Things to do in THE COTSWOLDS

MANORS & GARDENS

 

In the Slaughters, you are perfectly based to explore all the wonderful manor houses and gardens in the area. Styles range from Jacobean to Tudor, castles to chateaus, and not to mention the gardens, which are the perfect balm to a busy soul.

We strongly recommend checking opening times and ticket availability online before travelling - a number of the stately homes close over the winter period, only opening their doors over the weekend.

 

Our top 5 Manors & Gardens 

Hidcote Manor Garden - Created by Lawrence Johnston, the garden at Hidcote (pictured left) comprises a number of outdoor ‘rooms’, each with its own character. We love that there are a number of plants named after Hidcote – keep an eye out for ‘Hypericum Hidcote Gold’!
Please note: restricted winter opening times apply – please visit the website for more details.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

Snowshill Manor & Gardens - Snowshill Manor is brim-filled with treasures collected by Charles Wade throughout his life. Living life to the full by the maxim “Let nothing perish”, the manor and gardens are a testament to his joie de vivre. We love the ’50 Things’ Challenge for younger visitors – which promises to keep the kids entertained for a goodly time!
Please note: restricted winter opening times apply – please visit the website for more details.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor-and-garden

Sudeley Castle & Gardens - With over 1000 years of history, 16 rare species of rare and endangered bird species, it is a treasure trove for both nature and history lovers. We love the Queen’s Garden – not very often that you have a garden that is renowned for having 4 of England’s queens having walked on the original Tudor Parterre!
Please note: restricted winter opening times apply – please visit the website for more details.
www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

Chastleton House - Owned by the same family for over 400 years, Chastleton House is unique in the fact that it is barely touched by the 21st century. We love the feeling of being transported back in time, as the house has remained almost unchanged.
Please note: restricted winter opening times apply – please visit the website for more details.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton-house

Chedworth Roman Villa - Whilst not a Manor house in the traditional sense anymore, Chedworth is a prime example of what had been one of the grandest Roman villas of its time. We love using our imagination to bring it to life once again!
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa

     

A DAY OUT EXPLORING

 

What to do, where to go? You really are spoilt for choice with days out on the Cotswolds - there are so many beautiful and unique villages to that you will be hard pressed to pick a favourite. Do ensure you stop off somewhere for a cream tea - the perfect sustenance for a day's exploring!

 

Below we have listed one of our favourite 'loops' to do, however, please do speak to a member of the team for further information and a map of the Cotswolds - there is far more to do than we could fit in!

 

Our top 5 Days Out 

Bourton-on-the-Water - Only a 2 mile walk from the hotel, Bourton on the Water is a tourist mecca. Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, it has a beautiful river running through the town, with multiple bridges crossing it. With something for everyone to do, we love that there is something for everyone, ranging from Birdland to the Model Village to various cosy tearooms! 
www.bourtoninfo.com

Broadway - Lose yourself in a multitude of tucked away spaces and typical Cotswold architecture. Whilst in the area, do pop by our sister property, Buckland Manor! Visit Broadway Tower with its beautiful Capability Brown folly. We love that you can walk from the village to Broadway Tower, but beware – the hill is deceptively steep!
www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk

Chipping Campden - A town with all year events; chances are that you will stumble across the Spring Music Festival in May, ‘Olympic Games’ in June and various open garden weekends throughout summer. We love the Silk Mill, home of the Guild of Handicrafts. We love that the tearooms are toasty in winter – perfect for taking a breather from all that shopping with a glass...or two of mulled wine in winter months!
www.chippingcampden.co.uk

Moreton-in-Marsh - One of the principle market towns in the Cotswolds, do make a point of visiting the The Bell Inn, whom researchers believe was the inspiration for J.R.R Tolkien’s pub, ‘The Prancing Pony’ in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ books. We love the market every Tuesday – you never know what treasures you might find!
www.cotswolds.info/places/moreton-in-marsh

Stow-on-the-Wold - (Pictured left) A hub for antiquing, you can spend hours getting lost in all the fine arts and antique shops. We love the history attached to St Edward’s Church – built between the 11th and 15th centuries, the stained glass is something to behold!
www.cotswolds.info/places/stow-on-the-wold

     

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

 

We know how difficult it can be to amuse different ages, so we have come up with a list of tried and trusted places to visit where there is something to do for all ages. Whether it be clay pigeon shooting with the teenagers or visiting the petting zoo with the little ones, there is something for everyone to do.

 

We advise taking an umbrella and/or mac with you, as you never know what the weather will to, and with a number of the listed suggestions being out of doors, we wouldn't want you to get wet! We also suggest pre-booking tickets where possible, as the attractions are all very popular, and the queues can be very long (not to mention tedious!).

