Adventure at the Cotswolds – England

The Cotswolds is one of my favorites regions in the UK… it is very rural, full of churches, medieval houses built with yellow limestone and loads of green open fields.

There are several villages to visit but if you have time for only one, you should head to Bourton on Water. This charming village is often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” due to the fact that the River Windrush flows right through the centre of town. …

This was my second trip to the Cotswolds and this time I stayed in an area called Upper slaughter… In the magnificent Lords of the Manor hotel.

A short trip from the shopping towns of Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford, the hotel is situated in a magnificent estate with manicured gardens.

The property has only 26 rooms decorated with the best traditional English style… Super comfortable and cozy, there are several rooms to play board games, relax in front of the fireplace or even have a drink observing outside.

You don’t even need to leave the property to enjoy a good meal. The hotel has also a superb restaurant which until very recently held a Michelin star.

Well, my trip to the Cotswolds was not all peace and quiet as these few paragraphs seem to show… Actually it was totally the opposite… It was a super adventure which can be summarized in a few words… CHALLENGE, MUD, RAIN, WALK, 15K, EXHAUSTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT, SUCCESS…

I went with a group of approximately 40 people and one of the organised activities was a treasure hunt which was supposed to be catered for all ages and fitness levels…

Well, as we drove to the place and the instructors gave us the information about the challenge… I confess I panicked. I am not a very outdoor person and it was raining a lot, which meant that we had to complete the 15km task in 2 hours, running through the fields in between the trees up and down the hills…

I made it… Not without falling, swearing, nearly crying, helping others, swearing again, cursing the organiser and feeling awesome when reaching the final destination… It took me 2 h and 45 min… But to be honest no group could make it in 2 hours… Not in that weather condition…. Jumping gates or slipping under fences are very messy under the rain… I was muddy and not glamorous at all at the end….

After all this all I wanted was my bed… But instead I went to a wine tasting and cooking course…

I love scones… And had the opportunity not only to bake my own but to learn how to do fruit tarts from scratch… A great way to relax after the painful morning…

Back to the hotel, the evening was a great celebration with an typical and wonderful English meal… And LOADS of booze…

The band that made the party was terrific! We had a lot of fun and some of us danced all night long! not me though….

Bed was heaven but not for long….

Early morning I jumped into a chocolate truffle course…. Yummy… Not that I needed to regain the calories I had lost in the treasure hunt… But I did it anyway… Who can resist chocolate???

A trip to the Cotswolds does not need to be a muddy challenge, but the components for a great trip are the same…

Outdoor activity -www.adventure-cafe.com/Adventures/Cotswold-Mega-Challenge

Cooking class – www.foodworkscookeryschool.co.uk

Great hotel and traditional meal – www.lordsofthemanor.com

Pub experience – www.porch-house.co.uk

If you feel making a party – www.gentlemenoftheroadband.co.uk

And shopping…

Did you buy your ticket, already???

XX Valentina