Covering almost 800 square miles of achingly beautiful scenery and patchwork villages, the honey-hued tones of the Cotswolds draw visitors from far and wide. One of the most romantically nostalgic and spell-bindingly beautiful pockets of the country, the Cotswolds is famous for its creeper-clad thatched cottages and sprawling English countryside interwoven with 3,000 miles of walking paths, bike trails and bridleways.

Pack your agenda with as much or as little as you please and dive beneath the surface of England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the country. Whether you are looking for a spontaneous short break with your sweetheart, a revitalising walking weekend with your dog or are looking for a week or two with the family; our luxury self-catering cottages provide the perfect base from which to start and close your days in the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds doesn’t just provide a visual feast; this magical corner of the country is famous for its culinary diversity and the extremely high standards of its produce and goods. Running through five counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire), you can find everything your heart desires within its bounteous reaches.

Visit Stroud Farmers’ Market, Wotton Farm Shop and William’s Food Hall to stock up your fridge and look forward to the freshest meals at home. Or, for a totally refined experience out and about, 5 North Street in Cheltenham, Le Champion Sauvage in Cheltenham, the Bath Priory in Bath and the Wild Rabbit in Kingham have all received rapturous praise and multiple awards.

For cheese-related entertainment, if you are staying in one of our boutique cottages in Gloucestershire, make sure you pencil in the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling event, usually held in May. Dating back to the 1800’s, the event involves free-wheeling cheese, brave (and slightly bonkers) competitors and a hill!

From afternoon cream teas overlooking rolling countryside to local beers supped by a crackling fire to guided tours of sun-drenched vineyards, the Cotswolds has something for everyone. Whether you are a Cotswold Cider fan, into your Cotswold Brewing Company beers or looking for something a little softer, crack open the proverbial lid and see what all the fuss is about.

If tea is your thing, visit Broadway’s Tisanes Tea Rooms where you can sample over thirty different teas, or enjoy a Royal experience with cream tea at Highgrove Gardens. For wine-lovers, visit Woodchester Valley Vineyard, Three Choirs Vineyard or the Poulton Hill, whose 8,800 vines can produce up to 20,000 bottles of wine a year!

A great way to sample lots of local soft and alcoholic drinks, the Costwold Show and Food Festival held in July is a must-visit, packed full of family-friendly activities and attractions. In the same month, the Cotswold Beer Festival showcases over 100 beers, ciders and perries.

From castles to country homes and from enchanted woodland to pastoral scenes, the Cotswolds beautiful folds encompass everything from lively market towns to secret wildflower meadows. Whether you are looking for peace and tranquillity or action and adventure, tailor your days exactly as you please before returning to your private slice of Cotswolds heaven.

From the buzzing streets of Cheltenham to the impossibly photogenic face of Broadway to the extensive network of country trails; urbanites, history buffs and country-lovers will be well-catered for. While wildlife enthusiasts should head to Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Prinknash Bird & Deer Park and WWT Slimbridge, literary-lovers looking for a breath of fresh air can fall between the pages of Cider with Rosie on the Laurie Lee Wildlife Way.

If you are looking for a journey through time, Warwick Castle, Abbey House and Gardens, Woodchester Mansion and Berkeley Castle are all well worth visiting. To overlook 16 counties all from the same place, climb to the top of Broadway Tower and drink in the views before returning to your private cottage and toasting the day, legs tired and smile broad.