How to make the most of your 2026 Cotswold Holiday: A local-style guide.

Bourton on the Water in Spring

With the Cotswolds becoming ever more the Celebrity playground we thought what better way to introduce you to a holiday in this part of the world by tipping up our favourite places hidden away from the lime light but equally as beautiful.

Staying in one of The Cotswold Cottage Gems is the first thing to tick off on your list. These aren't just your typical holiday cottage, firstly you will get a personal call form Gemma or Corrinne to see if there is anything we can prepare prior to your stay. Choose from hand picked flowers, freshly baked bread, Diddly Squat welcome hampers, treats for the pooches from Caboodles or maybe just an early check in to make the most of your first day of exploring.

Day 1: Start your morning in Stow on the Wold. 9am is the best time to beat the crowds and have the square to yourself to explore the country shops and cafes. Pick up a pastry and a coffee at The Cotswold Farm and sit outside on the sheep skin clad furniture to watch the morning go by. Get your 10,000 steps in with a walk to Broadwell Ford along Well Lane and onto The Monarchs Way. you will pass the old village watering hole, St Edwards Well.

For a lunch spot stay away from Daylesford Organic Farm shop and navigate to Herd at Toddenham Manor Farm. The food is exceptional, the service is genuine and the authentic farm shop on site is bursting with home grown and home reared produce. Top Tip: If you have a sweet tooth stock up on homemade ice cream.

Evenings by the fire at Rathbone Cottage

Head back to your cottage for cosy evenings by the fire sharing our complimentary prosecco.

Day 2: Be up for sunrise. The best place to watch this is Belas Knapp. One of the most atmospheric sites in the Cotswolds. Fill up on a hearty breakfast at the Tipsy Egg Deli in Winchcombe. This place is very dog friendly so be sure to bring them with you. For 'steam' enthusiasts make your way to Stanway via the Toddington Station Locomotive Viewing Area. The GWRS first started here.

Make time to explore Stanway House and Fountain. The Fountain is seriously breath-taking. Another lunch spot well and truly off the beaten track is The Mount Inn at Stanton. This traditional village pub transports you back in time as you sip on a local ale and take in the historic honey-hued houses.

During the Summer months Snowshill Lavender gets inundated with tourists. A much better activity is picking your own flowers at Chippy Flower Farm just outside of Chipping Norton. Immerse yourself in the scents of the beautiful forna and flowers and create bespoke bunches to take away.

Spend Golden Hour (6-7pm in the late Spring) in the 'Golden Triangle' of the Cotswolds in a hidden gem of a pub garden at The Swan in Ascott Under Wychwood.

Pick your own wild flowers instead of queuing at Snowshill Lavender

Day 3: For your final morning do not miss breakfast at The Hive in the heart of Stow on the Wold. They use a local honey from Bee Yummy to create some of their signature dishes.

Make your final activity an energetic one and book something a little different and fun for all the family at Bourton Vale Riding Centre in Bourton on the Water.

Lastly, as you leave be sure to secure your next 2026 stay with 20% off mid week stays with The Cotswold Cottage Gems. https://www.cotswoldcottagegems.co.uk