If you haven't seen my INTRODUCTION TO THE COTSWOLDS video yet, it's here: ua-cam.com/video/fhRgENI4o74/v-deo.html And to watch the whole Cotswold playlist, click here: ua-cam.com/play/PLOedWVhYewAWQXCAbt1nZgXLKOaI4_qnd.html
As someone who lives in the Cotswolds, and has been here for the last 38 years, these are all excellent tips. Jolly good video. You've even managed to highlight a few places even I've not been. One tip is to try to take at least one walk (we take circular walks centred around pubs), to really slow the pace down and appreciate the slowtime of the place.
The Cotswolds tourist board should be giving you a share of their profits. We in England, are looking forward to you and your husband's return to the country called, your second home.
Great video. I would say Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Oxford are really the only options if you're a non-driver and coming by train, possibly Cirencester via coach, but it'd take quite a lot of planning for a successful trip without a car. The highlights are mostly on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border. Bath is too far out, while Gloucester, Stroud, and Swindon are sort of rust belt towns - probably the closest the south of England has to a Detroit or Flint Michigan - and not Cotswoldy at all!
I’m lucky enough to have lived and worked within the edge of the Cotswolds for 38 years now and I would never leave, I feel blessed to have been born here, Tewksbury to be exact, but live in the Wychavon district (Worcestershire) I’ve traveled to some really nice places in Europe, but nothing compares to the Cotswolds especially in the summer months.
I agree... the Cotswolds in the summertime is just dreamy! And I love Tewksbury! I did film a vlog there last year, but it's in the huge pile of content I have not got around to editing and publishing yet ;-) As well as my Pershore content which I'm not sure I'll ever actually publish! Too much content, too little time! LOL Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers, Dara
There’s a great Kebab house in Tewkesbury,near the RV site in the high street…they didn’t take cards when i walked in ,which was a bit of a stopper really….Cash ! What’s that ? I wonder if they’ll accept dollar bills? I think they might say,”oh we only accept Sterling English notes ,not Scottish notes or Northern Ireland notes but unless you ask you wont know..ps it was a nice kebab..with lemon juice and chile sauce (sorry Dara i forgot my chile lessons) Bring on the Tewkesbury vids Dara ! I like all the knights flags they put on the walls in the summer.. It would be really good if the kebab house did take dollar bills wouldnt that be great…? Let me think of an exchange rate…uhhh.. I know 50cents to the pound, hows that ? But our cousins deserve it…coming all that way, bless.
That fancy blue car is a Morgan, and it was rented. Renting Morgan cars to drive through the Cotswolds is very popular! I just put a link in the description about that 😉
Morgan’s may be popular but, to me, having a car that can suffer from woodworm is just silly!! For those who don’t know, Morgan’s have a wooden chassis but my husband says woodworm is very unlikely. The Cotswolds tourist bureau should employ you, Dara.
Congratulations Cotswolds. Dara and Ian are your best advertisement ever to your area. I can't imagine anyone, after having watched this video, who isn't secretly planning or maybe even plotting a visit to the beautiful part of England. I know I would and maybe I will do just that. I'd definitely want a week Dara, or even ten days. This video is on my favorite video list now. Have a wonderful time this summer. 👌🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿🌷
Thanks, Anita! I appreciate your kind words, and hope you get to see a bit of the Cotswolds on your British trip. I'm so sorry that we won't be able to meet up this time!! XX Dara
Hiya Beautiful and very helpful video, please can I ask where you from. You know what I live in England, around the corner of Cotswold but been everywhere but not to Cotswold
@@khwaab6315 yes there are many guided tours. I can't recommend any one in particular, as I have never done one myself. But if you go to tripadvisor.com and search for Cotswold tours, I'm sure you will get some good suggestions with lots of reviews from other travelers. Enjoy your trip!
We have discussed coming to the Cotswold for 4 days. We wont have a car so that has made it difficult to plan. I like unique towns and buildings along with the history of the area. I have seen you can get many places by bus, but not sure it will get us to the non major tourist areas. WHat are your thoughts on where to stay and best way to see the beauty of the area..
Click on the bus routes and look where the bus can take you... then choose some places that you want to visit which seem convenient to that. Also, if you like to hike you can do lots of short hikes of the area as well. I tried to put lots of info in the description so that you have resources to plan what most appeals to you.
Hi Dara! This video was packed full of wonderful recommendations, tips, and advice. A must for people planning to visit this most beautiful part of England. Fantastic job! 👏👏❤
Yes there are buses, so check out bus routes to Cotswold villages and towns. And when you are in Bath, be sure to do one of the free walking tours that happens every day at 10:30 AM. They meet by the entrance to the Roman baths.
I like trains and rivers. My right leg is not keen on hiking these days. I get bus sick on journeys over 15 minutes. Being a cheapskate I always stay at camping grounds in my tent. 😁
Trent drove to Canada two days ago and camped in a tent on a beach campground near the ocean. It was free. I guess he has been following Boppy travel advice ;-)
I LOVE the Cotswolds!!!!! The footpath is something I would really like to do. Thanks so much for this info; what a great time saver! A week wouldn't be enough for me.😉😉😉😉❤️
Thanks Ruth! You and I have been discussing the Cotswolds for a few years now... when are you going to get a girlfriend to come make the trip with you again? We need to finally meet in person... in the Cotswolds! ;-)
There are many, many footpaths in the Cotswolds besides the long-distance Cotswolds way. I highly recommend the Pathfinder walking guides, there are at least two for the Cotswolds including a shorter walks book. They are a great easily portable format, all walks are circular, and just about all of them feature pubs for refreshment. Each book has 28 walks graded from shorter and easier (2 to 3 miles), to longer and more energetic (12-14 mile full day walks). In fact the Pathfinder Guides cover all of Britain, and are a great way to introduce yourself to an area.
@@karanbatish5669 I'm so glad! I hope you have a wonderful trip! Please let me know after your visit what you enjoyed the most. I would love to hear. Cheers! XX Dara OK
Excellent advice, it SO important that people consider what their interests are when planning on where to stay and what to see. During my young and fit years I had watched a travel show about renting bikes (regular ones no ebikes then!) and thought it would be a great way to experience the Cotswolds. It was , we were based in Moreton-on-Marsh where the bike hire place was and then cycled around to various villages on B roads. There was also a lot of stopping for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and could justify it all because of all the peddling we were doing. The Cotswolds aren't flat!
That sounds like a great adventure (and great workout!). I didn't give any cycling advice because I really don't know much about visiting the Cotswolds on two wheels. And to be honest, the narrow roads would scare me to death as a cyclist! I'm a chicken! haha As for planning around your interests... people always ask "What should I see and do when I'm in London?" Well that's like asking what to do in New York City or Sydney or any huge popular city on the planet... it depends on what you love! Food, theatre, shopping, nature? You can find any of those things, so it's up to you as a tourist to make your priority list ;-) OK, lecture over! Thanks for watching!! XX Dara
Your videos are lovely. Thanks for all the wonderful tips. If travelling from New Castle by train, and planning to stay in Bourton on the water, where would be the best train station to arrive with car rentals nearby?
I too would like to reach by train and then hire a car. Can you suggest how much will it cost to hire a small car for three days and from which station will it be best
We are planning on a trip to the Cotswolds. We are going to utilize the train to get there, then buses to get around. We are thinking of staying in Oxford as home base. Would you recommend that?
Oxford is a fabulous place to visit! But if you can't find accommodation at a reasonable price, you might want to stay in another town like Cirencester.
The Cotswolds are such a beautiful area; we're hoping to move there in the future, although probably closer to Chipping Norton! Highly recommend anyone visiting the UK to see London, but then move onto the Cotswolds for the countryside! 💖
Are you going to move onto Clarkson's farm? Lol Seriously, we need to meet up sometime and discuss these plans! I am working on some secret plans as well 😉.