 

Our top 5 Family Days Out 

Adam Henson's Cotswolds Farm Park - Keep an eye out on the website and signage in the local area of lambing days in spring – an experience unlike any other! With daily activities ranging from ‘Meet our Chicks’ to Farm Safaris and bottle feeding lambs and goat kids, it gives both adults and children alike the chance to get back to nature. We love that you can beat the queues if you buy an e-ticket online – gives you so much more time to enjoy the farm!
www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Cotswolds Wildlife Park & Gardens - With just about anything you can find between an Asian Pygmy Goat and a giraffe, the Cotswolds Wildlife Park has a variety of things to do, from being keeper for a day, to adoptions, this is a chance to get involved with animal conservation. We love the different talks and activities available – from penguin feeding to brass rubbing, there is little chance of being bored!
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Ian Coley Sporting Agency - More suited to teenagers and parents, the shooting school has various packages available – from clay pigeon shooting to shooting lessons, we love that it’s a different day out when you’ve done enough sightseeing for a while!
Please note: Health and safety and age restrictions apply. Please contact Ian Coley Shooting for further information and bookings.
www.iancoley.co.uk

Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre - A true nature lovers’ dream, the arboretum is home to a staggering amount of fauna and flora – from moths and badgers to a unique tree and shrub collection, it’s a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle. We love that you can take your four-legged friends along – all they ask is for dogs to be kept on a short leash at all times, and that you clean up after them.
www.batsarb.co.uk

Crocodiles of the World - This is a very exciting and different day out.  There is no other place like it. See crocodiles in clear water habitats with incredible underwater viewing. Come face to face with some of the most feared predators on the planet – Nile crocodiles, American alligators, black caiman, and more! Daily Crocodile encounters and handling experiences with the friendly team.
www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk

    

WALKING

 

With a plethora of walks to choose from, you can walk most places in the Cotswolds - it's the perfect way to see all the hidden gems that are off the beaten track. We recommend bringing sturdy footwear for the walks, as you will be crossing fields.

 

Always ensure you are well hydrated during walks, and that you have something to eat with you - our kitchen team would be delighted to do a picnic for you (minimum 2 hours' notice required), alternatively, do enquire at Reception about local pubs that will be en route!

 

Our top 5 Walks 

Bourton-on-the-Water - About 2 miles away, Bourton is an easy walk from the hotel that generally takes about 30 minutes. We love all the things to do – see earlier in our guide for inspiration! There is a longer route of approximately 2 hours available as well – please ask us for more information.

Rissington Round - Once you have reached Bourton-on-the-Water and feel you want to go further, the Rissington Round is a 2 hour walk that starts and ends in Bourton. Not for the faint hearted, it has a lot of hills!

Upper Slaughter - Visit the Old Mill Museum and Tea Room on your way there (or back) – the walk takes about 30 minutes, with the reward of beautiful Cotswolds stone buildings at the end. 

Stow-on-the-Wold - We suggest allowing a good hour for this walk and beware the hills going to Stow! There is plenty to see and explore, and even more pubs to pub your feet up and enjoy a pint after a nice long walk. Our porter advises trying Hufkins’ lardy cakes – he loves them!

From Wold to Water - Should you wish to keep busy for the whole day, why not walk from Lower Slaughter, to Bourton-on-the-Water, to Stow-on-the-Wold and back to the Slaughters? It promises to keep you busy for the whole day, and there is plenty to see and do. Think you’ll be tired halfway? Why not ask us to pack a picnic for you to enjoy en route, or stop at one of the local pubs?  

ANTIQUING IN THE COTSWOLDS

 

Whether you're looking for that elusively perfect piece to compliment your already wonderful collection of antiques, or you're a novice that's only starting out, the Cotswolds promise to have the perfect piece hidden away in one of it's many antique shops.

You truly are spoilt for choice - from Burford to Stow on the Wold to Broadway, there is something for everyone. We have listed some of our favourites below - please do let us know if you wish to add to it!

 

Our top 5 aNTIQUING LOCATIONS 

Durham House Antiques, Stow-on-the-Wold - Specialist dealers in antiques that just beg to be admired and bought to go home with you!
www.durhamhousegb.com

Baggott Church Street Limited, Stow-on-the-Wold - Old world charm combined with fantastic, personal customer service, the team at Baggott will make you feel like you are visiting friends who just happen to have lovely antiques for sale.
www.baggottantiques.com

Fenwick & Fenwick, Broadway - A treasure trove of hidden gems hidden behind a deceptively simple exterior.  We love that Fenwick & Fenwick will go the extra mile and open out of hours if you ask them. 
www.cotswolds-antiques-art.com/antiques-dealers/d/fenwick-and-fenwick

Twyford Antiques Centre, Evesham - Featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadtrip, you know you’ll find something special to take home. We love that there are multiple exhibitors and that you can have a chat to everyone! 
www.twyford-antiques.co.uk

Gateway Antiques, Burford - Perfect to spend a rainy (or sunny!) morning getting lost in the myriad of high quality antique and fine art items on sale. We love that Gateway is the largest antique shop in Cotswolds, and that the owners have a real passion for antiques!
www.gatewayantiques.co.uk