I first learned about Cotswold Walks from a Rick Steves guidebook’s recommendation. When I learned about the company’s three-day garden tour, I decided to sign up and add the tour to an already-planned visit to Europe. I toured the gardens at the beginning of July 2025, and the tour exceeded my expectations. The guides and garden hosts were welcoming, knowledgeable, and generous. Their level of attention to the tour guests made us feel like honored guests. The gardens were all beautiful and unique and we were able to appreciate different details in each garden. The food was excellent. At one formal garden, we were greeted by a welcome tent with cold drinks and then ended that garden tour with tea and cake with a member of the House of Lords, one of the garden owners. I especially enjoyed visiting a private garden where the garden owner showcased the garden that she had designed and built from scratch in less than five years. The perennial plant colors and textures, use of grasses, bird baths, and benches enhanced the beauty of the garden. The garden owner-designer graciously welcomed us to lunch in her home. Overall, the Cotswold Walks garden tour was a dream.
Posted by
Atlanta
2626 posts
What was the hotel where you stayed?
Posted by
California Central Coast 🐚
315 posts
Thanks so much for this report and recommendation. I love Cotswolds Walks but have only done their self-guided walks. I had no idea they had Garden Tours. My itinerary for next Spring does not include the Cotswolds but I'm putting this on the list for the following year.
Posted by
OP
Durham, NC
2 posts
My three sisters and I stayed at the Broadway Hotel, where the van picked us up each day. It’s a charming hotel and next to restaurants and stores. As with many Cotswolds hotels, be prepared to climb stairs with your luggage. We packed lightly so this was not a problem.