When I was a little girl, I used to spend hours flipping through my mom’s art books of the painter Thomas Kincade. His paintings always featured stoned cottages set amongst the trees or luscious green gardens and flowers, the kind of things you’d see in a children’s storybook. That’s how I have always envisioned the Cotswolds prior to me visiting the picturesque destination in England. I pictured thatched roofs on romantic cottages and quaint bridges going across the river. The Cotswolds ended up being like a storybook come to life, as if I somehow magically ended up in the fairytale itself with my very own Prince Charming by my side.
There’s a reason the Cotswolds have been on my bucket list for years – the location is unlike anything this American girl has ever seen before. As someone who very much identifies as an Anglophile, this was one destination in England that I needed to see before I die since it’s one of the most iconic places outside of London. The Cotswolds is full of history, as a majority of the cottages in the villages throughout the region are over a hundred years old. What I was excited to learn was that the Cotswolds is home to plenty of royal history as well, making the idea of these villages feeling like a fairy tale feel even more romantic.
Stow On The Wold
After driving in from Wales, our first stop was the village Stow-on-the-Wold. This quaint little town happens to be the highest village in all of the Cotswolds, being 800m above sea level. We fell in love the minute we arrived.
We also looked for a spot for lunch since we had just driven about 2 hours from the Welsh border. We dined on burrata, chicken, and rosé wine at Old Stocks Inn before exploring more of the beautiful town of Stow-on-the-Wold. The village is filled with art shops, cheese shops, chocolate shops, and some pretty chic hotels.
Stow On The Wold Outfit
RED Valentino top c/o (similar here and here) // Joseph suede leggings (faux version here) // Stuart Weitzman boots // Strathberry bag c/o
Links last updated February 2021
The next morning, we drove 10 minutes down the road for something Tor and I have enjoyed on practically every trip of ours for the last year – horse riding! Being intermediate riders, we no longer need lessons or any assistance when handling horses, which has become beneficial in being able to enjoy our surroundings more as well as go a bit faster. We did our horse riding experience with Bourton Vale, and our ride took us through Upper and Lower Slaughters in the Cotswolds.
Riding a horse in a village in the Cotswolds was never on my bucket list until this trip, and now I believe it’s one of the best ways to tour through a village. Hearing the horses hooves clunk on the cobblestones underneath and riding past stone cottages and picturesque rivers made me feel more than ever that I was in a place I belong. All of my fantasies that I had of the Cotswolds were already coming true on this trip, and it had only been less than 24 hours.
Sudeley Castle
About 20 minutes from Stow-on-the-Wold is probably one of the most underrated Tudor castles – Sudeley Castle. This castle quickly became a favorite of ours. Crowds were small since the castle is only open a few days a year (it’s still a residence) but were also still being enjoyed by mostly locals, who visit the castle like a national park. They also come for the afternoon tea, since who can resist tea and scones inside a former royal residence? Despite calling myself a self-proscribed “scholar” of royal Tudor knowledge, I honestly did not know much about this castle before our visit except that it was once the home of Katherine Parr, King Henry VIII’s sixth and final queen. But before she lived here, I was surprised to find out that it actually once belonged to King Richard III.
His former banqueting hall sits in ruins behind the castle (thanks to Oliver Cromwell who ordered it demolished – you can still see the cannon fire in the remaining walls). After he was defeated in the Battle of Bosworth in the final battle of the Wars of the Roses by Henry VII, the castle was in possession of the new king who passed it to his uncle and then to his son Henry VIII when he became king (similar to the way Cardiff Castle was passed around). As an avid reader on Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s fascinating and doomed second wife, I was excited to hear that Anne Boleyn did visit the castle, although she only visited it once. It was here at Sudeley that she and Henry VIII ordered Thomas Cromwell to dissolve the monasteries in their kingdom as part of the Reformation and break with the Pope.
Sudeley Castle Outfit
Ganni sweater (similar here) // Skirt (similar here, here, and here) // Tory Burch boots (similar here) // Strathberry bag c/o
Links last updated February 2021
Bibury & Barnsley
After we left Stow-on-the-Wold, we headed about 40 min to our next destination – Barnsley. I had been dying to stay at Barnsley House, since it’s a stunning manor house converted into a luxury hotel surrounded by breathtaking gardens. But before we dive into Barnsley and our picturesque hotel, let’s first discuss another scenic village not far away.
Just 5 minutes from Barnsley House is the charming village of Bibury. Visiting this village in the Cotswolds was like bringing my mom’s favorite Thomas Kincaide paintings to life. The famous row houses are seen best from across the river at sunset, when the sun is behind the cottages and giving them this indescribable glow. I can only imagine how breathtaking this village is in the snow (ahem Tor). In summer, recommend visiting Bibury first thing in the morning or after 5 pm when the tour buses depart.
Bibury Outfit
Zara blazer (similar here and here) // Joseph suede leggings (faux version here) // Stuart Weitzman boots // Strathberry bag c/o
Links last updated February 2021
CIRENCESTER, TETBURY, & HIGHGROVE
This was one royal destination in the Cotswolds that I was super excited about. On our last day in the Cotswolds, and after stopping for some fish and chips for lunch at The Fleece Inn in nearby Cirencester, we got to spend our afternoon in Prince Charles’ private gardens at his home at Highgrove. Unfortunately, we could not take any photos or videos during our visit (we couldn’t even bring our cell phones on the property), which is completely understandable since it is a private residence, after all. Since the royal wedding was just two days away at the time of our visit, Prince Charles wasn’t at home, but it was easy to imagine if he was.
