Day 1 – Bourton-on-the-Water, The Slaughters & Hawkstone

We set off from Surrey on Bank Holiday Monday and headed straight for the postcard-perfect village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often nicknamed the “Venice of the Cotswolds” thanks to its crystal-clear River Windrush flowing through the centre of the village.

I’d read beforehand that parking can be tricky, so we used postcode GL54 2BN, which took us directly to a car park on the outskirts but within easy walking distance of the high street — an absolute lifesaver on a busy bank holiday.

As we strolled towards the centre, the atmosphere was incredible. The river sparkled in the sunshine, families sat along the banks, and thanks to the heatwave, people were paddling and cooling off in the water. It felt like a little slice of an English summer postcard.

Bourton-on-the-Water is famous for its honey-coloured stone buildings, charming bridges, boutique shops and relaxed atmosphere. Some of the village’s highlights include Birdland Park & Gardens, The Model Village, and beautiful riverside walks — although with two excited boys and a puppy, we mostly just enjoyed wandering and soaking it all in.

For lunch, we found the perfect spot at The Croft Restaurant, sitting outside on the terrace enjoying snacky sharing plates and drinks in the sunshine. Exactly the kind of laid-back holiday lunch you want on a warm day.

Next stop was the dangerously tempting Just for Pets shop — honestly, it was like a toy shop for dogs! Our puppy was in heaven.

Of course, no family day out is complete without ice cream, so we grabbed some from Box Bush on the green before continuing our drive.

We then drove through Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter — two of the most quintessentially English villages you could imagine. Although we were tight on time and didn’t stop properly, they were absolutely stunning.

Lower Slaughter is known for its beautiful old mill, gentle river and peaceful atmosphere, while Upper Slaughter feels wonderfully untouched, with historic stone cottages, tiny bridges and a gorgeous village church acting as the focal point. The traditional Cotswold stone houses and countryside scenery honestly looked like something from a film set.

Because my husband is a huge fan of Hawkstone beer, we couldn’t resist a stop at The Hawkstone Arms.

Set amongst fields with a rustic countryside vibe, it felt incredibly authentic and relaxed — think large leather sofas, wooden benches, outdoor seating and proper farm pub energy. The atmosphere was brilliant. Hawkstone is also known for its brewery experiences and tours linked to Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone lager brand, making it a great stop for beer lovers visiting the area.

After picking up a few essentials from the supermarket, we headed to our cottage in Chipping Norton before ending the day with dinner at The Chequers on the high street.

The pub was full of friendly locals, the service was excellent, and the steak I had for dinner was genuinely one of the best pub meals I’ve had in a long time.

A perfect first day.

Day 2 – Clarkson’s Farm, Burford & Ancient Stones

Day two started early because we were determined to beat the queues at The Farmer’s Dog — the infamous Jeremy Clarkson pub featured in Clarkson’s Farm.

We arrived at the car park at 9:20am and were literally the first people there!

Unfortunately, the actual pub doesn’t open until 11am and we weren’t allowed inside for photos, but the huge tented outside area and shop opened from 9:30am.

Breakfast was fantastic — probably one of the best sausage sandwiches I’ve ever had — washed down with fresh Diddly Squat apple juice. We had a good mooch around the shop afterwards and picked up a few souvenirs before the crowds arrived.

From there we headed to Burford, another beautiful Cotswold town often referred to as the “Gateway to the Cotswolds”.

Burford has a busier and livelier high street than some nearby villages, filled with independent boutiques, antique shops, bakeries, delis and cosy cafés. It has a lovely bustling atmosphere while still feeling incredibly charming and traditional.

One of our boys’ favourite stops was the local bookshop, complete with a magical Narnia-style wardrobe entrance, safari animal section and plenty of Dog Man books to keep them happy.

Of course, the full Jeremy Clarkson experience wouldn’t have been complete without visiting Diddly Squat Farm Shop too.

It was incredibly busy and very hot, with little shade from the heatwave temperatures, so we mainly had a wander around and grabbed the obligatory family photo outside the famous entrance sign. Having already visited both the farm shop and pub, we didn’t feel the need to stay too long — but it’s definitely one of those iconic Cotswolds stops you have to see for yourself if you’re a Clarkson’s Farm fan.

After exploring Burford, we drove to the fascinating Rollright Stones, home to the famous King’s Men stone circle.

Dating back over 5,000 years, the Rollright Stones are steeped in folklore and mystery. Legend says the stones were once a king and his knights turned to stone by a witch. The King’s Men stone circle itself is incredibly atmospheric and surrounded by beautiful countryside.

And yes… we attempted the famous challenge of counting the stones.

Apparently, legend says if you count the same number three times, your wish comes true.

We never got the same answer once!

Nearby, we found the perfect garden centre stop for a cream tea while the boys enjoyed a run around and some playtime before heading back to Chipping Norton.

That evening we headed to The Blue Boar for dinner.

They were incredibly accommodating — especially considering we arrived with a puppy in a pram-style carrier! The orangery-style restaurant was absolutely stunning, the food was excellent, and it felt relaxed yet special at the same time.

Day 3 – Daylesford & Chastleton House

Before heading home, we made one final stop at Daylesford Organic Farm Shop for brunch.

And wow… what a place.

Beautiful interiors, incredible fresh produce, stylish homeware, artisan bakery counters and delicious food — it’s easy to see why Daylesford has become such an iconic Cotswolds destination.

Brunch was absolutely delicious and the whole place had such a calm, luxurious countryside feel.

To walk off our food, we then visited Chastleton House, a National Trust property hidden away in the Oxfordshire countryside.

One thing worth noting is that the house opens from 1pm–5pm, rather than all day, so it’s worth planning ahead.

Unlike many grand stately homes, Chastleton feels wonderfully untouched — almost as though the previous owners have simply stepped out for the afternoon. The atmosphere is incredibly authentic and full of character.

The gardens were beautiful to wander around and the boys loved hearing about the house’s connection to croquet, which is said to have been founded here.

After one final stroll through the grounds, it was time to begin our journey home to Shrewsbury.

And honestly?

We already can’t wait to return.

Final Thoughts

The Cotswolds completely lived up to the hype — beautiful villages, incredible food, family-friendly activities, dog-friendly pubs, stunning countryside and the perfect mix of relaxation and exploring.

So if you think I only organise swanky abroad holidays… think again.

A two-night UK break in the Cotswolds during a heatwave was every bit as special.

And if you’re thinking about planning your own family escape — whether it’s the Maldives or middle England — you know where to find me!