Stratford-upon-Avon is the perfect base when visiting the Cotswolds, and Swan’s Nest Hotel is the ideal place to stay in Stratford!
Stratford-upon-Avon – Gateway to the Cotswolds
The area of the Cotswolds is generally taken to be between Bath in the South West, Oxford in the East, Worcester to the North West and Stratford upon Avon to the North East.
It’s the distinctive honey coloured stone cottages makes this area an absolute delight to visit and the chocolate box villages make it a photographers dream.
6 highlights for your visit to the Cotswolds:
Hidcote Manor Garden
Hidcote is one of the best known Arts and Crafts gardens in the UK, and is a National Trust property. It was created by the American Lawrence Johnson who settled in Britain around 1900 and developed the gardens during the 1910’s.
Of particular interest is the ‘rooms’ of hedges and the rare trees, and the design has been extremely influential to modern garden design.
In 2020 the gardens are open during the weekends year round for the first time, and Open all week from the 15th of February until November – but you need to pre-book your visit.
Moreton-in-the-Marsh
This delightful market town stands on the Fosse Way Roman road. The picturesque town centre includes the preserved Stocks. Nearby is Batsford Arboretum, 55 acres of gardens, trees, walks and also a very popular Garden and Plant Centre. You can also visit the Four Shire Stone, a boundary marker where traditionally Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire met (changes in 1931 mean that today only 3 county borders meet here).
You can also visit nearby Chastleton House, a National Trust property with a beautiful Jacobean garden and which was owned by the same family for nearly 400 years.
Stow-on-the-Wold
This is a historic market town which sits on top of an 800 foot hill at the junction of seven major roads including the Fosse Way and was the centre of the Cotswold wool trade and famous for the huge annual fairs. Now the town is well known for the interesting shops including antique shops, galleries and crafts.
Bourton on the Water
You have probably seen pictures of Bourton on the Water already, sometimes called the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ and regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in the country. The river and the little stone bridges over the River Windrush make the village so distinctive and charming. There is also a wide choice of delightful tea shops to choose from!
Broadway
A large village famous for the grass fringed main street, the so called ‘broad way’, which has red chestnut trees lining it and the famous honey coloured stone cottages of the Cotswolds. Attractions include the Broadway Museum and Art Gallery displaying a range of objects in a former coaching inn, and Broadway Tower a 65 foot tower which stands isolated on the hilltop site with stunning views.
Gloucester
For those prepared to venture a little further then Harry Potter fans may wish to include Gloucester Cathedral on their itinerary, it’s still only just over an hours drive from Stratford, so you can be easily back in time for dinner!
Book your Stratford Cotswolds Break now
The Cotswolds are easily reached from Stratford-upon-Avon and the Swans Nest hotel is an ideal base for exploring the very best the Cotswolds has to offer, so start planning your Cotswold short break now!
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