HOW TO ENJOY A ROMANTIC FESTIVE BREAK IN THE COTSWOLDS

The lead up to Christmas is an especially exciting time to be in the Cotswolds, with so much going on you will be spoilt for choice.

Here at Unique Cotswold Cottages we know a thing or two about creating unforgettable experiences.  So, we have sought out the best christmas markets, festivals and entertainment, so all you have to do is wrap up warm and enjoy!

Christmas markets;

• Chipping Campden Christmas Market runs on Saturday 3rd December 2022 when the whole street is closed off to traffic for the day.  As well as a wonderful variety of stalls lining the street there will be festive food and drinks in the Market Square and an indoor market on both floors of the Town Hall.  All three areas will be  transformed into a festive wonderland with enticing stalls offering arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, festive food, cards, toys and truly original Christmas gifts. The Town's Christmas Lights are switched on at dusk, and of course, there is an appearance by Father Christmas!

  Make your visit even more special by staying at Honey Pot, our luxury cottage for two - with its Hypnos bed,500+ thread-count cotton bed linen and rain shower complete with Egyptian cotton towels  - it is the perfect place to unwind after a day’s Christmas shopping! Just minutes away from the centre of the village and with private parking and an on-site EV charger, Honey Pot is perfectly located for the perfect stay. 

  Where:  High St, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HB

  When:  3rd December 2022, 12pm - 6pm
  

• The Christmas Cotswold Fair at Daylesford Organic is possibly the most indulgent of Christmas fairs, there will be more than 200 stalls and some of their new brands include Plum & Ashby, Killy & Co and Chien Lunatique.  

  Exclusive tutorials with fabulous chefs, interior designers, design specialists and many more. All workshops are complimentary with your tickets but you need to reserve your place!

  Daylesford is just 15 minutes drive away from our beautifully refurbished Cotswold stone cottage, Little Gem, the perfect retreat with its log burner, roll top bath, parking, garden and sumptuous bed.  

  Where:  Daylesford Organic, Daylesford, Nr Kingham, Gloucestershire, GL56 0YG

  When:  7th - 10th November 2022

  Book tickets here
  

• Cheltenham Christmas Market will run daily from Thursday 8 December to Saturday 24 December 2022.  Around 80 market stalls offering festive food, gifts and Christmas decorations will run along the Promenade and Long Gardens in front of the Municipal Office.

  Why not stay at our Winchcombe cottage, The Bolt Hole, which is just a 20 minutes drive from Cheltenham.  You’ll find a wealth of delightful walks from your doorstep as well as some of the finest places to eat.  The bedroom provides 500+ thread-count cotton bed linen, a large king size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a roll-top bath, a walk in rain shower and log-burner, to help you relax after a day's walking and shopping

  Where:  The Promenade & Long Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1PJ

  When:  Thursday 8 December to Saturday 24 December 2022.

  Entrance is free.
  

• Moreton in Marsh Christmas Market hosts an exciting mix of stalls selling an eclectic mix of Christmas goodies including giftware, food, drink and much more besides.  A fabulous base to visit the market is our very special grade 2 listed cottage, The Loft, just 13 minutes away in Stow on the Wold.   With late check out, all mod cons, roll top bath and luxurious bedding - we even welcome your pooch with a bed and treats - it is the perfect place to unwind.  Why not book yourself a taxi to Moreton’s Christmas market so that you can indulge in a mulled wine or two?

  Where;  High Street, Moreton In Marsh, Glos, GL56 0AX

  When;  Saturday 26th November 9am

Christmas festivals;

• The Cheltenham Christmas Wine Festival - Hurry, tickets are selling fast!  At this exciting festival you'll be able to taste over 150 still and sparkling wines, plus a selection of spirits too.  Book a taxi from one of our luxury cottages -  at time of writing Honey Pot and The Loft are available!

  Tickets;  £35 (plus booking fee)

  Where;  Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, GL52 3JE

  When;  Friday 25th November 2022 6.30pm - 9.30pm

• Winchcombe Christmas Festival - Beautiful Winchcombe turns into a magical winter wonderland as Shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants throw open their doors and welcome you in.  The town’s annual festival offers a warm invitation to all to come enjoy a traditional Cotswold Christmas.  With over 70 real Christmas trees lighting up the town, street entertainers, Morris dancers, choirs, carol singing and bands you can’t help but get into the Christmas spirit!  Browse over 50 market stalls laden with gifts & festive food, and the shops will be open late too.   Luxury cottage, The Bolt Hole with its stone walls, oak beams and log burner, is in the centre of the town making it the ideal place to stay.

