Things to do on your Cotswold Staycation

28th May 2021

During these unprecedented times, we have all had to make big adaptions in our everyday lives and this includes swapping our sunny holidays abroad to enjoy the great British countryside. 2020 certainly opened many of our eyes, and made us more appreciative of the beauty that surrounds us. Countryside breaks has two ideal cottages Yew Tree and Lorien, that are situated within the Cotswolds.

The Yew Tree Cottage is located in the beautiful village of Willersey. There are great local amenities for you including a shop, two welcoming pubs (one of which is a 2-minute walk from the cottage). You can also explore the neighboring quintessential village Broadway, where you can visit the Broadway Tower, Broadway Museum & Art Gallery or the many shops, restaurants and pubs available in the local vicinity.

The Lorien Cottage is located in the picturesque village of Banbury. There are some great amenities for you nearby, including a local pub and restaurant which are just a 5-minute walk away making it easily accessible.

Sometimes when exploring a new area it can be difficult to know where is best to visit, especially when it comes to eating and drinking. So, we thought we would make it easier by sharing with you a few of our favourite places to visit in the Cotswolds.

1. A modern British inn, The Wild Rabbit, is a great place to visit during your staycation. It has fantastic reviews, a beer garden that is great for summer and has even been awarded a Michelin star. It takes an average time of 25-minutes to get there from both Yew Tree and Lorien Cottage, however this is traffic dependent. It is also advised to book in advance, as it is likely to be extremely popular this summer!

2. Do you enjoy sitting back and relaxing with a glass of wine? Well then we know just the place for you! Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, is the Little Oak Vineyard. They focus on producing quality products, which makes it the perfect place to spend your afternoon wine tasting. They also offer tours that allow you to explore the vineyard. It is within close proximity of both Countryside Breaks cottages, as it is only a 15-minute drive from Yew Tree Cottage and a 24-minute drive from Lorien. Why not treat yourself?

There are so many different activities for you to enjoy if you visit the Cotswolds. All ages are certainly catered for, and there is something for everyone to enjoy! I know many of us like to take some time to relax on our holidays, however if you are looking for some day out inspiration - then look no further.

1. If you are looking for some fun for all the family, why not visit the Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Gardens? Get closer to wildlife exploring the 160 acres of parkland and gardens that are home to 260 different animal species including Giraffes, Rhinos and Lemurs. E-ticket prices are affordable and prices start from as little as £11. It is an average drive of 45-minutes drive from both Yew Tree Cottage and Lorien Cottage.

2. The Spa at Hatherley Manor is also a great way to spend your days in the Cotswolds. Sometimes we all need to take some time to relax and recharge, and where better to do this than at the Spa. Hatherley Manor offers a great variety of facilities, treatments and packages at varying prices to suit all of your pampering needs. This includes a sauna, a gym and on-site dining facilities. It is a 39-minute drive from Yew Tree Cottage and a 1 hour 14 minute drive from Lorien Cottage.

3. A great place to experience something new would be the Cotswolds Falconry Centre, so it may be worth visiting for the day. Visiting would be a great opportunity for you all to learn something new. It is currently home to 150 individual birds, and they offer 'more than just a flying visit' experiences that are highly recommended. Children's day admission tickets cost £6 and adult tickets cost £12. It is not far from either of the cottages and would take 14-minutes from Yew Tree cottage and 30-minutes from Lorien cottage by car.

1. Here in the Cotswolds, you even have the opportunity to visit Shakespeare's birth place in Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare was born here in 1564 and you can now explore his childhood home and hear various tales about his life and what it was like growing up. It is a great insight into our history, and the extraordinary playwright. You purchase tickets for a 1 hour time slot to explore and it is only a 30 minute drive from Yew Tree and Lorien Cottages.

2. With royal connections spanning a thousand years, Sudeley Castle offers 10 magnificent gardens, a fascinating exhibition and castle rooms once home to well-known historical figures to explore. It is the only UK privately owned home that has a previous Queen, Katherine Parr wife of Henry VIII, buried on-site. If you were travelling from the Countryside Breaks cottages, it would take you roughly 20 minutes from Yew Tree cottage and 51 minutes from Lorien cottage.

1. Bicester designer shopping village is a great place to visit if you are a fashion-lover! It offers 160 boutiques with a variety of brands and you can get up to 60% off of RRP's. Some of the brands you will find at Bicester include Gucci, PRADA, Ralph Lauren and Balenciaga. They also offer different experiences including the luxury shopping experience, whereby you can pay for a personal shopper! It also has various places for you to grab a bite to eat. It is a 30 minute drive from Lorien Cottage and a 1 hour drive from Yew Tree Cottage.

2. If you are looking to visit a market to visit, you could always try Stow Farmers Market. It is held every second and last Thursday of the month, throughout April-September. There are a large selection of traders who attend, which means there are various stores for you to explore and various goodies on offer. It is free to attend and is a 20-30 minute drive from both cottages.