We thought just before Christmas it would be a good time for a giveaway and competition! For your chance to win one of our lovely Bone China mugs all you have to do is tell us about your favourite aspect of the Cotswolds and why. Entries can be sent to our email address or via our contact form and a winner will be chosen at random on Friday 21st December 2018.

You will receive your mug in the new year ready to bring the New Year wintery evenings in with a warm drink.

We are starting to get over all of the cold and crisp weather and with the changing of the clocks going forward the spring and summer should be on the way.
Last year we launched our walking tours around Chipping Campden and these were a great success with many visitors to the area. I really enjoy meeting the tourists and hearing where they have come from and what they love most about the area inparticular Chipping Campden. I met some lovely couples and individuals last year who really enjoyed their tour. As the year progresses our touring season is gearing up to commence and we have lots of available days throughout the summer for walking tours and even bespoke tours.
We pride ourselves on a professional and friendly manner to all our customers and from this have had some really positive feedback.
If you are thinking of visiting the area this summer why not get in touch with us and we will happily provide you with details on how to plan your trip and give any recommendations you may be looking for.

Now that Christmas is well and truly out the way normal routine begins to resume for people. As lovely as the festive period is, it is really nice to wave it off and put the decorations away for another year. January and February can be fairly quiet months as some of the local attractions do close for the winter periods however there is still lots to do see and visit if you are taking a trip to the area. 
​Personally, I think the fun of the winter months when visiting a new area s to have a walk around and learn about the town or village in the cold but crisp sunshine before heading into a local café to warm up with homemade cakes and coffee. Although the weather can sometimes be not the most inviting there is something very relaxing about layering up and exploring in the winter air especially if you are lucky enough to witness a sprinkling of snow. 
​As the nights draw out and the evenings get lighter the local towns and villages will once again come to life and many events will be scheduled to take place throughout the year. The Cotswolds is really a lovely area to visit all year round and has many highlights as to what you can discover throughout the year. 

We are getting so close to Chrsitmas now and there are plenty of celebrations and festivities throughout the Cotswolds. A lot of the Towns and villages will have their own christmas light switch on and markets alongside lots of craft fayres with local residents showcasing their arts and craft goods. We attended the switch on and christmas market at Chipping Campden on Saturday and it was a lovely event which got us into the spirit of christmas. There were a number of events which started at 12 noon and carried on all day until the light switch on at 4.30pm. The town hall was open showcasing a number of different stalls such as artists and tombolas aswell as having a wonderful santa's grotto for the children. Outside in the market square there was a collection of different stalls and refreshment stalls servings lots of winter inspired drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and even mulled wine. In the middle of the square was a lovely area sectioned off for tables and chairs for people to enjoy their refreshments alongside a stage for different entertainment throughout the day including local bands. In the corner of the square over by Huxleys there was a really lovley area for children to play under a snow machine which bought a lot of joy and fun for them. Other entertainment also included BoBo the bubble man who made some very impressive bubbles. The towns lights and tree of light were then swtiched on at 4.30pm to a very impressed and cheering crowd. It was a lovely event and we hope next year it follows the same dynamic as it seemed overall a great success. Below are some pictures that we took on the day.

Over the next few weeks if you travel to the Cotswolds you will more than likely see a combine or two! The farmers are busy at the moment with getting the crop in from all their fields to be ready in time for the local harvest festivals. Harvesting is the gathering of ripened crops and these are usually gathered and given out within the community to the elderly and also to some of the congregation at the local church.

If you are travelling within the local area you will often see farming machinary around however at this time of the year there will be a lot more on the roads including the big combine machines. If you drive past and see them out in the fields it is fascinating to watch them at work for a few minutes.

Below are a few pictures from around the Cotswolds during the harvest, hope you enjoy.

If your planning on visiting the Cotswolds then a must see attraction for locals and visitors is the lavender at Snowshill. This is a seasonal attraction as it is dependant on when the lavender is in bloom however at the moment it is the prime time to go.

​Many people visit this wonderful site and the atmosphere and buzz around the lavender is fantastic. Lots of people taking selfies and pictures of their friends and family sat in the lavender and even jumping up! It is really something magnificent to see from a distance the fields of lavender look just like one big purple carpet. There is also a small café and shop on site meaning that you can easily spend a few hours here looking around and having some light lunch. The shop also gives the opportunity to buy some of the lavender plants to take home with you.

Below are a few pictures of our visit last weekend.

Last weekend 17th/18th June the Landmark trust opened the gate to the ruins of Old Campden house and the two refurbished banqueting houses. This gave an opportunity for the public to take a look around the site of this once great manor house as it is usually locked from the public.
​With the sunshine blazing down on us the trip to once again walk around these buildings was a great afternoon out. With a little imagination it is clear to see that once upon a time this house would have been quite something. Built in 1612 by Sir Baptist Hicks it was easily the grandest house in Chipping Campden and villages around the town. Unfortunately due to the fire in 1645 the only remaining part of the original house is a very small ruin which has now turned pink in colour due to the heat of the fire. The Landmark trust have done a fine job in refurbishing the two banqueting houses and these are available to rent throughout the year.
​Below are some of the pictures of the site that we took on our visit, hope you enjoy.

Have you seen our new and exciting competition for this month?

​We have a new mascot for our webpages and we need you to help us chose a name, for more information please visit our partner site www.thecampdenwonder.com

​The winner who comes up with the most fitting name for our bear will win one for themselves and one runner up will win a limited edition Campden Wonder china mug.

​Good luck and get thinking! .....

The weather is getting warmer and the events in the Cotswolds now start to get busier in preparation for the summer and visitors coming on their summer holidays. I love the Cotswolds and I think one reason that it is very popular with visitors is because there is a lot of choice of activities and often there is something for everyone to keep them entertained during their stay.