We started our trip in Bath, it's a bit of a long way round to the Cotswolds from us in Hertfordshire but it's such a pretty city and an old favourite of ours so we couldn't resist walking around the whole city again. I love the Royal Crescent and the Circus, that bath stone has such charm too. We were amazed to see the roses still in flower which added to its beauty!
After lunch and a wander round the main sites, stopping en route for the last of the sales shopping (Bath has the best mix of shops!), we got in the car and drove out to the countryside. Within about five minutes we were in the most beautiful countryside and within about ten minutes we reached the edge of The Cotswolds. We stopped off at Tetbury (somewhere we hadn't been before) and ogled the antiques shops. From there it was onto Cirencester where we knew there was a Waitrose so we could stock up for the week, we always tend to cook rather than eat out when we go away in the winter. It's just not so appealing to go out in the cold and dark when you could stay in the cosy cottage. Somehow doing the food shop when you're away for the week just feels so much more fun than the regular supermarket sweep at home! You get to choose yummy dinners and it's just a slower, more special pace.
Finally, at 4pm it was time to arrive at the cottage. And oh what a beauty she was! We booked our stay through Unique Homestays, a site that I've swooned over for years but never actually used before last week. They have some incredible cottages. I found this on their 'romantic hideaways for 2' tab and instantly fell in love with The Honey Pot. It was picture perfect; so English, so adorable and so very Cotswolds.
It was fairly small but never felt too small, when there are just two of you and you only take a holdall each what more space do you need. I was amazed at how easy it was to keep super tidy too and it made me think about the appeal of small spaces if they have enough storage. There was a well-quipped kitchen that opened out onto a little courtyard, complete with an Aga. Ben said it was made for me with the stag picture on the wall too. I loved the beams and how crooked the whole cottage was, they just don't make them like this anymore. I think it was over 400 years old!
We were greeted with a hamper of delicious treats, a loaf of bread and some milk. As well as use of the basics like oil, tea and coffee etc. We filled the fridge with our food shop and explored the rest of it. The lounge was just as we'd pictured, a log burner to keep us toasty, beams and a deep sofa to sink into. But I think one of the biggest perks was a Netflix subscription! Upstairs, almost as a mezzanine level, was the bedroom with a bed I wanted to take home with me. I loved the decor.
The cottage was just outside Burford, an old favourite; it's the town on the hill with a high street and gorgeous old lanes running off of it. We wandered round choosing our favourite houses - everywhere is just so old and charming. After a yummy lunch and a look around the famous Daylesford farm shop, (and a heart breaking turn down of dessert or one of their triple choc cookies that I could almost taste thanks to the Jan detox) we decided to explore one of the Daylesford farm walks. We chose a walk that wasn't too long, about 4 miles that started and finished in Broadway, somewhere you must visit. Such a lovely little town and oh gosh the houses!! There were daffodils everywhere and just behind the high street we were into the countryside. Miles and miles of the greenest fields with the bluest sky. It was a beautiful route taking us through fields, up country lanes, past centuries old churches and even some horses. It really felt like Spring that afternoon and we were reminded just how much we love England. The perfect afternoon to finish our trip with.
It was a gorgeous morning as we left, bye-bye lovely cottage and the cute lane we were staying on. Home awaited with frosty fields and wintry scenes the whole way back.
