48 HOURS IN… THE COTSWOLDS
We take the Mercedes GLE for a spin
GETTING THERE
My car for the weekend is a fabulous Mercedes GLE, which turns heads as I zoom down the winding country roads of the Cotswolds. I can see why: it’s stunning. Driving it is a breeze thanks to proximity sensors and cameras, which make manoeuvring the SUV easy. Plus, a fabulous built-in satnav not only shows me a map of my route, but overlays arrows on the road in front of me on the dashboard screen. It’s responsive and quick, and makes the journey from London a dream.
WHERE TO STAY
Upon arrival at The Churchill Arms, an award-winning pub and restaurant, we are greeted with a roaring fire, a pint of Lawless Lager and a warm welcome from the friendly staff, who show us to our cosy room for the weekend. There’s a bed so enormous that I could get lost in it, dual-aspect windows that look out on to miles of rolling fields and a gloriously deep bath. This is a pocket of luxury in one of the most beautiful areas of England.
IN A MERCEDES GLE MUST VISIT
Wander round the chocolate-box villages of Stow-on-the-wold (stock up on childhood favourites at the Cotswold Sweet Company) and Chipping Campden. Top tip: fuel up for a long walk with a cake and a cuppa at The Bantam Tea Rooms. We also loved strolling around Batsford Arboretum, with its incredible flora, fauna and slices of history.
FOOD AND DRINK
Nick Deverell-smith, the chef/proprietor, has created a stunning menu at The Churchill Arms, with the stars of the show the beef Wellington with truffle mash, haddock soufflé with a chive velouté, and Barbary duck breast with puy lentils. We loved the starter of broccoli, toasted almonds and a sprinkling of Blue Monday cheese so much that we ordered it twice; it was so delectable, in fact, that we headed to a cheese shop the next day to buy a wedge of Blue Monday to take home. THE CAR… MERCEDES GLE A few of our favourite things… 9-speed automatic gearbox; 2,170kg kerb weight; max speed: 149mph; 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds; Fuel economy: 29.1-35.3mpg; Euro Emissions Standard 6; Visit mercedes-benz.co.uk/passengercars