The word “wolds” is an ancient English word meaning “gentle hills,” and there could not be a more perfect description for the area of England known as the Cotswolds. This beautiful, rural area lies between Oxford and Bristol, and includes some of England’s loveliest market towns like Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cirencester along with the villages of Stow-on-the-Wold and Itchington and the lush, oak-filled Forest of Dean.
A Haven for History Buffs
Spending holidays in the Cotswolds will give the vacationer a taste of the quintessential rural English lifestyle. An area rich in history, tourists visiting the Cotswold will find fascinating artifacts at the Gloucester City Museum that date back to the Bronze, Iron and Neolithic Ages.
The cities of Cirencester and Gloucester were actually built by the Romans along with the two roads, Fosse Way and Ermin Street, which are still in use today. Wealthier towns like Cheltenham are evidence of the successful wool trade that has brought wealth to some of the Cotswold villages, and other towns like Tewkesbury feature some of the most authentic medieval buildings in all of England.
Top Attractions
There is so much to see when visiting the Cotswolds that it is difficult to narrow it down to the top attractions; however, holidays in the Cotswolds are not complete without a visit to the luscious Forest of Dean, where vacationers can hike the 4-mile trail and experience some of England’s most breathtaking scenery. Scheduling holidays in the Cotswolds to coincide with one of Cheltenham’s four festivals – Jazz, Science, Music and Literature – is well worth the effort, and while visiting the Cotswolds, a stop at Blenheim Palace is a must. Nature lovers do not want to leave the area without a visit to the beautiful Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, a past winner of the Tourism Award Attraction of the Year.
Delectable Dishes
One of the best aspects of spending holidays in the Cotswolds is the exposure to the authentic dishes of the region. A vast network of local farmers’ markets provides delicious foods to establishments like Daylesford Organic Farmshop, the Cheeseworks and the Organic Farm Shop and Café. Scrumptious, gourmet meals can be found when visiting the Cotswold at places like the Le Champignon Sauvage and Lords of the Manor Hotel, and do not forget to stop by an authentic country English tea room like Juri’s in Winchcombe.
Fun for the Whole Family
Families with young children can find plenty to do when visiting the Cotswolds. Along with the Forest of Dean, children from all countries and walks of life enjoy the hands-on animal experiences at the Dick Whittington Farm Park. Older children desiring more adventurous activities find just that as they wander among the treetops at the Go Ape! High Wire Forest Adventure located at Mallards Pike Lake. For adults and kids alike, nothing beats the International Center for Birds of Prey at Newent, where visitors can handle eagles and other birds of prey as well as watch demonstrations of these fantastic creatures in their natural habitats.
There are so many amazing sites to behold when spending holidays in the Cotswolds. Other sites to visit include the Cotswold Falconry Center, the Great and Mighty Giffords Circus, the Cotswold Motoring Museum, Hidcote Manor Garden, Keith Harding’s World of Mechanical Music, Cirencester Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, Berkeley Castle and the Everyman Theater. Plan ahead by checking the available holiday deals in United Kingdom and make a vacation in the Cotswolds the trip of a lifetime.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
