Here's What We Know About The Cotswolds...
Known most famously for the quintessential English charm it so effortlessly radiates and its soft-spoken stand against the test of time, the Cotswolds are truly impossible not to fall in love with. Perched across rural southern England, this undulant countryside region rolls through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and comprises parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. From the southern parts of Bath to the tips of Mickleton, the Cotswolds spans an impressive 780 sq. km of land.
Its charm is one largely characterized by its architecture which, if you’ve seen photos, seem to be that of a storybook setting. While most travelers seem to flock to London─where dazzling lights, intimidating red busses and effortless sophistication abound─the Cotswolds offer a flavor of timelessness found nowhere else in the world. In fact, that timelessness is exactly what attracts Cotswolds tourists, especially those dreaming of slowing down and sponging up the unmatched beauty found over every hill roamed. Though just a short drive from London, depending on where in the Cotswolds you choose to go, that short drive might as well be a time machine in which you can transport back centuries.
We can’t tell if this is in the set of a movie or IRL. Thoughts? Photo by Ivy Barn.
While the landscape seems stolen from a medieval fairytale─with lusciously green terrain, beech woodlands and clusters of quaint villages untouched by modern times─the architecture characterizing this region plays, perhaps, the largest role in its everlasting aura. Villages are magnificently accoutered with storybook style cottages, all of which unanimously tout prominent chimneys, sport warped tile-stone shingles, reveal archaic stone framing, and assume the same honey color. The village coloring tends to follow a warmer palette up north, while stone colors are creamier and more blanched further south, like in Bath.
But, while uniform in design, buildings can be differentiated between by the subtle yet unique arrangements of flowers adorning each window box, moss atop each roof, and facades growing with bindweed and wisteria.
White-washed and quaint as ever. Located in: Bath, UK. Photo by Liv Cashman.
During the daytime, locals may stroll leisurely to the grocer, tea-sip with the daily paper in hand or touch up their backyard gardens. A bask in the sun with some afternoon tea or a refreshing cocktail with a neighbor is not uncommon, either. During the nighttime, though, the windows of pubs and tea rooms, cozily adorned with gas lights and sounding with interior chatter, attract wanders in search of a hearty meal, a fine beverage and an intimate atmosphere.
And, as if the picturesque settled areas of the region weren’t reason enough to consider adding this locale to your destination bucket list, perhaps the nature scene will.
Etymologically, “Cotswolds” is derived from ‘cot’ meaning ‘sheep enclosure,’ and ‘wold’ meaning ‘hill.’ And given that the land has been historically used for its wool production, a name reflecting the sheep enclosures decorating the rolling hills only seemed fitting. But the region also goes by another name: AONB, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dating back to 1966, the Cotswolds was designated as an AONB (the biggest in all of England and Wales) in large because of the extraordinary limestone grasslands and beech woodlands it comprises.
We did mention the undulating countryside, right? Photo by Robert Bye.
The area is not only home to scenic countryside and breathtaking views, but also endangered wildlife and hundreds of guided walks and trails to see it all. Tourists are often pleased by the plethora of quaint villages to tour in and out of, as well as the endless opportunity for outdoor excursion─cycling, horseback riding, hikes and any water activity you could dream of.
Life in the Cotswolds is uncomplicated and moves slowly, acting as a sweet reminder of its charming history and disinterest in conforming with the hustle and bustle of modernized life. Between exploring footpaths across rolling hills, window shopping in villages and winding down in a local pub, a trip to the Cotswolds would prove anything but rubbish─or at least that’s what we think the locals would say. We highly recommend adding this region to your “To See” list ASAP… or, you know, when we can travel safely again.
Featured image by Ivy Barn.
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