Driving in London scares me too and I’ve done it, it’s horrible an hour to go a mile, mad hatters everywhere..i dared myself to do Piccadilly Circus , I haven’t driven in London for years..but I’m very happy driving outside London..outside the M25 .but you don’t have to hire in London.ooh what an awful thought..personally I would hire in Cheltenham..lovely jubbly..
Driving in London is chaotic, dangerous, and expensive! The congestion charge is a nightmare. So best avoid it altogether! Yes, there are nice car hires in Cheltenham or Gloucester. Better to take a bus or train there and rent a car. Much more sensible ;-)
If getting the train from London you could also get off in Swindon and hire a car, just avoid the magic roundabout. Next stop on the line to Cheltenham is Kemble which has busses during the day to Cirencester and taxis latter. Cirencester is a nice small town just outside the Cotswolds, I worked there for 18 months.
@@MagentaOtterTravels taking the train from London to cheltenham is best..but you must remember to prebook online as just rocking up to the railway fare kiosk in London, will give you a nasty surprise in your wallet…when you book your jumbo jet into Heathrow also book a coordinating train into Cheltenham..leave home with both tickets…
@@griswald7156 yes, the bus goes straight from Heathrow to Cheltenham with only one stop in Cirencester. The train goes from Paddington to Cheltenham, but it does mean you have to take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line into London.
Thanks for the correction! And I I don't know why I pronounced the P in it this time. I usually don't, lol! For example, in my Chipping Campden video I didn't 😊
Very well put together and informative Dara. A great guide to your local area. The otters and lavender were amongst some of your great videos last year! You certainly have top tier grub down there! 👍
I'm sitting here in Texas eating peanut butter sandwiches for every meal as we eat every remaining morsel of food before leaving an empty kitchen tomorrow... I'm hankering for some fish & chips and fruit crumble and all my other British treats next week! Woo hoo!!!
Well you certainly put some thought into this Iv lived in and around the Cotswolds most of my life ( I have a view of Broadway Tower from my front window ) and I am not sure I could have done any better Well done and I hope you enjoy your summer
WOW! I can't imagine having a view of Broadway Tower from my front window... that's amazing! Thanks so much for watching and sharing such a kind compliment! Cheers, Dara
This video is great, comprehensible, and well-structured for every Cotswold newbie. Everyone can start travel-planning with a checklist and this video 👌
We were always attracted to the beautiful stone architecture of the shops, homes, and churches, Dara and Ian. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Cotswolds. The scenic landscape complete with sheep come in a close second. Sounds like driving would be the only way to see the area. I wouldn't mind driving in the less populated areas, but driving on the other side as we leave London scares the bejeevers out of me! Maybe a train to Bath and renting a car there would work. Is that much less populated? (We'd love to visit there anyway) Could Chevy Chase drive out from there?
I would not trust Chevy Chase's driving ANYWHERE!!! You, however, would be fine. I agree that driving in ANY big city is a nightmare that is best avoided. Bath is a city, but not as challenging as London. You can take a bus or train to a large town like Cheltenham or Bath or Oxford or Stroud and rent a car from there.
@TravelingTramps If you'd enjoy Regency architecture, hands-on Roman history, a magnificent Abbey, and circular walks with great views, the city of Bath is your place! Nowhere near as big as London with a population of just over 100k. And car hire for around £30 a day. Trains from London every half hour. Enjoy!
Hello!! Thank you very much. My husband and I are arriving in London in May. We only have 4 days. I plan on watching all of your videos. Thank you! Question: Would you recommend renting a car in Oxford and trying to do this ourselves? I’ll be honest, I’m afraid. Could you recommend a private car and driver?
I'm sorry, I don't know of any private car and driver services, but there are some nice Cotswold tour companies if you're interested in that. If you are scared of driving, you can get around rather well with using the railway system and buses 😉. Have a great trip! Cheers! Dara
@@priscillaboatman5682 try checking out the train websites in the description of this video. That way you can explore different routes for the days you may be travelling. Good luck with your planning!
Well said Dara! What an inspiration to get out and about in the beautiful Cotswolds! It's on our list for late spring - maybe some cycling. Thanks for such wise visiting tips.
Haha, I literally sat here this morning and thought to myself "I hope Richard watches this video and gives some tips on CYCLING around the Cotswolds". I failed to give any advice on that topic because I know nothing about it! LOL Thanks for watching. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels 🤣 I thought you'd perfected the art of cycling on your Europe tour! 🤣 Don't worry - there are plenty of inexpensive cycling guides to the Cotswolds!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, as I have only today learned about your UA-cam videos on the very places my husband and I will hopefully be visiting in June. We have been looking for an itinerary to spend for 10 days at the very places you mentioned lol 😂 really incredible, and we so much appreciate the time you spend in putting it together. A lot of the places you mentioned hadn’t been in the itinerary from the travel agency here in Australia
Hello Charlotte! So lovely to meet you! I'm very excited about your upcoming trip to the Cotswolds! You should have a wonderful time. June is usually a fantastic time to see all the flowers in their glory! You really need to make sure you visit Stanton, no matter what other places are on your itinerary. I am chuffed to hear that someone else from Oz has discovered my channel! We have several Aussie members in the Magenta Otter Tribe, and it's always fun to hear their perspectives on my travels as well as my cultural comparison videos . Welcome! XX Dara
Very informative and authoritative, makes me think about going there, though it is extremely far (by UK standards) at least two hours by car! (Not like in the US!)😊
Haha yes 2 hours is nothing in a place as vast as the US! But we hope you come visit the US so that we can return the favour and shoe you and your wife around some beautiful architecture 😉
Got all your packing done? I can tell you're coming soon because the weather is getting warmer. 😁 Have you been to Ben Nevis or the Isle of Sky yet? The countryside on the west coast of Scotland is spectacular and rugged.
Yes, we've been to Skye but need to go back! Ian's ankle was DESTROYED on our first trip, so we couldn't do all the hikes he had planned. The scenery is spectacular! Not sure we will get to Scotland this summer though... As for packing, I'm close to done! Only a few last items to add. And I can't pack my laptop until the last minute because I keep editing and responding to comments LOL!
Dara you’ve done an incredible beautiful comprehensive guide. Thank you for all your hard work on this video. I believe the Cotswolds travel bureau should hire you! We so hope to visit one day and your videos will be the first thing we watch to plan that trip. Outstanding job, thank you! ~Cara 🌺
Thanks, love! We are finally settled in our flat and JUST got our internet working...woohoo! It takes a while to get settled and functioning, but we are happy to be here. Looking forward to your visit to the Cotswolds one day!
The Cotswolds really are incredibly beautiful. I prefer the little villages which are quiet and not full of tourists. Bourton-on-the-Hill is said to be very interesting and full of stunning architecture. Have you ever been there? Maybe you could shoot a video there. There are so many videos from Bourton-on-the-Water on UA-cam, but almost none about the quiet and quaint Bourton-on-the-Hill. Ilmington and Icomb also seem to be quite picturesque. These pretty little villages are not as famous as Broadway and Burford and therefore often overlooked. Greetings from Germany
Hallo and vielen dank! That's about all the German I know... LOL. Sad state of things for a person who has so much German ancestry! Thankfully my British hubby does a pretty good job speaking it ;-) I also prefer the little villages. And whilst I've spent decades visiting them, I am still discovering new ones all the time! I still haven't been to Bourton-on-the-Hill, but if you watch my Naunton video, you'll see a place not far from Bourton-on-the-Water that is definitely more my speed! And Stanton is my husband Ian's favourite village. Here are those vids if you want to check them out... Naunton - ua-cam.com/video/UWmL3yRb5tY/v-deo.html Stanton - ua-cam.com/video/ZcIjffdsxS4/v-deo.html
Hi, I just discovered your series on The Cotswolds. You mention a lot of places and show a lot of pics & clips. It would be really handy if you could add a label to each pic & clip with it's location. Thank you very much.
