The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding National Beauty in Central England that spans approximately 25 miles across and runs from Bath in the south up to Stratford Upton Avon in the north. The region is characterised by the locally quarried limestone (or Cotswold stone) used to form the stone built village of Bourton on the Water through to the impressive Gloucester Catherdral and Bath Abbey. This rare material sets the architecture of the region apart from the rest of England which makes the Cotswolds a popular tourist destination for international visitors. The rural locations of the Cotswolds means there is a treasure trove of fresh local food produce that makes the area a particular favourite with food lovers. The region is proud of its long and rich history that is on fine display at the ancient Roman Hot Spa in Bath through to Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford upon Avon, where you can’t help but feel you have stepped back in time.
Accommodation – Hostel accommodation is limited due to the rural nature of the Cotswolds with dorms concentrated in the major cities. Shared dorm rooms start at around £20 with private double rooms with en-suite going up to £75 per night. Bed and Breakfasts are widely available in the more rural areas with prices typically starting at £80 a night.
Food – There is a diverse range of food available throughout the region with the larger cities offering a range of different cuisines and the rural pubs offering more traditional food. Budget food is hard to come by with a typical dinner at a good restaurant with drinks starting at £30 per person. The general food quality is excellent with some of the finest examples of local produce on offer.
Transportation costs – The easiest and cheapest form of public transport is the bus network that offers regular links between all the major sights. You can buy Cotswolds Discoverer day passes which cost £10 for adults and £5 for children and gives you unlimited bus travel in the region. Night bus services are limited however so some careful planning is required if you’re staying outside of the larger cities.
Safety – Thanks to its rural location the Cotswolds is a very safe place to visit with many of its attractions having a family orientated atmosphere. Road safety is a high priority in the region due to it being a favourite location for people wanting to enjoy the open road after a long working week stuck in the office but this does lead to a high concentration of traffic accidents in the region.