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:

1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

Best Breakfasts in the Cotswolds

Winter is upon us, and what better way to start the day than with a delicious breakfast in one of the Cotswolds favourite cafes!

If you are already familiar with Unique Cotswold Cottages then you’ll know by now that we aim to pick only the best experiences for our readers, guests and their four-legged friends!  So, without further ado, let’s jump straight into some of the best breakfasts and dog-friendly cafes the beautiful Cotswolds has to offer…

Chipping Campden 

• Bantam Tea Rooms Located right on the main high street in a quintessentially Cotswold building which dates back to 1693.  Before it was an eatery it had several other past lives including serving as a butcher’s shop, a dairy and an antique shop.  Now firmly established as tea rooms, the all day breakfast menu is simple offering the full English, vegetarian breakfast or smoked salmon & scrambled egg on toast.  Only the best quality local ingredients are selected for their menu so grab a table and tuck in!  The coffee is “delicious” and if their selection of cakes is too much of a temptation, pop back for afternoon tea or take it away with you.  Just a two minute walk from our gorgeous stone cottage Honey Pot, wake up feeling refreshed after a restorative night’s sleep in Honey Pot’s luxury bed.   What more do you need to start your day?!

bantamtea-rooms.co.uk

High St, Chipping Campden GL55 6HB

No reservations, just come along. 

All day breakfasts 9.30am – 5.00pm every day except bank holidays

🐶 Dog friendly 

• Vegetable Matters Don’t let the name fool you - meat option breakfasts are available  if that is what you crave!  This local farm shop and cafe offer a ‘Build-your-own breakfast cooked fresh to order’, all the produce is locally sourced or locally grown and very fresh.  After breakfast why not browse the farm shop for delicious, fresh and local ingredients.  Vegetable Matters farm shop & cafe is just a seven minute drive from cosy Honey Pot which is fully equipped with its own kitchen if you love to cook.

Vegetable Matters

May Ln, Ebrington, Chipping Campden GL55 6NJ

Cafe open for breakfast Tuesday-Saturday 8.30am - 3.30pm, closed on Sundays

🐶 Dog friendly

• Blockley Cafe “...more than just a cafe”. The Blockley Cafe  is loved by a community of loyal locals, foodies and visitors to this beautiful part of the country.  It is a hidden gem, tucked away in the village of Blockley, just a 10 minute drive from our gorgeous luxury cottage, Honey Pot, which has its own parking space with EV Charger.  Wake up safe in the knowledge that your car is charged and ready to take you off for a fabulous slap up breakfast or brunch. The Blockley Cafe is chef run and this shows in the impressive menu.  Expect “delicious, beautifully presented dishes that are lovingly created with the finest local and artisan produce.” 

blockleycafe.co.uk

Bell Ln, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9BB

Serving Breakfast 9am -12pm every day.  No bookings, just turn up

🐶 Dog friendly 

Winchcombe 

• The White Hart Inn  “We cook simple, rustic food without pretension with a focus on flavour and generosity”.  With the emphasis on good food and friendly service, this is a great stop for a hearty breakfast after your morning walk with your pooch, who is also welcome - all they ask is that dogs remain on a lead.  The White Hart is just a two minute walk from the Bolt Hole, our luxurious hideaway, furnished to the highest quality for your comfort with luxury bedding and roll top bath. 

whitehartwinchcombe.co.uk

High Street, Winchcombe GL54 5LJ

Serving breakfast 8:00am – 11:30am, bookings taken via website

🐶 Dog friendly

• Hayles Fruit Farm - if you’re after some good old traditional cuisine this is for you!  The breakfast menu has all the usuals from Eggs Benedict to the Full English with a few vegetarian options including spelt toast with smashed avocado with cherry tomatoes, rocket, eggs and dukkah. You will be fuelled and ready for a day’s walking in the Cotswolds!  And if cider is your tipple, it is brewed on the farm so pop to the farm shop and grab yourself a bottle or three of Badgers to enjoy back at The Bolt Hole.   Hayles farm shop prides itself on stocking a wide range of home grown and locally sourced goods.  So, if you are a foodie and love to cook, fill your boots because The Bolt Hole’s kitchen is fully equipped to a high standard and has a double oven!

