Things to do this Spring in the Cotswolds
/I’m sure you’ll agree when I say that Spring couldn’t come soon enough! After a tough long winter, what better way to nurture your soul than to immerse yourself into the heavenly landscape of the beautiful Cotswolds.
We have pulled together a list that we hope will inspire you to visit this beautiful region this coming Spring:
Visit the stunning gardens: The Cotswolds is home to many beautiful gardens that come alive in spring with colourful blooms and fragrances. Some of our favourite gardens to visit include Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, and Painswick Rococo Garden.
Walk the Cotswold Way: The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile walking trail that runs from Chipping Campden to Bath. Spring is a great time to explore the trail as the countryside is in full bloom and the weather is mild. Our gorgeous cottage, Honey Pot is located here and The Cotswold Way also passes through Winchcombe where the beautiful Bolt Hole is located. Both cottages with their luxurious beds and roll top baths provide the perfect base after a day’s walking!
Cheltenham Jazz Festival: The Cotswolds is known for its many Spring festivals, including the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 26th April - 1st May. For more info including the line up visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz
Historic landmarks: The Cotswolds is rich in history, and there are many historic landmarks to explore. Sudeley Castle is an easy 15 minute stroll from The Bolt Hole, and Tewkesbury Abbey, just a 20 min drive away.
Sample the local cuisine: The Cotswolds offers some of the most fabulous food in the UK and we have sampled many of its wonderful pubs and restaurants! A few of our favourites (all dog friendly) include The Mousetrap Inn, Bourton-on-the-water, and just down the road from here are stunning Hideaway cottage and Little Gem cottage, both beautifully refurbished to the highest standards. Also definitely worth a visit are The Corner Cupboard Inn in Winchcombe and The Sheep in Stow-on-the-Wold.
Visit the Cotswold Falconry Centre: A must-visit attraction for bird lovers and thrill-seekers alike. Set in 12 acres of stunning Cotswold countryside, the Cotswold Falconry Centre is home to over 150 birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, owls and falcons. Visitors can watch daily flying displays, handle the birds and even try their hand at falconry.
Take a gin-making course: Cotswolds Distillery offers gin-making courses where you can learn the art of distilling and create your own bottle of gin to take home. During the course, you’ll have the chance to explore the different botanicals used in gin and experiment with your own combinations to create a bespoke recipe
Visit the Rollright Stones: The Rollright Stones are a mysterious ancient monument consisting of a circle of standing stones and a nearby dolmen. Legend has it that if you count the stones three times and get the same number each time, you will be granted a wish. The stones are just a 10 min drive from our beautiful, Cotswold stone apartment The Loft.
Rollright Road, Little Rollright, Chipping Norton OX7 5QB
Take a hot air balloon ride: The Cotswolds is a stunning region to explore from the air, and a hot air balloon ride offers a unique and unforgettable experience. There are several ballooning companies in the Cotswolds including Ballooning in the Cotswolds with launch sites at Cheltenham racecourse and also Shipston-on-Stour which is close to two of our gorgeous luxury cottages, Little Gem and Hideaway Cottage.
Try a traditional Cotswold sport: The Cotswolds is home to several traditional (and unusual!) sports, including shin-kicking which happens during the Cotswold Olimpick Games and involves two competitors kicking each other's shins until one falls over! Or the famous cheese-rolling at Brockworth, where competitors race down a very steep hill chasing a rolling cheese. (Warning - not for the faint-hearted, injuries do regularly occur at these events!)
Cotswold Olimpick Games: Friday, June 2nd 2023, 4pm at Dover’s Hill, Weston Subedge, Chipping Campden.
Cheese rolling at Coopers Hill: Monday, May 29, 2023, Brockworth, Gloucestershire
