Cuddled up in the Cotswolds

As most of our excursions go, T.J. found out last minute that he would have Monday and Tuesday free this week. So, quick! What should we do? Where should we go? Blenheim Palace has been on our list and is especially magical at Christmastime so we booked tickets there first before hopping on Airbnb's site to find somewhere in the nearby Cotswolds to stay. We managed to book what ended up being my favourite Airbnb I've ever stayed in for two cozy nights in Shipton-Under-Wychwood. This little village was in between Blenheim in Woodstock and a couple other popular Cotswold destinations so it was easy to get around and didn't require too much extra time in the car. 

We left at a leisurely hour on Sunday morning and took our time meandering first to Stow-on-the-Wold. Cambridge is truly one of my favourite towns. I love its beautiful architecture, the old colleges lining the River Cam. I love all the cafes and cobblestones and popping into museums on rainy days. But as soon as we're back in the countryside, I feel myself exhale, my body relax and T.J. and I are both reminded that this is where we belong. A slower pace, open spaces, less conveniences but also less distractions from what is most important to us. 

We parked in the Tesco's carpark just outside of the village centre and walked up the lane to Lucy's Tearoom. The little tearoom was warm and cozy and full so we were led up the wonky stairs, ducking our heads under the rafters, to a table overlooking the market square. The kids had hot chocolates and I had a pot of tea and we shared a scone with cream and jam, plus soups and sandwiches. Fully refreshed we walked just around the corner to St. Edwards Church. Most likely named after Edward the Confessor, it's a medieval church with a mixture of styles due to being built and destroyed and repaired over the centuries. Probably its most unique and famous feature is the wooden door flanked by two enormous yew trees that should, by right, transport you to some mythical world, but simply serves as a pretty photo spot instead. 

We walked up and down a few streets window shopping before getting lost in the many floors of Tara Antiques. Absolutely stuffed with treasures I was desperately wishing to bring home an entire set of copper cookware. I restrained myself mostly but we found a couple pieces we couldn't leave behind and that will one day sit on bookshelves and hang on the walls of our house and when people ask where we got this or that I can say in the most charming shop in Stow on the Wold. 

Our Airbnb host messaged to say our home was ready early if we wanted to check in sooner so we loaded up and drove past places with quirky names like Bourton on the Water (which we planned to visit the next day), Crackleberry Farm and Fiddlers Hill before we turned into the gravel drive of The Coach House. 

This perfect cottage sits behind a larger home with a great old Land Rover parked in the driveway. We unloaded and immediately felt at home. It was oozing charm and coziness, colorful and warm, full of trinkets and books. We felt like guests at a dear friend or family's home not like a strangers in holiday rental property. It even smelled good and I made a note to remember the diffuser I saw because whatever made the house feel like it felt I want to recreate. Anyways... all that to say... if you're planning a trip to the Cotswolds I cannot recommend this place more! 

Daisy finished her car nap in her bed thanks to a successful transfer and the boys quickly found games and legos in one of the cupboards so T.J. and I got to read our books in peace and we all relaxed for a little while. Later in the evening we walked just down the road for dinner at The Lamb Inn. The boys (all three of them) tried snails for the first time which seems like a milestone that needs recording. 

After we tucked the kids into bed I indulged in a glass of sparkling rose, a bag of crisps and a bubble bath in the green claw footed tub in the corner of our bedroom. For the past 7 years our tub has been shared with little boys and bath toys and I'd forgotten just how relaxing a good bath can be. 

The next morning we drove to Milton Under Wychwood for breakfast at Rise and Flour. T.J. and I attempted to figure out the best way to eat soft boiled eggs served all proper in ceramic egg cups. I think the trick is to tap the eggshell a few times with a spoon and lift the top off and then use the "soldiers" (yummy slices of thick buttery toast) to dip in the yolk. The kids had bacon and sausage baps and we also shared a cinnamon bun.

Full of carbs and coffee we drove to Bourton-on-the-Water. This pretty village straddles the River Windrush with tearooms and shops lining either side. This time of year there is a giant Christmas tree seemingly planted right in the middle of the river and we enjoyed walking back and forth over the little stone bridges that crisscross the water. It was a chilly day so we didn't stay long opting instead to head back to our cottage for lunch. T.J. built a fire and we enjoyed another cozy afternoon snuggled up all together. 

After our restful afternoon we drove to Blenheim Palace. This massively impressive estate served as the residence for the Dukes of Marlboroughs and was also the birthplace of Winston Churchill. It makes a big spectacle at Christmastime.  While T.J. and I agreed we may have appreciated getting to study the house more closely without all the holiday trappings, you can't deny it was pretty magical to see. The house decorations are themed each year and this year's theme was Neverland. Our Peter Pan loving boys were thrilled, searching for Tinkerbell in each room, peering into mermaid lagoon in the transformed drawing room, and walking through a pirate ship in the library.

After touring the house we ventured outside and had just a bit of time to kill before the Christmas light trail opened so we did a few turns on the ferris wheel. The sun sets quite early these days so it was soon dark enough to head into the illuminated trail. Over a mile and half of perfectly manicured gardens, past the lake with a quick stop for churros, through tunnels of twinkling lights with music and Christmas trees galore, plus an appearance by Father Christmas at the end. It was a great way to welcome the beginning of the December season. 

We had another wonderful pub dinner at The Milton Hare, known for its seafood specials it was quite moreish, before heading home to bed (after another luxurious bath first). We truly did not want to leave the next day and took our time loading up. We weren't in any hurry so we decided to stop at Warwick Castle on the way back to Cambridge. Our own William was excited to storm the castle built by another William the Conquerer. 

It's an impressive fortress and was also dressed up for Christmas with beautiful garlands and trees in each room but not so much that you couldn't see the history and the story within the walls. We explored the great hall lined with armour and antlers and the glittering state rooms. We got dizzy climbing the twisting steps in the towers, walked the ramparts and marvelled at the views once enjoyed by knights before we grabbed an easy lunch in a cafe hidden in a lower level of the castle. Tis the season, so we indulged in our daily cup of hot chocolate before we continued the rest of the way home. 

It was such a treat to have bonus time with T.J., an extended long weekend and time to enjoy traveling during the less busy weekdays, and tomorrow is already Friday! After such a relaxing getaway I came home inspired to make our home ready for Christmas and the extra cozy days ahead.