Ah, isn’t life marvellous? Aren’t we lucky, dear reader, to live in such a land? A country where there are countless cute places to visit.
The Cotswolds, for instance. You can barely even look at a picturesque English jigsaw box, without being brought face to face with a slice of the sweet perfection those sublime shires do so well.
In fact, it was after finishing just such a jigsaw that I went in search of a suitable hotel, so Mrs Cullimore and I could enjoy the real thing for ourselves. Which we definitely did.
The Lowdown
Allow me to explain.
Getting There
Chipping Camden is an ancient market town snuggled in the heart of the Cotswolds, right at the start of the Cotswolds Way.
It has everything you could possibly hope for in the way of beauty box bingo.
Stunning scenery, rolling greenery, thatched houses, beautiful buildings made of glowing golden limestone, tick, tick, tick and tick again. It’s got the lot.
To get there, you simply head up the M5 towards Gloucester then cut across country for a few miles. And what lovely countryside it is too! Guaranteed to give you goosebumps all over your driving gloves.
Cotswold House Hotel & Spa
Finding this place really did feel like we’d won some kind of happy holiday lottery. It’s a Grade II listed, Regency townhouse, spread out comfortably on one side of the curved High Street, in the cutest bit of town.
It just oozes caramel coloured Cotswold charm from every brick and balustrade.
We walked in to find a fire blazing in the hearth, a smiling young lady on reception and a warm welcome awaiting us within.
The Room
We went for a junior suite, which actually meant it was extravagant and enormous. Huge comfy bed, cosy as cotton clouds? Obviously.
Luxurious bathroom with his’n’her sinks, gigantic boat shaped bath, fire feature on the wall? Absolutely.
Also, smack, bang in the middle of the living area was a very welcome bonus, a sofa big and squishy enough to row across the Atlantic on.
It was all, quite frankly, fabulous. A treat for every sense.
The Spa
Talking of treats, first thing on the agenda was a stroll through the pretty gardens to the decidedly whimsical coachhouse, which contained a very fine spa complex.
Containing heated swimming pool, superb steam room (or hammam, if you prefer) and relaxing treatment rooms where we each enjoyed a most magnificent massage.
My head, neck and shoulders have never felt so pampered and relaxed before.
Noel Arms Hotel
Right across the street from our hotel, was one of those glorious, coaching inn pub hotels. The sort that make the world a better place just by existing.
Thankfully, it is owned by the same people as our hotel, so we were able to book a table, stroll a few yards, then enjoy a mighty fine supper of chefs choice pie with mash, greens and gravy. Mmm. Perfect.
Breakfast
A first for me, was that you could book your breakfast slot. We headed down for the eight o’clock sitting and had a most satisfactory slap up.
There were all the usual suspects on offer, cooked or continental.
You could have eggs with anything, full English, or titbits on toast. But, as always when it’s available, I plumped for the Scottish kippers.
You can judge a place by the quality of its’ kippers, and must say, these passed with flying fillets. Massive thumbs up all round.
Dining In
As the breakfast was so sensational, we decided to have dinner in the hotel too. It did not disappoint.
In fact, it blew our little socks off. The staff were fab and the food was even more so.
Mrs Cullimore went for the decidedly upmarket fish and chips, whilst I went for the even more upmarket monkfish with roast fennel.
Just when we thought nothing could top the delights of the main course, our dessert arrived. A passionfruit baked Alaska, which looked, smelt and tasted absolutely divine.
Things To Do Nearby
We spent our first morning mooching about Chipping Camden itself, which was wonderful.
Honestly, if you close your eyes and picture the perfect Cotswolds market town, then this is it. I half expected to turn a corner and find it was all a film set, made to order for some Hollywood blockbuster.
But actually, it’s a real live gorgeous little country set hideaway, full of quintessential Cotswold characters, living quintessential country lives. We loved it.
When we did finally venture out and about, it was only to take the ten minute drive to Broadway Tower, a three storey Georgian folly which is also, apparently, the tallest little castle in the Cotswolds.
Either way, it’s got great looks, great views and a great little cafe too, just perfect for a light lunch. All in all, well worth a visit. Thoroughly recommended.
Conclusion
We went in search of a Cotswolds scene worthy of a jigsaw and found the sweetest spot imaginable. A bustling community town with more charm, smiles and cuteness than a cupboard full of kittens.
Room rates start from £150 B&B in winter, £250 B&B in summer. Based on 2 people sharing a Classic Room.
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