  Where;  North St / Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ

  When;  6 December 2022 5pm – 8pm

• Stow-on-the-Wold Christmas Tree Festival 2022  - Preparations are now underway for the annual Christmas Tree Festival which will take place at St Edward’s church in December 2022.  Come along and enjoy the wonderful display of Christmas trees decorated by children, organisations and businesses in the town. Best Tree in each category is voted for by the public.  Stay in the Christmassy mood with dinner at one of Stow’s cosy pubs and then stroll home to The Loft, our 200 year old romantic apartment with its roll top bath in the bedroom with a view, and luxurious bed with Hypnos mattress 500+ thread-count cotton bed linen.

  Entrance;  Donation guide, £5 per couple

  Where;  St Edward’s Church, Stow-on-the-Wold 

  When;  10.00am to 5.00pm on Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th December 202

• Craft Festival Cheltenham returns this Christmas season with 100 of the finest designer makers from across the UK for its first pre-Christmas show in Cheltenham.  This curated event brings the best professional makers to the iconic Cheltenham Town Hall where you will find makers of handmade jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, woodwork, and furniture.  There will be a signature programme of festive workshops and craft demonstrations.

  Tickets form £7 Book Here

  Where;  Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA

  When;  Weekend of 26-27th Nov

  Entertainment & Activities;

• Spectacle of Light, Sudeley Castle -  Explore the magical night-time trail around Sudeley Castle’s stunning grounds and enchanted woodland. As well as the majestic trees and romantic ruins all lit under the stars, there will be sparkling water features, a mesmerising Carpet of Colour, light beams, lanterns and so much more.  Grab yourself some mulled wine or a hot chocolate, tuck into some delicious food from the castle terrace and browse the lovely gift shop for some unique Christmas gifts and souvenirs.  Just a few minutes away is The Bolt Hole, our delightfully cosy and luxurious cottage - the icing on the cake after a magical festive evening!

  Tickets;  From £19.20

  Where;  Winchcombe GL54 5LP

  When;  25-27 November, 2-4, 8-11, 15-23, 27-30 December 2022 

• The Snowman in concert - the Mozart Symphony Orchestra returns to Cheltenham Town Hall, bringing their famous Christmas show from London for one day only.  “You would be hard pushed to find a more magical Christmas experience”. The Times

  Tickets £30.00, £25.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00

  Where:  Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA

  When:  Friday 23rd December 2022

• Chocolate Making Classes - make your own Belgian truffles. You will learn some basic chocolate making techniques including flavouring, piping, enrobing and spinning chocolate. Then finally, after tastings as well, your truffles will be professionally gift wrapped using simple techniques that will add the "wow" factor.  Give them to a friend or better still, treat yourself to a gift!  Just 5 minutes away is Bourton on the Water where our cottage Little Gem is located.  Indulge in your creations in front of the log burner or for sheer decadence - in Little Gem’s roll top bath!

  Tickets;  £48 - £50 Book Here

  Where;  Wyck Rissington Village Hall, GL54 2PN

  When;  17th December 2022, 2pm - 4pm

• Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Tree Lighting - The 2nd December is the lighting up of Bourton on the Water's wonderful Christmas tree which the Chamber of Commerce puts in the River Windrush in the centre of the village each year.  The profusion of lights reflects in the babbling river creating a truly magical scene.  The festivities continue with a special shopping evening in the town. 

  Where;  River Windrush, Bourton-on-the-Water

  When;  2nd December 2022 6.30pm

10 EXCITING THINGS TO DO IN THE BEAUTIFUL COTSWOLDS IN AUTUMN 2022

Autumn is nearly upon us, so are you wondering how to tune in to take in the colours, feast on the harvests, get wellies on and walk some of the most stunning countryside the UK has to offer? 

Then hunker down with your favourite people and pets in a cosy pub with a real fire and a top notch roast?

And perhaps how to add some culture to the mix and lose yourself in some classical music or a literature festival?

