3 Days In
Guides to Our Favourite Places
With farmshops as fancy as the pubs, what’s not to love about the Cotswolds? Once you have found your favourites at Daylesford and tried the nearest watering hole, there’s many more hidden haunts to explore. From wine bars to horseback riding, read on to find out how you should spend your 3 Days In The Cotswolds according to us.
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DAY ONE – STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
MORNING
TARA’S ANTIQUES
For your first morning, get up, get out and head into Stow-on-the-Wold. Steeped in antiquity, this former market town was at the centre of Cotswold trade for thousands of years. If you want to skip the hours of trawling, Pick up your morning beverage of choice from the quirky New England Coffee House and head to Tara’s Antiques. Stocking jewellery, vintage clothes, and enough kitschy knick knacks fit for the burgeoning collector, just make sure you have a big enough suitcase to take it all home.
AFTERNOON
TEDDINGTON STORES & COTSWOLD’S LAVENDER
Afternoons never looked sweeter than at Cotswold Lavender, one of the few places where time is of essence. A lavender field and distillery, Cotswold Lavender fields are open for picnics from June until August. Teddington Stores, one of those aforementioned fancy farm shops, is only under a 25 minute drive from Cotswold Lavender itself. Stock up on fresh bread, damson and sloe gin ice cream, and local Cotswold cheeses from Cerney and Gorsehill Abbey.
EVENING
THE CELLAR
After a few hours on your feet, head to The Cellar, a sustainable wine bar overlooking the market-square. From skin-contact wine tastings to vintage Rioja, The Cellar is the perfect pre-evening unwind, with satisfying small plates of bruschetta and boquerones to top it all off.
OTHER OPTIONS
THE OLD BUTCHER’S
If you are craving classics with a refined finish, the Old Butchers has a nose-to-tail approach to authentic pub cuisine. A family run restaurant, it is vital that you book in advance. From Cornish scallops to fritti courgette flowers, lobster macaroni and cheese and treacle tarts, this is a menu made for the gastronome.
ALEXIOUS
Alexious is a smart Greek restaurant in Stow’s centre. Another family run affair, Alexious is designed for sharing dishes, but also has singular plates, as we always have that one friend or family member who likes to have their own dish. Cheese Saganaki, Moussaka, importantly Patatas “not” Bravas and Stifado are just a few of the many dishes to be enjoyed.
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CELLAR
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DAY TWO – BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER & MORETON-IN-MARSH
MORNING
HORSE RIDING
No summer Cotswold visit would be complete without a trip to Bourton-on-the-Water. Coined the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water has adorable cottages and eateries dotted along its riverbank. One for our horsey guests, local equestrian centre Bourton Vale offers serene riverside and in-river hacks so you can see the beauty of nearby villages Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter via horseback.
AFTERNOON
THE COTSWOLD BREWERY
Whilst you are in Bourton-on-the-Water, you may as well pop over to the Cotswold Brewery, only a 3 minute drive from the village’s centre. The home of local Cotswold lager, this is the spot for bonafide beer enthusiasts.
EVENING
SCENIC SUPPER
Located at Toddenham Manor Farm in Moreton-in-Marsh, the Scenic Supper is a masterclass in elegant, romantic dining without being too showy or over the top. Offering a seasonal menu within a private bespoke glasshouse, and rolling views of the Cotswold hilltops, there is nothing quite like it. From barbecued hispi cabbage to lamb rump, moules mariniere and tortellini, this is a feast for eyes in more ways than one. However, you must book Scenic Supper in advance.
OTHER OPTIONS:
DEYA BREWERY
If you want to travel a little further afield, Deya Brewery is the secret spot for those searching for Cotswolds craft beer. If you don’t know your IPA from your Pilsner, they also serve natural wine too.
COTSWOLD FARM PARK
The Cotswolds has no shortage of activities for children, but if you truly want something that will entertain the tweens and toddlers, Cotswold Farm Park will tick the box. A historic farm from the 1960s, Cotswold Farm Park is for the animal lovers. Piglets, rabbits, goats, horses and ducklings, they have it all. You can even bring your own dog too.
PIT KITCHEN
For those wanting alfresco eating, Pit Kitchen is a great place to start. Serving flavours from the fire, this small, hearty but delicious menu will even impress the fussiest of eaters. Just a 30 minute drive from the Cotswold Farm Park, feast on shawarma, mezze and chocolate sorbet.
IMAGE COURTESY OF SCENIC SUPPER
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DAY THREE – KINGHAM & OXFORDSHIRE
MORNING
QUINCE & CLOVER
One of our favourite coffee and brunch spots, Quince & Clover is not to be missed and even on those particularly balmy days, you can have a scoop of their homemade ice cream. The best part is that much of their menu is designed to be both eaten in and taken out, for when you want to seize the day.
AFTERNOON
BLENHEIM PALACE
Blenheim Palace – it’s quite a sight. A 300 year old world heritage home, Blenheim Palace is not just easy on the eye, hosting events all year round. Blenheim International Horse Trials, Autumn Fest and Christmas at Blenheim are just a few of many. Room by room, garden by garden, this is one of the easiest ways to spend an entire day.
EVENING
THE BELL INN
For us, no Cotswold trip is complete without dinner at the Bell Inn at Langford. If you are travelling back to the east, this watering hole is an apt pitstop to break up the journey. A no nonsense affair, here the focus is on what matters – the food. Dishes range from smoked eel starters to main courses of whole Barrington partridge. All of the food is served under cosy low ceilings, amongst grass-green walls and crackling fires instantly making you feel sanguine, and ending your Cotswold trip on a high – although, it could just be the wine.
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