That is a bit tricky to do after the fact, but I can offer two suggestions: - The description of this video has loads of information listed in a way that is hopefully helpful. - if you have any time markers for things in the video that looked really interesting to you, let me know and I'll look in the video and tell you where it is. Cheers! Dara
Welcome back to Gloucestershire both. Sorry the weather is still a bit dodgy but hopefully it'll settle down soon! You certainly do know the Cotswolds well. Just as regards trains and stations, there's also a nice little station at Charlbury, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. I think it's on the main line from London or if not it'll just be a change at Oxford. It's a great location for places like Woodstock, Chippy (as it's known to the locals), Burford, Stow, Chipping Campden etc. I noticed in the video what I think was the folly at Chastleton House? I love the walk to Charleston from Adlestrop. If you haven't done it yet I highly recommend it. It's only about 2 miles. The old station sign is still in the bus shelter there as a reminder of everyone's favourite poem. "And for that minute a blackbird sang Close by and round him, mistier Farther and farther, all the birds Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire". The perfect evocation of an English summer day.
Yes, that is Chastleton House! One of the most curious and interesting manor houses we have visited! Thanks very much for the suggestion about the walk as well as for the transportation recommendation! The weather doesn't seem to be that bad right now. sunny and blue skies! We are currently on a train headed from Brum into Herefordshire. Our journey to Cheltenham is rather roundabout today 🤣
Hello! We've just booked a cruise out of Southampton and as we'll end there as well my husband and I will tour the area around Salisbury, Bath and I want to see the Cotwolds. I've seen a couple of your videos and they are full of the type of information I've been looking for! I will continue to watch your videos! Thank you so much!!
Nice to meet you Celia! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip! It's so funny that you mention a cruise out of Southampton, because Ian's brother and his family are doing the same thing later this summer! We are going to meet up with them and visit Salisbury. I have never been to that cathedral, but really look forward to seeing it. 💕 Thanks so much for your support. Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! XX Dara
I’m so glad I remembered your Magenta Otter vlog! My husband and I are traveling to London next week and will end with a couple days in the Cotswolds! It looks like everything I love! Your videos are so helpful. We will be staying close to Cheltenham and renting a car. But since we know nothing having your advice has been invaluable! Thank You so much Dara! Nancy (Peters) Lasson
Nancy!!! It's so good to hear from you! I just sent you a message on Facebook messenger. I'm so excited that you are coming to England, and that you are going to explore the Cotswolds a bit! 💖 Dara
Thank you so much for all the info! I'm coming from Palm Springs California desert in a couple of weeks to escape the heat and be in the green. I can't wait
Oh yes! We honeymooned in Palm Springs in July... 31 years ago... it was 117 degrees even back then!!! I hope you have a wonderful time. Please let me know how it goes and where you enjoy visiting the most! Cheers! Dara
Dara does a great job promoting the Cotswolds for the tourist board, its interesting to see an americans take of the area, i live in Manchester and travel down to Cornwall often and love to stop off in the Cotswolds, and on the way home have got to get myself a lardy cake, theres a good bakery in Burford, prefer mine warm lol,
Another Morgan y'all!! Don't tell my wife but this is what I'm giving myself as a retirement present. I haven't traveled the Cotswolds extensively but I did make several weekend trips from London. I would recommend taking the train from London to Bath or any other of the larger cities around the Cotswolds and renting a car from there. I've both driven around that area and taken busses and believe me when I tell you that you will see so many places while you're on the road where you want to go and you just can't do that on a tour bus or a local bus. So you'll really need to rent a car. Don't worry about driving on the left as within an hour or two you'll be used to it.
Thanks for the great Texan advice on travelling through the Cotswolds, Christian! I won't tell your wife, but I think that is a lovely retirement gift for yourself... but perhaps a bit more expensive than a gold watch ;-) I put a link in the description about the Morgan rentals because other folks have been interested in it as well! Cheers! Dara
In France when the English arrive from the ferries with their cars,they say the first couple of miles is the worst for bumps..dont drive woozy folks .make sure your well rested and alert…and fed and watered..but they’re probably tired out from a boring sea crossing..i travel on a Sunday in England if i dont want to be tailgated every where by lorries and commercial workers.. Get in your hire car on a Sunday for calm convoys..its all in the planning..if you can get your first days practice in on a Sunday..by Monday you will be ready for whatever ..getting off a plane at Heathrow ,then straight into a hire car is foolhardy i would say.. Much better to have a day on a train then a nice comfy bed in the provinces and maybe jump in a hire car after that ..oh yeh! And carry a bottle of water and an egg sandwich in case you find it difficult to stop or you’re too excited and you want to get to your destination …
@@griswald7156 I was thinking along the same lines. It's going to be easier to get used to driving on the left - and especially the roundabouts - when you're not feeling the pressure of a rural traffic jam which is what a large part of the Cotswolds are going to be in the summer. If you're not used to driving on the left the best thing you can do to prepare if you're American, Canadian or Mexican is to learn and be proficient with the British and European road signs. At least that way you will not have the 'triple whammy' of being on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, probably driving manual transmission for the first time in a couple of decades, and not understanding the traffic laws or road signs. That's more like a 'quintuple whammy' but y'all understand where I'm coming from. UA-cam very well may be a good resource for this and I'm sure there are other online resources available. Also don't forget to buy insurance, maybe even more than your American policy or the protections on your credit card. Driving in London, Manchester, Newcastle or even Edinburgh is one crazy thing but you're not going at fairly high speed in the rain on old sometimes one and a half lane country roads, that have stacked stone walls grown in with plants so they look like you might be hitting a hedge if you had to but really you'll be buying a new side mirror for that (60s classic) Morgan you rented for the week..... OK so that actually really did happen to me and it was an expensive lesson. You will feel so much more confident in your ability to drive there if you have mastered the traffic signs and laws. Then it'll become muscle memory and second nature just like when you're driving at home.
@@MagentaOtterTravels Oh Dara she knows!! We have a deal and we will be able to afford it when we both retire. Hopefully.... I get my Morgan as long as she gets a midnight blue convertible 1969 Camaro with white leather interior. And a 'survivor' original engine, drivetrain and body - not a restomod with modern everything but the old body. Of course these are going to be sort of weekend cars or 'Sunday drive' cars but hey, down here in the Coastal Bend there are many fun day or weekend trips that'll be fun to drive to.
I was playing with Google maps just to see where everything is in the Cotswolds, and the area is tiny. It is amazing that there is so much to see in such a compact area. It reminds me of staying in Tuscany. You move around to various places to stay, then you go for a drive and find that you're only 10 minutes from Sienna or Firenze or somewhere. It is very cool. The Cotswolds seems to be like that - drive for a few minutes further in one direction you're in Bath or Birmo or Bristol. Close to civilisation. 😂I know you're probably used to it by now but coming from Texas the contrast must've been stark when you first visited. A bit like here. You get out of town and drive and you might not come across another town or village for an hour or more. Whereas in the Cotswolds you might leave one village and 15 seconds later arrive at another. 😂 Brilliantly comprehensive Dara! There is so much work involved in producing something like this. You should be very proud. 😍
Yes, I totally agree with you! In a place like Oz or the states, things are so spread out! I feel like Britain in general is very condensed when it comes to fabulous places to see, and the Cotswolds are extra packed with pretty stuff! Yes, it does feel like there is a charming little village around every bend in the road! I'm looking forward to discovering many more this summer! And thanks for your kind remarks about the video. It was quite a lot of work, and I know you understand what's involved so you can appreciate that! 😉 Cheers! Dara
@@KNIGHTSTEMPLAR13 and Australians. 😂 Melbourne or Sydney cover about 5 times the area of the Cotswolds. Even in a small state like Victoria we can drive for hours between towns. It is very cool you visit a dozen villages within minutes of each other.
