Just Had an Amazing Weekend in the Cotswolds!

Hello everyone! Last week, I reached out here for some tips on visiting the Cotswolds, and I received tons of great advice (plus a few critical comments). A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed! As the title suggests, my wife and I just wrapped up four wonderful days exploring this beautiful part of the UK, and I want to share our experience with you all—keeping in mind that our itinerary was a bit “chaotic,” but we truly enjoyed every moment without feeling rushed.

Day 1 (March 7)

We touched down at Birmingham Airport around 1 PM, picked up our rental car, and headed to the Greswolde Arms Hotel in Knowle for a nice lunch.

After that, we made our way to Hailes (near Winchcombe) for a refreshing walk to soak in the views, just as u/imo979 suggested. We then continued to Bibury, where we strolled around town and followed the picturesque brooks. Contrary to expectations of crowds, we found it to be surprisingly peaceful and quiet.

As the sun set, we drove to the Amberley Inn (located in Amberley, near Stroud) for a delightful overnight stay.

Day 2 (March 8)

Rising early, we enjoyed a lovely morning walk around the inn, taking in the fresh atmosphere. After breakfast, we checked out and made our way to Stroud, where we explored the delightful Farmer’s Market and indulged in some artisanal baked goods—so delicious!

Next, we set off for Castle Combe, but unfortunately, parking was a challenge, so we opted to drive through instead. We then arrived in Lacock, stopping for lunch at the Lacock Bakery. We had fun petting some friendly cats and wandered the village, looking for Harry Potter filming locations before visiting the Abbey and its gardens.

After leaving Lacock, we headed to Bourton-on-the-Water for a walk along some public footpaths, avoiding the crowds on High Street. On our way to The Bell Inn in Ducklington, we paused in Witney to attend Sunday Vigil Mass at the Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Hugh, where we were welcomed into a lively and friendly community.

Day 3 (March 9)

Just like the previous day, we started with a stroll around the inn, this time following a group of ducks. Our first stop was the picturesque Slaughters, where we took a leisurely tour, especially enjoying Lower Slaughter—definitely one of the prettiest places we visited.

Next, we made our way to Stow-on-the-Wold, where we explored the town, visited several churches, and admired iconic inns like The Sheep and The Porch House. We even gave “Speak, friend, and enter” a try at the Doors of Durin!

Later, we drove to Oxford, parked at the Peartree Park & Ride, and took the bus into the city center. We enjoyed lunch at the covered market, wandered around, and visited New College and Christ Church. Unfortunately, we missed the chance to see the Bodleian Library—our timing wasn’t great, and tickets were sold out. While the colleges were stunning, we found the city itself rather commercialized, which was a bit disappointing.

Afterwards, we returned to our car and drove to The Crown Hotel in Blockley, where we capped the day with a charming stroll around town before dinner.

Day 4 (March 10)

Unlike the previous three sunny days, we woke up to overcast skies and intermittent rain (which wasn’t too bothersome). Since we were short on time but eager to see more, we decided to take a scenic drive through quaint villages