5 Unique Ways To See The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a special part of the UK. It’s home to some seriously spectacular scenery and majestic manor houses, not to mention chocolate-box villages that look sweeter than a tin of Quality Street.
Of course, the obvious way to see it all is on foot; our captivating corner of England is very much a haven for hikers. But with a little imagination, you can get a totally different perspective on the landscape and in this article, we pick out 5 novel trips visitors can enjoy.
Book a stay at The Frogmill, our Cotswolds hotel, and enjoy these 5 unique ways to see the countryside…
Hot Air Balloon
Undoubtedly the best way to see the bewitchingly beautiful Cotswolds is from the sky and a hot air balloon ride is a simultaneously serene and exhilarating experience. Not only do you get 360-degree, panoramic views of the lush landscape, but the world below also passes by silently as you drift through the heavens. What could be more perfect than that? Add in the thrilling unpredictability of the landing and you have yourself one excellent adventure.
Virgin Balloon Flights operate from Cheltenham Racecourse, not far from our Cotswolds hotel, while Bailey Balloons offer rides all over the South West.
Steam Train
Chugging through Gloucestershire on board a grand old locomotive is a majestic way to experience the rural wonders of the county. You can find several Tremendous Train Journeys In The Cotswolds, but the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway is the pick of them.
Starting at Cheltenham Racecourse close to our Cotswold hotel, passengers can enjoy the rhythmical click-clack and hissing of a heritage train as it winds through a series of sleepy hamlets and villages, with outstanding outlooks across to the Malvern Hills and beyond.
The line extends as far as Broadway with a round trip of 28 miles; a Day Rover ticket allows you unlimited travel so you can stop off as much as you wish.
Tandem
When it comes to exploring the Cotswold countryside, pedal power allows you to take it at a pace that suits your mood. There are tonnes of terrific trails for two-wheeled aficionados to take on; you can find popular routes starting at Winchcombe, Pittville Park and Cheltenham Racecourse. And if you’d like the bonding experience of sharing the strain with a partner, you can hire a tandem from Cotswold Bike Hire, which isn’t far from our Cotswold hotel.
Canoe
To take in the lush landscape at a leisurely pace, why not bob along in a boat? Hire a canoe from Cotswold Canoe Hire at Lechlade-On-Thames (a 30-minute drive from our Cotswold hotel) and you’ll get to paddle along on one of the river’s most scenic stretches for as far as your arms can propel you.
Electric Quad Bike
For a rural sightseeing experience that feels higher octane than it actually is, try whizzing through the Cotswolds on an electric quad bike. Far greener and less noisy than their petrol engine counterparts, these four-wheeled off-roaders are still every bit as fun. Quad Quest is based on Notgrove Farm, which is just a 13-minute drive from The Frogmill, and you can bet there’ll be plenty of marvellous mud flying about!