July accommodation advice required

I wouldn't risk travelling anywhere in July without a prior reservation and I would already have booked by now, so don't delay! You will be OK not booking Liverpool as there is a larger choice. Liverpool and Chester are not very far apart and I would look to combine these stays.

If there is a lesser travelled route in the Cotswolds, I have never discovered it.

Hi Emma,
Snowshill is on the Snowshill Rd. north of Broadway. I was looking at alternate routes that maybe wouldn't be as busy and stumble across it.

Hi, I have been in the UK several times during the summer months, have never booked ahead when we were driving. There are hundreds of B&Bs that depend solely on their B&B sign, they don't advertise because it costs into their profits. You can just watch for B&B signs when you want to stop for the day, when you see one that you would like to stay at, go up and ask if they have a room available, and they usual let you see the room before agreeing to take it. You could also, go to a tourist information center in the village and ask them to book a room for you. We have never ever had trouble finding a room.

I have also traveled by the seat of my pants many times, as Robin describes. It is doable but not ideal if you're on a schedule. Pulling into a place and hoping they have a room available can eat up loads of your precious time if you have trouble finding a place with availability. Yes, there are lots of places that don't advertise and who depend on drive-by-bookings but in the Cotswolds I wouldn't risk it. There is no quiet undiscovered corner in this area anymore...20 years ago you could easily do it but now I wouldn't risk it.
Take the stress off of your trip and just make your bookings now...you'll be happy not to have to worry about it once you are there!

I agree with Robin Z that it can be done, with patience and persistence. It can be depressing when you see that B&B sign, and the the line below with Vacancy and the NO has been slipped in front.

There are no two ways about it - the Cotswolds are a beautiful area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a lot of people want to go and see and experience them.

Snowshill is by no means off the beaten path.

If 'twere I, in the height of the high season, especially this year after the spectaculars in France and Belgium, I think even more people will be trying to spend more of their time in the countryside of the various countries, and it will be busier than ever. I'd book.

Never had trouble getting room in the Cotswolds, and never spent more the 15 minutes finding a room. Like I said, you can also go to the tourist information office and they can book a room for you.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I've booked a B&B just 15 km. south of Stratford-Upon-Avon using my credit card points and then two nights at B&B I found surfing around the Internet - between Corsham and Chippingham. Nice quiet location with easy bus ride to Bath and handy to other areas we'll be visiting.