Cotswolds holidays

Favourite cycle ride this Winter

"From Northleach, cycle towards the hamlet of Hampnett, a pretty little place in itself but with a spectacular church – it has some truly amazing Victorian stencilling inside. The stencil work, based on floral themes, was the idea of the rather eccentric Victorian vicar, Rev W. Wiggins."

"Further on, ride through ‘Happy Valley’ where you will be able to see a series of ‘lynchets’. These are the result of ploughing on a hill slope, showing the presence of a former medieval field system – fascinating to see these remnants of our farming history still visible in the landscape. Enjoy the rest of the ride through limestone grassland, arable fields and back to Northleach for tea and cake, or pub lunch of course."

Nicola Greaves, Information & Interpretation Officer, Cotswolds Conservation Board

Great dog friendly pub

"Some pubs in the Cotswolds are not just dog-friendly, they are very dog friendly. The Mount Inn, Stanton is one such pub. Pythius my beloved Border collie not only discovered a welcoming bowl of water outside the door, but a comfortable dog basket tucked alongside a roaring log fire."

"He appreciated the kindly way he was treated by Karl and Pip Baston who run this glorious pub, which, as its name suggests stands on a mount at the top of the village, and next to the Cotswold Way."

"After the pub, visit Stanton’s Church of St Michael and All Angels where several bench ends at the north-west end of the nave are deeply ringed by the countless chains of sheepdogs brought to the church by their masters in days gone by. Apparently the farmers brought their sheep in too!"

Helen Peacocke, dog owner and food writer