Susan and Jerry flew from Houston, Texas to London Heathrow to begin their much anticipated Cotswolds holiday. This is the story of how Rosehill Travel curated and communicated with our guests to ensure the perfect experience.
- 6 Nights
- 2 Luxury Hotels
- 3 Tours
- All transfers
Cotswolds arrival day!
“Your driver-guide, Annie will meet you in the lobby of your London hotel. From here you will leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the peace and tranquility of the Cotswolds countryside, visiting Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, en-route.
From Highclere Castle you will continue to Whatley Manor Hotel, stopping for more sightseeing if there is time. Please remember, your driver is here for you up to eight hours each day on the mobile phone number we provided you with.”
An excerpt from the itinerary gives you an idea of how we like to communicate with our guests. We are open and friendly, and while your driver is available for 8 hours, our travel experts are available 24/7.
Beginning the Cotswold holiday
From their London hotel, Susan and Jerry were taken to their first sightseeing location and then on to the stunning 18th-century manor house hotel, Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, where they would spend their first four nights.
The sumptuous suites of Whatley Manor offer plenty of space to relax and unwind with a king-size bed handmade in Yorkshire by Harrison Spinks and a luxurious bathroom with heated floors and indulgent amenities from Molton Brown.
This stay included full English breakfast, early morning tea and coffee and full use of the award winning Aquarias Spa.
Discovering the past
On day two, Annie drove Susan and Jerry to elegant Bath a city renowned for its splendid Roman Baths, which are among the best-preserved remains in Britain, and its gorgeous Georgian architecture.
Bath’s stunning, honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight from a Jane Austen novel – highlights include the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic Circus. There’s also the stately Bath Abbey, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and breathtaking views of the city from the top of the tower.
Entry to the Roman Baths was included on the tour.
Exploring the south Cotswolds
Driver-guide, Annie met the couple at Whatley Manor after breakfast on day three and took them on a full day tour of the south Cotswolds including Tetbury, once home to King Charles and Queen Camilla, indeed, this is the town where the Princes William and Harry grew up. Tetbury is much-visited for its antique emporia, food and other individual shops, none more famous than Highgrove, selling unique crafts, the profits from which go to the King’s own charities. Other locations include stunning Malmesbury Abbey, dating back to the 12th century, is the burial place of Athelstan, England’s first King and ancient Lacock Abbey, where the Harry Potter movies were filmed.
Touring famous filming locations
On day four, Annie took Susan and Jerry to Corsham Court House and Gardens where Angus, the court tour guide met them at the main gates.
The current Baron doesn’t use his title and is a celebrated music critic, James Methuen Campbell. The House is used by the University of Bath for some art and cultural studies and is in many films. The high street in Corsham is most recognisable as the Truro marketplace and town hall in the series, Poldark.
After their trip to Corsham Court, Annie took the couple to other Poldark filming locations such as ‘Trenwith House’ (Chavenage House in Tetbury) and Bampton – also known for Downton Abbey.
Check in at The Lygon Arms
The end of day four saw Susan and Jerry relocated to the heart of Broadway. The Lygon Arms was built in 1532 and is full of historical charm. Susan and Jerry’s room was located in the Main Coach House, furnished with beautifully restored antiques, original paintings and quirky period features, each room has its own unique character.
Their stay included a full English breakfast and full use of the spa and leisure facilities.
Touring the north Cotswolds
Unsophisticated as the north Cotswolds villages are, they’re known for attracting celebrities past and present. Rock stars, supermodels and fashion designers are among those who’ve bought manors in the area in recent years. But that’s not a new phenomenon. Broadway is still full of galleries, a throwback to the 19th century when painters such as the American Francis Davis Millet fell in love with its wide main street and quaint tranquillity. While Broadway Tower was once lived in by Pre-Raphaelite William Morris; you can see 13 counties from this, the “highest little castle in the Cotswolds”.
This area is also prized for its outstanding gardens. Hidcote Manor, an Arts and Crafts masterpiece, is one of the finest of its kind in the world; while Kiftsgate boasts England’s largest rose.
And a visit the Cotswolds wouldn’t be complete without afternoon tea, this time booked at Buckland Manor.
Time to move on from the Cotswolds
After five wonderful days in the Cotswolds, it was time for Susan and Jerry to explore more of the UK, starting with the far south-west, Cornwall. This was the perfect location for the couple, who love the Poldark books and series.
Even though it was the end of the Cotswolds for the couple, it wasn’t the end of Rosehill Travel. We curated the full itinerary, including private transfers, rail travel, luxury hotel accommodation, and even a Rosehill appointed driver-guide for the duration of the Cornish leg of the tour.
We continued our distinguished service for two days in Cornwall before the couple were ready to fly off for their Scottish adventure, which of course, we were pleased to accompany them on as well.
Full-service luxury holidays from Rosehill Travel
You may be surprised to learn that our private travel consultancy extends beyond the Cotswolds, but you can think of us as a Travel Curator and Concierge all rolled into one…
Whatever your heart desires, for a truly unique Cotswolds and beyond experience, contact us and we’ll take excellent care of you.
