The following blog post is a paid collaboration with @the_cotswolds.
A few weeks ago, the kids and I were given an incredible opportunity to spend a weekend in an area of outstanding natural beauty…The Cotswolds,It’s run through five counties- Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.Every little village and woodland is just stunning.
We had an itinerary planned for us beforehand and the weekend was just the best family experience. We hit the road on the Friday morning and I couldn’t believe how quickly we got there! It only took us an hour and a half to get to our accommodation, which was in Filkins.
We stayed at a stunning house called Juniper Cottage which is situated in the middle of the village- courtesy of StayCotswolds. It is a family friendly accomodation and it could not have been more perfect for us. The cottage sleeps 6 (3 bedrooms) and just has everything you could possibly need. The Cotswolds is exactly what I thought England would be. Quintessential, warm, welcoming and so much character!
We actually ate in Juniper Cottage for the 2 nights we were there because it was so much easier. And again, everything was catered for! The whole accommodation was so clean and spacious, with two lovely gardens in the front and back gardens.
The first day we arrived we went to Blenheim Palace. We sat in the pleasure gardens and had afternoon tea in the orangery! There was a special afternoon tea menu for the kids which I thought was adorable.
Blenheim Palace is a country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire and was designed in the 1700s.
We explored all around the grounds and had so much fun in the maze! It is incredibly romantic. And the perfect day out for anyone! Families, I couldnt believe how much free entertainment they had for the kids. I couldn’t recommend it more!
On the Saturday morning, we visited Stow-on-the-Wold. You have to go here if you’re visiting The Cotswolds! It is so cute. Honestly, it’s like a movie! Here we are at St.Edwards Church. There is a local legend that says that J. R. R. Tolkien visited the village on his many tours of the Cotswolds while he was an academic at Oxford. Apparently he used this very doorway to inspire his Doors of Durin in the Lord of the Rings trilogy! How fascinating!
We ate at The Double Red Duke in Clanfield afterwards. It is so pretty! Like something from a movie! Low ceilings, snugs and lounges, full of burnt orange velvet, and dark brown leather armchairs.
There were cosy log fires and large planters interspersed throughout the spaces. The food was delicious and the kids played happily in the garden afterwards.
The most fun experience of the trip was when we went to Cotswold Wildlife Park.
We strolled around the Park and literally got eye-to-eye with giraffes! Couldn’t believe how close we were! It was amazing!
We spent our last day with Kate and the team at Fat Squirrel. Can’t tell you how much fun this was! We did soft archery, toasted marshmallows and the kids even made their own fires! We had the most amazing weekend at the Cotswolds. I couldn’t recommend it enough!