If this sounds tempting read on for some fabulous things to do and visit this season in the beautiful Cotswolds…

1. Westonbirt Arboretum or Batsford Arboretum

Westonbirt arboretum near Tetbury is staggeringly beautiful in Autumn as the leaves give the most beautiful display of golds and reds.  It will depend on the weather as to when the colours will be at their peak so it is worth checking their website and social media for updates.

Batsford arboretum is offering photography workshops from the 23rd - 30th October and is just a short drive from Honey Pot, The Loft, The Bolt Hole and Little Gem.

2. Royal Gardens at Highgrove or a visit to Sudeley Castle

The Royal Gardens at Highgrove so you can catch both of these in a day visit if you wish.  These stunning gardens are open to the public for guided tours on selected dates between April and October.  If you want something a bit special you can book one of their Champagne Tea & Garden Tours.

Sudeley Castle, nicknamed ‘The hidden gem of the Cotswolds’ is just a stone’s throw from The Bolt Hole.  This Autumn Sudeley is offering archeological dig experiences, searching for the remains of a long-lost Tudor garden built for Katherine Parr.

3. Enjoy Sunday lunch in one of the best dog friendly pubs with an open fire.  The cotswolds offers some of the best eateries in the UK, two of which are on the doorstep of our luxurious dog friendly cottages.

• Winchcombe - The Corner Cupboard Inn  This 15th Century Inn located in Gloucester Street, Winchcombe is definitely worth a visit!   It has charm aplenty with roaring fires, oak beams and all the character that its age suggests.  A real ale bar and a comprehensive wine list excites the connoisseur. Ingredients are sought locally and food served daily.

• Stow on the Wold - The Stag @ Stow (formerly The White Hart) 

A 'boutique' style Inn, which has been refurbished throughout. The Inn has two cosy bars, open fires and an atmospheric dining room. Hearty food is served during the day, with finer dining in the evening. All food is sourced locally and prepared on site.

• Bourton-on-the-Water - The Mousetrap Inn

This beautiful, cosy and quirky freehouse pub welcomes you and your four legged friends.  Cosy up round the fire and order something wonderful from the fantastic menu.  “Our small team of talented chefs create delicious dishes, with a focus on working with local suppliers to source sustainable produce and reducing food wastage while doing justice to the brilliance of the Cotswold larder.”

• Chipping Campden - The Ebrington Arms

This beautiful 17th century pub is “widely acclaimed as being one of the country’s finest inns, being at the centre of The Cotswolds, and in a hidden idyllic village”.  The Ebrington has won the CAMRA North Cotswold’s Pub of the Year Award four times over, and as soon as you visit you’ll know why!  A truly special place serving award winning homemade food that has held two AA rosettes and a Bib Gourmand for the past seven years running. They also feature in the Good Food Guide, Michelin Guide and Good Pub Guide, and were awarded 'Escape of the Year 2016'.

4. Classical music in Northleach and Cheltenham

Northleach’s Church of St Peter and St Paul, only a 10 minute drive from Little Gem, is hosting a Neopolitan Night concert on 4 November for the Cotswold Festival of Music.  

On the 24th September the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra are performing the ever-popular Mozart Overture to The Magic Flute, followed by Adam Heron (BBC Young Musician piano finalist 2018) performing Mozart’s piano concerto No 20 in D minor.  The concert will be held on the 24th September at Cheltenham Town Hall, just a 20 minute drive from The Bolt Hole https://guide2.co.uk/gloucestershire/events/cheltenham-town-hall-events-1/ 

5. Cheltenham Literature Festival

Cheltenham is the world’s first literature festival and with more than 1000 authors from the worlds of fiction, poetry, film and TV, sport, food, travel and politics it really is a feast for any bookworm of any age.  Stephen King, Stanley Tucci, Jamie Oliver and a whole host of famous names will be at the festival which runs from 7-16 October.  Cheltenham is an easy drive from The Bolt Hole or why not take the train?

6. Burford Literary Festival

If you prefer a smaller event then Burford Lit Fest may be just your thing.  It has been described as "the real literary festival" and the organisers say “many of our events are bijou and this enables the events to feel more like a conversation than a presentation”.  Burford Lit Fest runs 22nd - 25th September 2022.

