The Cotswolds

For the first part of our trip, we went down to the Cotswolds.  We drove down from Leeds in the morning.  I was so happy to finally be in a car on a road trip!  It’s been so long.  Poor Mom had to drive the car though...  We stopped by Chatsworth, an estate that Mom and Emma had seen on a BBC documentary and got lunch at the farm shop. Next up was the Cotswolds!  We drove into the main one, Chipping Campden.  Gah, it was beautiful.  The towns are small and picturesque, and some of the prettiest I’ve seen in England.  I couldn’t even imagine living there… just adorable.  We walked around Chipping Campden, got rained on, and then went to Stow-on-the-Wold to stay in one of the oldest inns in England (one of twenty others who claim that).

All of the houses looked similar to this one.  I mean, come on!

            The next morning we got tea and a full English breakfast and then went on our hiking adventure! The Cotswolds are famous for their ways or little public access walkways through the countryside, meaning through farms.  It was SO cool.  The Cotswolds scenery is an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in England and it is well worth the distinction.  We walked from Stow-on-the-Wold to Upper and Lower Slaughter through pastures, farms, and over little bridges.  The sun was shining and the entire day was so darn pleasant.  We stopped in Lower Slaughter for lunch, and then made our way to Bourton-on-the-Water where we caught a bus back to Stow-on-the-Wold.  

If you're ever in England, GO!  Also, if you're even heading to England you need to take me with you.

There is no editing in this picture.. the grass really is that bright

Oh hey guys... what's for lunch?

           

 Next up was driving to Bath (erk).  Bath was a busier city than we were expecting, so the driving was stressful.  Poor Mumsy.  We got frustrated and ended up leaving Bath to find a cheaper B & B on the road.  Good decision in retrospect!  The next morning we woke up early and drove into Bath for the day.  Emma and Mom went to the Roman Baths tour, but I popped into a coffee shop and just relaxed.  Next day we drove to London!  We stopped at Stonehenge on the way, which was ridiculous.  Seriously... it’s in the middle of nowhere, and there were a ton of people. There was an insanely long line, but we realized we could forego the £12 entrance fee and look over the fence at the same distance that you could if you had paid!  So we just took pictures over the fence like the classy ladies we are.

Coming soon: London!