artnbarb
1000+ Posts
We'll have 9 full days based in Chipping Campden next summer. (I haven't counted the day we arrive or day we leave) I think I'd like to try to plan some days out, grouping sites we'd like to see with nearby sites, planning walks to end up at a great pub for lunch or dinner, or just knowing that "X" is on the way to "Y" for a quick detour, etc. Does anyone else plan this way? We tried it in Slovenia and it worked pretty well - one day we had planned had to be moved due to inclement weather, but we simply re-arranged and it worked out fine.
Encouraging me to plan some days out is a book I found, Visitor's Guide to the English Cotswolds, written by Blair Howard. Altho the book isn't quite as comprehensive as I would have liked (his idea of the Cotswolds is pretty limited, IMO) the style in which he writes is very charming - you feel as if a good friend is just rattling off a few suggestions - oh, and don't forget to see....., and be sure to stop by .... for lunch......and don't bother with .... - at which point he tells you WHY he does or does not like a particular village, etc.
He recommends staying in CC, or there-abouts, and suggests several daytrips - this one for example, should have you back home in time for tea: Drive to Evesham to see the Bell Tower, churchyard, Abbott Reginald's Gateway, the almonry and stocks, and The Abbey Park and Gardens. Head towards Offenham, stopping for lunch at one of 2 recommended places (The Bridge Inn or the Fish and Anchor Bar). On to Middle Littleton to see the 13th C tithe barn and St Nicholas Church, then on to Wickhamford to see the 12th C church of St John The Baptist. After that it's a 10 minute drive back to CC in time for tea!
I don't think there's a pub in the area that the author doesn't know intimately, and he's more than willing to give his opinions - which is exactly what I want in a guidebook. So - until I can study my guidebooks and map more thoroughly, the only thoughts I've had so far involve Steve and Pauline: Pauline, I remembered you said you'd never been to Warwick Castle, and you know that's on my must-see list, so I thought perhaps one day we could all do a walk together, then end up at 'our place' in CC, where you and Steve could spend the night and we could all go to Warwick Castle for the day together. Now of course I have no idea whether you have any interest in Warwick Castle, so perhaps my idea won't work, but hopefully you get the idea. Another such day could be a day at the horse races, perhaps stopping along the way, either to or from the track to see a site, or a village, or to eat at a great pub.
Lest you think I'm too rigid in my planning, let me say I like to sight-see in a logical manner, not backtrack unnecessarily, and really get the most out of our time. With pre-set days out, I can be sure not to miss things I want to see, but we'll still have days with no itinerary to allow for the unexpected. Any suggestions?
Encouraging me to plan some days out is a book I found, Visitor's Guide to the English Cotswolds, written by Blair Howard. Altho the book isn't quite as comprehensive as I would have liked (his idea of the Cotswolds is pretty limited, IMO) the style in which he writes is very charming - you feel as if a good friend is just rattling off a few suggestions - oh, and don't forget to see....., and be sure to stop by .... for lunch......and don't bother with .... - at which point he tells you WHY he does or does not like a particular village, etc.
He recommends staying in CC, or there-abouts, and suggests several daytrips - this one for example, should have you back home in time for tea: Drive to Evesham to see the Bell Tower, churchyard, Abbott Reginald's Gateway, the almonry and stocks, and The Abbey Park and Gardens. Head towards Offenham, stopping for lunch at one of 2 recommended places (The Bridge Inn or the Fish and Anchor Bar). On to Middle Littleton to see the 13th C tithe barn and St Nicholas Church, then on to Wickhamford to see the 12th C church of St John The Baptist. After that it's a 10 minute drive back to CC in time for tea!
I don't think there's a pub in the area that the author doesn't know intimately, and he's more than willing to give his opinions - which is exactly what I want in a guidebook. So - until I can study my guidebooks and map more thoroughly, the only thoughts I've had so far involve Steve and Pauline: Pauline, I remembered you said you'd never been to Warwick Castle, and you know that's on my must-see list, so I thought perhaps one day we could all do a walk together, then end up at 'our place' in CC, where you and Steve could spend the night and we could all go to Warwick Castle for the day together. Now of course I have no idea whether you have any interest in Warwick Castle, so perhaps my idea won't work, but hopefully you get the idea. Another such day could be a day at the horse races, perhaps stopping along the way, either to or from the track to see a site, or a village, or to eat at a great pub.
Lest you think I'm too rigid in my planning, let me say I like to sight-see in a logical manner, not backtrack unnecessarily, and really get the most out of our time. With pre-set days out, I can be sure not to miss things I want to see, but we'll still have days with no itinerary to allow for the unexpected. Any suggestions?
