A little tour in the Cotswolds, a picturesque English region

If you set foot on English soil for the first time, you might not necessarily think of visiting the villages of the Cotswolds in the Southwest of England, and yet... it's generally a spot overlooked by all-inclusive enthusiasts. This little piece of countryside that escaped industrialization, straddling several counties, has charmed me. I could see myself buying a small cottage like Kate Winslet, Damien Hirst, or Liz Hurley and cruising the roads in a Morgan. I must admit that the tender green of the English countryside has always amazed me. And then the Cotswolds, literally the rolling hills, have plenty to attract one with miniature cottages and history-steeped towns like Oxford or Bath that are home to landmarks like the Broadway Tower and an exceptional natural beauty....

I did not mention the pubs for "socializing", the cider houses, the scones or Gloucester, an exquisite local cheese. Nevertheless, the most remarkable thing in my eyes is the landscape art that can be admired at Hidcote for example. Finally, there I felt the spirits of Shakespeare and Jane Austen hovering, this author who describes the Gentry so well. It goes without saying that this destination, just 2 hours from London, left me with a poignant memory...

This small piece of countryside that escaped industrialization straddling several counties enchanted me.

Three charming cities share the territory of this region, and Bath in Somerset is my favorite. Its thermal springs, to which people suffering from chronic diseases flocked, are the warmest sources in the United Kingdom. No fewer than one million visitors rush every year to the Grand Pump Room, unfortunately, no bathing is allowed anymore! One of the tourist attractions is the Pulteney Bridge, a Palladian bridge that spans the Avon River. This architectural style, originating from Veneto, was brought back in the luggage of artists who were on the Grand Tour in the 17th century.

In Bath, do not miss the Prior Park garden by landscape architect Capability Brown. A heavily criticized garden theorist, he initiated the naturalist movement which aimed to reproduce nature. He introduced groves, valleys, or curtains of trees... It is a safe bet that you will be impressed by the proportions of the Circus, this ensemble of columns marking an arc and reminiscent of Stonehenge. Are you constantly watching the masterpiece Pride and Prejudice? Head to the Jane Austen Centre where you can see a permanent exhibition! For fans of the Downton Abbey series, the Fashion Museum awaits you and as the icing on the cake, you can try on one of the dresses worn by Lady Mary! Finally, treat yourself to the best viewpoint of the city and surroundings during a hike on the Bath Skyline! 

Located about 90 km from the British capital, enter the lair of lairs: the Oxford campus! Geniuses have graced the benches of these universities, like Stephen Hawking, the astrophysicist behind the discovery of the black hole. Oscar Wilde, the scandalous dandy who wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray, also attended this university. Therefore, it's no surprise that the director of the Potter saga chose the cloisters of New College. By the way, into what was Malfoy transformed? Make no mistake, the 38 colleges in total correspond to a city within a city! Moreover, Oxford bears the nickname of the city of dreaming spires. Indeed, the city, which enjoyed extensive privileges, had a contentious relationship with the Church!

Above all, strolling through the pedestrian streets is a must, as is stopping in front of a bookseller's display such as that of Blackwell's... Ultimately, it was in Oxford that the Morris automobile factories were set up. You probably know the brand's iconic model, the Morris Minor, the first English car to have sold over a million units! Once in Oxford, make a trip to Stratford-on-Avon where Shakespeare was born in 1534, and you will visit the birthplace house. From that era, the taste for drama has not waned, as the town is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company!

The castles dot the landscape of the Cotswolds. Not only do they have magnificent parks, but they also house collections of masterpieces. Among them is Highgrove Estate, the residence of Prince Charles in Georgian and neoclassical style. Even for its gardens alone, the highly frequented place—it receives 40,000 annual visitors—is worth the detour. Behold the extraordinary gardens that comprise Sundial Garden and Terrace Garden. As for the Corshom Court estate, it will delight you with its magnificent facade not to mention its lake, its rose garden, or its splendid magnolias. However, the highlight of the visit remains the Great Walk, this one-mile-long trail imagined by C. Brown!

The interiors have a beautiful surprise in store for you... Indeed, the late Sir Paul Methuen assembled a collection of paintings, so you will see works by van Dyck, Lippi... Another domain than that of Highclere, whose silhouette you know. It is none other than the setting for the cult series Downton Abbey! How was this filming location chosen? Director Julian Fellowes overcame the reluctance of the Carnarvon descendant and set up his cameras at Highclere, little suspecting the success that Downton Abbey would achieve.

The Great Hall, we all have it in mind not to mention Lord Grantham’s office of which the walls have witnessed many twists and turns. It's a pity that the paintings that once adorned the walls were sold by Christie's in 1925! However, isn't it most disturbing that the history of the saga and that of the castle are intertwined? Highclere was converted into a field hospital during World War I as in the series, and the character of Lady Violet played by Maggy Smith resembles that of the ancestress of the estate's owner: Almina Carnarvon. 

Castles dot the landscape of the Cotswolds.

When you visit the Cotswolds, sometimes it's simply to stroll through the villages. How can one describe them as they seem to be places out of time? Let's start our journey in Bourton-on-the-Water, nicknamed the Venice of the Cotswolds. Imagine a village where a pedestrian bridge spans a river, granite cottages are lined up, hollyhocks, you're there... Additionally, the village features a model that represents what exactly? I'll let you guess...

The second village is perched on a fortified hill. It is Bibery with its famous medieval bridge. You will likely find it hard to resist taking pictures! Be aware that its main street is the most photographed place in the country! Cirencester will delight you with its tea rooms where you can enjoy a carrot cake with a white tea, for example!

Finally, the name Painswick Snowhill might not mean anything to you? However, you know this place because it is precisely here that Bridget Jones celebrates Christmas and meets Mark Darcy! This list is not intended to be exhaustive, I could very well have mentioned Broadway, Chipping Camden or Upper Slaughter... It just goes to show that you could spend more than a long weekend visiting the Cotswolds...