CHRISTMAS IN THE COTSWOLDS
After moving over from Australia we have spent the last few holiday seasons trying to soak in as much European festive magic as possible. All the Euro markets have kept us so distracted we hadn’t actually had a British Christmas yet. So in December, after having lived in London for over 4 years, we thought it was about time we stayed in the UK and experience our first English Christmas.
Christmas Eve
We decided we wanted to return to the Cotswolds; somewhere we actually only visited for the first time in 2019 (and now one of our very favourite places in the world). Back in Spring we had an amazing experience staying at The Lygon Arms in Broadway and knew it would be a brilliant backdrop for a relaxing but magic Christmas holiday. Spoiler alert: it was.
Broadway Village is the perfect country escape - completely surrounded by greenery and rolling hills but still easily accessible from London and with enough pubs and cafes to keep everyone well fed and entertained.
In between spa visits and obscene laziness we did manage a few country walks close to Broadway . One being to the Village of Chipping Campden, who certainly had their Christmas spirit on display.
We also booked a further week’s break at a middle-of-nowhere cottage via Airbnb and took the opportunity to truly unwind and unplug.
On Boxing Day we ventured into a nearby Village of Paxford for Lunch at the lovely Churchill Arms. Definitely worth the walk across the muddy fields.
Our verdict: With cheerful locals, open fires, plenty of twinkling lights and festive decorations, not to mention the warm hospitality of English pubs and good food, our Christmas in the Cotswolds will go down as one of our favourites.
Do you travel at Christmas? We’d love to hear suggestions for Christmas 2020
Simon and Jen