Get away! Cotswolds
Escape to the Cotswold countryside and this classically English town...
The Cotswold Way
1Take a meander or a more adventurous hike through the rolling hills of the Cotswold Way. The 102-mile trail starts in this very town. Winding through this Area of Outstanding National Beauty, you’ll find never-ending woodland and serene meadows, whichever pathway you choose. Finish or start in Chipping Campden with a cup of coffee in Huxley’s or a pint by the open fire in the cosy Noel Arms.
Stay in the heart of the town
2You’ll be spoilt for choice for accommodation in Chipping Campden but the Cotswold House Hotel and Spa, a stunning 28-bedroom townhouse, is located in the square, a stone’s throw from the 1627 Market Hall building. Dine at the double-rosette Fig restaurant for a special treat or enjoy tapas and an extensive gin menu in the Bistro on the Square. Relax in the small and intimate spa, with hydrotherapy pool and steam room, for the ultimate wind-down. Doubles, with breakfast and complimentary use of the spa, start from £185.
Garden envy
3If you’re lacking inspiration of what to plant next when you get back home, look no further than Hidcote Manor Garden. American horticulturist Lawrence Johnston brought over thousands of unusual varieties of plants and flowers from far-flung destinations to grow in this National Trust estate. Each outdoor ‘room’ boasts a range of exotic florae, with wildlife buzzing through the gardens. Known as an arts and crafts centre, find out about its upcoming workshops and other events by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote.
Watch the games
4Chipping Campden is home to the Cotswold Olimpick Games, which has taken place in the town for more than 400 years. Started by Robert Dover, the series of competitive events even featured in poems by Shakespeare and Ben Jonson and fans of the games included King James I, who supplied elaborate outfits to competitors. The games are still going strong. Visit on 31 May 2019 to see this fabulous tradition in action. For more information, visit olimpickgames.co.uk.
Court Barn
5This tiny museum of art and design on the corner of Chipping Campden has become a pilgrimage destination for artists from across the country. Learn the history of the creative men and women who gathered in north Cotswolds as part of an arts movement at the beginning of the 20th century, with the Guild of Handicraft arriving in the town in 1902.
A series of lectures and demonstrations take place throughout the year. Find out how you can get involved by visiting courtbarn.org.uk.
Look up
6Historic and striking, each and every building in Chipping Campden has its very own charm, showing off the traditional Cotswold stone and a unique style of architecture. Check out the Almshouses, built in 1612, or the Grevel House. Just round the corner from Court Barn is the Old Campden House and Gateway, an extraordinary spectacle in the middle of a grassland.