Off to the Cotswolds
So you have decided to visit the idyll that is The Cotswolds.
Hopefully you have settled upon some suitable accommodation which will allow you the independence to get the greatest value from your stay.
One might expect that your itinerary might involve car, bicycle and/or walking some of the many footpaths which offer routes to suit all abilities.
By car you should have no difficulty in exploring the hundreds of miles of lanes which criss-cross the area.
Whereas the excellent network of motorways can ensure easy access to your chosen 'pied a terre', you will be pleasantly surprised by the relative quietness of many of the rural roads.
Not all of the villages are well known - some are secret and off the beaten track.
Without exception, each will offer treasure in its own right.
In fairness, you might find satellite navigation to be a trifle outside its effective domain here.
Instead, take advantage of the many maps and guidebooks available from 'tourist information' and other sources.
Perhaps it would be good to avail yourself of these before setting off, but be prepared for the inevitability of being 'sidetracked' by unexpectedly enchanting places.
Itineraries and plans often go out of the window here in The Cotswolds.
Whilst on the topic of our mode of transport, it is notable that as well as the normal signposts, The Cotswolds are extremely well served by the brown and white (white lettering on brown background) signs indicating attractions and places of interest.
It may be worth considering arriving in the area by public transport, or even by plane if further afield, then hiring transport in the local vicinity.
As well as all the well known car hire companies, there are places which offer classic and open-topped cars for hire, which might certainly enhance the experience.
Similarly, bicycles may be hired by the hour, day or week; some service providers have fold-away cycles which may be stowed in the car boot for ad hoc forays, and some will deliver hire cycles to your holiday accommodation for the duration of your stay.
Tourists wishing for some initial structure might consider one of the 'Romantic Roads', of which there are two principal circular routes and which can be picked up at any point.
Each village and market town will be of merit and would likely entails lots of stops and photos.
The northerly route which I shall describe in a clockwise rotation touches into Prestbury > Winchcombe > Stanway > Stanton > Broadway > Snowshill > Chipping Campden > Broad Campden > Blockley > Moreton-in-Marsh > Stow-on-the-Wold > Lower Swell > Upper and Lower Slaughter > Naunton > Andoversford > Cheltenham.
The southerly route, again in clockwise rotation would embrace Dowdeswell > Withington > Yanworth > Northleach > Sherborne > Little Barrington > Burford > Filkins > Lechlade > Fairford > Coln St Aldwyns > Bibury > Arlington > Bamsley > Cirencester > Bisley > Painswick > Great Witcombe > Cheltenham.
I shall endeavour to fill out some of the above with a few bare bones in the next article.
However it should be suffice to say that each has its own charms and many would merit a good few hours in their own right.
For ramblers or mere wanderers such as myself, there are walks of varying length and suited to various abilities; details of these can be easily researched and selected.
'The Cotswold Way' is a long distance walking trail and has been nominated as a 'National Trail' since 2007.
At 102 miles long, stretching from Chipping Campden in the north to the beautiful World Heritage City of Bath in the south, this is a serious walk.
However, for those who may have less than a week to commit to one path, there are many circular walks of varying lengths and degrees of challenge, which again may be researched and all of which are designated as to suitability, difficulty and accessibility for individuals who may have limited mobility.
Yet again, you are hopefully getting an idea of the immense banquet of sight-seeing and experience here in The Cotswolds.
That's why so many people return year upon year for their bite sized chunks of this beauteous region.
Hopefully you have settled upon some suitable accommodation which will allow you the independence to get the greatest value from your stay.
One might expect that your itinerary might involve car, bicycle and/or walking some of the many footpaths which offer routes to suit all abilities.
By car you should have no difficulty in exploring the hundreds of miles of lanes which criss-cross the area.
Whereas the excellent network of motorways can ensure easy access to your chosen 'pied a terre', you will be pleasantly surprised by the relative quietness of many of the rural roads.
Not all of the villages are well known - some are secret and off the beaten track.
Without exception, each will offer treasure in its own right.
In fairness, you might find satellite navigation to be a trifle outside its effective domain here.
Instead, take advantage of the many maps and guidebooks available from 'tourist information' and other sources.
Perhaps it would be good to avail yourself of these before setting off, but be prepared for the inevitability of being 'sidetracked' by unexpectedly enchanting places.
Itineraries and plans often go out of the window here in The Cotswolds.
Whilst on the topic of our mode of transport, it is notable that as well as the normal signposts, The Cotswolds are extremely well served by the brown and white (white lettering on brown background) signs indicating attractions and places of interest.
It may be worth considering arriving in the area by public transport, or even by plane if further afield, then hiring transport in the local vicinity.
As well as all the well known car hire companies, there are places which offer classic and open-topped cars for hire, which might certainly enhance the experience.
Similarly, bicycles may be hired by the hour, day or week; some service providers have fold-away cycles which may be stowed in the car boot for ad hoc forays, and some will deliver hire cycles to your holiday accommodation for the duration of your stay.
Tourists wishing for some initial structure might consider one of the 'Romantic Roads', of which there are two principal circular routes and which can be picked up at any point.
Each village and market town will be of merit and would likely entails lots of stops and photos.
The northerly route which I shall describe in a clockwise rotation touches into Prestbury > Winchcombe > Stanway > Stanton > Broadway > Snowshill > Chipping Campden > Broad Campden > Blockley > Moreton-in-Marsh > Stow-on-the-Wold > Lower Swell > Upper and Lower Slaughter > Naunton > Andoversford > Cheltenham.
The southerly route, again in clockwise rotation would embrace Dowdeswell > Withington > Yanworth > Northleach > Sherborne > Little Barrington > Burford > Filkins > Lechlade > Fairford > Coln St Aldwyns > Bibury > Arlington > Bamsley > Cirencester > Bisley > Painswick > Great Witcombe > Cheltenham.
I shall endeavour to fill out some of the above with a few bare bones in the next article.
However it should be suffice to say that each has its own charms and many would merit a good few hours in their own right.
For ramblers or mere wanderers such as myself, there are walks of varying length and suited to various abilities; details of these can be easily researched and selected.
'The Cotswold Way' is a long distance walking trail and has been nominated as a 'National Trail' since 2007.
At 102 miles long, stretching from Chipping Campden in the north to the beautiful World Heritage City of Bath in the south, this is a serious walk.
However, for those who may have less than a week to commit to one path, there are many circular walks of varying lengths and degrees of challenge, which again may be researched and all of which are designated as to suitability, difficulty and accessibility for individuals who may have limited mobility.
Yet again, you are hopefully getting an idea of the immense banquet of sight-seeing and experience here in The Cotswolds.
That's why so many people return year upon year for their bite sized chunks of this beauteous region.