October is a great time because it won't be so crowded! I am excited that you are going to be able to experience the Cotswolds. I hope you have a wonderful visit! Cheers! XX Dara
Thank you. We’re going to rent a home and will have a car as well. Do you have any thoughts on which location might be best? We have narrowed it down to one of the rentals in the following; Blockley, Chedworth, Burton-on-the-Water, Shipton-Under-Wynchwood, & Stanton. We will have already spent four nights in London, and four nights in Scotland. This might be our “wind down time” and “staying close to home” leg of the trip. It just depends on if we are tired of all the driving and exploring we did in Scotland. Walking distance to various shops/cafes would be nice. I’m going with my daughter, her husband, and his mother. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
@@lisachambers6230 I would not stay in Blockley or Stanton... too small given you want to walk to things. I don't know much about Chedworth or Shipton... but have heard great things. I would consider Bourton or Broadway. Both of them are relatively empty before 9 am and after 6 pm so you can explore without mobs of tourists. But they both have great breakfast and dinner places as well as places to buy some groceries (though Bourton has a bigger supermarket). Hope that helps! Your itinerary sounds great 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels Thank you for your suggestions. I will share them with he others. I truly appreciate you responding and have enjoyed watching your videos. By the way, in your video of Stanton, you showed The Old Dairy. That is the home we are considering if we stay in Stanton.
At 4.10, that looked like a cracking good burger and chips. Poncey chef's presentation aside, it looked like a cracking good eat. Was that blue stilton melted into it? I bet it cost more than my shoes! We're on the edge of the summer here now, time to get out of our burrows and enjoy the glorious lands. 😀
If I recall correctly that was the bison burger at the Mount Inn in Stanton. Pretty much our favourite pub in the Cotswolds. They are funny, as they don't have a menu you can view online if the pub is closed! And it doesn't open for 30 minutes... but yes I believe that was stilton. Highly recommend going if you make it to the Cotswolds. We highlighted a bunch of their food in the Best Pubs video: ua-cam.com/video/MFGkJ0EOoBM/v-deo.html
Oooh that's so nice to hear! THANK YOU! 🙏 Last summer we met people a couple times (as we wandered around Cotswold villages ) who had done the same thing while planning their trips. That makes me so happy 😁! Cheers! Dara
I've never explored the Cotswolds but only ever driven thro or around on business. I must admit there looks like some hermit friendly attractions there 🤭 I do enjoy a good castle, oh and hiking. Some great recommendations. Maybe I should spread my wings one time 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm venturing down South in June to a place called a London that's not very hermit friendly. I'm getting very ambitious 🤣 Hiking the Cotswolds Way does sound appealing and very flat compared to what I'm used to.🙂
@@TheHikingHermit the Cotswolds are very hilly compared to where we live in Texas! Here it is extremely flat! But we fly to England tomorrow 🙌 London is extremely not hermit friendly! What on earth made you go there?
@@MagentaOtterTravels I've always fancied watching some live tennis and I have a 1/4 finals day ticket at Queens Club tennis so hoping to see 3 or 4 matches. I'm also hoping I get to see Andy Murray playing before he retires. I've not been to London since running the London marathon in 2014!
The jazz festival and book festival are great in Cheltenham..go for other festivals too.,Painswick is lovely..I want to go to the broadway lavender fields..Americans eat beans on toast by putting the beans on one side of the plate,and the buttered toast on the other side..they eat the beans with an upturned fork then eat the toast with the other hand..I’m going to try it !
You are very welcome! I appreciate you watching, and taking the time to leave a comment. It was fun to be in the Cotswolds this summer and actually bump into people who had watched this video and planned their trip using our advice 💖! Bon voyage! Dara
Let me know what you think of Painswick when you visit. It's a favourite of ours. And I hope to get to Bradford on Avon this summer! We leave for England tomorrow... WooHoo!
Probably not in a small village, but definitely in a larger town or city that you might take a bus or a train to. For example, Cheltenham or Gloucester or Bath or Oxford. Try checking online for car rental once you know how you will be getting to the edge of the Cotswolds.
![19 BEST Things to do in The Cotswolds [PLUS 13 Best Cotswolds Villages You MUST-SEE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8a9XO6ApIus/mqdefault.jpg)
![19 BEST Things to do in The Cotswolds [PLUS 13 Best Cotswolds Villages You MUST-SEE]](/img/tr.png)
If you haven't seen my INTRODUCTION TO THE COTSWOLDS video yet, it's here: ua-cam.com/video/fhRgENI4o74/v-deo.html
And to watch the whole Cotswold playlist, click here: ua-cam.com/play/PLOedWVhYewAWQXCAbt1nZgXLKOaI4_qnd.html
As someone who lives in the Cotswolds, and has been here for the last 38 years, these are all excellent tips. Jolly good video. You've even managed to highlight a few places even I've not been. One tip is to try to take at least one walk (we take circular walks centred around pubs), to really slow the pace down and appreciate the slowtime of the place.
Yes, great suggestion! I haven't done it yet, but there are some wonderful walks near the Butchers Arms in Sheepscombe!
Now THIS is what I need Dara!!! We’re trying to decide what our next trip will be in 2024. Excited to see how you lay this out.
You definitely need to come visit the Cotswolds in 2024 and visit us! 👍 If you decide to make a trip, email me 😉
MagentaOtter@gmail.com
The Cotswolds tourist board should be giving you a share of their profits. We in England, are looking forward to you and your husband's return to the country called, your second home.
@@trytellingthetruth.2068 thanks so much! 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧❤️
Great video. I would say Cheltenham, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Oxford are really the only options if you're a non-driver and coming by train, possibly Cirencester via coach, but it'd take quite a lot of planning for a successful trip without a car. The highlights are mostly on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border. Bath is too far out, while Gloucester, Stroud, and Swindon are sort of rust belt towns - probably the closest the south of England has to a Detroit or Flint Michigan - and not Cotswoldy at all!
@@thomHD having lived in Michigan, I get your point 😉
^^... thank for your VDO... i have plan to goto London on Apr-May 2025... i will spend 3 days at cotswolds....
Yay! I'm excited for you! I hope you have a wonderful trip!🩷
I would love to hear what your favourite part is after your visit .
Bon voyage! Dara
I’m lucky enough to have lived and worked within the edge of the Cotswolds for 38 years now and I would never leave, I feel blessed to have been born here, Tewksbury to be exact, but live in the Wychavon district (Worcestershire) I’ve traveled to some really nice places in Europe, but nothing compares to the Cotswolds especially in the summer months.
I agree... the Cotswolds in the summertime is just dreamy! And I love Tewksbury! I did film a vlog there last year, but it's in the huge pile of content I have not got around to editing and publishing yet ;-)
As well as my Pershore content which I'm not sure I'll ever actually publish! Too much content, too little time! LOL
Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers, Dara
There’s a great Kebab house in Tewkesbury,near the RV site in the high street…they didn’t take cards when i walked in ,which was a bit of a stopper really….Cash ! What’s that ? I wonder if they’ll accept dollar bills? I think they might say,”oh we only accept
Sterling English notes ,not Scottish notes or Northern Ireland notes but unless you ask you wont know..ps it was a nice kebab..with lemon juice and chile sauce (sorry Dara i forgot my chile lessons)
Bring on the Tewkesbury vids Dara ! I like all the knights flags they put on the walls in the summer..
It would be really good if the kebab house did take dollar bills wouldnt that be great…? Let me think of an exchange rate…uhhh..
I know 50cents to the pound, hows that ? But our cousins deserve it…coming all that way, bless.
I’ve heard of the stage coach brand but sign me up for that fancy blue car instead lol!
That fancy blue car is a Morgan, and it was rented. Renting Morgan cars to drive through the Cotswolds is very popular!
I just put a link in the description about that 😉
@@MagentaOtterTravels thank you!!!
Morgan’s may be popular but, to me, having a car that can suffer from woodworm is just silly!! For those who don’t know, Morgan’s have a wooden chassis but my husband says woodworm is very unlikely.
The Cotswolds tourist bureau should employ you, Dara.
