You’ve booked the holiday cottage, and you’ve planned some amazing days in the Cotswolds.
If you’re going away with family, or have friends in the area, you could also throw a dinner party to make the most of the beautiful country cottage.
If you’ve never thrown a full blown dinner party before, or your cookery repertoire is a little limited, you may be scratching your head wondering where to start.
Not to worry, our pro chef has got you covered. From tips, hacks, and tasty meal suggestions we’ve got the ultimate guide to hosting a dinner party in your holiday let.
Let’s dive in!
First of all you’ll need to set a perfect date and time for your dinner party. You’ll already have the dates booked for your holiday cottage, but when do you want to host dinner for everyone? At the end of the holiday, or a few days into your stay?
It’s best to give yourself and your guests a few days to settle in. This will give you time to figure out where the best shops are to pick up all your ingredients and plan for any dietary restrictions..
Picking a time for your dinner party will depend on what kind of ambiance you want to create and what will be most comfortable for your guests. Younger visitors will likely get bored with a dinner that lasts long into the night, but adults might enjoy a long dinner with wine, cheese, and port to finish.
When deciding on a theme, the dates of your holiday will help you choose. Are you away for a Christmas or New Year holiday? Then light candles, string fairy lights, and add holly table settings. Finally, a roaring fire will set the perfect ambiance. A winter menu will likely involve warming soups, hearty roasts, or spicy tagines.
For a summer party, you could move the whole thing outside and do a barbecue or a grazing platter. To set the scene, bring some outdoor cushions, and rugs and hang paper lanterns of fabric bunting. You could even hire some outdoor games to keep the kids entertained.
To make things go with a bang, why not try making your own homemade cocktail?
Cooking in a holiday let is very different from cooking in your own kitchen. Before you arrive, it’s sensible to check what kitchen equipment is included in the cottage. This may be listed on the website you booked with, or you can call the letting agent or host directly.
Once you’ve arrived at your holiday cottage, check out the dining room and dinner table. Is it large enough for everyone and are there enough chairs for your guest list? A good dinner party host will ensure that all their guests are comfortable. As well as amazing food, you’ll need to provide somewhere comfortable to sit. If there aren’t enough chairs, and it’s a warm day, you could take some outdoor cushions and picnic blankets outside instead. Dinner parties outside in the British weather can involve dodging the odd raincloud, but they have a great atmosphere!
You’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to set up. You can prep the table, place settings, and decorations the night before. This means that you can spend the day enjoying the local area – you didn’t come on holiday to the Cotswolds to spend all day working and cleaning!
To decorate, why not get some inspiration from Carole Bamford’s Instagram. The founder of Daylesford Organic has some beautiful table-scaping ideas. When staying in the countryside, there are plenty of things you can pick up for free to help set the atmosphere. You can pick some wild holly and ivy to give your cottage a Christmas feel. Or you could head to one of the many Cotswolds farmers’ markets and pick up some flowers to bring a touch of spring to your table.
To create your perfect Cotswold menu, first think about some local ingredients you would like to showcase.
Menu planning needn’t be a headache. First, consider the time of year and what sort of ambiance you want to create. Is it a relaxed affair, or a special occasion?
If you’re cooking in the warmer months, a lovely starter could come from the Salt Pig Curing Company. A selection of deli meats means that you don’t have to spend a lot of time prepping and can still wow your guests with your local food knowledge.
A simple salad with some smoked meat or fish is also a good choice if don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Smoked duck from Upton Smokery with a salad of carrot, mangetout, and orange works especially well and can be tweaked with different types of salad leaves to suit your own taste.
For a summery main course, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could barbecue a whole shoulder of lamb. There are plenty of local butchers in the towns and villages who can source one for you. The night before rub the shoulder with ras al hanout spice, salt, and pepper. On the day, slow cook over a low heat, and spend time with your dinner party guests.
For summer desserts, bavoirs, possets or mousses are a great choice as they can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.
If you’re hosting an autumn or wintery dinner party, a hearty soup can easily be prepared in advance and embellished on the day with some micro herbs and green oil to give a restaurant feel.
For the main, try a chicken, chorizo and chickpea cassoulet. If you have any vegetarians in your party, simply substitute the meat for butternut squash.
A great wintery dessert to wow your guests is a chocolate torte, sticky toffee pudding for a crowd pleaser.
If it’s your first time visiting the Cotswolds, you may not know where to go for the best ingredients. There are plenty of weekly markets in the area, or you could take advantage of one of the many farm shops in the area.
