If you’re a regular reader of my Inside Track you’ll be very familiar with my frequently mentioned 4-word mantra of ‘TRAVEL LESS, SEE MORE’.  It’s not something that resonates with first, second or perhaps even third time visitors as they have so much to see and so little time in which to do it all.  However, more frequent travellers to these shores have formed their love affair with Britain and they respond well to ideas that match their interests, time frame and budget.

Being a shade over one hour from London Heathrow, this week’s focus on the Cotswolds will tick all their boxes in a region that stretches from Stratford upon Avon in the north to the great roman city of Bath in the south with the university city of Oxford being its gateway from the east.

I’ve lived there for several years, know it well and a closer look at my Cotswolds Collection will reveal 20 different ways that can be customised for 2 clients, 2-3 couples travelling together and groups of 6-10 or more...

Strawberries, Lavender and Roses

Picture-perfect villages, honey-coloured cottages, real ales in 16^th century pubs, narrow streets, quintessential English tea rooms, antique shops and treasure filled stately homes and castles.  Welcome to the Cotswolds.  Back in London, add a day at the Hampton Court Flower Show for a late June to mid-July when lavender, strawberries and roses are at their peak of colour and fragrance.  Read More

Tea Rooms and Treasure Houses

This Cotswolds and London tour is attracting a lot of interest as a growing number of Inside Track readers suggest this gently paces idea to 6-8 of their senior ladies.  Using just one Cotswolds hotel as a base for leisurely paced day trips, I’ve just created a version that uses Father Brown locations as the basis for one of the full day tour. Read More

Just ImaGINe This

It works as a 3-4-night pre/post cruise extension or as a programme prior to a few days in London. With the addition of some of our must-see castles and stately homes, it can be distilled into a tearoom, pub and gardens filled few days in one of England’s most attractive regions.  I’m attracting a good level of interest response in this idea.  Read More

Tastes, Flavours and Essences of the Cotswolds

If your clients are interested in foodie tours, they’ll love this 4-night, mid-week itinerary as it brings together a fascinating, palette-tingling and tasty collection of edible and drinkable experiences including a close encounter with the Herb Society and the Parade of Puddings.  It’s further enriched with visits to privately owned stately homes and gardens and some carefully selected, ancient coaching inns.  Read More

A Cotswolds Tour of Your Bookshelf

This fiction into reality tour uses the Cotswolds as a 4-5 night hub for visits to Shakespeare’s England and reveals Bath as seen through the eyes of Jane Austen.  It also looks at the England immortalised in Laurie Lee’s ‘Cider with Rosie’ and follows in the footsteps of Agatha Raisin, Father Brown, and the great detectives, Inspectors Morse, Lewis, and Barnaby.  Read More

Rose Tinted Gardens

This is another itinerary that’s packed with former winners of the HHA/Christies Garden of the Year Award.  Being based in the Cotswolds for 3 nights further enhances its appeal and the tour concludes with a wonderful, colour and scent filled day at the annual Hampton Court Flower Show.  Many of your gardening contacts will say yes to this Collection of Excellence.  Read More