@@lizbignell7813 so that is why it's a good idea to hire a Morgan rather than purchasing one! Lol
Congratulations Cotswolds. Dara and Ian are your best advertisement ever to your area. I can't imagine anyone, after having watched this video, who isn't secretly planning or maybe even plotting a visit to the beautiful part of England. I know I would and maybe I will do just that. I'd definitely want a week Dara, or even ten days. This video is on my favorite video list now. Have a wonderful time this summer. 👌🇳🇱🙋♀🇳🇿🌷
Thanks, Anita! I appreciate your kind words, and hope you get to see a bit of the Cotswolds on your British trip. I'm so sorry that we won't be able to meet up this time!! XX Dara
Hiya
Beautiful and very helpful video, please can I ask where you from. You know what I live in England, around the corner of Cotswold but been everywhere but not to Cotswold
We live in Cheltenham now, but we live in Texas during the winter. I hope you get to visit the beautiful Cotswolds!
Or live there, like I did for 3yrs
Also a very good option! Or... live there every summer like we do, and then escape to Texas during the rainy cold dark months ;-)
Hii
I am from India
Very nice & informative video
I will be visiting in Oct
Are guides available in Cotswol ?
@@khwaab6315 yes there are many guided tours. I can't recommend any one in particular, as I have never done one myself. But if you go to tripadvisor.com and search for Cotswold tours, I'm sure you will get some good suggestions with lots of reviews from other travelers. Enjoy your trip!
We have discussed coming to the Cotswold for 4 days. We wont have a car so that has made it difficult to plan. I like unique towns and buildings along with the history of the area. I have seen you can get many places by bus, but not sure it will get us to the non major tourist areas. WHat are your thoughts on where to stay and best way to see the beauty of the area..
Click on the bus routes and look where the bus can take you... then choose some places that you want to visit which seem convenient to that. Also, if you like to hike you can do lots of short hikes of the area as well. I tried to put lots of info in the description so that you have resources to plan what most appeals to you.
Hi Dara! This video was packed full of wonderful recommendations, tips, and advice. A must for people planning to visit this most beautiful part of England. Fantastic job! 👏👏❤
Thanks, love! When are YOU going to come to the Cotswolds???
We are arriving by train to Bath and would like to explore the villages in Costwolds. Is it possible to do it without a car?
Yes there are buses, so check out bus routes to Cotswold villages and towns. And when you are in Bath, be sure to do one of the free walking tours that happens every day at 10:30 AM. They meet by the entrance to the Roman baths.
I like trains and rivers. My right leg is not keen on hiking these days. I get bus sick on journeys over 15 minutes.
Being a cheapskate I always stay at camping grounds in my tent. 😁
Trent drove to Canada two days ago and camped in a tent on a beach campground near the ocean. It was free. I guess he has been following Boppy travel advice ;-)
@@MagentaOtterTravels My kind of camping ground has a shower block and a shop. 🚿🛒
@@Poliss95 he may or may not have snuck into a campground that was closed...
@@MagentaOtterTravels I may or may not have snuck into a campground after reception had closed and left the next morning before it had opened. 😉😁
I LOVE the Cotswolds!!!!! The footpath is something I would really like to do. Thanks so much for this info; what a great time saver! A week wouldn't be enough for me.😉😉😉😉❤️
Thanks Ruth! You and I have been discussing the Cotswolds for a few years now... when are you going to get a girlfriend to come make the trip with you again? We need to finally meet in person... in the Cotswolds! ;-)
There are many, many footpaths in the Cotswolds besides the long-distance Cotswolds way. I highly recommend the Pathfinder walking guides, there are at least two for the Cotswolds including a shorter walks book. They are a great easily portable format, all walks are circular, and just about all of them feature pubs for refreshment. Each book has 28 walks graded from shorter and easier (2 to 3 miles), to longer and more energetic (12-14 mile full day walks). In fact the Pathfinder Guides cover all of Britain, and are a great way to introduce yourself to an area.
@@mehitabel6564 Yes, we saw footpaths all over the UK. I think they are a national treasure !
The Cotswolds looks like such a magnificent area! I'd love to go just to see those beautiful gardens! Thank you for this Dara!
Thanks for watching Susan. It's a very pretty place 🥰🌸
Thank you your video helped me alot
@@karanbatish5669 I'm so glad! I hope you have a wonderful trip! Please let me know after your visit what you enjoyed the most. I would love to hear. Cheers! XX Dara OK
Awesome
Excellent advice, it SO important that people consider what their interests are when planning on where to stay and what to see. During my young and fit years I had watched a travel show about renting bikes (regular ones no ebikes then!) and thought it would be a great way to experience the Cotswolds. It was , we were based in Moreton-on-Marsh where the bike hire place was and then cycled around to various villages on B roads. There was also a lot of stopping for morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and could justify it all because of all the peddling we were doing. The Cotswolds aren't flat!
That sounds like a great adventure (and great workout!). I didn't give any cycling advice because I really don't know much about visiting the Cotswolds on two wheels. And to be honest, the narrow roads would scare me to death as a cyclist! I'm a chicken! haha
As for planning around your interests... people always ask "What should I see and do when I'm in London?" Well that's like asking what to do in New York City or Sydney or any huge popular city on the planet... it depends on what you love! Food, theatre, shopping, nature? You can find any of those things, so it's up to you as a tourist to make your priority list ;-) OK, lecture over! Thanks for watching!! XX Dara
Your videos are lovely. Thanks for all the wonderful tips. If travelling from New Castle by train, and planning to stay in Bourton on the water, where would be the best train station to arrive with car rentals nearby?
I too would like to reach by train and then hire a car. Can you suggest how much will it cost to hire a small car for three days and from which station will it be best
We are planning on a trip to the Cotswolds. We are going to utilize the train to get there, then buses to get around. We are thinking of staying in Oxford as home base. Would you recommend that?
Oxford is a fabulous place to visit! But if you can't find accommodation at a reasonable price, you might want to stay in another town like Cirencester.
The Cotswolds are such a beautiful area; we're hoping to move there in the future, although probably closer to Chipping Norton! Highly recommend anyone visiting the UK to see London, but then move onto the Cotswolds for the countryside! 💖
Are you going to move onto Clarkson's farm? Lol
Seriously, we need to meet up sometime and discuss these plans! I am working on some secret plans as well 😉.
Who is a travel agent who could help me schedule the most of my bucket list trip this early summer? Thanks for any recommendations
I'm sorry, but I actually don't know any travel agents.
Driving in London scares me too and I’ve done it, it’s horrible an hour to go a mile, mad hatters everywhere..i dared myself to do Piccadilly Circus , I haven’t driven in London for years..but I’m very happy driving outside London..outside the M25 .but you don’t have to hire in London.ooh what an awful thought..personally I would hire in Cheltenham..lovely jubbly..
Driving in London is chaotic, dangerous, and expensive! The congestion charge is a nightmare. So best avoid it altogether! Yes, there are nice car hires in Cheltenham or Gloucester. Better to take a bus or train there and rent a car. Much more sensible ;-)
If getting the train from London you could also get off in Swindon and hire a car, just avoid the magic roundabout.
Next stop on the line to Cheltenham is Kemble which has busses during the day to Cirencester and taxis latter.
Cirencester is a nice small town just outside the Cotswolds, I worked there for 18 months.
@@MagentaOtterTravels taking the train from London to cheltenham is best..but you must remember to prebook online as just rocking up to the railway fare kiosk in London, will give you a nasty surprise in your wallet…when you book your jumbo jet into Heathrow also book a coordinating train into Cheltenham..leave home with both tickets…
@@griswald7156 yes, the bus goes straight from Heathrow to Cheltenham with only one stop in Cirencester. The train goes from Paddington to Cheltenham, but it does mean you have to take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line into London.
@@MagentaOtterTravels yes its probably pronounced as “Soy-Rester”by the locals..
FIRST----check the weather forcaste. It might save you dragging around unecessary clobber.
مشاركه ممتازه جدا
Ve the Cotswolds too, but FYI, The 'p' in Campden is silent.