For cheese lovers, The Cotswold Cheese Co has more than 100 local artisan cheeses. If you want to make a big impression at your dinner party they even do cheese wedding cakes!
The Upton Smokery near Burford is the perfect place to pick up smoked meats, fish and cheese. If you’re hosting a summer barbecue party, they also have seasonings that will take your food to the next level
The Market Garden in Cirencester is packed full of fresh produce, the perfect place to pick up fresh fruit and veggies for your dinner party.
Aside from the independent shops and markets, many supermarkets also stock local produce, so you can find what you’re looking for whatever your budget
Once you know what equipment is provided in your holiday cottage you’ll have a better idea of what you can cook once you arrive and what you need to prepare in advance. Some cottages won’t have specialist equipment so check if you need to bring something like a blender or a large roasting pan.
There are several dishes that you can prepare at home in advance and either freeze or leave in the fridge until you head off on your holidays. Dishes that hold well include stews and braises. Classic lasagne will also do fine in the freezer and travel well.
Some things are better made on site or on the day like salads and fresh cream desserts which may wilt and suffer in the car.
To give yourself plenty of time to cook and spend time with your guests, choose dishes that you’ve cooked a couple of times before. That way, you’ll have a rough idea of bhow long things should take, when guests should sit down and how long you have between each course.
To keep track of multiple dish timings in an unfamiliar kitchen make life easy for yourself with an app called Thyme, a timer that allows you to set times for multiple dishes. If you’re worried about losing time creating multiple dishes, then stick to one pot meals. Stews and casseroles served family style can make for a lively and informal dinner party, and help minimise the time spent on clean-up.
Finally, make sure to factor in time to spend with your guests. After all, this is your holiday too!
After everyone has eaten, you’ll be faced with the least fun part-cleaning up. Holiday lets will typically charge you extra if you leave dirty dishes after your stay, so, as tempting as it may be, don’t ignore it. Load everything you can in the dishwasher and put it on before going to bed
If you have time, clear the table between courses and wash up small plates and cutlery quickly so you don’t have a huge pile of washing up to deal with at the end of the party. Once everyone has left the table, wipe down the surface so you’re not confronted with a sticky table for breakfast.
Put any leftover food in the fridge. This will be great for a late lunch the next day, or you can snack on it during the journey home.
If you want to send your guests home with a little something, there are many sweet shops in the area, like the Cotswold Sweet Shop where you could pick up some gifts. A small chocolate truffle makes an elegant gift and your guests will remember your dinner party after they’ve gone home.
If you’re stuck for recipe ideas or you don’t fancy doing any of the cooking yourself and want to relax and enjoy the meal, you can always hire a private chef.
Private dining isn’t just for the rich and famous. There are many private chefs in the Cotswolds who cater to a range of budgets. If you’d rather soak up the atmosphere while your guests arrive and enjoy the delicious food, then we’ve got you covered.
And there you have it! Our ultimate guide to throwing the perfect dinner party in your holiday let. If you’re planning a dinner party and want to hire us to handle it, do get in touch.
We love picnics. From doorstop-thick sandwiches, to a refreshing fruit salad, to a crisp chicken salad, a picnic basket filled with delicious treats evokes some of the best memories of summer. A picnic table spread with hearty local fare is an excellent way to enjoy a meal during your next Cotswold holiday.
Before you start packing for your next picnic on your Cotswold vacation, you may be wondering what foods travel well. When you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want is a soggy sandwich, a wilted salad, or mayonnaise that’s on the turn.
Here at Cassoulet & Cream, we’ve devised ten easy picnic food ideas to make your next alfresco feast as easy and delicious as possible. We’ve included options for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans, but don’t feel constrained by our suggestions. These are just ideas to get you started, feel free to get creative and add any picnic food you like to the hamper!
Alternatively, if you want to take the hassle out of organising your next Cotswold picnic altogether, then here at Cassoulet & Cream, we can put together a picnic hamper for you. However, if you’re itching for inspiration and looking for great picnic food ideas to make yourself, then read on!
Have a look at any picnic food photos on Instagram or articles about easy picnic food ideas and you’re bound to be met with an overwhelming number of suggestions. That’s why we’ve selected our top 10 favorite picnic food ideas that will be perfect for any summer picnic. The best picnic food ideas we’ve chosen are:
There’s something for every member of your party here. From the classics to something a little more modern, picnic foods that include everyone pull together the perfect outdoor lunch. We’ll walk you through how to make sure these foods arrive in the perfect condition and even give you some great recipes and tips along the way.
