel visit is optional, subject to Church opening times, and*can be decided on the day.*

Discover Stratford's American connections and the unique collection of lampposts from around the world. *A tour of many cities and countries!!

 

OXFORD

http://www.footprints-tours.com/oxford-walking-tours/tours/2-hour-free-walking-tour/

[need2cruisesoon]

Awesome information everybody.

Thanks to Papa, Return Cruiser, Bob, The Juggler and John Bull...much appreciated.

[LondonTowner]

Have a look on Sawdays website. I have booked some excellent BBs from their recommendations.