Top Tips for visiting the Cotswolds
Neighbourhoods
Famed for its numerous antique shops and for the site of a civil war battle, Stow on the Wold is the nearest village to Tall Trees, and you can walk there either along the footpath that borders the Quarwood estate and then a short stretch on the main road, or by crossing the main road and detouring via the small village of Maugesbury. Stow has a great butchers, a pharmacy, a small co-op supermarket, several coffee shops and tea rooms plus a number of fantastic pubs. Worth a stroll up the hill to explore!
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Stow-on-the-Wold
Famed for its numerous antique shops and for the site of a civil war battle, Stow on the Wold is the nearest village to Tall Trees, and you can walk there either along the footpath that borders the Quarwood estate and then a short stretch on the main road, or by crossing the main road and detouring via the small village of Maugesbury. Stow has a great butchers, a pharmacy, a small co-op supermarket, several coffee shops and tea rooms plus a number of fantastic pubs. Worth a stroll up the hill to explore!
One of the prettiest locations in the Cotswolds, Bourton has plenty of tea rooms and places for lunch. During the summer it can be rather busy, but is worth a visit with small children to go to Birdland or to visit Greystones Farm. There are also lovely circular walks from Bourton that go through the picturesque villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Afterwards, stop off at the Bakery on the Water for adults to refuel with coffee and a sausage roll!
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Bourton on the Water
One of the prettiest locations in the Cotswolds, Bourton has plenty of tea rooms and places for lunch. During the summer it can be rather busy, but is worth a visit with small children to go to Birdland or to visit Greystones Farm. There are also lovely circular walks from Bourton that go through the picturesque villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. Afterwards, stop off at the Bakery on the Water for adults to refuel with coffee and a sausage roll!
Burford is often referred to as the “gateway” to the cotswolds. If you drove through here on your way to Tall Trees you will have spotted the beautiful old high street and the views down the hill. It is worth visiting both for the architecture, the shops and the beautiful church which is impressively large for a Cotswold village - reflecting the immense wealth in this area during the Middle Ages as a result of the wool trade.
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Burford
Burford is often referred to as the “gateway” to the cotswolds. If you drove through here on your way to Tall Trees you will have spotted the beautiful old high street and the views down the hill. It is worth visiting both for the architecture, the shops and the beautiful church which is impressively large for a Cotswold village - reflecting the immense wealth in this area during the Middle Ages as a result of the wool trade.
A picturesque village with a small selection of pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. We'd mainly recommend Broadway for the walk to the nearby Broadway Tower - a Victorian folly built at the top of a hill with fantastic views. Wellies or sturdy boots recommended during the winter and wet weather! Once you've walked up an appetite, stop off in Broadway for lunch or afternoon tea!
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Broadway
A picturesque village with a small selection of pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops. We'd mainly recommend Broadway for the walk to the nearby Broadway Tower - a Victorian folly built at the top of a hill with fantastic views. Wellies or sturdy boots recommended during the winter and wet weather! Once you've walked up an appetite, stop off in Broadway for lunch or afternoon tea!
Food scene
Coach House Coffee came into its own during lockdown - the regular dose of caffeine from their takeaway windows enhanced many a solo walk in Spring 2021!
Now opened up fully with both takeaway and dine-in options, their carrot cake is a must-have.
Coach House Coffee
1 Talbot SquareCoach House Coffee came into its own during lockdown - the regular dose of caffeine from their takeaway windows enhanced many a solo walk in Spring 2021!
Now opened up fully with both takeaway and dine-in options, their carrot cake is a must-have.
Otis & Belle is named after owner Will’s two children. Serving up fantastic sourdough bread, pastries and takeaway coffee, make sure you get here in the morning to stock up on goodies before they sell out! There’s also a handful of small tables outside where you can enjoy your coffee and croissant in the sunshine. Closes at 3pm but often sells out of bread and pastries by lunchtime.
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Otis & Belle
Otis & Belle is named after owner Will’s two children. Serving up fantastic sourdough bread, pastries and takeaway coffee, make sure you get here in the morning to stock up on goodies before they sell out! There’s also a handful of small tables outside where you can enjoy your coffee and croissant in the sunshine. Closes at 3pm but often sells out of bread and pastries by lunchtime.
When visiting Bourton stock up on caffeine, croissants, fresh bread and breakfasts here at the Bakery on the Water
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Bakery on the Water
1 Sherborne StWhen visiting Bourton stock up on caffeine, croissants, fresh bread and breakfasts here at the Bakery on the Water
This is my favourite place to go for breakfast or brunch. Sit in the window or outside and watch the world go by on Burford High Street!
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Lynwood & Co cafe Burford
134 High StThis is my favourite place to go for breakfast or brunch. Sit in the window or outside and watch the world go by on Burford High Street!
Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop, selling produce grown on his Diddly Squat Farm and the local area. Look out for Jeremy’s “Bee Juice”, as well as Hawkstone lager made from the farm’s barley and brewed five minutes down the road from Tall Trees at The Cotswold Brewing Co. It can be extremely busy, following the success of Clarkson’s Farm on TV. Do check current opening times online before visiting, and we'd recommend going first thing in the morning (but be prepared to queue!)
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Diddly Squat Farm
Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop, selling produce grown on his Diddly Squat Farm and the local area. Look out for Jeremy’s “Bee Juice”, as well as Hawkstone lager made from the farm’s barley and brewed five minutes down the road from Tall Trees at The Cotswold Brewing Co. It can be extremely busy, following the success of Clarkson’s Farm on TV. Do check current opening times online before visiting, and we'd recommend going first thing in the morning (but be prepared to queue!)
A gorgeous little cafe serving food and drinks from 8.30am - 3pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Recommended for breakfasts and amazing ice cream, plus the Tew estate is absolutely stunning. Featuring picture-perfect cottages and worth a little stroll to build up an appetite.
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Quince and Clover at Great Tew
A gorgeous little cafe serving food and drinks from 8.30am - 3pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Recommended for breakfasts and amazing ice cream, plus the Tew estate is absolutely stunning. Featuring picture-perfect cottages and worth a little stroll to build up an appetite.
If you’re heading out for a walk do grab a picnic lunch from here first. Fresh baguettes made-to-order, and delicious jacket potatoes and salads. Beware though - they close at 3pm!
Cotswold Baguettes
If you’re heading out for a walk do grab a picnic lunch from here first. Fresh baguettes made-to-order, and delicious jacket potatoes and salads. Beware though - they close at 3pm!
Pubs
Lovely village pub on a green which has a small stream running past it. Pub garden is great and food is highly recommended. Good for children too as there are swings and a small play area on the green! Booking in advance is required
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The Kings Head Inn
The GreenLovely village pub on a green which has a small stream running past it. Pub garden is great and food is highly recommended. Good for children too as there are swings and a small play area on the green! Booking in advance is required
A pub doing excellent food with a great atmosphere that is actually frequented by locals as well as visitors. This is where my husband had his last meal as a single man before we got married in this village’s church! This is also our favourite Sunday roast venue! Booking in advance is required
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The Chequers
Church RoadA pub doing excellent food with a great atmosphere that is actually frequented by locals as well as visitors. This is where my husband had his last meal as a single man before we got married in this village’s church! This is also our favourite Sunday roast venue! Booking in advance is required
A more low-key, “locals” pub where bookings aren’t as necessary and muddy walking boots are ok. Good for a mid-walk pint. Walk to this pub by heading across the fields of Quarwood, out of the gate in the woods, and along the public footpath towards Lower Swell. Remember a torch if you’re walking back at night though!
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The Golden Ball Inn
A more low-key, “locals” pub where bookings aren’t as necessary and muddy walking boots are ok. Good for a mid-walk pint. Walk to this pub by heading across the fields of Quarwood, out of the gate in the woods, and along the public footpath towards Lower Swell. Remember a torch if you’re walking back at night though!
A five minute drive (or an hour’s cross-country walk) is the Hawkstone Arms (previously was the Cotswold Brewing Company). Selling beers brewed on site including Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Lager, and Caleb’s cider from the Amazon Prime series fame. There is an informal ‘tap room’ with indoor & outdoor seating, plus occasional food pop-ups - phone or look on social media to check what’s happening. They also offer brewery tours which need to be prebooked.
The Cotswold Brewing Company
Stow RoadA five minute drive (or an hour’s cross-country walk) is the Hawkstone Arms (previously was the Cotswold Brewing Company). Selling beers brewed on site including Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Lager, and Caleb’s cider from the Amazon Prime series fame. There is an informal ‘tap room’ with indoor & outdoor seating, plus occasional food pop-ups - phone or look on social media to check what’s happening. They also offer brewery tours which need to be prebooked.
A gastropub with excellent food in the village of Bourton on the Hill . Must book in advance!
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Horse and Groom
A gastropub with excellent food in the village of Bourton on the Hill . Must book in advance!
Bought by the Bamford family (of Daylesford fame) and totally refreshed, the Fox opened in summer 2022 to rave reviews for their food. Thursday evenings music & pizza nights are great fun. Sunday lunch is often booked a month in advance, but it is so worth it! Apparently tables are kept for walk-ins, but we’d recommend booking.
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The Fox at Oddington
High StreetBought by the Bamford family (of Daylesford fame) and totally refreshed, the Fox opened in summer 2022 to rave reviews for their food. Thursday evenings music & pizza nights are great fun. Sunday lunch is often booked a month in advance, but it is so worth it! Apparently tables are kept for walk-ins, but we’d recommend booking.
Restaurants
If you’re looking for tasty food - particularly seafood, but with a regularly changing menu - book to come for dinner here. You can walk home if you fancy a few drinks with your dinner! Booking in advance is required.