Sandwiches have been the staple of British picnic food since we first sat down on a picnic blanket. A fresh, flavourful filling between two slices of crusty bread will keep stomachs full throughout the day.
We recommend using fresh crusty bread to take the humble sandwich up a notch and make sure you’re not just packing the sad sort of offering seen on so many office desks at lunchtime. Marks Cotswold Bakery does an amazing Cotswold Crunch Sourdough that’s sure to stand up to any fillings you want.
When it comes to sandwich fillings, you want to pick something tasty that holds well, especially if travelling in a warm car, and something that all the family can enjoy. Smoked salmon with pickled cucumber and a fresh dill mayonnaise is a sophisticated, grown-up sandwich filling that is sure to please those looking for something a cut above the ordinary cheese and tomato sandwich. Or, you could try a simple egg salad sandwich-just make sure to include an ice pack in your picnic basket to ensure it holds well. Vegans can enjoy a tasty sandwich filling, such as sun-dried tomato, hummus and cucumber.
If you want to change things up a bit, why not try using pita bread instead? Then bring along fillings that people can choose once the picnic blanket has been unfurled, such as cream cheese, cherry tomatoes, and prosciutto, or just some simple picnic dips like tzatziki.
If you’re rummaging around for a last minute picnic idea, then a pork pie is a great call. Filling, tasty, and traditional, a pork pie can be bite-size, shareable, or so large that you have to bring the rest home for a great snack.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try making one of these yourself. Or, just pop down to your local farm shop or supermarket and pick one up. To jazz it up and impress your picnicking friends, you could bring along some hot sauce to give each bite an extra spicy kick.
If you’re worried that a pork pice on its own might be too heavy, then include a refreshing salad to have on the side, with crunch radishes, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy dressing. If you want to pack a picnic that’s easy to carry, then a pork pie with a couple of boiled eggs and a bottle of sparkling water make the ideal alfresco meal for explorers who need a filling meal. An extra tip to make that bottled even more refreshing-add a spritz of lemon juice.
You may be used to seeing charcuterie boards at home dinner parties but in picnic food? An Italian classic, charcuterie can make your picnic look expensive and special without having to break the bank.
You don’t have to go abroad to find the finest charcuterie. The Saltpig Curing Company is based in the Cotswolds and supplies some of the best kitchens in the country. Upton Smokery provides a delicious range of smoked fish for any pescatarians in your group.
Some of the best picnic food ideas are based on simplicity, and what could be more simple than a range of smoked fish and meats arranged on a charcuterie board? It’s surprisingly easy to make a few pieces of charcuterie look impressive. Simply display your meats artfully on a charcuterie board, add some juicy tomatoes on the vine, pop a few fresh herbs on, too, and, voila, your next picnic is ready to impress your friends and will be worthy of any Instagram post about great picnic food ideas.
For a little extra crunch, why not include a chopped few bell peppers or some tortilla chips with some picnic dips, and you’ll have a selection of enviable picnic food.
Chutneys and peppers add a beautiful crunch and vinegary taste that is sure to lift any picnic meal. Packed up and ready to go, a jar of chutney will travel well and is the perfect accompaniment to cheese, sandwiches, or even picnic salads.
You could make chutneys and pickles yourself at home. Just be sure to leave them to mature and mellow long enough before opening and eating them.
A tasty chutney to bring with you on any picnic is a classic tomato chutney. Packed with juicy tomatoes, onions, garlic, and even chilli if you’re feeling brave, this chutney will jazz up a humble cracker and could also add a little extra kick to an ordinary pasta salad.
Piccalilli is another delicious chutney to bring on a picnic. Spread on a thick slice of bread, this chutney is surprisingly easy to make if you want to give it a go. There are lots of easy recipes online. The flavours of coriander, turmeric, and cumin give this pickle a strong flavour that makes it a great snack, either on its own, as part of a picnic salad or wedged in a sandwich.
Salads have a reputation for suffering in the heat of a picnic basket and going soggy. This dish will travel well and fill you up while offering a healthy option for easy picnic food ideas.
To make this salad take a couple of cooked chicken breasts and shred them up into small pieces, then set them to one side. Next, take the leaves off a baby gem lettuce, and wash and drain them. Then, defrost some peas, thinly slice some radishes, and gather a handful of pea shoots.
