There is something about the English countryside. Charming stone houses and thatched roofs. Small winding country roads, country farmhouse kitchens and pubs full of laughter and the most lovely of folks. I mentioned we were off for some travels recently and our first stop was London on the way to the English countryside. Last week, we hopped a plane and landed in England & have been in the English countryside for the past several days exploring. Today I am sharing more about the Cotswolds and village of Castle Combe- and having a few issues getting the video to post so check back for that as well.
The Cotswolds -Castle Combe
Just straight out of a fairytale -the Cotswolds is the most beautiful spot we have been in England. It has been on my list of places to visit and so, since our travel plans had changed this trip and we found ourselves landing in London instead of Paris- we decided it was the perfect time to plug an extra couple days in there.
We landed in London and hopped the train to Chippenham which is at the lower end of the Cotswolds area. We had a few villages on the list to visit- and would have loved to have have visited more. Best laid plans of mice and men- we happened to arrive on a bank holiday weekend. Which meant, transport was chaotic and not running as usual. Next time, we will rent a car or hire a driver to take us around all the places we want to go for the day.
And lots more posts coming- I took a TON of photos. Prepare for English countryside overload!
Countryside Charm
We didn’t stay in Castle Combe- but you could stay in there if you are visiting when there is availability. (avoid bank holidays!) Burton is where we stayed and it is a small town-just a couple of restaurants and not much else. They have a bus but the locals told us it isn’t very reliable and runs on its own schedule. We stayed in a pub -which I didn’t know was a thing. And we enjoyed dinner with the locals at the pub as well as the loveliest of breakfasts with the farm animals at a farm shop across the street. The epitome of slow living folks. Sipping coffee overlooking the countryside with the animals was insanely relaxing and centering. Something I very much needed.
And yes, we have decided Kevin and Clover need some pygmy goat friends like these. lol
Castle Combe
The village of Castle Combe was just 2 miles from where we stayed. You may have heard of it before- or seen it before. It has been in many movies and is said to be the most photographed village in the Cotswolds. It did not disappoint at all.
We started out to walk there- but two issues. The roads are very small with no shoulder or sidewalk. And I had pulled my calf a few days before we left and so was taking it a bit easy (aka limping along) on mileage. So we called our cab friend who dropped us off and he took us over to the village. We wandered the streets and snapped a zillion photos of the details and fell in love. Yes, coffee has been on repeat this trip.
As with most of the very old villages- the houses were built with stone and lots of attention to detail.
Architecturally, Castle Combe has remained unchanged since the 15th century – meaning nothing new has been built, there are not street lights or other modern day things to clutter the calmness and views. We were told that parts of the village date back to the 12th century.
And that charm was around every corner. Every. Corner. I could probably share a hundred photos but I will get into trouble with my tech guy who has to fix the glitches when I overload and might have said I share way too many photos already. But tucking in a few favorites and recap all the do’s and don’ts in a separate post.
It is seriously a dreamy old antique countryside village and I felt like we had stepped back in time. We spent a couple of hours wandering here so you could absolutely fit it in on the list as you traveled from one village to the next in the Cotswolds. Though it is small – it is well worth the stop! We explored some more and will be sharing each village as well as some tips and more details if you are thinking of a trip as well.
And would you believe that this morning- I woke up in Paris? We are in Paris for some work, some exploring – but it is all fun. I packed my big camera for a couple of special photo shoots here this week but I will share a few peeks as I work.
Happy Monday all.
Nina Kiser says
Every single photo had me drolling and dreaming! As always you do not disappoint!
Have a blessed week!
-Nina, The Collected Farmhouse
Nancy Brantley says
Oh…I would love to be visiting. Since I’m not, please SHARE all your photos. Never too many pictures!! Enjoy your trip.
Paulette says
BEAUTIFUL photos! I used to visit the coTswolds twice a year for several years. Bourton on the Water was one of my very favorites. Such an AUTHENTIC PART of England and driving in the drizzle listening to gardening programs were such a DELIGHT!❤️
Karen says
Can’t wait for all the pictures. I love cotswold and always dream of visiting.
Jeannine McCloskey says
I miss Europe so much. Lived in Germany foR more thAn 20 years. Words just dont do it justice. It is quaint and old and beautiful. So, i am wondering if they Produced all creatures big and small here. So beautiful. Relax and enjoy, and please overloAd us! 😂
Elizabeth says
So picturesque! Lovely to visit. Not so great to live there. There use tO ne a provram on tv where they would take potentiaal buyers thru these properties. Reaaly low ceings with dark beams, doorways so short youd have to bEnd to walk thrU and the rooms super Small. I know i wouldnt last a week. Claustrophobicville! 🙃
Lina says
Ahhh. The cotswold and Paris in the same trip! How awesome. Enjoy!
Natalie Barton says
Sounds like.a.fairytale
Pat says
I love the COTSWOLDS! We stayed in BOurton on the water. Sweet! And cream tea was to dIe for!
Karen B. says
I have been to England several times and by far my favorite was my visit to the Cotswold. Thank you for sharing this. I’ll savor each and every photo. Oh, and our family visited London during the week between Christmas and New Year’s…talk about Bank holidays! I look forward to all your posts and the travel is such a bonus.
Karen B.
Nancy B. says
What a treat to travel through the wonderful Cotswolds with you. Brings back sweet memories of our travels there. Thank you!
Pat says
Sounds dreamy
Diana says
This is amazing and seems so serene. The old church was fabulous. All the stone houses are as lovely as the next. Thanks for sharing all these pics. Now, why are you in Paris?????
Madonna says
So beautiful. . . . thank you
Martha lary says
Fell in love with the Cotswolds in 1989 on a three week trip thru gardens of England.We stayed in Snowshill,which was Lovely,and had a wOnderful pub.Have since been to paris and two trips to provence,cultural very different,but all totally beautiful.
Michele M. says
What a dream come true! I hope to see that one day – it is ceertainly on my bucket list! thank you for sharing – what a happy accident, right?
Belle says
Hello. Could you share thr contact info of your cab driver friend? We are also visiting the cotswolds and need someone to take us around. Thank you!