Cotswolds Confusion

What do you mean whether it's "proper or not"? What are you expecting in order to detrmine whether the itinerary is proper?

The word “Chipping” is from the old English word meaning “market” and features in several placenames. The Cotswolds alone has both Chipping Campden and Chipping Norton, and there’s a Chipping Sodbury not far away.

So at risk of sounding like a broken record, don’t shorten placenames or road names as that can cause confusion.

You need to specific which Chipping!

Generally though it looks okay. I’m not sure either what you mean by “if it’s proper or not” or what you’re confused about.

Actually there is a decent bus service from Moreton in Marsh to both Chipping Norton and Chipping Campden, but in opposite directions!

Are you driving or relying on buses - other than back up the hill to Stow on the Wold from Bourton on the Water, your post isn't clear.

Adding clarification.....

Chipping Camden is the Chipping I refer to (and thought I had listed that way, but guess not).

Using a car with exception to Thursday walking tour.

"Proper" just referring to good use of time and direction, as well as seeing a nice selection of what the area offers (sites/towns. etc.).

For me the village-to-village walk would be weather-dependent. If that's true for you as well, you might plan the walk for Wednesday so you have teo days on which you have a shot at it.

acraven - Good catch.....Thank you!!

Even if the weather is poor, take the few miles drive from Stow to Lower Slaughter to visit it. It’s very, very small but worth visiting. When I was there last month they were getting ready to film a portion of Jane Austin’s Emma, so props were all over town. Bourton on Water is also nice to visit if you haven’t visited it before.

I would pass on Warwick and the castle, going to the castle is like going to a wax museum. I would suggest going to Sudeley Castle, it’s 12 miles from Stow-on-the-Wold.

I would say Warwick castle is more like Disney. I was not impressed and agree time is better spent elsewhere.

Hi, RC!

Trying to fit Stratford-Upon-Avon in the same day as Warwick will be stressful. Stratford is definitely worth a day-trip and there's a large carpark near the centre. Most of the Shakespeare sites are in a mile radius.

Chipping Campden is well worth a half day, at least, and you can do it on the same day as Stratford.
There are lots of excellent walks around Lower Slaughter, as well as Upper and Lower Swell. There's a great pub on either the B-4077 or 4078 (can't recall which!) that also has excellent fish & chips.
If you can fit time in, Bibury is also excellent and has miles of walking.

Steve

We stayed in Chipping Campden during our stay in the Cotswolds. Hidcote Garden is amazing. Our traveling partner who usually doesn't like gardens was impressed. Agree with all spots except for Bourton-On-The -Water it was TOURISTY-wouldnt bother. Our driver had discourage our going I was swayed by the Venice of Cotswold-not even close.

As another perspective on a previous comment, "Stratford[-upon-Avon] is definitely worth a day-trip and there's a large carpark near the centre." Yes, I agree -- but "Most of the Shakespeare sites are in a mile radius" -- well, not really.
I've been there twice and never had enough time to see much of anything except the exteriors, and the birthplace interior. It takes time to get from one Shakespeare site to another, and the town has become very built up, hence prone to traffic jams. To do more than gloss the surface, you need an entire day IMO, so coming from the Cotswolds you'd want to get an early start and plan on not returning until evening. (And forget about trying to see Warwick the same day.)

Agree with Stephanie, Hidcote was incredible and gorgeous. Not pronounced with the American long "o" but more like Hid-Cut. Saw stunning delphinium there!

I would allow a day for Stratford Upon Avon and skip Warwick. Stratford is lovely with much to see; Warwick is very commercial.

You will need a FULL day in Stratford Upon Avon, don't cut is short. Pick the 5 site pass from the Shakespeare birth home.

Warwick Castle is worth half a day, but it is a bit out of the way for 2.5 in the Cotswolds.

You miss Cirencester, which is a must.

Oxford will take you a full day and doing the Rick Steves day self drive of the Cotswolds will take you 1.5 days alone.

Here is our story on our 4 week drive tour of Wales and England that includes 6 nights in the Cotswolds.
28 days in Britain and Celebrity Eclipse home
https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=599139