For the dressing, combine two tablespoons of whole grain mustard with a tablespoon of white wine vinegar and half a tablespoon of sugar, then whisk in a bowl until combined. While whisking, add 100 ml of vegetable oil and 50 ml of extra virgin olive oil.
Toss the salad in a tupperware box and add the dressing when you arrive.
Cheese is delicious wherever you eat it, but sadly, many soft kinds of cheese sweat while travelling, which makes them unsuitable for picnics.
If you still want that salty cheesy kick on your next picnic, then Cheddar Gorge Cheddar is a great choice. This cheese will taste wonderful on a cracker or shaved over a simple salad.
Vegans needn’t miss out on amazing picnic recipes or be fobbed off with a boring salad. This light yet filling salad of roasted harissa cauliflower is tasty, easy to make, and suitable for almost all dietary requirements.
Prepare the cauliflower into large florets, and season with salt and pepper and curry powder and drizzle with a little vegetable oil. Roast in a 200 degrees centigrade oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden.
Meanwhile, put 2 large tablespoons of harissa in a bowl and add a handful of chopped corriander and a dash of vegetable oil and whisk to combine. Toss the cooked cauliflower in the harissa and return to the oven for a further 5-10 minutes until fully cooked. Take the cauliflower out of the oven and finish with pomegranate seeds, a squeeze of lime, and more fresh corriander.
A British classic, strawberries and cream make the perfect picnic dessert. To ensure the fruit isn’t squashed on the journey, pack them in this pretty, environmentally-friendly bowl with a bamboo lid.
To keep the cream fresh on the journey (no one needs to eat cream that’s on the turn after a warm trip!) then put it in a small thermos when fridge cold.
If you want to jazz your strawberries up a little, why not dip them in dark chocolate or white chocolate, then leave them in the fridge overnight to set.
Refreshing drinks are a must for any successful picnic. Smoothies from the shops can be expensive, so why not make your own? It’s easy, inexpensive, and will last in the fridge for 3 days.
To make your own summer berry smoothie, simply put some of your favourite seasonal berries in a blender. We love a mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and add a banana for extra thickness. To make this smoothie extra refreshing, add a few ice cubes into the mix, then start to blend.
Once the mixture is nice and smooth, put it in a thermos to keep it cool and ensure that it arrives at your picnic destination in perfect condition.
Don’t forget to pack enough glasses for everyone if you don’t want to sip from the same thermos. You could buy these cute tumblers to avoid bringing more plastic into your home (and eventually the rubbish bin). They’re made from bamboo, durable and biodegradable so you can enjoy your picnic knowing that you’re protecting the environment.
This salad is a hit with vegetarians and vegans (with a couple of twists) and is sure to be a great addition to your next picnic trip.
Boil and cool the new potatoes. Wash the baby spinach and dice the feta into cubes (for vegans, swap for a vegan cheese of your choice). Toss together the ingredients in a bowl and season with a generous amount of black pepper, but watch the salt as feta cheese can be quite salty. Drizzle with good quality extra virgin olive oil, and for an extra crunch, you could add roasted walnuts.
Spanning five counties, including Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Wiltshire, the Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty. With rolling hills, quaint little villages, beautiful towns, and country pubs. There is something for everyone, no matter your tastes. No wonder the area remains popular with tourists, attracting 38 million visitors per year.
If you’re thinking of booking your next holiday in the area, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re spoiled for choice for things to do in the Cotswolds. For those arriving with families and young children, there are parks aplenty that are perfect for tiring the kids out. For couples looking for a romantic getaway, there are pretty gardens and stunning walks to stroll along with your partner. If you’re thinking of spoiling yourself with a solo getaway, you can spend lazy days enjoying pub lunches, museum tours, or shopping in the beautiful towns.
With so much on offer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and you may struggle to pick the right activities or end up cramming in too much at once and finish your holiday more frazzled than when you started.
Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve whittled down our favourite things to do in the Cotswolds into a handy top ten list. Whether you’re visiting on a minibreak or an extended summer holiday, you’re bound to find something to do.
We all know that the Great British weather can be temperamental at times. With that in mind, we’ve chosen a range of things to do in the Cotswolds that cover indoor and outdoor activities. Our top ten list of things to do in the Cotswolds includes:
These are all easy to reach with your car, but the Cotswolds also has good public transport links. There are regular trains from London through Oxford, Cheltenham and Worcester, with stops in several Cotswold towns and villages. Buses will take you through scenic villages to towns and cities with big shopping centres. There are also lots of local, affordable taxis should you want to have a meal and drink in a rustic pub, but Uber and Lyft have yet to make it to this British idyll.
