If narrow, hedge-lined roads, emerald-green English countryside and honeycomb-coloured limestone villages are in sync with your idea of fun, then The Cotswolds will have you feeling positively giddy.
The village of Stanton. Its claim to fame, as well as being impossibly pretty, is that there are no shops here - just a pub, The Mount Inn, at the top of the hill overlooking the village.
Just an hour-and-a-half drive from London, this setting of idyllic towns and villages, replete with Miss Marple-worthy vistas, will make an Anglophile out of anyone (don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself humming the theme tune from Downton Abbey).
Bibury, reputedly one of the most photographed villages in The Cotswolds. We went early morning to avoid the busloads of sightseers that start arriving as early as 9am.
There’s no shortage of Cotswolds accommodations from B-and-Bs to cottages, but for our first night we wanted the Full English, so to speak. We opted for Buckland Manor and it did not disappoint. Set in the village of Buckland, the 10-acre property is everything you would imagine an English country house to be. There’s a gravel drive, an elegant stately façade, leaded windows…
I like it here. Buckland Manor is part of the Andrew Brownsword Hotels Collection.
Oh, and then there’s Oscar, the resident Labrador. This gentle beauty came out to greet us as we pulled up and I love that informal country charm – an imposing and impressive Relais & Chateaux property mixed with a warm, four-legged welcome. There’s also the adorable resident kitty whose preferred perch is a basket by the front door.
Inside it’s all oil paintings, beamed ceilings, wood-panelled rooms, ginormous fireplaces, chintz sofas, tasselled drapery – the usual line list of English manor decor.
One of the many seating areas on offer.
There are only 15 rooms – we stayed in the Aviary, a classic-category room overlooking the manor’s stunning gardens. Mineral water, homemade cookies and an Elderflower syrup made at the manor were part of the welcome amenities.
Our Aviary room.
The view from our room.
The bathroom, which was three stairs up from the bedroom, was simple and modern and boasted little luxuries like heated floors and L’Occitane toiletries.
The draw for me though was the gardens and the quiet – it is so peaceful here and if the tranquillity of the gardens isn’t enough, head to the old village church which is next to the manor.
The charming village church.
I’m not sure how to pose in a church.
One of the glorious gardens - love the reflecting pool.
I waited and waited for the couple at the end of the walk to leave but they were too absorbed by the garden’s beauty and I can’t blame them.
The dining room is a delight and while we enjoyed an exquisite formal dinner, it was the breakfast that I fell for: grilled Scottish kippers and soft-boiled egg and soldiers.
The dining room is very comfortable - I like chairs that invite seating for hours - and was bright and light for breakfast.
That contented look after a day outdoors and an evening of fine food and wine.
Buckland Manor is the perfect intro to The Cotswolds and it is ideally located – when you’re there you feel as though nothing else is around yet it’s just a short drive to other must-see villages and attractions.
Trying to fit in in Bibury.
Snowshill, better known to movie buffs as the village where Bridget Jones’s parents live.
The weather was grey during our one-night stay but I think that just added to the romantic quality of this special place. I’d love to go back to Buckland Manor in the winter, get thoroughly chilled rambling the many nearby trails then return to sit by the fire with a hot toddie in hand and Oscar at my feet.
