dossier

The Cotswolds

General Information

This holiday is intended to appeal to those who want a verygentle introduction to walking in the English countryside; the Cotswold's arehilly rather than mountainous - the highest point being little more than 1000feet above sea level. Officially designated as an Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty, the Cotswold landscape is an entrancing mixture of parkland, cultivatedfields with dry-stone walls of Jurassic limestone, and patches of unspoiledwoodland; stone-built also are almost all the cottages, farmhouses, villages,and small towns that our route passes. About half of our itinerary about 50miles (from Stratford-upon-Avon to Winchcombe) coincides with the Cotswold Way,a 102 mile Long Distance Path which is claimed to be the best waymarked inEngland.

Duration of tour: 8 days (7 nights)

Season:April to October.

Starting point: Stratford-upon-Avon

End of tour:Winchcombe

Most convenient major city and internationalairport: London (Heathrow or Gatwick).

Getting to the Start

Outward journey from London to starting point: By train from London Paddington to Stratford. Or coachdirect to Stratford from Heathrow airport. Taxi to hotel.

Inward journey to London at end of tour: Bus/taxi from Winchcombe to rail station at Cheltenham toLondon.

Your Accommodation

Night 1:  Your accommodation tonight in Stratford uponAvon is a very welcoming guesthouse which is located close to the town centerand train station.

Night 2:Your accommodation tonight is conveniently situated in the village ofMickleton. This elegant house, built in the Georgian period benefits from largeairy rooms that are all en suite.

Night 3:Our accommodation this evening offers a full range of facilities, including aTV, a telephone and full en suite bathroom in every room. The building datesback to 1575, and is built in a traditional style from Cotswold stone andtimber.

Night 4: Asmall Bed and Breakfast Innprovides us with comfortable en suite facilities tonight. All rooms areequipped with a TV, and tea & coffee making facilities. The Inn is veryquiet, being situated on the edge of the village away from the main roads.

Night 5:Your hotel tonight is family run and who take great pride in providing all guestswith a warm welcome on arrival and every care is then taken to assure acomfortable and pleasant stay.

Night 6: Ouraccommodation for tonight is situated in a small and isolated typical Cotswoldvillage that has allowed time to pass it by. Our accommodation, formerly aninn, is now an attractive guesthouse in a picture postcard setting, offersevery comfort and a particularly welcoming atmosphere.

Night 7: Ourfinal night is spent in a 500-year-old black and white cottage located withinwalking distance of Sudeley castle. This centrally heated cottage is full ofoak beams and some stonewalls. There is a visitor's sitting room with color TV.All bedrooms have private facilities.

PLEASE NOTE: It is generally normal practice when staying in hotels that you check-inon or after 2  pm and checkout by 10 amthe following morning.  Guesthouses/bed& breakfast establishments are normally check-in on or after 4 pm andcheckout by 10 am.