Cheltenham & The Charming Cotswolds
- Duration: 4 days
- Board Basis: Half Board
- Tour Ref: D2TCRU9459
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
4 days
4 Day Tour
REVISED ITINERARY Come and explore the Cotswolds, with its rolling hills, historic towns, and ancient stone cottages. The epitome of rustic charm and area of outstanding natural beauty covering six English counties, the Cotswolds is renowned for its rolling meadows, meandering river valleys, pretty woodland, gentle hillsides and of course its sleepy ancient limestone villages and market towns. The area hasn't changed much for over 300 years and is steeped in history, growing up on the prosperity of the medieval wool trade in the 15th and 16th century as attested by its many fine churches and manor houses. The Cotswolds have always been looked upon as the heart of England, with unsurpassed idyllic charm and breath-taking scenery at every turn. This gentle weekend break takes you to Regency Cheltenham, medieval Tewkesbury, the charming towns and villages of the Cotswolds and on a heritage railway journey
For Charming Cotswolds at Easter please click here
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Highlights
- Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast & dinner
- Tea / coffee after dinner
- Porterage
- Use of leisure facilities
- Journey on Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (one way)
- Visit to Broadway
- Scenic tour - Chipping Campden & Moreton-in-Marsh
- En route visits to Stow on the Wold & Cirencester
Itinerary
DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head to Stow on the Wold where time will be allowed for lunch and sightseeing. At nearly 800ft, Stow is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way and at the point where several roads meet, hence an important trading centre. It has a long history, it probably dates from a prehistoric fortified settlement on top of the hill and had a special importance in the English Civil War, the last battle was fought close by in Donnington back in 1646. St Edward's Church, was used as a prison for the defeated Royalist troops and some of the damage sustained at this time can still be seen today. Arrive at Cheltenham Chase Hotel & Spa for the next 3 nights DBBDAY 2 - 3 - At leisure with two included excursions
TEWKESBURY & SUDELEY CASTLE & GARDENS
With a rich, vibrant history and a beautiful waterside setting, there is plenty to discover in Tewkesbury. The town has a unique location at the confluence of two rivers - the picturesque River Avon and the mighty River Severn. It is one of the few places in the Cotswolds area where you will see black and white half–timbered buildings. In fact, there are almost 400 listed buildings, making it one of the best medieval townscapes in England with its fine half-timbered buildings, overhanging upper storeys and narrow alleyways. Spend time on the riverbanks and visit the renowned Abbey, famous for the medieval stained glass in its seven quire windows. This afternoon head to fantastic Sudeley Castle & Gardens in the heart of the Cotswolds, the only private castle in England with a queen buried in its grounds - Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII who lived and died here. The recently refurbished exhibition rooms tell the 1,000 year story of Sudeley, which has played an important role in the turbulent and changing times of England’s past. The castle is surrounded by a breathtaking 1,200 acre estate and ten award-winning gardens, the centrepiece of which is the Queen's Garden filled with many varieties of roses in Tudor Parterre fashion. St Mary's Church includes the magnificent tomb of Katherine Parr. A circular route around the gardens is wheelchair accessible (but not the castle itself).
NB Sudeley Castle & Gardens visit may be in the morning with Tewkesbury in the afternoon TBC
BROADWAY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RAILWAY & CHELTENHAM
Head off this morning to the quaint, picture-postcard village of Broadway, at the base of the Worcestershire hills in an AONB. Broadway today remains as it has done for centuries; a charismatic spectacle of rolling wolds, overlooking a gathering of ancient honey coloured limestone period buildings with orderly horse chestnut trees lining the grass-fringed verges of the historic 'broad way' High Street. Here you will board the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for the 14 mile trip to Cheltenham Racecourse. The line commands wonderful views of the nearby sleepy hamlets and villages, with outstanding outlooks across to the Malvern Hills and beyond. NB both diesel and steam operate on the GWR and confirmation of diesel / steam is pending at time of writing. Your coach awaits you at Cheltenham Racecourse and will take you into the centre for time at leisure to explore its wonderful mix of the traditional and the new. As the most complete Regency town in Britain, Cheltenham is intimate and friendly, synonymous with heritage and architecture.
DAY 4 - After breakfast, it's time to head homeward with a final stop in Cirencester, the 'Capital of the Cotswolds' with ancient honey coloured stone buildings in picturesque narrow streets. With many happy memories head back to interchange and onward to your home towns. Back to top
Accommodation
Cheltenham Chase Hotel & Spa
4* Cheltenham Chase Hotel & Spa is a contemporary Gloucestershire retreat, set in 15 acres of private grounds on the edge of the picturesque Cotswolds Hills, approximately 5 miles from Cheltenham.
There is an excellent spa with an indoor swimming pool, steam room and spa bath.
The restaurant and bar are open plan with spacious areas offering impressive views over the grounds.
There is a lift as well as ground-floor rooms and singles are double for sole use. Guest bedrooms are stylish with all mod cons including tea / coffee making facilities.
If required, spa treatments (at additional cost) should be booked in advance with the hotel direct.