Love is in the air at this time of year, but there is always romance to be found at our beautiful Cotswolds property, Buckland Court. The Cotswolds is perhaps one of the beautiful and well-loved parts of the country, overflowing with great food, picturesque villages and stunning landscapes. All of this, along with its unique character and charm, make it a great spot for a couple’s escape.
Should you choose to venture out from your cosy cottage accommodation during your stay, there’s plenty for couples to explore. Whether you’re spending a few days with that special someone or enjoying a break with all your nearest and dearest, these Cotswolds gems are perfect for spending some quality time together.
Batsford Arboretum – 18 minutes via the A44
Batsford Arboretum is home to England’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs and a truly beautiful place to visit. Conservation is an important part of Batsford Arboretum’s work; their many special collections include trees from China and Japan. The garden also contains a number of ‘Red Data’ trees – trees which are on the verge of extinction, or are already extinct in the wild.
Whether you’re a gardener, nature-lover or just enjoy a romantic stroll, a visit to the Batsford Arboretum will never fail to disappoint. During spring, you can wander amongst the impressive displays of flowering bulbs, including snowdrops, hellebores, narcissi and daffodils. Later in the season, glades of bluebells start to bloom, along with magnolias and flowering cherry trees. By summer, the wild flower meadows have reached their full glory, as well as the Arboretum’s collection of rare trees. Autumn brings a riot of red and gold, before winter covers the gardens with a magical frost.
Entry to the visitor centre is free, where you’ll find the café, garden centre and gift shop. Entrance to the Arboretum itself is £8.95 for an adult, including Gift Aid. You can book tickets in advance here. They also run frequent workshops and events, including photography and gardening courses and open-air theatre evenings. You can find out more about what’s on during your visit here.
Devils Chimney – 35 minutes via the B4632
No-one quite knows how the Devils Chimney came to stand on the outskirts of Cheltenham. The rock pinnacle has stood on the hill for generations, and there are many stories regarding its origins. The most popular of these is that the crooked stack of rocks marks the home of the devil, who is reputed to live in the ground below (hence the name). Another story says that the devil used to sit on top of the hill and throw stones at pilgrims on their way to church – in retaliation, the stones hurled themselves back at him and buried the devil in the ground, piling up on top to ensure he would never escape.
However it came about, visitors have been climbing the hill to visit the rock ever since. It’s a beautiful walk, perfect for drinking in the spectacular views of the Cotswolds. For a truly romantic day out, we’d recommend timing your stroll so that you can catch the sunset from the top!
The popular walk starts at Daisy Bank Car Park in Shurdington, just over half an hour drive from Buckland Court. It’s a short 3-mile circular trek which is well-signposted, so ideal for visitors to the area. During wet weather, it can be muddy and there are a few steep hills to ascend, so appropriate footwear is strongly recommended! However, the walk is well-worth the effort, as you will be rewarded with some breathtaking views of Cheltenham, the Cotswold edge, Severn Valley and the Malverns.
Snowshill Lavender Farm – 11 minutes via the B4632
If you and your other half happen to visit Buckland Court between June and August, then Snowshill Lavender Farm is a must-see. Lavender farming only began in the Cotswolds in 1999, but the plant flourishes in the free-draining limestone soils. Snowshill farm plants more and more every year, mainly for use in English Lavender Essential Oils. Today they have over 40 different varieties, 140 miles of rows and over 500,000 plants in total.
The lavender is harvested during the peak of summer, after which it is distilled by traditional methods and aged for a year before use. This is why the sunshine months are the best time to visit the farm and distillery – so you can admire the purple fields in all their glory, before it has all been harvested. For more information on dates for this years’ crop, make sure to check their website.
During your visit, you can also enjoy a browse around their charming shop and tearoom, situated in a beautiful Cotswold stone barn. Here there is a good range of products, all made using their own essential oils. There is also a nice selection of lavender plants, in case you want to take a slice of the farm home to your own garden! When it’s time to refuel and relax, the tea room serves a range of cakes, lights meals and cream tea with a choice of scones (including lavender, of course!).
La Champignon Sauvage – 31 minutes vis B4632
Since being taken over by David and Helen Everitt-Matthias in 1987, La Champignon Sauvage has amassed a huge range of awards, including a Michelin star, two stars from Harden’s Guide and 4 AA rosettes. For those who are looking for somewhere special to share a spectacular meal around Cheltenham, there’s really nowhere better.
The brightly decorated restaurant provides an intimate, welcoming atmosphere which, when combined with the delicious menu, makes for a truly memorable evening. The food is a cross of Cotswolds terrior and modern French dining, prepared using both modern techniques and original touches. With the finest local ingredients used, and a seasonal menu that changes regularly, it’s a restaurant that people find themselves returning to again and again. Reservations can be made online or by calling 01242 57344.
Hidcote Garden – 21 minutes via B4632
Created by Makor Lawrence Johnston and now owned by the National Trust, Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden just a short drive from Buckland Court. Many of the species found here were collected during Johnston’s many plant-hunting adventures, meaning you never quite know what you might find! From a Chinese handkerchief tree to autumn crocuses, there are plants here from all across the globe.
During your trip to the gardens, you’ll start off by the main house and then move outwards. Hidcote is made up of several outdoor ‘rooms’, each with its own unique feel and character and connected by a maze of narrow paved pathways. The gardens become less and less formal as you move further away from the house, from the splendour of the White Garden and Bathing Pool to the untamed beauty of the Wild Garden. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own garden, or just want to enjoy a wander through the blooming flowerbeds, you’re sure to be impressed. There’s also plenty of local residents which are worth keeping an eye out for – green woodpeckers and buzzards have both made Hidcote their home, along with the elusive hummingbird moth.
There’s plenty of facilities on offer throughout the garden, including free parking, souvenir shop and café. Summer tickets cost £15 including Gift Aid, while winter tickets are £9.20. Please note the garden is closed during January.
Bourton-on-the-Water – 25 minutes via B4077
Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the most famous villages in the Cotswolds, and for good reason; its cobbled streets and honey-toned houses could have been plucked straight from a storybook. For a romantic and uniquely ‘British’ day out, there are few places better suited.
When you arrive, you’ll find the River Windrush flowing gently through the surrounding countryside before passing the Old Mill and meandering into the town. It’s these quiet waters which have led to the village’s nickname of the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’. The village itself is full of beautiful bridges cutting across the sparkling water, interspersed with weeping willows to create a picture-perfect scene. These views have made Bourton-on-the-Water particularly popular, especially with overseas visitors, so you may find yourself fighting the crowds! However, it’s quite simple to escape the chaos by stepping away from the village centre and enjoying the side streets and surrounding rural walks.
While it’s easy to spend a pleasant day simply wandering the streets and soaking in the delightful atmosphere, Bourton-on-the-Water also has a handful of attractions including a model village, Birdland and dragonfly maze. There is also a variety of cafes, tea room, pubs and restaurants to choose from, with something for every taste and budget, so no need to go hungry!
With all of this within easy reach, as well as the countless countryside walks and picturesque towns and villages, Buckland Court is a perfect base for enjoying a break with someone special. After a long day exploring, there’s nothing like retreating back to your charming cottage accommodation, set within a delightful woodland setting. With old oak beams, stylish interiors and that famous honey-coloured stone, Buckland Court really is a sanctuary from the everyday.
For more information on Buckland Court, and how you can enjoy a idyllic Cotswolds break in this beautiful property, simply get in touch with our team.