Thanks for the correction! And I I don't know why I pronounced the P in it this time. I usually don't, lol! For example, in my Chipping Campden video I didn't 😊
Very well put together and informative Dara. A great guide to your local area. The otters and lavender were amongst some of your great videos last year! You certainly have top tier grub down there! 👍
I'm sitting here in Texas eating peanut butter sandwiches for every meal as we eat every remaining morsel of food before leaving an empty kitchen tomorrow... I'm hankering for some fish & chips and fruit crumble and all my other British treats next week! Woo hoo!!!
@@MagentaOtterTravels superb a very true Anglophile if ever there was one ❤
Well you certainly put some thought into this
Iv lived in and around the Cotswolds most of my life ( I have a view of Broadway Tower from my front window ) and I am not sure I could have done any better
Well done and I hope you enjoy your summer
WOW! I can't imagine having a view of Broadway Tower from my front window... that's amazing! Thanks so much for watching and sharing such a kind compliment! Cheers, Dara
Can you see the M5. From your window ?
This video is great, comprehensible, and well-structured for every Cotswold newbie. Everyone can start travel-planning with a checklist and this video 👌
Thank you so much! I do hope people find it helpful and it encourages them to come visit the Cotswolds.
Jane Austin came to my mind! Perfect setting and hometown for her famous novels! Bloody lovely!A must-visit area! ❤
Yes it is a must visit area in my opinion 😊
We were always attracted to the beautiful stone architecture of the shops, homes, and churches, Dara and Ian. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Cotswolds. The scenic landscape complete with sheep come in a close second. Sounds like driving would be the only way to see the area. I wouldn't mind driving in the less populated areas, but driving on the other side as we leave London scares the bejeevers out of me! Maybe a train to Bath and renting a car there would work. Is that much less populated? (We'd love to visit there anyway) Could Chevy Chase drive out from there?
I would not trust Chevy Chase's driving ANYWHERE!!! You, however, would be fine. I agree that driving in ANY big city is a nightmare that is best avoided. Bath is a city, but not as challenging as London. You can take a bus or train to a large town like Cheltenham or Bath or Oxford or Stroud and rent a car from there.
@TravelingTramps If you'd enjoy Regency architecture, hands-on Roman history, a magnificent Abbey, and circular walks with great views, the city of Bath is your place! Nowhere near as big as London with a population of just over 100k. And car hire for around £30 a day. Trains from London every half hour. Enjoy!
@@RichardWells1 Thanks Richard. We've always wanted to visit Bath too! Seemed like it would be a great starting point after London.
You can see that tricorn castle from the M5 motorway..broadway tower i think its called…
Hello!! Thank you very much. My husband and I are arriving in London in May. We only have 4 days. I plan on watching all of your videos. Thank you! Question: Would you recommend renting a car in Oxford and trying to do this ourselves? I’ll be honest, I’m afraid. Could you recommend a private car and driver?
Is there a train from either London to Bourton on the water or from Oxford perhaps?
I'm sorry, I don't know of any private car and driver services, but there are some nice Cotswold tour companies if you're interested in that. If you are scared of driving, you can get around rather well with using the railway system and buses 😉. Have a great trip! Cheers! Dara
@@priscillaboatman5682 try checking out the train websites in the description of this video. That way you can explore different routes for the days you may be travelling. Good luck with your planning!
Getting there by Train would be nice but even better in that blue car!
Yes that bright blue Morgan convertible is the stylish way to see the Cotswolds 😉🩵
Excellent video!
@@charlesdavis7940 thanks very much!
Well said Dara! What an inspiration to get out and about in the beautiful Cotswolds! It's on our list for late spring - maybe some cycling. Thanks for such wise visiting tips.
Haha, I literally sat here this morning and thought to myself "I hope Richard watches this video and gives some tips on CYCLING around the Cotswolds". I failed to give any advice on that topic because I know nothing about it! LOL
Thanks for watching. Cheers! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels 🤣 I thought you'd perfected the art of cycling on your Europe tour! 🤣 Don't worry - there are plenty of inexpensive cycling guides to the Cotswolds!
I can’t wait to watch your other videos too. This is so helpful. Thank you!
I'm so happy to hear! Thanks for watching. I hope you have a great trip. Cheers! Dara
And if you love it ALL, then you should visit Ian and Dara ❤️🥰
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, as I have only today learned about your UA-cam videos on the very places my husband and I will hopefully be visiting in June.
We have been looking for an itinerary to spend for 10 days at the very places you mentioned lol 😂 really incredible, and we so much appreciate the time you spend in putting it together.
A lot of the places you mentioned hadn’t been in the itinerary from the travel agency here in Australia
Hello Charlotte! So lovely to meet you! I'm very excited about your upcoming trip to the Cotswolds! You should have a wonderful time. June is usually a fantastic time to see all the flowers in their glory! You really need to make sure you visit Stanton, no matter what other places are on your itinerary.
I am chuffed to hear that someone else from Oz has discovered my channel! We have several Aussie members in the Magenta Otter Tribe, and it's always fun to hear their perspectives on my travels as well as my cultural comparison videos . Welcome! XX Dara
Very informative and authoritative, makes me think about going there, though it is extremely far (by UK standards) at least two hours by car! (Not like in the US!)😊
Haha yes 2 hours is nothing in a place as vast as the US! But we hope you come visit the US so that we can return the favour and shoe you and your wife around some beautiful architecture 😉
What a thorough and comprehensive guide. Great job!
Thanks friends 💕
Henry Ford used to holiday there, he even bought a cottage and had it shipped back to the states to Greenfield Village .
Yes, a true Anglophile! I heard he tried to get Arlington Row in Bibury... glad he didn't succeed!
So do I have to start planning now??? ☺☺ Well how to get around ✅ where to stay overnight ✅ So this might be a good starting point 👍
Exactly! Now decide what gardens or villages you most want to visit... 😉
Got all your packing done? I can tell you're coming soon because the weather is getting warmer. 😁
Have you been to Ben Nevis or the Isle of Sky yet? The countryside on the west coast of Scotland is spectacular and rugged.
Yes, we've been to Skye but need to go back! Ian's ankle was DESTROYED on our first trip, so we couldn't do all the hikes he had planned. The scenery is spectacular! Not sure we will get to Scotland this summer though...
As for packing, I'm close to done! Only a few last items to add. And I can't pack my laptop until the last minute because I keep editing and responding to comments LOL!
Dara you’ve done an incredible beautiful comprehensive guide. Thank you for all your hard work on this video. I believe the Cotswolds travel bureau should hire you! We so hope to visit one day and your videos will be the first thing we watch to plan that trip. Outstanding job, thank you! ~Cara 🌺
Thanks, love! We are finally settled in our flat and JUST got our internet working...woohoo! It takes a while to get settled and functioning, but we are happy to be here. Looking forward to your visit to the Cotswolds one day!
The Cotswolds really are incredibly beautiful. I prefer the little villages which are quiet and not full of tourists. Bourton-on-the-Hill is said to be very interesting and full of stunning architecture. Have you ever been there? Maybe you could shoot a video there. There are so many videos from Bourton-on-the-Water on UA-cam, but almost none about the quiet and quaint Bourton-on-the-Hill. Ilmington and Icomb also seem to be quite picturesque. These pretty little villages are not as famous as Broadway and Burford and therefore often overlooked.
Greetings from Germany
Hallo and vielen dank! That's about all the German I know... LOL. Sad state of things for a person who has so much German ancestry! Thankfully my British hubby does a pretty good job speaking it ;-)
I also prefer the little villages. And whilst I've spent decades visiting them, I am still discovering new ones all the time! I still haven't been to Bourton-on-the-Hill, but if you watch my Naunton video, you'll see a place not far from Bourton-on-the-Water that is definitely more my speed! And Stanton is my husband Ian's favourite village. Here are those vids if you want to check them out...
Naunton - ua-cam.com/video/UWmL3yRb5tY/v-deo.html
Stanton - ua-cam.com/video/ZcIjffdsxS4/v-deo.html
Hi, I just discovered your series on The Cotswolds. You mention a lot of places and show a lot of pics & clips. It would be really handy if you could add a label to each pic & clip with it's location.
