Cotswolds Early May in the Cotswolds

[Amy]

We will be spending the first week of May in a cottage in Winchcombe. I’ve done decent research with guidebooks and the internet, but as always appreciate personal recommendations.

Unfortunately our first few days coincide with a Bank Holiday weekend. I’d love some suggestions for lesser-known sights, restaurants, tea rooms, interesting villages that might not be too overrun. I do have a strong interest in early churches, and have many of Eleanor’s finds marked on my map. (Many thanks, Eleanor!) I’m assuming that I’ll be prebooking sites like Sudeley and Hidcote.

Also, given the season, are there gardens that might be particularly nice in early May?

Thank you!

 

[NoSpin]

We spent a week in the Cotswolds last June. I'm sure your research has shown you all the key towns. We found Bourton-on-the-Water the most picturesque. Of course so did most people so it is really overrun with tourists.

If you get tired of towns, take a trip to Bath. It's a larger city with many things to visit, and of course, the baths!

For a very nice out of the way restaurant in an out of the way town, I strongly suggest you dine at Mount Inn in Stanton. If you go for lunch go on a nice day and sit outside. The restaurant is at the top of a hill so the scenery is fabulous.

I don't think they get many tourists there because there are no stores and no street parking. We parked in a lot just on the edge of town. The restaurant has a small parking lot, so if walking up a hill is a problem, try for the restaurant's lot.

A view from the deck.

 

[NoSpin]

Oh, you asked about flowers. Well these pics in Stanton were taken in the second week of June.

 

[Eleanor]

If you are wanting somewhere a bit off the tourist beat, think about Misarden Gardens set in the depths of the Cotswold countryside between Stroud and Cirencester. They are reached along narrow lanes and although there are small signs to the gardens, but they are easy to miss. You need to want to come here. Their address is Nr Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 7JA.