Winter Getaways: Cosying Up in the Cotswolds
Are you thinking about treating yourself to a cosy off-season break? If so, the Cotswolds were simply made for winter. Charming Cotswold villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and Castle Combe are made even more picture-perfect by a dusting of snow. Fires roar in welcoming old inns, and shop windows glow invitingly. Imagine how lovely Christmas is on top of this already-lovely scene…
At Lords of the Manor, we love the winter, with its clear, sharp light and snug evenings indoors. Here’s our guide to the perfect Cotswolds’ winter getaway.
Bracing Winter Walks In The Cotswolds
Pull on your wellies and get well rugged-up for a bracing winter’s walk in the Cotswolds. Expect plenty of mud and watch out for icy patches; however, the clear beauty of a crisp winter day in the countryside more than makes up for the trickier terrain.
The Cotswold Way is a well-maintained route for year-round walking, with some absolutely glorious views along the way. If you love taking photos, the light at this time of year is magical.
Cosy Cotswold Pubs
What’s the best thing about a winter walk? That bit where you warm up afterwards (or part-way through) with a pint and some hearty food in a welcoming old pub. The Cotswolds is full of cosy old inns, such as the Ebrington Arms in Chipping Campden, The Wild Rabbit Inn in Chipping Norton or the King’s Head Inn in Bledington, all with roaring fires and inviting interiors.
If you’re heading back to us at Lords of the Manor after a day’s hiking, call in at The Mousetrap Inn in Bourton-on-the-Water on your way back, for a warming tipple by the fire.
Cotswolds Comfort Food
Our locally produced food is traditional and hearty: just the thing to warm your cockles on a cold day. Cotswold farmers and food producers are responsible for much-loved culinary delights such as Single Gloucester and Stinking Bishop cheeses, meats from Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and succulent Bibury trout.
The Cotswolds is also one of the best places in Britain to tuck into a homemade pie. Pick up a delicious pie from the Cotswold Pudding & Pie Company, or call into the cosy Royal Oak at Burford. Best accompanied with a local cider or a pint of Yubby.
Christmas Markets In The Cotswolds
We’re talking about winter in the Cotswolds not just Christmas; however, it would be a real omission not to mention our fabulous festive markets! These are some of the best opportunities to sample the local produce, as well as to tuck into delicious street food as you explore the stalls.
Try Cheltenham, Stroud or Bath, or look out for the one-day Christmas markets in towns and villages across the Cotswolds.
Indoor Attractions To Visit In Winter
While we love striding out on a winter hike, a rainy day is often better spent indoors. There are lots of superb museums in the Cotswolds, from our local Cotswold Motoring Museum to The Roman Baths in Bath. Gloucester Cathedral, Bath Abbey and Tewkesbury Abbey are all beautiful places to explore at any time of year.
If you’re in the Cotswolds in December, book tickets for the must-see festive celebrations at Blenheim Palace and the Spectacle of Light event at Sudeley Castle. To really get in the festive spirit, there are pantomimes at Cheltenham, Cirencester, Chipping Norton and Stroud, among other towns (oh yes, there are).
And of course, you can always shelter in the shops… The larger shopping centres like Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester naturally have a huge amount of places to eat, drink and shop; however, our smaller market towns such as Stow-on-the-Wold, Stroud and Tetbury have fantastic independent shops to discover. Even the tiniest hamlet will be home to an exceptionally good deli or artisan craft shop.
Lords of the Manor: Perfect For Your Cotswolds’ Winter Break
When you’re going on a winter break, it’s so important that your accommodation is extra snug and comfy. Think sumptuous bedding, deep bathtubs and reception rooms with open fires and squashy armchairs. After the chill of the Christmas market or the wintry woodland walk, you deserve a cosy welcome.
At Lords of the Manor, we appreciate that for a lot of the year, the UK can be a bit chilly! So we’ve made sure that all our guest rooms are luxuriously comfortable, with touches like elegantly heavy drapes and plenty of cushioned armchairs. Look out for extra details like Molton Brown toiletries for your post-walk soak in the tub, and gorgeously fluffy bathrobes.
Are you coming for a Cotswold winter break with your dog? Pups need to be comfy too, and our dog-friendly guest rooms come with special snug dog beds (and a few treats).
Take a look at the selection of luxury accommodation options at Lords of the Manor, then treat yourself to a luxurious winter getaway in the Cotswolds.