Let’s dive in and have a look at these Cotswold gems in more detail.
Nestled just outside Burford’s historic and beautiful town, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens holds a description that many attractions claim but few live up to: fun for all the family. The star attraction is, of course, the animals, from giraffes, bats, lions, penguins, and snakes, there’s an abundance of wildlife in the beautiful grounds of the Bradwell Grove Estate.
There’s a restaurant for when hunger strikes, or you can enjoy a picnic overlooking the rhino, zebra, and giraffe enclosures. If you want us to put together a picnic hamper for you, just let us know. The park is wheelchair and pushchair friendly, so easily accessible for all members of your group. Dogs are welcome at the park (on a lead) so the family pooch needn’t miss out on a wonderful day.
The estate also has beautiful gardens to explore, described as “theatre with plants”. If you spot a plant you like and want more information about, the gardens team can be contacted via email and are happy to answer any of your questions. You don’t get that at London Zoo!
The park does get busy, especially during the summer holidays, so it’s wise to book in advance, and e-tickets are available online.
The Cotswolds isn’t just made up of chocolate box cottages and rolling countryside. Less than half a mile from the village of Castle Combe is the Castle Combe Race Circuit, the west country’s home of motorsport. If there’s a petrol head in your group, or you’ve been dying to try out a sports car on a race track, then this is the place for you.
The circuit hosts a range of racing events from March through to October. Visitors can also experience an “Action Day”, a popular fusion of a car show and track day, where you can admire the cars on display and chat with like-minded enthusiasts.
If you want to surprise someone with a racing gift, you can buy driving experience vouchers. They’ll get the chance to drive a range of high-performance machines around the track. Have you ever wished to get behind the wheel of a Lotus Elise? Well, now’s your chance.
The historic house Blenheim Palace is well worth a visit at any time of year. A World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace has more than 300 years of history to explore in the house and gardens. Famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill, visitors can walk in the former Prime Minister’s footsteps, explore the staterooms and discover TV and film locations across the palace.
Whilst wandering the park and gardens, why not lose yourself in the Marlborough maze or visit the Butterfly House. Or, you could leave the formal gardens and find the Cedar of Lebanon tree in the extensive park, famously used as the Whomping Willow in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Christmas is a very special time of year to visit Blenheim Palace. Visitors can explore the gardens lit up with festive tunnels of light, and, after spying Father Christmas along the way, visit the Christmas market. During summer, the grounds come to life with spectacular events and pageants, and in September, the grounds host Blenheim Horse Trials.
The Lygon Arms Hotel is based in the charming town of Broadway. The hotel has some beautiful rooms but, if you already have accommodation sorted, it’s also well worth a visit just for the food. The hotel serves a traditional afternoon tea packed with delicious treats. Grown ups can opt for a champagne afternoon tea, while kids can also enjoy the experience, with a children’s version.
If you want to have cakes and scones at home, there are lots of patisseries and cake shops in the Cotswolds. Hugo Lovage in Burford has a wide range of cakes, macaroons and plenty of seasonal treats.
Once you’re stuffed full of sandwiches and cake, you can walk off the sweet stuff by indulging in some retail therapy along Broadway’s high street. Or, you could explore Broadway Tower, a folly set in 200 acres of parkland. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out a relic of the Cold War, Broadway’s nuclear bunker! However, if you want to leave the exercise for another day and just relax, you can always spend a few hours in the Lygon Arms Hotel spa instead.
If you’re after a bit of local history, then Sudeley Castle is well worth a visit. Open every day from March 7th to October 30th between 10am and 5pm, the castle and gardens are regarded as one of the most beautiful spots in England.
The castle has been linked to many English kings and queens, including Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VIII, Lady Jane Grey, Katherine Parr, Elizabeth I and Charles I. In the oldest part of the building you can see Katherine Parr’s anterooms, and one of the castle’s treasures is the Bohun Book of Hours, which pre-dates the Black Death and is thought to be one of only six in the world.
Sudeley Castle also has 10 gardens to explore, as well as an adventure playground for younger visitors. The Secret Garden is an especially romantic spot, replanted in 1979 by the current chatelaine of the castle, Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, as a celebration of her marriage to Lord Ashcombe.
Countryfile viewers will recognise presenter Adam Henson, whose farm is based in Guiting Power, a 10-minute drive from Stow on the Wold. Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park is both a working farm and a place for visitors to learn more about rare breeds, and conservation, and get up close with farm animals.