Thank you very much.
That is a bit tricky to do after the fact, but I can offer two suggestions:
- The description of this video has loads of information listed in a way that is hopefully helpful.
- if you have any time markers for things in the video that looked really interesting to you, let me know and I'll look in the video and tell you where it is.
Cheers! Dara
Welcome back to Gloucestershire both. Sorry the weather is still a bit dodgy but hopefully it'll settle down soon! You certainly do know the Cotswolds well. Just as regards trains and stations, there's also a nice little station at Charlbury, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. I think it's on the main line from London or if not it'll just be a change at Oxford. It's a great location for places like Woodstock, Chippy (as it's known to the locals), Burford, Stow, Chipping Campden etc. I noticed in the video what I think was the folly at Chastleton House? I love the walk to Charleston from Adlestrop. If you haven't done it yet I highly recommend it. It's only about 2 miles. The old station sign is still in the bus shelter there as a reminder of everyone's favourite poem.
"And for that minute a blackbird sang
Close by and round him, mistier
Farther and farther, all the birds
Of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire".
The perfect evocation of an English summer day.
Yes, that is Chastleton House! One of the most curious and interesting manor houses we have visited!
Thanks very much for the suggestion about the walk as well as for the transportation recommendation!
The weather doesn't seem to be that bad right now. sunny and blue skies! We are currently on a train headed from Brum into Herefordshire. Our journey to Cheltenham is rather roundabout today 🤣
Hello! We've just booked a cruise out of Southampton and as we'll end there as well my husband and I will tour the area around Salisbury, Bath and I want to see the Cotwolds. I've seen a couple of your videos and they are full of the type of information I've been looking for! I will continue to watch your videos! Thank you so much!!
Nice to meet you Celia! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip! It's so funny that you mention a cruise out of Southampton, because Ian's brother and his family are doing the same thing later this summer! We are going to meet up with them and visit Salisbury. I have never been to that cathedral, but really look forward to seeing it. 💕
Thanks so much for your support. Welcome to the Magenta Otter Tribe! XX Dara
I’m so glad I remembered your Magenta Otter vlog! My husband and I are traveling to London next week and will end with a couple days in the Cotswolds! It looks like everything I love! Your videos are so helpful. We will be staying close to Cheltenham and renting a car. But since we know nothing having your advice has been invaluable! Thank You so much Dara! Nancy (Peters) Lasson
Nancy!!! It's so good to hear from you! I just sent you a message on Facebook messenger. I'm so excited that you are coming to England, and that you are going to explore the Cotswolds a bit! 💖 Dara
Excellent vlog ! Am wondering if it’s possible to visit the Cotswold by narrowboat ? And if so, are there mooring places at marinas ?
Oh wow... I don't think you can get a narrow boat out that far. But it's an intriguing idea!
i like trains and rivers.. good job 👍👍
Hi we are coming there from Singapore. Lovely videos. But a little loss if coming from London
I hope you enjoy your visit!
Thank you so much for all the info! I'm coming from Palm Springs California desert in a couple of weeks to escape the heat and be in the green. I can't wait
Oh yes! We honeymooned in Palm Springs in July... 31 years ago... it was 117 degrees even back then!!! I hope you have a wonderful time. Please let me know how it goes and where you enjoy visiting the most! Cheers! Dara
Dara does a great job promoting the Cotswolds for the tourist board, its interesting to see an americans take of the area, i live in Manchester and travel down to Cornwall often and love to stop off in the Cotswolds, and on the way home have got to get myself a lardy cake, theres a good bakery in Burford, prefer mine warm lol,
Oh yes, Burford is a great place to stop for a bite!
Bibury = Bib - Bury. 'Bib' rather than 'Bi'
Really? It's a short i like bib rather than a long i like bye? Interesting...
@@MagentaOtterTravels Definitely ‘bye-bury’, not ‘bibbury’
@@MagentaOtterTravels Its what the locals said to me, when I lived down there. Ex JJ Small
It surprised me too , but I like the way Dara talks..
I heard this week that Chichester is pronounced just Chy!
Such a wonderful video! :)
Thank you so much! I appreciate your support 🙏
Another Morgan y'all!!
Don't tell my wife but this is what I'm giving myself as a retirement present.
I haven't traveled the Cotswolds extensively but I did make several weekend trips from London.
I would recommend taking the train from London to Bath or any other of the larger cities around the Cotswolds and renting a car from there.
I've both driven around that area and taken busses and believe me when I tell you that you will see so many places while you're on the road where you want to go and you just can't do that on a tour bus or a local bus.
So you'll really need to rent a car.
Don't worry about driving on the left as within an hour or two you'll be used to it.
Thanks for the great Texan advice on travelling through the Cotswolds, Christian! I won't tell your wife, but I think that is a lovely retirement gift for yourself... but perhaps a bit more expensive than a gold watch ;-)
I put a link in the description about the Morgan rentals because other folks have been interested in it as well! Cheers! Dara
In France when the English arrive from the ferries with their cars,they say the first couple of miles is the worst for bumps..dont drive woozy folks .make sure your well rested and alert…and fed and watered..but they’re probably tired out from a boring sea crossing..i travel on a Sunday in England if i dont want to be tailgated every where by lorries and commercial workers..
Get in your hire car on a Sunday for calm convoys..its all in the planning..if you can get your first days practice in on a Sunday..by Monday you will be ready for whatever ..getting off a plane at Heathrow ,then straight into a hire car is foolhardy i would say..
Much better to have a day on a train then a nice comfy bed in the provinces and maybe jump in a hire car after that ..oh yeh! And carry a bottle of water and an egg sandwich in case you find it difficult to stop or you’re too excited and you want to get to your destination …
@@griswald7156 I was thinking along the same lines.
It's going to be easier to get used to driving on the left - and especially the roundabouts - when you're not feeling the pressure of a rural traffic jam which is what a large part of the Cotswolds are going to be in the summer.
If you're not used to driving on the left the best thing you can do to prepare if you're American, Canadian or Mexican is to learn and be proficient with the British and European road signs.
At least that way you will not have the 'triple whammy' of being on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, probably driving manual transmission for the first time in a couple of decades, and not understanding the traffic laws or road signs.
That's more like a 'quintuple whammy' but y'all understand where I'm coming from.
UA-cam very well may be a good resource for this and I'm sure there are other online resources available.
Also don't forget to buy insurance, maybe even more than your American policy or the protections on your credit card.
Driving in London, Manchester, Newcastle or even Edinburgh is one crazy thing but you're not going at fairly high speed in the rain on old sometimes one and a half lane country roads, that have stacked stone walls grown in with plants so they look like you might be hitting a hedge if you had to but really you'll be buying a new side mirror for that (60s classic) Morgan you rented for the week.....
OK so that actually really did happen to me and it was an expensive lesson.
You will feel so much more confident in your ability to drive there if you have mastered the traffic signs and laws.
Then it'll become muscle memory and second nature just like when you're driving at home.
@@MagentaOtterTravels Oh Dara she knows!!
We have a deal and we will be able to afford it when we both retire.
Hopefully....
I get my Morgan as long as she gets a midnight blue convertible 1969 Camaro with white leather interior.
And a 'survivor' original engine, drivetrain and body - not a restomod with modern everything but the old body.
Of course these are going to be sort of weekend cars or 'Sunday drive' cars but hey, down here in the Coastal Bend there are many fun day or weekend trips that'll be fun to drive to.
@@christianoliver3572 that is so funny that you guys really want specific cars!
