Affordable Cotswolds
The honeycomb hued villages and rolling patchwork green landscape that make up the Cotswolds are terribly nice – and terribly posh too. Locals include royalty, rock stars and A-list actors. But you needn’t have a passion for polo nor pay a fortune to enjoy this slice of charming English countryside.
WHERE TO STAY
Overlooking the village green and aside a babbling stream, the Kings Head Inn (Bledington, +44 1608 658365, www.kingsheadinn.net; doubles from £70 B&B) have 12 character-filled yet chintz-free rooms above a thriving local gastro-pub and is perfectly placed for exploring the gloriously pretty north Cotswolds villages.
Further south, the contemporary and family-friendly Priory Inn (London Road, Tetbury, + 44 1666 502251, www.theprioryinn.co.uk; doubles from £109 B&B) has 14 rooms in the centre of Tetbury, a smart market town teeming with antiques shops, which is also home to Prince Charles.
Urbanites and the style-conscious will love The Big Sleep (Wellington St, Cheltenham, +44 1242 696 999, www.thebigsleephotel.com; doubles from £65 B&B). The “designer-budget” rooms have chic touches such as Panton chairs and Orla Kiely print wallpaper.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
Newly opened by Michael and Sarah Bedford, who picked up a Michelin star for their previous venture, The Chef’s Table (49 Long St, Tetbury, +44 1666 504466, www.thechefstable.co.uk) is a relaxed deli-café-bistro that has an open kitchen and serves local and regional produce such as Fowey moules mariniere and pork belly with mustard mash (both around £10), while the deli stocks Duchy veg from Highgrove, home-baked sourdough and fresh pastas – perfect for grabbing a picnic to take on a long walk.
The Village Pub (High Street, Barnsley, GL7 5EF, 01285 740421, www.thevillagepub.co.uk; doubles from £90 B&B) is a modern British restaurant disguised as a pub – how about John dory with braised octopus, chickpeas, tomato and oregano (£16)? The pub also has rooms and guests here can take advantage of the bar, lounge and famous Rosemary Verey gardens at its sister cool country-house hotel Barnsley House for a fraction of the cost of a stay there (www.barnsleyhouse.com).
WHAT TO DO
Go antique-ing in Tetbury: Long Street is antiques alley, there’s Sharland & Lewis (52), Lorford’s Antiques (No. 30), The Ark Angel (No. 33), Long Street Antiques (No. 14) and Tetbury Old Books (No. 21) to name just a few. You could rummage here all day.
Blow away the cobwebs on a walk in the woods at Westonbirt (Tetbury, +44 1666 880220, www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt; entry £5), the national arboretum. Set in gorgeous rolling parkland, it has several waymarked paths and trails to explore.
If you stand the three-year waiting list, a trip to Highgrove (Tetbury, www.princeofwales.gov.uk) – Prince Charles’ country estate and organic farm, which offers free garden and farm tours – is a must. For the more spontaneous, head to Sudeley Castle (Winchcombe, +44 1242 602308, www.sudeleycastle.co.uk; entry £7.20, families £20.80), which has award-winning gardens filled with contemporary art, the Tudor castle itself and family events and activities.
A trip to Daylesford Organic (Daylesford, +44 1608 731700, www.daylesfordorganic.com) should be on every foodie's itinerary. Possibly the poshest farm shop in the world (it even has an outlet in Harvey Nichols), this series of restored barns sell home-grown organic produce, cheeses and meats, but there’s a smart horticultural shop, boutique, spa and organic café, too. No wellies required here.
Added 2008/07/03 @ 00:20:31
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