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Old Butchers
7 Park StIf you’re looking for tasty food - particularly seafood, but with a regularly changing menu - book to come for dinner here. You can walk home if you fancy a few drinks with your dinner! Booking in advance is required.
The Old Stocks has a great set menu, and a wonderful cocktail bar! Recommended for a special dinner out in Stow, and you can then walk home after to make the most of those cocktails! Booking in advance is required.
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The Old Stocks Inn restaurant
Market SquareThe Old Stocks has a great set menu, and a wonderful cocktail bar! Recommended for a special dinner out in Stow, and you can then walk home after to make the most of those cocktails! Booking in advance is required.
Featuring in the Michelin guide, the Wild Rabbit is owned by the same family who run Daylesford organic farm nearby. A stylishly modernised country pub serving modern dishes with natural flavours of the farm’s superb organic ingredients underpinning the menu.
Booking essential.
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The Wild Rabbit
Featuring in the Michelin guide, the Wild Rabbit is owned by the same family who run Daylesford organic farm nearby. A stylishly modernised country pub serving modern dishes with natural flavours of the farm’s superb organic ingredients underpinning the menu.
Booking essential.
Set up by siblings Aris and Cleo Alexiou, the menu features a fantastic selection of Greek Cypriot food. In the summer enjoy a table outside in Talbot Court, and imagine you’re on the Mediterranean!
Booking in advance is essential.
Open for dinner Weds-Sat only during the winter months.
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Alexiou’s Restaurant
Talbot SquareSet up by siblings Aris and Cleo Alexiou, the menu features a fantastic selection of Greek Cypriot food. In the summer enjoy a table outside in Talbot Court, and imagine you’re on the Mediterranean!
Booking in advance is essential.
Open for dinner Weds-Sat only during the winter months.
When we want to treat ourselves to something really special we head to The Ox Barn at Thyme. We like the lofty barn conversion with its gorgeous open kitchen, from which Charlie Hibbert serves up refined but uncomplicated food. Most of the vegetables that are featured on the menu are grown organically on the property, which also boasts a beautiful spa. Booking in advance is required
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Thyme – Hotel, Spa, Farm & Cookery School
When we want to treat ourselves to something really special we head to The Ox Barn at Thyme. We like the lofty barn conversion with its gorgeous open kitchen, from which Charlie Hibbert serves up refined but uncomplicated food. Most of the vegetables that are featured on the menu are grown organically on the property, which also boasts a beautiful spa. Booking in advance is required
A local hotel with a restaurant, we would highly recommend the Sunday roasts here at the Sheep. Walk up to Stow and then waddle back down to Tall Trees once you've enjoyed your lunch! Booking in advance is required.
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Sheep on Sheep Street
Sheep StreetA local hotel with a restaurant, we would highly recommend the Sunday roasts here at the Sheep. Walk up to Stow and then waddle back down to Tall Trees once you've enjoyed your lunch! Booking in advance is required.
Serving up the best burgers for miles around, Smiths in Bourton is really delicious and well worth a visit! Booking is recommended.
Smiths
Serving up the best burgers for miles around, Smiths in Bourton is really delicious and well worth a visit! Booking is recommended.
Wellness & Activities
Offering facials, massages, treatments and exercise classes (yoga, reformer Pilates and others) for a chance to relax and rejuvenate during your holiday. Check out their website for current availability and book in advance
Bamford Wellness Spa, Cotswolds
Offering facials, massages, treatments and exercise classes (yoga, reformer Pilates and others) for a chance to relax and rejuvenate during your holiday. Check out their website for current availability and book in advance
A 50m 1930s-style open air lido. Heated during the summer months, or open for cold-water swimming during the winter. A great place to go for a swim or to enjoy the sunshine!
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Sandford Parks Lido
Keynsham RoadA 50m 1930s-style open air lido. Heated during the summer months, or open for cold-water swimming during the winter. A great place to go for a swim or to enjoy the sunshine!
Offering courses and workshops on a variety of crafts such as wreath-making, silversmithing, calligraphy, candle-making, willow sculpture and more. Check out their Instagram or website for current activities.
Larkswold
Offering courses and workshops on a variety of crafts such as wreath-making, silversmithing, calligraphy, candle-making, willow sculpture and more. Check out their Instagram or website for current activities.
A fully heated, 25m open air pool, this is a fantastic summer swim destination
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The Lido, Chipping Norton — Open-Air Swimming Pool
Fox CloseA fully heated, 25m open air pool, this is a fantastic summer swim destination
Sightseeing
Chastleton House is a family house frozen in time. Now owned and maintained by the National Trust, it’s been kept mostly as the last owners left it. Do check opening hours as they are rather dictated by daylight due to limited electrical lighting!
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National Trust - Casa Chastleton
Chastleton House is a family house frozen in time. Now owned and maintained by the National Trust, it’s been kept mostly as the last owners left it. Do check opening hours as they are rather dictated by daylight due to limited electrical lighting!