A Weekend in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is England’s home of chocolate box villages, winding lanes and wildflower meadows. It’s all postcard-perfect charm and countryside weekend pleasures. Expect rolling green fields, fire pits, e-bike rides, hearty pub lunches, and long, lingering chats under open skies.
This year, we spent an almost-sunny bank holiday weekend camping in the Cotswolds. We’ve rounded up our top recommendations for making the most of a weekend getaway in this idyllic corner of England.
Friday: Fields, Feasts and Fire Pits
We started our weekend with a touch of rustic indulgence at THE PIG-in the Cotswolds, a country house hotel with a flair for farm-to-fork dining. The bar is well-stocked with English wines and local gins. The 25-mile menu – composed entirely of ingredients sourced nearby – is a culinary celebration of the region.
Our bed for the weekend was at The T-Barn, an off-grid glamping site nestled amid wildflower meadows and just a short walk from THE PIG. The bell tents (from £100 per night) are simple but snug. Each sleeps two adults and two children with a proper double bed and two singles, heated by a wood-burning stove. There are compost toilets, warm-ish showers, and absolutely no electricity – only fire light and birdsong. A firepit and cooking utensils are provided, making life easier for unpracticed campers.
Saturday Morning: Electric Bicycles
The next day, we started by heading to Cotswold eBikes to collect our electric steeds (£50 per day). I highly recommend them; thoughtful touches like a Garmin device preloaded with a 50km route made the day’s pedalling super simple.
We followed the Eastleach loop, arguably one of the prettiest ways to see the quieter side of the Cotswolds. You’ll glide past honey-stone cottages and over medieval clapper bridges in villages such as Bibury, Hatherop and Eastleach – all without the usual parking-induced headaches that plague this region in high season. We stopped by The Twig in Bibury for specialty coffee and wholesome baked goods to refuel.
Saturday Afternoon: Pub Lunch at The New Inn
The ride continues to The New Inn, a classic Cotswold pub that manages to be both unpretentious and full of flavour. A pint of Fred and Baz – a fruity Deya Brewery collaboration – pairs well with the Shroom & Boom burger, a hearty vegetarian option that’s quickly gaining a cult following. We enjoyed lunch in the garden and wondered why so many pubs struggle to reach this level (fantastic drinks, great food, beautiful ambience and genuinely friendly staff).
Our ride ended at the Organic Farm Shop, where homemade cakes and scenic views offer a calming end to the day’s adventures.
Back at camp, we rented an Ooni pizza oven from the T-Barn to make homemade pizzas in the great outdoors.
Sunday: The Road Home
Before returning to the modern world, we refueled at Rave Coffee Roasters in Cirencester – a local favourite serving expertly brewed espresso and beans to take home. Their roastery-come-coffee shop is on the edge of an industrial estate but is a fascinating espresso stop with floor-to-ceiling glass walls between the café and roastery, giving you a front-row seat to the coffee-making magic while you sip your brew.
Travel Notes
- The T-Barn, bell tents from £100 per night, camping from £30 per night. Essential Tip: If you’re camping in early May like we did, the nights can be cold. Bring extra blankets, thermal clothing, and a hot water bottle!
- The PIG-at Barnsley, rooms from £195 per night
- Cotswold eBike, day hire from £50
