A weekend in the Cotswolds makes the perfect British getaway – and winter can be the best time of year to visit.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Cotswolds provides a quintessentially English backdrop to our favourite time of year. While a short stay in January or February can help you bid goodbye to the winter blues. Here are four reasons why you must visit the Cotswolds this winter:
1. Soak up Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is not only a pilgrimage spot for fans of Shakespeare, it’s also the perfect Cotswolds town to visit around Christmas time. Of course, you’ll want to visit the birthplace of Shakespeare even if you weren’t keen at school, and squeezing in some theatre at The RSC is pretty unmissable. Will you spot the stars of the future?
But the beautiful market town becomes even more magical when bathed in twinkling lights. And the cute little shops make an excellent base for gift shopping. Stratford-upon-Avon is also host to a cheerful Christmas Market that brightens up the dreariest November day, and its traditional pubs serve up warming English fair as you get close to the blazing log fire. After a visit with Father Christmas and a trip to Scrooge’s Grotto, jump into a cosy Travelodge bed, ready for dreams of Yuletide cheer.
2. Lose yourself in the National Trust
There are few things more British than the National Trust, and the Cotswolds is famously home to an array of beautiful houses and estates open for visits. Hanbury Hall is just one of the many locations. The Hercules and Gothic Rooms are impressive at any time of year, and the 400 acres of park are perfect for a crisp wintry walk. The tea room is one of the best around and there will be many special events in the lead-up to Christmas, including a chance to meet Father Christmas. You can also catch a carol concert on the 19th-20th of December and a traditional Christmas lunch on the 16th and 19th of December, priced at a very reasonable £35. Stay in the local Droitwich Travelodge for a handy base to your historic Cotswolds break.
3. Sit beside a roaring log fire in a Cotswolds pub
Winter calls for keeping your toes nice and toasty and what better way to do that than by a roaring wood fire? Wherever you stay, there won’t be a pub far away, but some of the best include The Bear Hotel at Woodstock – once a secret hideaway for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – and The Red Lion in Adderbury. As well as enjoying a tipple, feast on fresh seasonal produce and allow yourself to indulge in hearty English favourites, such as warming pies and delectable desserts.
4. Treat yourself to a day in a spa
Whether it’s a pre-Christmas treat or a great way to fight back after too much Christmas indulgence, a day at a Cotswolds spa is the perfect way to spend a relaxing break. Cowley Manor is home to a luxury spa in the heart of the Cotswolds. Prices for the day spa start at as little as £50 a person and treatments include a variety of massage packages, detoxifying wraps (a perfect way to recover from any Christmas gluttony!) and very luxurious Champagne manicures. Be sure to book ahead if you want to guarantee your spot on the day. And stay close by in a Cheltenham Travelodge for extreme comfort after a heavenly day.
