Ultimate Girls’ Long Weekend Guide to the Cotswolds

Ultimate Girls’ Long Weekend Guide to the Cotswolds

If you’re planning a long weekend in the Cotswolds, this four-day itinerary covers everything you need for the perfect girls’ getaway, from charming villages and scenic walks to cosy pubs, farm shops and a beautiful countryside cottage.

In this ultimate girls’ long weekend guide to the Cotswolds, we’re sharing our tried-and-tested long itinerary, which we recently enjoyed as a group of 7 tired Mums.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of our 4-day Cotswolds itinerary.

Day 1 in the Cotswolds

11:00: Travel to Blockley

It’s time to leave all responsibilities behind and begin your ultimate girls’ weekend in the Cotswolds. Pack some snacks, prep a good play list and enjoy the beautiful roads that lead to the picture-perfect village of Blockley, which lies just a couple of miles outside of Moreton-in-Marsh.

12:30: Lunch at Blockley Café

For such a small village, Blockley boasts an incredible cafe – aptly named Blockley Café. We weren’t expecting much in the village in terms of food or drink but were blown away by this little cafe that serves delicious breakfasts and lunches, as well as great coffee and far too many sweet pastries.

I highly suggest you have your lunch here (check-in isn’t until 4pm) and slowly relax into your girls’ trip with a heartening lunch and plenty of coffees ahead of a hike/amble to Moreton-in-Marsh.

14:00: Hike to Moreton-in-Marsh along the Cotswolds Way

Rested and fed, it’s time to get some steps in by enjoying a 1.5 hour walk from Blockley to Moreton-in-Marsh. This route takes you along a section of the Cotswold Way, which is a 102-mile national trail that runs between Chipping Camden and Bath.

Rest assured, you won’t be doing the full route – which takes 7-10 days, and instead you’ll just be walking a small slice of the route that will take you to the pretty market town of Moreton-in-Marsh.

I didn’t know what to expect from this hike but it’s so beautiful, especially in May when everything is so green and alive, with little lambs jumping in the fields and the smell of wild garlic filling the air. I must say, we weren’t particularly dressed for a hike and managed just fine, so don’t panic about being dressed in the full walking gear to complete it. Although, in winter months, you will probably want to pack your walking shoes.

16:00: Wine tasting and cheese at Moreton Wine Merchants

After all of your hard work, it’s time to reward yourself with a wine tasting experience at Moreton Wine Merchants. We had such a lovely couple of hours here trying 5 different wines and enjoying a selection of cheeses, crackers and chutneys to accompany them.

The Merchants also sell artisan chocolates, which we added in the mix to finish off the evening, before heading home with a few more bottles of our favourite wine and chocolates. Actual bliss.

18:30: Taxi back to Blockley

After a few hours of wine tasting, it’s time to finally head back to your home for the next 3 days. We cannot recommend Wold House in Blockley enough (more details on it below) and we couldn’t wait to get back there to explore and settle in.

19:00: Enjoy an evening in by the fire with wine and chocolates

To wrap up your first day in the Cotswolds, light the fire, pour some more wine and enjoy an evening of card games and chats. These evenings were actually my highlight of the trip, soaking in the quiet surroundings, cosy sofas without kids jumping around on them, and best friends for company.

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Where to stay for a girls’ trip in the Cotswolds

During our trip to the Cotswolds, we booked Wold House through Classic Cottages, who specialise in the most beautiful holiday cottages. Set in the picture-perfect village of Blockley, Wold House sleeps 10 + 2 cots and is the perfect luxury Cotswolds holiday rental for a large group or family.

This house is so beautiful, yet cosy and warm with the most incredible kitchen that boasts bi- fold doors out onto the garden, and a lovely snug area to relax in by a log burner. There was also a huge lounge – with another fire- a big dining room (that we used for jigsaw puzzles) and 5 double bedrooms.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over the main bathroom, which had the most beautiful view out over the church and the rolling hills behind. It almost looked so perfect that it didn’t look real, especially in the early morning as the mist rolled across the countryside and the birds tweeted. This really is the perfect Cotswolds holiday cottage for anyone looking for a special holiday – be it a girls’ weekend, hen party or a large family gathering.

Wold House also has an additional out-building with a double bedroom and ensuite. I thought this would be ideal if you’re staying with a family and the grandparents need a place to escape the kids once in a while. This is just a few steps from the main house, so still feels connected to the house and safe and secure at night.

Why I think Blockley is the best place to stay in the Cotswolds

As I mentioned above, although Blockley is used as the set of a global TV series, it does seem to fly under the radar of most tourists. It was so quiet during our stay – with just the sound of birds tweeting and the hourly chime of the church bells, it felt so refreshing compared to other popular destinations in the Cotswolds, such as Bourton-on-the-Water or Moreton-in-Marsh.

Despite it being a quiet village, it’s just a short drive from most key towns and villages, which makes it a great base to stay in. I really loved our quiet evenings back in Blockley and would highly recommend basing yourself here to maximise the countryside solitude.

Day 2 in the Cotswolds

After a long sleep in your gorgeously comfortable beds at Wold House, it’s time to enjoy day 2 in the Cotswolds as part of your girls’ weekend. Start the morning slowly, listening to bird song, drinking fresh coffee (take away from Blockley Café is addictive) and doing a jigsaw puzzle. As busy Mums, this felt so indulgent and such a treat compared to our usual manic mornings at home.