I pictured him strolling through his absolutely beautiful gardens around his home, checking flower beds and discussing gardening updates with one of his 11 gardeners. Despite Highgrove sitting on 15 acres, there are only 11 gardeners for the entire property. You can tell each one is as passionate about gardening as Prince Charles is. From different kinds of flowers, trees, and even fruits and vegetables that grow throughout the grounds, the entire property is organic. In fact, the soil at Highgrove is alkaline based, which isn’t particularly common but helps give his gardens a kind of a “boost” that regular soil can’t. The flowers are breathtakingly beautiful, especially the fields filled with stunning blue and pink flowers that our hotel Barnsley House also had in their gardens.
Rumor has it that Princess Diana was more of a city girl and didn’t like escapes to Highgrove that much, but there are still traces of the royals found within the gardens. Princes William and Harry’s treehouse still sits within the trees just a stone’s throw from the house, the tree that Prince Charles planted with his grandson Prince George is one of the first things you see on the tour, and a stone memorial to the Queen Mother (whom Prince Charles was particularly close to) stands not far from the boys’ treehouse. What a childhood they must have had there. No prying eyes and tons of gardens for them to run through. As Tor and I strolled through Highgrove, I kept flashing back to my own childhood playing in my Mormor’s gardens in her backyard. Of course she didn’t have 15 acres of gardens, but I remember the smells and the sounds very vividly, and all those memories came flooding back to me especially while strolling through the vegetable garden.
You cannot go inside the home, as it is still a private home used by the Prince of Wales, but our tour guide told us stories of how Prince William used to bring Kate Middleton to the pub in nearby Tetbury when they were dating, which means the Duchess of Cambridge used to visit Highgrove often as well. Our trip to Highgrove was our biggest and closest royal connection on this entire trip, which of course made me squeal (on the inside, of course). The gardens are only open a select few dates out of the entire year and can only be visited by appointment only, and of course the gardens are closed completely if Prince Charles decides to come home. Even though I love London with all of my heart, I can see why Prince Charles escapes to Highgrove in the Cotswolds whenever he can. I would.
After 4 amazing days in the Cotswolds, it was time to say goodbye. We covered a lot of ground in just 4 days but we are still aching to see more. Everyone kept telling me that we needed to come visit, and we finally made it a priority on this trip in collaboration with Visit Britain and Visit California. If you have not yet been to the Cotswolds, I highly recommend you look into a visit on your next trip to the UK. It’s almost as if it’s the real Disneyland, where the locations in the stories we have read over the years are actually real.
Thank you to Visit Britain and Visit California for partnering on this post. All hotels and restaurants were arranged by Visit Britain, but as always opinions are my own.
Photos by Torrance Coombs and myself.
Love love love all of the history you put into this post <3
Thank you! I wanted to write more because there’s so much here!
I loved this post! So well written I felt like was actually there! The photos are stunning as always! I love history, particularly the Tudors and the Plantagenets, but I had no idea that Queen Catherine Parrs body had been so well preserved! If only it was so still today! If you ever visit The Cotswolds again you must visit Woodstock Village the home of Blenheim Palace, and also Burford Village and the beautiful Oxfordshire pub called The Perch. Basically I love The Cotswolds, they are magical and there is a lot more to see. Have you visited Hever Castle ? This was once the home of Queen Anne Boleyn and definitely worth a visit! Thankyou for sharing you adventures! In my opinion you are one of the most accessible Bloggers who actually cares about her fans.
Aww thank you so much!
PS Blenheim Palace and Hever Castle were on our itinerary, but we ran out of time. We will have to visit next time!
Oh my God all those pics look little le they belong on post cards! They are stunning. Did you get to try some of the produce at Higrove ?
No we didn’t get to try any produce, but it was amazing getting to walk through the fruit and vegetable gardens! The apple trees are designed to look like a canopy!
The photos are stunning! They all look like they belong in a picture book or on postcards.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in the cotswolds but its only now that I live 200 miles away (only for two more weeks and then I move back to the cotswolds) that I appreciate the beauty of where I grew up. If you ever find yourself in the Cotswolds again, you must visit Bourton On The Water. Its one of my favourite places and so stunning along the river bank on a sunny day. Broadway, Painswick Rococo Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum are also fabulous days out. I highly recommend The Lamb Inn at Eastcombe for a Sunday dinner too, their food is beautiful and the views from the dining room are gorgeous.
Thank you so much! And thanks for the recommendations!
Wow, so many amazing places you got to see! Sudeley Castle particularly fascinates me because I’ve barely heard anything about it, though I admit to being more of an Anne Boleyn reader when it comes to King Henry VIII’s wives.
Thanks for the inspiration for some more beautiful places to visit!
You’re welcome!
What a picture-perfect trip! Thanks for sharing these stunning photos!
Of course! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
I loved this post so much !
Particularly the historic comments about Sudeley castle which I didn’t know about. You should have been an historian !
The Costwolds are definitely a place I want to visit, your pictures look absolutely beautiful !
Thank you Marine! I almost went to Princeton University to study history. Maybe there’s still time 😉
Wonderful post, loved all the history. Couldn’t help but admire your Strathberry black/vanilla quilted bag since I own the exact same one!
Magnifiquement !! Si élégant, féminin, sexy !!
Vous avez tellement de classe !! Une vraie dame en bottes hautes !!!