We are a mom and dad and 3 - mid-late 20s sons and 2 accompanying girlfriends.
At the moment we are planning to not have a car.
Would you recommend Chipping Campden or Stow-on-the-Wold for a 4 night Home Base?
We are not major 'partiers', or stay out until midnight type people, but we do enjoy having something to do at night. Is one town more 'sleepy' than the other and if so is it 'too sleepy'?
Thanks and hope this question makes sense :-)
I would stay in Stow on the Wold. I believe the public transport options are better which may be a consideration if you are not having a car.
There are also more eating options in Stow on the Wold than Chipping Campden, cafes, pubs and some higher end (expensive) restaurants. In my experience, Stow on the Wold is more busy than Chipping Camden, particularly during the day.
We had a rental car and stayed at the Volunteer Inn in Chipping Campden. It was great, they had good prices, spacious rooms, a great pub and Indian Restaurant.
I too would go with Stow-on-the-Wold if you're not renting a car. Chipping Campden is a beautiful, but quiet town. We had a rental car and stayed at the Volunteer Inn, enjoying its pub and Indian Restaurant. We did the RS town walk and really enjoyed it, but there's not much more to the town in terms of activities, aside from some shops and other restaurants, especially in the evening.
You are all amazing! Thank you so much!! Very helpful!!
I think Chipping Campden is a lot more charming, but without a car, Stow on the Wold is a better choice. It has a more central location and more options for food and transportation. Wherever you stay there, make sure your rooms do not face the huge square. There are a lot of parking spots there and cars and huge coach buses are always in and out.
I would join a day tour to visit some of outlying villages, a private tour would be even better. Enjoy!
I also recommend Stow-on-the Wold. I’m not sure what you’re expecting for “night life” in the Cotswolds but the village has a number of old charming pubs and a few very good restaurants.
OK...we're booked into the Porch House for four nights. Does anyone have any info. on the Porch Hotel?
I started to panic and booked it before I could fully analyze The Porch House compared to The Old Stocks Inn. Amazing (to me at least!) how soon everything is filling up!
Have not stayed at the Porch House but we did stay at the Old Stocks Inn which was charming, friendly staff and great bed. We have also stayed at The Sheep on Sheep also very charming. We did eat dinner at the Porch House and it was very good. Looking at the online pictures, the Porch House looks similar to the hotels we stayed in.
