The Cotswolds is an area of England the size of greater Tokyo. It is world renowned for its beauty and is very popular with Tourists. As well as picturesque scenery, the Cotswolds boasts famous cities such as Bath with its Roman Baths, well-known beautiful towns like Cheltenham and hundreds of delightful villages such as Bourton on the Water, home to a Model Village and Castle Combe. Above all, the local honey-coloured limestone, used for everything from the stone floors in the houses to the tiles on the roof, has ensured that the area has a magical uniformity of architecture.

The Cotswolds are also home to a water park the size of Jersey making it the biggest water park in the country. It has 140 lakes with activities ranging from water skiing to angling. Other wonderful attractions include Blenheim Palace and the Gustav Holst Birthplace Museum. Cheltenham is situated within a short drive from three large hills, Crickley, Leckhampton and Cleeve. These all have wonderful hiking trails and Cleeve is especially good for climbing. The views from all three hills are truely spectacular. On an especially clear day you can see right across the plain to the great Malvern Hills.

The Cotswolds are unquestionably romantic. From Cheltenham, two Romantic Road routes introduce you and a loved one to the Cotswolds along country roads leading through peaceful river valleys and quaint country towns and villages.

A short drive from Cheltenham, through the Cotswolds stands Coopers Hill where a tradition dating back hundreds of years is held. It involves a large double Gloucester cheese and a very steep incline, welcome to the ‘art’ of Cheese Rolling! Every year hundreds of spectators gather at Coopers hill to witness the race from the top to the bottom, the first to grab the cheese is the winner… of the cheese. A slope gradient of 1 in 1 makes this a trickier proposition than it sounds!

Want to book a hotel in the Cotswolds? Please use our booking form (top right), call us on 01242 548 200 or email us at reservations@hiexcheltenham.com