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A Pretty Pocket of England – The Classic Cotswolds
9 days from £3,995 / $5,420 per person
Not far from the Urban Jungle of London lies a pretty pocket of rural bliss. The honey coloured hues of the Cotswolds villages immediately hark of a simpler time, and provide a wonderful destination for a leisurely, but insightful, ramble of the English countryside.
Take time visiting the numerous picturesque historical properties, such as Kelmscott Manor and Kiftsgate Court Gardens, whilst also exploring some of the local farm shops, markets and village boutiques. The Cotswolds is a quaint and historically rich part of England, and the rolling hills and picturesque sandstone cottages create an old-world charm. The image of a Cotswold village is often what is conjured when one thinks of the romance of the English countryside.
Thyme will give you the chance to experience a more modern and boutique approach to the countryside. Stylish yet cosy, the charming accommodation combines rustic interiors with contemporary touches. Soak in a roll-top bath or snuggle before the wood-burning stove, and immerse yourself in the hotel’s home-farmed ethos with a cookery class sourcing ingredients from their abundant kitchen garden. Buckland Manor, in perfect contrast to Thyme, is an elegant and charming country house hotel, you’ll instantly feel at home away from home. Furnished with antiques and surrounded by beautiful gardens that boast rose beds, a croquet lawn and a tennis court, Buckland exudes more of a quintessential and characteristic air.
The Cotswolds has something to offer everyone. Whether you are looking for a romantic break, a family holiday or a historic foray there are experiences abound in this chocolate-box part of the world to suit even the pickiest of travellers. With each season showcasing its own beauty, this is a year-round destination ripe for the picking!
Itinerary details
9 days from £3,995 / $5,420 per person
- Day 1 - Ham Yard - London
Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to Kew Gardens. Evening performance at Regents Park Open Air Theatre. - Day 2 - Ham Yard - London
Morning privately guided tour of the 'Countryside in London' (around London's famous parks). Afternoon Botanical Themed Tea at The Mondrian Hotel. - Day 3 - Thyme Hotel - The Cotswolds
Drive into the Cotswolds via the Royal Residence of Windsor Castle and the charming village of Henley on Thames. - Day 4 - Thyme Hotel - The Cotswolds
Morning visit to the 'capital' of the Cotswolds, Cirencester, via Kelmscott Manor. Afternoon Seasonal Cookery Class at Thyme. Dinner at The Swan Inn. - Day 5 - Buckland Manor - The Cotswolds
Day trip to the Royal Gardens at Highgrove and the Westonbirt National Arboretum. - Day 6 - Buckland Manor - The Cotswolds
Explore the quaint Cotswold countryside visiting the villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters and Chipping Norton. Lunch at Daylesford Organic Farm and drive to Buckland Manor. - Day 7 - Buckland Manor - The Cotswolds
Morning visit to Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court. Afternoon visit to Snowshill Manor and Broadway Tower. Dinner at The Chefs Dozen Restaurant. - Day 8 - Cliveden House - Berkshire
Morning at leisure. Afternoon visit to the iconic Blenheim Palace. Drive to Cliveden House. - Day 9 - In transit.
Drive to the airport for your flight home.
Places of Interest
AccommodationTo my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson
