Charming Cotswold Cottages and Other Reasons to Visit England
Have you ever been to England? If you answered yes, hopefully you were able to explore the southwestern countryside that features charming Cotswold cottages. Much to my surprise, I was asked to go to England in July to attended a waterlily symposium. Yes, there is such a thing! Many of you know my day job involves working as a marketing communications manager for a global water gardening company. And part of that job affords me the opportunity to enjoy a few adventures, like traveling to the UK for business. I’m going to extend my trip beyond the symposium to do some sight-seeing with my daughter. I’ve already told her that traveling to the Cotswold area is top of the bucket list.
The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society holds its waterlily symposium every year, offered in different parts of the world. A big part of the event is visiting various botanical gardens and water gardens. I’ve always loved English gardens and am super excited to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens among other gardening sites.
But back to the charming Cotswold cottages! I’m envisioning the most idyllic, rolling countryside dotted with stone cottages and sheep grazing out in the fields. I’ve already researched some of the towns in this 800 square mile area rich with history.
Castle Combe and Bibury are at the top of my list to visit. If you’ve ever been there, be sure to leave me a comment at the end of the post. I don’t know if we’ll make it out to Stonehenge since there are a lot of things my daughter and I want to see.
Thatched-roof cottages, stone houses, brick charmers, and stone fences are all things I hope to see.
I’m sure many of the Cotswold cottages are adorned with colorful front doors.
Before the symposium begins, my daughter and I are spending some time in Windsor. The Airbnb that I booked is just across the road from Windsor Castle and the Long Walk. This all feels like a dream to me. It’s my first trip to Europe and is hopefully the beginning of many more overseas trips to come.
Part of our plan is to spend a day in London. My son has been there but wasn’t particularly fond of it because it was so crowded. So we’re going on a weekday and hope to visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey when it’s not as busy. And of course, we’ll probably wander the streets to enjoy the historic homes.
This street in London reminds me of the scene from the musical Oliver when the vendors sing, “Who Will Buy” as they walk down the street selling their goods in front of the houses.
As always, I’ll take plenty of photos of historic homes and Cotswold cottages. I’ll also take pictures of the amazing waterlilies at the water gardens we’re going to see, but I’ll probably share them on my other blog, Pond and Garden (which I’ve unfortunately been neglecting). This is a Victorian waterlily which has lily pads about five feet in diameter. Isn’t it beautiful?
Let me know if there are other points of interest near Windsor and west of London you think I should visit!
Oh how fun! I’m so happy for you and excited to hear about your trip. I’ve never been either. That’s sweet that your daughter will be with you.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cotswold tours by GoCotswolds (a sweet family-owned business) and GoTours (from London). You and your daughter will have so much fun!
I have been to the UK a couple of times and loved it! Unfortunately I never made it toCotswold. I cannot say enough about the benefits of traveling abroad. You will come home a different person. I’m so excited for you!
Wow! What wonderful memories will be made with your daughter! I have noticed in pictures of the Cotswold area, the beautiful flowers and flowering bushes. Yet, isn’t it a rather rainy and overcast area? What is your knowledge regarding that?
Cotswold is on my Bucket List! Safe travels. Enjoy!
Jennifer, have you ever read The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher? A large portion of the book takes place in a cottage in the Cotswolds, and the descriptions of the cottages, cooking and gardens are so descriptive that you can just see them.
I’ve been to the Cotswolds and it is wonderful! The charming villages are fairy-tale like. Especially Castle Combe, where we came upon a lovely old woman selling pastries out of her Dutch door and watched the Morris dancers (a local tradition dating back hundreds of years). You will absolutely love it!
Enjoyed this and hope you and your daughter have a great time.
A trip I have always wanted to take but it looks like I never will at this point. You are a lucky women.
Beautiful post. Have a wonderful time in England! It sounds like a dream trip even with a little work involved!
I am so envious of your being able to go on this wonderful trip! I’ve only been in England once, a brief precursor to a longer week in Normandy, and was in London and Cambridge only. Take lots of photos!
I have been to both…loved them. We had a lovely tour of Castle Combe from a young man who lived there. So charming. A lovely way to visit WAbbey is to attend Evensong. It is closed to the public ( open to those who wish to share evensong prayer service). There is no charge and we enjoyed listening to a lovely choir. I also loved Burford, and the most amazing garden center there. Don’t miss it. Lovely place for lunch, a gardeners dream world. Have a wonderful trip ❤️🇬🇧
The Cotswolds are fabulous and utterly charming. While you’re in the area you should definitely visit beautiful Bath. Just being there surrounded by the fantastic architecture inspires a sense of well-being.
Jennifer,
Have you ever seen the British tv series called Rosemary and Thyme? If not, you’ll love it. It’s about two gardeners in England (one a professional), who also solve mysteries. Coincidentally, everywhere they go for a job, someone is murdered. Hmmm.
The gardens are beautiful in the series.
I get my DVDs at my town library.
Congratulations on your upcoming trip! Sounds fun!