Day one in the Cotswolds

 

Mr Poachie and I are big on the planning. We love to work out itineraries, research the best places to eat, book the restaurants, find the best photo hotspots. I spend hours looking at Pinterest and Conde Nast so that I can get the most out of our trips. 

Some people might think that all that organisation can take the fun out of the trip, but that's fine, they just aren't our kind of people!

I am planning a trip to Paris and I am even going to go as far as to check which day is bin collection day to make sure I don't have a ton of rubbish bins in my photo's, if I am going to get up at 6am to get the perfect shot I don't want it ruined! 

Day one of our Cotswold itinerary was Arlington Row. I have visited before so knew what to expect. Thankfully on this visit it was really quiet. We had got up early and was out of the door by 8.30am, we pretty much flew down the M25 and arrived by 10.30am before the rest of the crowds. 

Usually there would be coach loads of tourists arriving and it really ruins it as Arlington row and Bibury is very small, the roads are narrow and there isn't anything else to see. I would hate to live here, some of the houses have plastic signs up in various languages saying 'private/no photo's'. 

It is a shame as if it was just a normal village it would be the sweetest place to live!

After a leisurely stroll we left Bibury and made our way to Stow-on-the-wold which I really liked. A pretty town with boutique shops and lovely pubs, it felt less like a tourist trap. This is my third visit to the Cotswolds and previously I had always left feeling a little underwhelmed by it. Yes the villages are pretty but they are sooooooo busy it ruined it for me and I couldn't see why everyone raved about it.

It was this trip which made me fall in love and next time I return, I know which places to avoid.

We couldn't not come here and see if the fairies were home...

Or not do a little light shopping!

We popped into The Porch House for a light lunch and a glass of fizz, natch.

It had really nice decor and the food was really good! Sadly there was a dog that howled non stop whilst we were there and his owner was a crazy lady which provided some lunchtime entertainment. Country folk are always a little batty I feel.

It was also odd getting used to wearing your mask in the restaurant until we sat down, we kept forgetting our masks etc but I guess in a few weeks this will be the new normal.

We didn't want to order too much as we had dinner plans that evening so we went for the halloumi fries and the hummus with flatbreads and also a portion of fried squid.

Delicious.

After lunch we drove to the Slaughters. All of these places were within 10-20 mins drive and parking was easy to find. The Slaughters are both very small, I think we spent 10 minutes in Upper Slaughter and then drove % mins to Lower Slaughter and walked to the Mill and then had a drink in the Slaughter Inn.

You could do much more walking if that is your thing, we saw some routes going from the Slaughter's to Bourton on the water which would probably be a very idyllic walk.

It was a really peaceful afternoon, walking around and exploring with intermittent prosecco pauses!

The mill was very sweet, I like mills and they had a little gift shop which you could walk around and see the mill inside.

After here we went to Bourton on the water. If I am honest, I think this is my least favourite place. It is always so busy and I think there are far more beautiful places to go. 

We wandered up and down the river and then headed home to get ready for dinner.

We were both feeling pretty tired by this point and needed to have a cup of tea to recharge!

We had booked a table at The Wheatsheaf which was amazing. We met up with some friends of ours who were also in the Cotswolds and the restaurant had given us a private dining area which made it feel more special. We were celebrating a 30th birthday so much wine was consumed!

I am always so grateful to Mr Poachie who drives everywhere, he really enables my lush lifestyle :)

Before we went out we had looked on the menu and I had presumed I would have gone for the steak but for some reason I just didn't fancy it and ended up ordering the veggie main which isn't like me but it was very good and it made me feel healthy (despite my twice baked cheese soufflé to start and chocolate fudge pudding)

We rolled out of the restaurant feeling well fed and watered after a fun filled first day in the Wolds!