7. Autumn Classic Historic Race Day At Castle Combe

If you love classic cars this is not to be missed!  The event will be “celebrating the first Porsche driving in the UK at Castle Combe 70 years ago on the 4th October 1952, by Claude Bannister in a Porsche 356!” 

The Classic Historic Race Day will take place on the 24th September.  It is a little bit further to travel but well worth the visit if you are an enthusiast.  Our closest cottage is Little Gem in Bourton-on-the-Water.

8. Heritage Open Days

England’s largest festival of history and culture is nearly upon us and this is your chance to explore hidden places and try out new experiences.  The festival allows visitors free access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public or would normally charge an entrance fee.  Heritage Open Days runs from 9th - 18th September https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ 

9. Tour & Tasting At The Cotswolds Distillery

The Cotswold Distillery produces spirits of an exceptional quality.  Visit for a gin or whisky blending masterclass or one of their award-winning Tour & Tastings - and if you fancy indulging they also offer a Tour & Tasting with lunch!

Why not book a taxi from The Loft in Stow on the Wold or Honey Pot in Chipping Campden, just 15 minutes away.

10. Say Cheers To Cheltenham Wine Festival

If wine is more your thing the The Pittville Pump Room hosts The Cheltenham Wine Festival, on Saturday 29th October 2022. With a choice of over 250 exciting wines, this is your chance to taste, discover and learn about different wine styles, grape varieties and the people and special places behind them. 

THE HIDDEN GEMS OF THE COTSWOLDS - WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE BEST VIEWS AWAY FROM THE CROWD

Locating some truly secret locations off the beaten path can be hit and miss with a simple Google search. For the best-kept secrets. Here Amanda from Unique Cotswold Cottages has provided some of these hidden gems and where to get the best views away from the crowds:

Slightly overlooked by neighboring Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftsgate Garden is an alternative to those who wish to marvel at some of the unique display of rose varieties atop a hillside manor. While this isn't entirely a hidden gem, it's less populated than Hidcote and has beautiful views of the Vale of Evesham. 

Located by the River Coln, Fairford isn't a typical tourist location. This idyllic market town hosts several traditional markets throughout the year, its St Mary's church, built-in 1490, is a Grade 1 listed building boasting 28 medieval stained-glass windows depicting the Bible. You can explore both the town as well as its local lakes – all part of the Walter Meadow Walk. 

If historical sites are on the menu, consider the Great Witcombe Roman Villa. Less crowded than Belas Knap, this is the remains of a Roman villa from circa AD 250. While there are parking facilities, there isn't access for coaches, so not part of the larger tours. It offers uninterrupted views of the ruins, as well as the Witcombe reservoirs.

The Warden's Way offers over 13 miles of walks throughout the Cotswolds of uninterrupted nature. Accessible from many locations such as Bourton-on-the-water, where Unique Cotswolds’ Little Gem Cottage can be rented, through to Winchcombe, where the charming Bolt Hole can also be rented, the route passes through several villages. One of them is The Slaughters - a picturesque village that hosts one of the most picturesque water mills in the area.

Finishing the trip by unwinding; The Cotswolds Distillery produces a single malt whisky made from Cotswold barley. The highlight is perhaps the use of lavender used in the distillery's in-house Cotswold Dry Gin. If the actual ingredients are more of an appeal, there are over 90 miles of lavender on display at Snowshill during June and September. Due to the vast area, there are plenty of chances to see the lavender in its time-limited showcase.

 MORE ON UNIQUE COTSWOLD COTTAGES

Unique Cotswold Cottages offers luxury cottage retreats in four distinct locations within the idyllic Cotswolds.  Offering 4 boutique cottages to choose from, Unique Cotswold Cottage’s charming offerings kick off with ‘The Loft’, a stunning Grade || Listed Building located in Stow-on-the-Wold. With wonderful views from the rooftop, The Loft is perfect for a couple’s romantic weekend escape. 

Unique Cotswold Cottages also offers Little Gem Cottage- a refurbished stone cottage with over 200 years of history located in Bourton-on-the-water, known as ‘The Little Venice of Cotswolds.’ The third property is ‘The Bolt Hole’, which features Cotswold stone walls and oak beams. The newest property is the charming, cosy Honey Pot in the heart of Chipping Campden.