Cotswolds, England

August 2022

I've always wanted to visit the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds in England. It was everything I thought it would be. So, so lovely and peaceful. The Cotswolds name means rolling hills with plenty of sheep.

After a horrific night (see the end of the Stonehenge Tour to learn what happened) I hoped out of bed at 6:15am and ran to the British Museum to get picked up by the International Friends tour bus for a day tour from London. (I am not affiliated with International Friends.)

There were 2 other solo girls a bit younger than me and a Mom and daughter. Not a huge group so we had a smaller vehicle than the typical coach which worked out great. We were able to see so much more than the average tour bus does. We really lucked out. 

The mom and daughter were late because their taxi driver dropped them off at the wrong place. Unlike the tour from the day before - there was no snowball effect and we made good time. 

Our guide was used to being in a much bigger vehicle so it was like she was on tour as well going to little places she's never been thanks to our driver who kept recommending places.

Some of the stops I don't remember the names of so just enjoy the photos! Man we made so many stops! 

The area is so idyllic. Little quaint cottages and some grand ones! Thatched roofs. Very earthy. Streams through the villages. Foot bridges. Weeping willows. Lots of greenery. History.

It's such a contrast from where I'm from. I grew up in the desert where you have to drive everywhere from one air conditioned building to the next. 

The Cotswolds is so strollable. It makes you want to be outside all the time. I loved it. I highly recommend it and I can't wait to go back one day. I only got a taste of it. There is still so much of the area to explore.

It would be challenging to visit by car as the villages are so small and parking is so sparse.

Bibury

Burton on the Water

Lower Slaughter

Such a gorgeous place to have such a gory name. It comes from the Old English word Slohtre - which means Muddy Place. Maybe it was muddy a few a centuries ago but not anymore.

The cottages are made from Limestone. There has been no new building work in the village for over a century. 

The River Eye separates Lower & Upper Slaughter. 

Our tour guide was particularly excited to see that breed of sheep - which I forget what kind it was, to the left of the mill.

Stow on the Wold

Legend has it that J. R. R. Tolkien visited St. Edwards church and the entrance inspired the Doors of Durin in the Lord of the Rings. It's so cool! This is a real place!

Burford

After lunch at the Lamb Inn, we visited Blenheim Palace. It's where Winston Churchill was born. You might recognize is as several movies and TV shows have been filmed there. It's a magnificent place. It's hard to believe that people still live there!

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