I was playing with Google maps just to see where everything is in the Cotswolds, and the area is tiny. It is amazing that there is so much to see in such a compact area. It reminds me of staying in Tuscany. You move around to various places to stay, then you go for a drive and find that you're only 10 minutes from Sienna or Firenze or somewhere. It is very cool. The Cotswolds seems to be like that - drive for a few minutes further in one direction you're in Bath or Birmo or Bristol. Close to civilisation. 😂I know you're probably used to it by now but coming from Texas the contrast must've been stark when you first visited. A bit like here. You get out of town and drive and you might not come across another town or village for an hour or more. Whereas in the Cotswolds you might leave one village and 15 seconds later arrive at another. 😂
Brilliantly comprehensive Dara! There is so much work involved in producing something like this. You should be very proud. 😍
Yes, I totally agree with you! In a place like Oz or the states, things are so spread out! I feel like Britain in general is very condensed when it comes to fabulous places to see, and the Cotswolds are extra packed with pretty stuff! Yes, it does feel like there is a charming little village around every bend in the road! I'm looking forward to discovering many more this summer!
And thanks for your kind remarks about the video. It was quite a lot of work, and I know you understand what's involved so you can appreciate that! 😉
Cheers! Dara
@@KNIGHTSTEMPLAR13 and Australians. 😂 Melbourne or Sydney cover about 5 times the area of the Cotswolds. Even in a small state like Victoria we can drive for hours between towns. It is very cool you visit a dozen villages within minutes of each other.
You didn’t mention the Barrows …..(prehistoric graves around Wiltshire etc….)
That crumble and custard looks delicious..
I've not been to those Barrows yet 😊
@@MagentaOtterTravels ive been to one in a field near Salisbury…I can’t remember whereabouts though , as a local showed me
This is wonderful. We’re going to be there for 4 nights in October. I’m going to watch more of your videos now.
October is a great time because it won't be so crowded! I am excited that you are going to be able to experience the Cotswolds. I hope you have a wonderful visit! Cheers! XX Dara
Thank you. We’re going to rent a home and will have a car as well. Do you have any thoughts on which location might be best? We have narrowed it down to one of the rentals in the following; Blockley, Chedworth, Burton-on-the-Water, Shipton-Under-Wynchwood, & Stanton. We will have already spent four nights in London, and four nights in Scotland. This might be our “wind down time” and “staying close to home” leg of the trip. It just depends on if we are tired of all the driving and exploring we did in Scotland. Walking distance to various shops/cafes would be nice. I’m going with my daughter, her husband, and his mother. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
@@lisachambers6230 I would not stay in Blockley or Stanton... too small given you want to walk to things. I don't know much about Chedworth or Shipton... but have heard great things. I would consider Bourton or Broadway. Both of them are relatively empty before 9 am and after 6 pm so you can explore without mobs of tourists. But they both have great breakfast and dinner places as well as places to buy some groceries (though Bourton has a bigger supermarket). Hope that helps!
Your itinerary sounds great 👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels Thank you for your suggestions. I will share them with he others. I truly appreciate you responding and have enjoyed watching your videos. By the way, in your video of Stanton, you showed The Old Dairy. That is the home we are considering if we stay in Stanton.
@@lisachambers6230 I think my brother has stayed there! He loves going to Stanton and arranging horse riding there.
At 4.10, that looked like a cracking good burger and chips. Poncey chef's presentation aside, it looked like a cracking good eat. Was that blue stilton melted into it? I bet it cost more than my shoes! We're on the edge of the summer here now, time to get out of our burrows and enjoy the glorious lands. 😀
If I recall correctly that was the bison burger at the Mount Inn in Stanton. Pretty much our favourite pub in the Cotswolds. They are funny, as they don't have a menu you can view online if the pub is closed! And it doesn't open for 30 minutes... but yes I believe that was stilton. Highly recommend going if you make it to the Cotswolds. We highlighted a bunch of their food in the Best Pubs video: ua-cam.com/video/MFGkJ0EOoBM/v-deo.html
@@MagentaOtterTravels A bison burger in the Cotswolds, there's a homely juxtaposition for ya. 🐮🐂
Do you arrange tours?
No, but if you are interested in going on a tour, I recommend you check out gocotswolds.co.uk
Thanks you so much for all this info! I've watched like twenty of your videos on the Cotswolds haha
Oooh that's so nice to hear! THANK YOU! 🙏 Last summer we met people a couple times (as we wandered around Cotswold villages ) who had done the same thing while planning their trips. That makes me so happy 😁! Cheers! Dara
That's so fun!@@MagentaOtterTravels
I've never explored the Cotswolds but only ever driven thro or around on business. I must admit there looks like some hermit friendly attractions there 🤭 I do enjoy a good castle, oh and hiking. Some great recommendations. Maybe I should spread my wings one time 👍
I definitely think you should hike the Cotswold Way, and stay in some small hermit-friendly villages along the way
👍👍
@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm venturing down South in June to a place called a London that's not very hermit friendly. I'm getting very ambitious 🤣 Hiking the Cotswolds Way does sound appealing and very flat compared to what I'm used to.🙂
@@TheHikingHermit the Cotswolds are very hilly compared to where we live in Texas! Here it is extremely flat! But we fly to England tomorrow 🙌 London is extremely not hermit friendly! What on earth made you go there?
@@MagentaOtterTravels I've always fancied watching some live tennis and I have a 1/4 finals day ticket at Queens Club tennis so hoping to see 3 or 4 matches. I'm also hoping I get to see Andy Murray playing before he retires. I've not been to London since running the London marathon in 2014!
@@TheHikingHermit I'm impressed! Have fun in the big smoke !
Have you seen the tv series "The Cotswold With Pam Ayres " I think you'll give her a run for the money 👏
No, I haven't. Where can I find it?
@@MagentaOtterTravels it's right here on UA-cam 👍
@@wencireone cheers! We just signed up for UA-cam premium today, so we might have to give it a watch 😉
Awesome video! Thanks guys! 💐💕
Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoy visiting the Cotswolds one day ;-) I know you have big plans!
Nice Trip
The jazz festival and book festival are great in Cheltenham..go for other festivals too.,Painswick is lovely..I want to go to the broadway lavender fields..Americans eat beans on toast by putting the beans on one side of the plate,and the buttered toast on the other side..they eat the beans with an upturned fork then eat the toast with the other hand..I’m going to try it !
Yes, I definitely will be talking about the festivals when I EVENTUALLY get around to my ultimate Cheltenham video ;-)
Painswick is a beauty!!
and Woodstock England !@@MagentaOtterTravels
@@MagentaOtterTravels the big clock in the Cheltenham shopping arcade is a thing of wonderment too..
@@griswald7156 oh yes, that's brilliant!
@@MagentaOtterTravels and the bathroom shops in Montpellier..ooh just look at that Bath !…and other eccentricities in the ablution department…
Thank you!
You're welcome 😉
Thank you! this is a huge help!
You are very welcome! I appreciate you watching, and taking the time to leave a comment. It was fun to be in the Cotswolds this summer and actually bump into people who had watched this video and planned their trip using our advice 💖! Bon voyage! Dara
@@MagentaOtterTravels Working on our trip as we speak 🙂
@@enttree69 exciting! Let me know how it goes 👍
my favorite place ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Mine too 😉💖
Very well presented. 👍
Thank you! We enjoy talking about our favourite places ;-) Cheers! Dara
Well, I think that covers it 👍
Cheers! Next week I am finally publishing my Ledbury vlog... my first video of the season that I will watch from England 👍🏴
@@MagentaOtterTravels does that mean your departure is imminent?
@@wencireone yes!
@@MagentaOtterTravels do tell !
This is the most in depth guide to the Cotswolds! My favorite is Burford, Snowshill and Bradford on Avon. Painswick is on my bucketlist!
Let me know what you think of Painswick when you visit. It's a favourite of ours. And I hope to get to Bradford on Avon this summer! We leave for England tomorrow... WooHoo!
Is it easy to rent a car in Cotswolds?
Probably not in a small village, but definitely in a larger town or city that you might take a bus or a train to. For example, Cheltenham or Gloucester or Bath or Oxford. Try checking online for car rental once you know how you will be getting to the edge of the Cotswolds.
@@MagentaOtterTravels Thank you.
@@apiezichigo8192 you are very welcome! I hope you have a wonderful trip!