Every year since my daughter Grace moved abroad, I’ve tried to plan one trip to see her that’s just the two of us. There are certain things mothers and daughters love to do that husbands and brothers simply don’t. So this year, I thought it would be fun to begin our visit with a couple of days in the Cotswolds before heading back to London.
Grace had traveled through the region before, but I had never been. This post is a recap of how we got there, where we stayed, and what we did during our brief—but very memorable—time in the English countryside.
Traveling to the Cotswolds
I landed in London on Thursday morning, met up with Grace, and we headed straight for the Cotswolds. While many visitors rent a car, we decided to take the train. Trains run nearly every hour, and our trip to Moreton-in-Marsh took about 90 minutes.
The town’s name may sound familiar because it was receiving quite a bit of attention while we were there amid rumors that Prince Harry and Meghan had purchased an estate nearby. To say it was an unexpectedly exciting time to pass through this otherwise quiet little village would be an understatement!
From Moreton-in-Marsh, we caught an Uber to our hotel. We were very relieved to discover that Ubers were readily available—even in torrential rain.
Where We Stayed
I have wanted to stay somewhere like the Thyme Hotel ever since I first heard about it. But because it was a bit beyond my budget for this particular trip, I scoured the internet for a hotel that might give us those same relaxed, elevated countryside vibes. Grace and I landed on The Fish Hotel in Broadway, and it was such a lovely choice.
The Fish is a relaxed, upscale country retreat set on a sprawling private estate. Its name comes from nearby Fish Hill, where medieval monks are said to have stored fish in the cool hillside caves.
The hotel offers an assortment of accommodations, from cozy huts and treehouse suites to stylish contemporary rooms in buildings such as the Coach House and the Stables. Grace and I stayed in the Stables, a particularly family- and dog-friendly part of the property. Our room was more than spacious enough for the two of us and looked out over the beautiful grounds. We were even within earshot of the nearby sheep—and there was something about falling asleep and waking up to their gentle sounds that made our stay feel especially magical.
We also had air conditioning, complimentary snacks, wine, coffee, and tea, along with an enormous bathroom and heated towel rack. That towel rack came in clutch after we were caught in the rain and needed to dry our clothes!
Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Hook, was included with our stay and was absolutely delicious.
The Fish is ideally located about a mile from the village of Broadway, and guests are encouraged to walk into town. The hotel is ready to outfit you with maps, Wellies, and umbrellas for the journey—and I wouldn’t recommend venturing out without them. Grace and I took the most breathtaking walk through fields filled with sheep on our way to dinner. It was one of those simple experiences we know we’ll never forget.
What We Did
On our one full day in the Cotswolds, we began by taking an Uber into the village of Broadway and got right to work exploring all the local shops.
At one point, I remember telling Grace how nice it felt to simply wander with no real agenda, popping into any place that caught our eye. Broadway is filled with darling design shops, food markets, coffee shops, and boutiques. Grace has a new apartment, so we had fun looking for table linens and cute kitchen pieces she could bring home.
After seeing as much as we could in Broadway, we headed to Daylesford Organic Farm, which is an absolute must if you’re visiting the area. Daylesford is a chic, sustainable organic destination in the Cotswold hills that blends farm-to-table dining, beautiful home and garden inspiration, and a thoughtful approach to wellness. And it’s stunning! The aesthetic alone will make you want to return home and redecorate your entire house and garden.
We had lunch at The Trough, where we shared a charcuterie board—complete with a truffle honey we both fell in love with—and a selection of three garden salads. Without question, it was the best meal we had in the Cotswolds.
After lunch, we consulted our map and took an Uber to Stow-on-the-Wold, one of the most historic market towns in the Cotswolds. We were completely charmed by it. If I were planning our stay again, I might choose to stay right in town. It felt lively, with so many little pubs, coffee shops, and stores that would have been fun to have within walking distance. Next time!
We loved our afternoon there. Grace found a cute striped sweater in one of the wool shops, although the many sheep-covered sweaters were very difficult to resist.
Final Thoughts
After our short time in the Cotswolds, I completely understand why so many people fall in love with it. There’s a quiet simplicity to the region that makes it incredibly easy to settle in and blend into the gentle pace of daily life.
We wandered, walked through fields of sheep, ate wonderful food, browsed beautiful shops, and simply enjoyed being together. Our visit was brief, but it gave us exactly what we hoped for: a chance to slow down before returning to the energy of London.
We so enjoyed our time there—and I have a feeling this won’t be our last visit. Please let me know if you have any questions or thoughts you could add this post!
xo,