haylesfruitfarm.co.uk/orchard-kitchen

Winchcombe, GL54 5PB

Open for full breakfast 9am - 11.45am, Thurs - Sun. Open for breakfast toasties 9am, Mon - Wed

No need to book

🐶 Dog friendly

Bourton-on-the-Water

• The Croft Restaurant -  with views of the River Windrush, The Croft has a tantalising menu of breakfast dishes including a Full English, their ‘Croft Breakfast’ -  which is the full English but bigger, you’ll possibly need a big walk to work this one off!  There are also lighter options including scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on sourdough, poached eggs and avocado or granola, vegan yoghurt & berry compote among other dishes.  Grab a seat by the window and plan your day while gazing at the river.

thecroftbourton.co.uk/

Open for breakfast 9 - 11.30am every day except Wednesday.

No bookings taken for breakfast

A discretionary 10 % service charge will be added to your bill

🐶 Well behaved dogs are welcome

• The Riverside Café - “Great Breakfast. Super location and dog friendly” as recently reviewed by a happy customer.  As you’ve probably guessed, this friendly cafe offers great value for money and is right by the river.  Worth noting that it gets busy pretty quickly so grab yourself a table as soon as you can!  A meander down from Little Gem, our beautifully refurbished cottage with log burner and high spec furnishings, takes only seven minutes.  Enjoy a lazy morning after a restful sleep in Little Gem’s luxury bed with 500 thread count bedding and Hypnos mattress. 

Riverside, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BP

Serving breakfast 9am - 12pm every day except Wednesday

No bookings taken, just turn up

🐶 Dog friendly

• Bourtanical - Flower themed cafe in Bourton with a menu option to build your own brunch.  Some other breakfast dishes on the menu include a full English, vegetarian full English, or if you have a sweet tooth there’s the brioche french toast dusted with powdered sugar, berries and maple syrup.  Situated on the picturesque riverside and just a seven minute walk from our cosy haven, Little Gem - luxuriously furnished for a perfectly restorative stay.  Bourtanical offers vegetarian, vegan & gluten free options and your doggy is welcome too!

https://www.bourtanical.com/

Riverside Bourton-on-the-Water, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2DP

Open 0900-1700

Booking is advised

🐶 Dog friendly

Stow-on-the-Wold

• The Hive - one recent visitor describes The Hive as “first class, delicious food, super warm welcome and exemplary customer service.”  This lovely, dog friendly cafe has grown a reputation for its fantastic customer service and fabulous food.  Breakfast and brunch at The Hive is served from 9am - 11.45am and until 2.30 pm on a Sunday if you love a lazy Sunday (who doesn’t?!)  Just a minute’s walk from The Hive is The Loft - our very special hideaway for couples and their four legged friends, complete with luxury furnishings and the highest quality bedding for a wonderful night’s sleep.

thehivestow.co.uk

Digbeth Street, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1BN

Breakfast served 9am - 11.45am, Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat and 9.30am - 2.30pm, Sunday. CLOSED on Tuesday & Wednesday

No bookings, first come first served

🐶 Dog friendly

• Lucy's Tearoom with its chocolate box exterior has to be one of the most inviting cafes in the Cotswolds.  Inside doesn’t disappoint, described as a “quaint and cosy tea room, with its inglenook fireplace”, it has a lovely courtyard, a simple, no fuss breakfast menu, and many a happy customer describing “great food and service” - you can see why it’s so popular!  At Lucy’s they strive to use their own home grown or locally sourced ingredients for their menu - and now they serve doggy ice cream too, so even your furry friend can get in on the action!  Just a two minute walk from The Loft, take our guest walking map with you and plan your hike over brekkie!

lucystearoomstow.com

The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AB

Breakfast served 10am to 12pm Mon to Fri and 9.30am to 12pm Sat & Sun

No bookings taken for breakfast

🐶 Dog friendly