My husband and I must find a place to stay in the Cotswolds for one night in late April. We'd prefer a B&B or farm accommodation--any suggestions? (Our 2nd night in the area will be spent in Bath and would appreciate suggestions for there as well.)
The RS book has great recommendations for the Cotswold and Bath. I suggest looking into Chipping Campden. For Bath, the #1 out of 130 B&Bs on www.tripadvisor.com is Chestnuts House. It's also in Trip Advisor's top 10 (#7) for Inns and B&Bs in Europe in their new 2009 Traveler's Choice Awards. You might also look into Three Abbey Green in the center of town. It's in Rick's book.
Actually, does RS have a book that includes a large section on the Cotswolds? Because my RS London book does not. It has a short section on Bath (which is really good) but nothing on the rest of the Cotswolds... Although i will admit I have the 2007 book which I got for $3 at a discount book store.
We enjoyed Burton on the Water. Lovely little town. Cirencester and Cheltenham were great towns also. The Monday and Friday open air markets in Cirenceser were great adventures to my wife who loves to shop.
While a very pretty town, Cheltenham is too big imo. Have you looked at smoothhound for B&B's in the Cotswolds? Many farm stays offered. We especially enjoyed Stanton. Stowe, Winchcombe, Broadway would be accessible to sights, gardens, pubs, etc. The farmstays are a great value also.
Megan, I referenced above the new Rick Steve's England 2009 book which I just purchased. Of course, on the reverse, the London section is not as complete as the London book.
We stayed in Northleach, a nice small town in the Southern Cotswolds. RS's Britain book has info on the Cotswolds.
Megan,
As the others have mentioned, the RS England Guidebook provides information on the Cotswolds, including listings for various types of lodgings and a description of the principal towns in the area. Perhaps you can find a copy of that at the discount book store also? That would be the best way to get a list of accommodations in various price ranges, although you could try Trip Advisor too.
I'm assuming you'll be travelling by rental car? The transportation options in the Cotswolds are a bit "limited" and only one of the main towns has a railway station (Moreton-in-Marsh). Travel by Coach (Bus) is also an option, however with limited time that's probably not the best.
If you have time, you might enjoy a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold, as there are some interesting little shops there.
Happy travels!
Megan - I found Moreton-in-Marsh to be a nice place to stay. There are a few B&B's in the town. I believe one of the B&B's is called the Bell's Inn. There is also a rail station in town.
Yes, we will be traveling by rental car.
Bourton-on-the-Water is very nice, especially in the evening (after tourists have gone home on the bus) It's best to visit Bourton in the evening rather than daytime due to bus loads of folks (maybe not a big issue it April)- It's close to other "walk to" towns and easy access by car to Stow and others.