The farm park offers an interactive experience. You can feed the animals, watch chicks hatching, see newborn lambs, piglets, donkeys, and goats, and kids can let off steam in the adventure barn. You might even meet the man himself, Adam Henson, in person!
The indoor barns are accessible for wheelchair users, and the whole of the Farm Park is pushchair accessible. The place is popular and you will need to book your visit in advance. If you’re driving back through Stow on the Wold, then it’s worth stopping off in this beautiful town. You could visit the Porch House, which claims to be the oldest pub in the world, or go for dinner at the ever-popular Old Butchers.
A museum is a great place to spend a rainy day. And Cotswold Motoring Museum is the perfect place to while away the hours. Exhibits of cars and toys will bring out the enthusiast in anyone. There are vintage cars, motorbikes, and caravans, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for children’s TV favourite, Brum.
The museum is a big hit in the area, and was voted Classic Car Weekly’s museum of the year in 2011. It’s also good value, with a family ticket (two adults and two children) available for less than £20. For model car lovers, the gift shop is a must-see, with model cars by the likes of Vanguard, Maisto, and Cararama available to purchase.
The museum is open from 10am to 6pm every day and there’s no need to book, so is the perfect place to go if you need somewhere to entertain the family quickly if the weather turns and outdoor activities are off the table.
Many chocolate box villages in the Cotswolds are worth a visit, like Bibury, Blockley, Adlestrop, and Snowshill, but Lower Slaughter has a special claim on our hearts. This village is home to the most romantic street in Britain. According to a vote run by Google Street View, Copse Hill Road was named the most romantic street in the country. The road runs along the River Eye and has several small bridges where couples can spend a sunny day.
For those who want to go on a longer walk, there is an easy path between Upper and Lower Slaughter. This takes you past an old mill, which is also worth a visit. The building is old enough to have a mention in the Doomsday Book and there is now a museum, cafe, and shop for visitors.
For those looking for a substantial meal, then The Slaughters Country Inn has what you need. If you head to the neighbouring village of Upper Slaughter, you’ll find the Lords of the Manor Hotel, which offers a luxury fine-dining experience.
Nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton on the Water is a beautiful town, home to the Cotswold Motoring Museum, Birdland Park and Gardens, and a model village. The town straddles the Windrush river, with quaint little stone bridges perfect for an Instagram photo.
During the August Bank Holiday Bourton on the Water hosts a football game with a difference. Two seven-a-side teams battle it out in the river rather than a football pitch. The tradition dates back almost 100 years and is always fun to watch as long as you don’t mind getting splashed. The Cotswolds has other unusual sports that draw competitors and spectators from all over the world, including the shin kicking championships and cheese rolling.
Staying in Bourton on the Water, there are plenty of shops and pubs to check out, and the Bakery on the Water is a must-visit, with sandwiches and pastries available to eat in the cafe, or you could buy a delicious, rustic loaf to take back to your holiday cottage for breakfast the next day.
Following the runaway success of his TV show Clarkson’s Farm, Jeremy Clarkson opened up his own farm shop, Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Visitors from all over descend on the shop just outside of the village of Chadlington hoping to see the man himself or to buy some “cow juice” (milk) “bee juice” (honey) and other interestingly-named products.
Clarkson is expanding the shop and has opened a restaurant, though there’s no menu and you get what you’re given. You can also buy beer and gin, and all the produce in the shop comes from local businesses, as well as Clarkson’s own farm.
There are other farm shops nearby, such as Daylesford Organic, which boasts food that is ethical, healthy and delicious, as well as a wide range of other things to buy from clothing to tableware. If you’re looking for a less expensive place to shop then Chipping Norton is nearby, with boutiques and cafes to enjoy.
If you’ve had enough shopping then you could stop off in the pretty village of Kingham, and enjoy a drink and tasty food at the Kingham Plough. The pub boasts roaring fires in the winter, and a shaded terrace and garden for the summer, and has been known to serve several local celebrities over the years.
And there you have it. Ten great things to do on your next visit to the Cotswolds. We hope that your holiday is packed full of fun, but don’t forget to relax and enjoy your break as well. Heading out for a fun-filled day is great, but curling up in front of the fire in your holiday cottage is pretty amazing too!
Whether you want to enjoy your days outside in the fresh air, or lounge around in a fascinating museum, you’re sure to find something you’ll remember long after you’ve arrived back home.