Cotswolds - Stays

Great thanks. It’s just a short march break holiday.

Nate, maybe look into the Howard Arms in Ilmington? We were just there for a meal. It'd be close to the twin gardens of Kiftsgate and Hidcote, if that would matter. Locals had told us that Paxford's pub/Inn was perhaps the best in the northern Cotswolds, but it'd just suffered a fire in May and thus had no roof.
It may be wise to keep casting your net ever wider in your search...our experience was that a number of the guidebook-recommended long-time fave Inns/pubs had just recently been sold, as original owners divested. The results have been mixed and otherwise-discrete locals were not shy about revealing just how downhill those establishments had become in a short time: "Don't waste your time and money, mate!" and like that.
I am done. the end.

March is pretty early, no flowers, not much going on, plenty of rain or snow.

What had you in mind of what you wanted or hoped to see? I grew up there but I'm reluctant to suggest because it isn't clear what you hoped for.

Which end of the Cotswolds? People stretch the boundaries as far south as Bath, and as far north as Stratford upon Avon, as far west as Cheltenham and as far east as Oxford. That's a pretty vast area and there are hundreds of pubs and and many accommodations. What do you mean by "inn"? Do you want to eat at the inn or at the pub, or just drink at the pub? I would expect an inn to offer overnight rooms and also serve meals and alcohol. Is that what you mean? A pub may do the same.

Some of my favourite pubs have been closed during the last 2 and a half years. One which I would have suggested has had so much trouble getting staff that the experience is now downright unpleasant and we walked out. I've been going there for years. I won't mention the name or village.

So can I please ask you to clarify...

Attach link for Donnington Brewery, most of their pubs are in the north Cotswolds, some have accommodation plus some rooms at the brewery
www.donnington-brewery.com

We spend six nights at the Volunteer Inn in Chipping Campden, which has the best pub in town as well as a great Indian restaurant.

Spacious rooms for reasonable rates.

I am with Nigel on this - March isn’t the best time to be visiting the Cotswolds, particularly if your children are young - they will be bored. Little colour in the gardens, probably quite muddy and possible snow.

I like The Old Swan in Minster Lovell, but I haven’t been there since the pandemic started. Being at the eastern end of the Cotswolds, it’s a shorter drive from London than Chipping Campden and much of the Cotswolds. The White Hart Inn in Winchcombe was also good, but it’s at the western end of the Cotswolds - handy for Cheltenham.

Hi Nigel,

Thanks for messaging me, apologies on the late reply. Growing up in rural Atlantic Canada I have some odd superstitions, such as you don’t make plans on Sunday.

Being from Atlantic Canada growing up in northern Nova Scotia my family and I don’t mind a bit of cold or precipitation. We’ve done England and Scotland in 2012 in November , how does march compare. We found the cool weather that time of month rather charming and enjoyed the off season.

Our thoughts on the Cotswolds is evenings in a pub or a traditional restaurant having some good food number of pints.

And strolling down the streets of some quaint villages.

Areas we are considering are:

Chippy Camden
Bourton-on-the-Water
Stone-on-the- Wold
Stratford

What are your thoughts on Blenheim Palace?

We wish to be in the heart of the Cotswolds. As mentioned you said some consider Bath as part of it, we’ve already been there, very lovely.

geovagriffith, thanks for the recommendation.

Nate

Hi Jennifer,

You mentioned the muddy weather. Is this just with the guards, parks, etc? Or does this also effect the main walking areas in the villages ?

Thanks,

Nate

You will be fine walking in the villages.

As Robin Z said, in the towns and villages, if there is a pavement you should be ok, unless there is ice or slush. Some roads don't have pavements so the grass or dirt may be muddy, especially if the path has come from a field.

I guess you don't plan to go outside the built up areas? Some of the best charm of the Cotswolds is walking between the villages and seeing the countryside - that might be quite difficult in March.

Don't underestimate the chance of bad weather in March.