The Cotswolds are practically on our doorstep, and over the years, we’ve taken many day trips to places such as Broadway or Bourton-on-the-Water. However, we’ve never considered staying there until now. With Thanksgiving at the end of November, my daughter arranged a two-night stay at the Cotswold Water Park, near the Wiltshire border. Our plan was to celebrate Thanksgiving and explore a few of the area’s well-known sights.

Six of us set off—or rather, six plus my four-month-old grandson—and we arranged to meet in Bibury before checking into our rented accommodation. I had added Bibury to our itinerary because it is said to be the most photographed village in England—a claim that seems tailor-made for Instagram enthusiasts. So, what makes Bibury so popular? It’s largely due to Arlington Row, a picturesque street that attracts visitors from all over the world. The row of cottages is owned by the National Trust and has Grade I listed status. Interestingly, Bibury is particularly popular with Japanese tourists because Emperor Hirohito visited the village as a young man in the early 20th century.

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We arrived in Bibury and had lunch at The Catherine Wheel, a charming 15th-century pub. The food was delicious, the service excellent and attentive, and the company even better. After lunch, we set off to see Arlington Row. I chose to take the back route from The Catherine Wheel, down a hill aptly named Awkward Hill. This approach offered unparalleled views of the picturesque cottages. Since we were visiting off-season, there weren’t too many tourists, though it was still tricky to snap a photo without someone walking into the frame. The cottages were incredibly charming and photogenic, with their honey-coloured Cotswold stone further enhanced by the crystal-clear stream running in front of them.

Bibury isn’t all about Arlington Row; there are one or two other landmarks, such as the Swan Hotel and the bridges over the River Coln. After exploring the village, we moved on to the Cotswold Water Park.

Our accommodation was a beautiful house overlooking Summer Lake, one of the many lakes in the area. The lake adjacent to our house was teeming with wildlife—ducks, coots, and swans—all of which made excellent photographic subjects. On our first morning, we were treated to a stunning sunrise over Spinnaker Lake. Unfortunately, like most of the lakes in the area, it is privately owned and fenced off, which made access difficult. However, I managed to poke my camera through gaps in the fence and capture some decent shots of the sunrise.

Later that morning, I set off for a walk along the many footpaths in the area. Some of these trails follow old, disused railway lines. The paths were flanked by tall hedges that limited views of the lakes, though I caught glimpses here and there. I was able to see Spring Lake and take pictures of the reflections. Later, I learned that my daughter had booked a group meal at the Lakeside Brasserie, which is situated on Spring Lake. The restaurant was quiet, and we had a table overlooking the water. The food was excellent, and the sunlight streaming through the blinds while we ate added to the experience. After the meal, we took pictures from the lakeside veranda before heading back to the house.

The next morning brought another stunning sunrise over Spinnaker Lake. Then, it was time to head home. On the way, I was particularly keen to visit St. Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold. Even out of season, the traffic in the villages was busy, and Stow, being a bustling market town, was no exception. Fortunately, we found a good parking spot, and I was able to visit the church. The iconic image of the gates flanked by two ancient yew trees is often said to have inspired Tolkien’s depiction of the Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings. There were few visitors, so I had the place to myself to photograph this iconic scene at the church’s North Entrance. While it is rumored that Tolkien drew inspiration from this site, this has never been confirmed. Nonetheless, the place has a mystical and mysterious feel.

I also found Stow itself intriguing, with its “tures” (an old English word for alleyways) and its connection to the Monarch’s Way, which traces King Charles II’s escape from Cromwell at the end of the English Civil War.

Living just south of Stratford, the Cotswolds are practically in our backyard. I must admit, I have not visited them as much as I would like. This short trip, however, reminded me of the wonders of this stunning part of England.

If you liked this travel story in the Cotswolds then here is another one for you to read.