Welcome to our travel blog! In this post, we’ve shared with you, our road trip from the bustling streets of London to the idyllic landscapes of the Cotswolds in the month of May, just at the start of summer in the UK. We leave London’s urban jungle behind and venture into the heart of rural England, where time seems to slow down and the beauty of nature takes center stage. The Cotswolds, with its rolling hills, meadows filled with wild flowers and honey-colored stone cottages, beckons us to discover its timeless charm. Here we traverse charming villages and towns, feed animals on a working farm, come face to face with flamingos in a country park and unwind in a cozy cottage nestled amidst the countryside.
Here’s a a Google Map of our road trip. Our stay was at a village called Kingham. The blue circles were our main stops and we’ve also marked places we visited nearby the villages, be it farms, parks, cafes and restaurants etc. (see purple icons).
Our rental car was a Toyota Corolla Hybrid that we rented via the TURO app. As first time users of the app, we must say the experience was excellent. The communication via the app was prompt, making the logistics hassle free and the whole trip very convenient.
The drive from London to our first stop, a town called Stow-on-the-wold, was about 80 miles which took us about 2.5 hours with a coffee stop in between. The drive was fairly easy mostly via the M40 motorway but quite monotonous. However, it was a completely different experience as soon as we entered the countryside. Navigating the winding country roads surrounded by greenery and passing through the pretty villages was a treat to the senses.
And now for the breakdown of how we divided our time on this 3-Day Road Trip:
Day 1: London to the Cotswolds + Stow-on-the-Wold, Cotswold Farm Park
- Stow-on-the-Wold was our first stop and we reached here, a little before lunch time. This is a historic market town and a popular destination in the Cotswolds. Its name, “Stow,” comes from the Old English word for “meeting place,” reflecting its historical significance as a gathering point and market town. We parked the car and walked around the Market Square, which is lined with charming shops, boutiques, cafes, and antique stores, offering a delightful shopping experience. After some time we stopped at a lovely Italian restaurant, called Sheep on Sheep Street to get something to eat.
- After a couple of hours, we were on the road again driving towards the Cotswold Farm Park. This is a working farm and a visitor center that offers an interactive and educational experience for all ages. Here we got the opportunity to get up close with several animals such as highland cows, sheep, goats, chickens and more. Our toddler, Pixie really enjoyed seeing all the different animals right in front of her as opposed to in her picture books. We also bought animal fodder and fed several animals through a chute, an activity that Pixie seemed to enjoy quite a lot as well.
- By now, we were spent and headed to our cottage stay that we’d booked through Airbnb. It was a cozy little cottage surrounded by farms and offered us unobstructed, picturesque views of the area around. Here we unwound and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Watch our Cotswold Road Trip travel vlog, here.
Day 2: Bourton-on-the-Water, Birdland Park & Garden
Our Day 2 started with a quick breakfast in our cottage, and then we were off again to explore more of the countryside and villages.
- Bourton-on-the-Water is a charming village known for its idyllic riverside location. The village is built on the banks of the River Windrush, which flows through its center, earning it the nickname of “Venice of the Cotswolds.” Here we spent a long time just sitting by the river, watching the ducks swim by and soaking in the lively atmosphere that beautiful Sunday. After a while, we walked around exploring the little shops and cafes and got ourselves a Cornish pasty from a shop called Cornish Bakery. As the day was busy, a lot of restaurants were full, so we settled for this simple cafe called Bourton Riverside Cafe and enjoyed an egg-mayo sandwich, a vegetarian panini and some coffee while enjoying the pretty view from the window.
- While Bourton-on-the-Water has a Motor museum and a model village, we chose a more child-friendly activity and opted to visit the Birdland Park & Gardens. This is a wildlife park that is home to a variety of exotic bird species, where you can observe penguins, flamingos, parrots, owls, and many others up close. Our toddler had a great time in this park, she was really excited to see the Penguins and the colourful flamingos, especially the bright orange ones. She also had fun getting up close with the tortoises and even got the chance to touch them with her bare hands.
By now, we all were tired and decided to call it a day. We drove back to our cozy little cottage in Kingham and enjoyed preparing a meal together. The experience of actually living in a place versus just renting a room is why we love and prefer home-stays on our travels. We enjoyed the simple meal in the quiet dining nook of our cottage and relaxed at home till the sun went down.
Day 3: Lower Slaughter, Burford
On Day 3, we checked out of the Airbnb and then headed out to explore two more villages, before leaving back for London the same day.
- Lower Slaughter is another charming village, situated on the banks of River Eye. Crossing the river are several stone footbridges, allowing you to stroll along the riverside and enjoy the scenery. Unlike its more bustling neighbour, Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower Slaughter offers a quieter and more intimate experience. Moreover, the combination of the gently flowing river, the quaint cottages and the moody weather created a serene and enchanting ambiance that let us appreciate the timeless charm of rural England. We spent about an hour here and then we were off to our next destination, the town of Burford.
- Burford is another historic town located in the Cotswolds region, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Cotswolds,”. One of the iconic landmarks here is the Church of St. John the Baptist. This medieval church stands as a testament to the town’s religious heritage. Inside, we admired beautiful stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and a sense of tranquility. The High Street here is particularly enchanting, with buildings that showcase the town’s prosperous past. It’s lined with independent shops, antique stores, traditional pubs and tea rooms, offering you a delightful shopping and dining experience.
Burford was our last stop on the trip and now it was time to head back to London. As we reflected on our time spent in the Cotswolds while driving back, we can say we felt rested and rejuvenated and would recommend the Cotswolds for anyone looking for a break from their routine city life.
We hope our itinerary and experiences gives you a starting point for planning your own trip to this part of England. As always, feel free to leave any questions or thoughts down below. Bye for now and see you back here soon.