10:00am: Morning visiting Stow-on-Wold

Once up, it’s time to head to Stow-on-Wold; a short 20-minute drive from Blockley. This once wool producing town is the perfect place to explore in the Cotswolds, with plenty of lovely independent shops and eateries.

We had a lovely morning having a mooch around the shops, and it turns out there’s some lovely shops in the town, particularly along the Old Market Way. This is an arcade just off the high street that’s full of independent shops, include boutiques, antique shops and book shops. A particular favourite was POM-On-The-World, which was full of some of my favourite clothing brands.

2pm: Sunday Roast at Chequers in Churchill

After a morning of shopping, jump in the car and head for a traditional Sunday lunch at The Chequers in the village of Churchill.

We had a dreamy Sunday lunch here, with plenty of wine and cocktails, roast potatoes and puddings that blew our minds. I’d highly recommend the Chequers for a roast if you’re visiting the area over a weekend. There also looked to be some nice walks in the area if you’re looking for a stroll afterwards.

An easy option is the Churchill Eastern Loop, which is just over 5k and would take you about an hour or so to complete. It’s really clearly signposted too, so an easy one for beginners or those not looking to pull out a map.

5pm: Evening stroll around Blockley and stop for a drink in one of the two village pubs

After filling your bellies, it’s time to head back to Blockley for a lovely evening stroll. Blockley is filled with the famous Cotswolds honey coloured cottages, sprawling country gardens and a babbling brook.

The village was actually used as the set for the famous BBC Father Brown TV series. Despite its popularity however, the village is definitely more off the beaten track than other tourist hotspots in the area, and we felt like we had it mostly to ourselves.

If you’re looking for a drink, Blockley has two pubs – The Crown Hotel and The Great Western Arms. The Crown is the oldest pub in the village and is great for a drink but The Great Western is probably better for a hearty meal, such as traditional toad-in-the-hole.

Cheese and cracker night

If you still have space, finish your second night in the Cotswolds enjoying a cheese and cracker night. We stocked up on all the goods from the Cotswolds Cheese Co in Moreton-in-Marsh, which we’d highly recommend.

If the weather is good, pull back the bi-fold doors and head outside onto the huge outside dining area at Wold House. In the evening, the garden was alive with wildlife, include pheasants, rabbits and we also spotted one grazing deer.

Day 3 in the Cotswolds

Next on your long weekend guide to the Cotswolds, it’s time to venture to another beautiful town: Bourton-on-the-Water.

9am: Head to Bourton-on-the-Water

Head early to Bourton-on-the-Water to beat the crowds, as this is a very popular village in the Cotswolds. In fact, Bourton-on-the-Water – known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ – is actually one of the most popular villages in the whole of the UK.

Grab a coffee and enjoy a mooch over the five bridges that line River Windrush. There’s a very cute Model Village in Bourton-on-the-Water, which you definitely don’t need kids to enjoy. The village is one-ninth the size of the village itself and so incredibly detailed – it’s a genuine joy to explore.

Walk/Hike to the Upper Slaughters

Before the crowds move in, it’s time to get your walking boots on (again) and walk from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Upper Slaughters. Although these villages might not have the nicest name (‘slaughter’ actually means ‘muddy’ or ‘boggy’ in old English), these are some of the prettiest spots in the whole of the Cotswolds.

The walk is really straightforward, on easy flat terrain, that follows the length of the river. If this is too much (about 1.5 miles), you can always drive to the Slaughters. These villages haven’t been built on since 1905 and are a joy to walk around.

Drop by Daylesford Farm Shop

No girls’ weekend in the Cotswolds would be complete without a visit to Daylesford Farm Shop.

Often seen as one of the most beautiful farm shops in the UK, Daylesford has become a destination in its own right, known for its award-winning organic produce, artisan bakery, stylish homeware and beautifully curated interiors. I won’t lie, this is an expensive place, so be prepared to part with plenty of money – even for some basic essentials, but it really is a dreamy place to mooch around.

Keep an eye out too, there’s often a celebrity or two walking around.

6pm: Final night at Wold House

You may have guessed by now that this is a cosy and relaxing long weekend guide to the Cotswolds, and so the final night is back in beautiful Wold House. On our final night, we cooked a BBQ, which is part of the outdoor kitchen area (there’s also a pizza oven!) and enjoyed a final night in the tranquil garden.

Day 4 in the Cotswolds

Sadly, it’s time to check-out of your dreamy stay at Wold House and head home. Before we finish our long weekend guide to the Cotswolds, however, treat yourself one last brunch or lunch at the beautiful Dormy House.

Dormy House is just a short drive from Blockley, and as well as being a luxury hotel also offers a first-class restaurant. Looking out over the kitchen garden, the restaurant is incredibly relaxing and the ideal place to end your cosy stay in the Cotswolds.

If you’re looking for the perfect long weekend in the Cotswolds, this four-day itinerary offers the ideal girls’ getaway.

From wandering the charming streets of Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold to enjoying peaceful countryside walks and long catch-ups over delicious, local food, our four days were the perfect reset from being busy working mums.

Staying in the beautiful village of Blockley gave us a tranquil base, while Wold House provided the ideal home-from-home for relaxing after a day of exploring. With its honey-stone villages, rolling hills and laid-back atmosphere, the Cotswolds is the kind of place that’s ideal for a relaxing break.

Pin for later: Ultimate Girls’ Long Weekend Guide to the Cotswolds