Vineyard ()
Fancy yourself a trip to the most picturesque spot in the U.K.? Look no further than the Cotswolds. An area of natural beauty, the Cotswolds is a small countryside that clocks in at about 90 minutes west of bustling London. London and the Cotswolds, however, could not be more different. From the green pastures to the roving cows who will stop your car as they lazily cross the road, the Cotswolds bring a sense of inner peace and tranquility.
So, if you are in search of a quiet retreat, maybe with a little bubbly to kick back with, I suggest you start your journey at a lovely English vineyard called Woodchester Valley Vineyard.
Woodchester Valley Vineyard started in 2007 with just one acre outside Stroud. It has since grown into 58 acres of world-class wine. Take a sparkling tour, roam their rows of vines and enjoy their five generous samples. Afterward, enjoy your picnic basket of local English products for your own fancy charcuterie lunch. Take in the impressive views on some of the steepest vineyard slopes in all of the U.K. Don’t forget to buy some bottles to take home with you!
On your way out of the vineyard when your spouse is begging for a fresh pint, pop down to the local pub and enjoy one. The Old Lodge in Minchinhampton has impressive views of Minchinhampton Common, where cattle and donkeys roam in the summertime and golfers and dog walkers roam year-round. It is dog friendly, as are most pubs in the Cotswolds, and has phenomenal starters like the popular arancini and, of course, the classic English fish and chips. Here, you are treated as a local and addressed by most employees with, “what’ll you have, love?”
After lunch, stop by Jolly Nice Farm Shop, a farm shop that puts all others to shame. It comes with its own yurt absolutely chock-a-block filled with artisanal goods and even more English bubbly! If you are visiting in the autumn, make sure you grab a delicious cup of steaming hot chocolate to enjoy in front of their ever-going fire in the outdoor pavilion.
On your drive back to London, make sure you pop by Diddly Squat Farm Shop, an American favorite. Based on the popular Amazon show, “Clarkson Farm,” the farm shop sells local farm products and Clarkson’s own lager, Hawkstone Ale. While the shop may be a bit intimately cozy, the tables overlook Clarkson’s extensive lands and pastures, and the views couldn’t get any better. If you are looking to up your heat, make sure you try Jeremy’s Hot Sausage, local sausage mixed with chopped Carolina Reaper peppers. It’s a burning spiciness you won’t soon forget.
The take-home message here is that the Cotswolds will welcome you like nowhere else in England. Its inhabitants are genuinely happy to welcome any and all Americans and make you feel like you’ve lived here your entire life. Come, stay a while, and it will make you never want to head home!
