When the skies are overcast or icy clear and the autumn leaves have turned to mush under our boots, there is nothing better than cosying up beside the fire with a mug of tea, maybe a mince pie and a good book. (I recommend the Shardlake series by C.J. Samson)
However, if you are coming to the Cotswolds during this time, then you might want to venture out and try some activities to keep you warm and entertained during this season. Here are a few suggestions on some really special local activities.
1. Cotswold Winter Activity: Cotswold Shopping
I love to explore the small towns and visit the antique shops, gift and home boutiques and eye up all the gorgeous little treasures within them. In these small shops with limited space, so much has been carefully thought through. This is shopping unlike any other experience I know. I can’t handle shopping in London, I’ve tried it and it’s not a thing (for me). I find the crowds are way too overwhelming.
Here in these Cotswold shops, are lots of smaller, packable items for your home or to wear. The Cotswolds is perfect for popping in and out of lovely little shops. Burford, Stow on the Wold and Cirencester are my ultimate favourites, closely followed by Bourton on the Water and Broadway.
If you are a big shopper you might want to bring an extra suitcase as there is plenty here to fill it. Check here to read my previous blog about shopping in the Cotswolds.
2. Cotswold Winter Activity Explore Cotswold Pubs
Within these small towns are some great pubs to pause in to warm up and soak up some local culture. There are so many lovely pubs to pop in and out of, it’s fun just to stop for a drink (doesn’t have to be alcoholic, it’s very acceptable to ask for a soft drink – my non alcoholic drink of choice is Ginger Beer), and then move on to the next place.
3. Cotswold Winter Activity: Afternoon Teas
Once you have exhausted the ‘local pubs’, it is even more fun to luxuriate in a tearoom or posh hotel setting and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea.
We – the Brits - do seem to be obsessed with these but they really do provide an opportunity to indulge in a little luxury at relatively low cost.
Even better is that they are so filling, and remove the need for another meal in the evening, so I consider them a financial saving, and therefore fully approve of upgrading an afternoon tea to a full champagne tea.
I am currently undertaking some research in this area, and hope to complete my afternoon tea thesis by spring 2024.
Pictures here is The Lords of the Manor Hotel in Upper Slaughter. I absolutely love Barnsley House Hotel for its Afternoon Tea too.
.4. Cotswold Winter Activity: Cotswold Walks
Once you have drunk and eaten till you can consume no more, a good walk is what’s needed, and we are spoilt for choice here. Many of my guests are not familiar with our footpaths system here in the UK. We are very fortunate to have right of way over huge areas of private land, wherever a public footpath exists. Footpaths are clearly marked with signage. Sometimes the footpaths are named, such as the Cotswold Way,Monarch’s Way, Heart of England Way, and so on, but essentially the signs looks like this one pictured above.
Providing you stick to the footpath, open and close any farm gates, and keep any dogs on leads, you are perfectly welcome to walk across the private land. These footpaths travel for miles, up, down and across the country. It is easy to get lost! You must take a map or use an app (Ordnance Survey maps are the best for paper and app) and then you will be able to stick to the footpath. Rarely do you have to walk along any busy roads, and I strongly advise you to stay off main roads. Stick to the quiet lanes and fields.
One important tip, if you are walking along the edge of a road and if there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend. This information is from the UK government’s website on the Highway Code .
5. Cotswold Winter Activity: Creative Workshops
Another gorgeous Cotswold winter pastime for the creative types amongst you is to spend some time involved in an organised activity. We are completely spoilt for such things here, and my absolute favourite is Larkswold, situated just outside of Stow on the Wold, in an idyllic village setting with countryside views.
Larkswold is run by best friends, Melinda and Emma. I met Melinda for the first time at a Cotswold networking event recently and can absolutely see why she is so successful with this wonderful business. It’s a fun, uplifting and rewarding way to spend your time, particularly if you are visiting England alone. It’s a nice way to meet other like minded people socially and have fun. They have a diary full of friendly and creative workshops going throughout the whole year long, not just wintertime, with a really wide range of activities, ranging from silversmithing to leather workshops. Cakes are aplenty, and bottomless teas are promised.
6. Cotswold Winter Activity: Gin and Whisky Experiences
Cotswolds Distillery offers some great experiences too. Tucked away amongst the rolling north Cotswold hills, this distillery produces some of the most delicious spirits England has to offer.
The Distillery is located on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, near to Shipston on Stour. You can try your hand at whisky or gin blending, or attend a cocktail masterclass, amongst other things. As I am always the driver, I have not been able to try this activity myself yet, but I have it on good authority that these masterclasses are a lot of fun
7. Cotswold Winter Activity: Mindfulness and Wellbeing
Sadie at Cotswold Therapia has recently appeared on my radar, with her weekly Sunday night online meditation sessions on Instagram - cotswold_therapia. She's fab. I absolutely love tuning into these free and relaxing sessions, which remind me to get off Netflix and unwind before bedtime.
If you are coming to the Cotswolds to escape a busy and hectic life and are looking for a calming Cotswold winter activity, I cannot think of a better way to relax and unwind at Cotswold Therapia.
Sadie offers various kinds of personal wellbeing, relaxation coaching, and group wellbeing sessions and activities at her wellness spaces in Stow on the Wold and Bourton on the Water and online, if you can't get here in person.
If you know somewhere or someone you would like me to mention, then please get in touch. I like sharing my knowledge with visitors to the area and I am happy to showcase all the wonderful small local businesses that we have. We really are spoilt for choice here.
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