Leaving behind Stratford-upon-Avon I headed south towards Chipping Campden where I was booked to stay overnight on my Cotswolds adventure.
Pleasantly surprised Google Maps was spot on and I arrived within half hour in time to catch the late afternoon sunshine and stretch my legs.
This old market town dates back to the 7th century and is one of the least spoilt towns. It’s a town of great wealth gained from the agricultural trade of sheep and wool and the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 1900’s. It was also famous across Europe for its wool trade.
I stayed in The Kings Hotel, a small boutique townhouse hotel which is right in the centre of this market town. This hotel was chic, comfortable and a great base to explore the town by foot. The hotel dates back to the 16th century and was previously a coaching inn and a private house.
The decor is charming, plush and pleasing to the eye with its mix of history and modern touches. Open fireplaces, stone floors and beamed ceilings give this gem its character, coupled with some great old pieces of furniture dotted about. It’s a great venue for small weddings and the event manager was very keen. She showed me around the hotel and the possibilities of how a couple can use the space and decor to their advantage! I was super impressed with the hospitality I was given; including the homemade birthday fudge courtesy of the hotel which was waiting in my room when I checked in!
As I turned out to the left of the hotel entrance the old market was ahead of me. This building was the original market where trade took place. The town square opposite the hotel also held a monthly sheep market until 1935 and apparently the smell was so overbearing the owner of the house (now the hotel) moved away!
I spent the afternoon walking around the village and exploring the meandering High Street that was full of sunshine hugging the honey coloured townhouses and cottages.
Small independent run boutiques, cafes, and artisan home stores make this a worthwhile stop to meander and have a bite to eat in one of the hotels, cafes or a traditional cuppa tea and scone!
After several hours of walking the back streets I headed back to the high street in search of afternoon tea. Spoilt for choice I was drawn to a small tea shop opposite the old Market Hall.
My overall review can be summarised as ‘Boutique Bliss’!
I loved being in the centre in walking distance of the local places to visit, independent shops and cafes. The hotel is chic and charming. A very comfortable stay and I had a lovely birthday surprise in my room waiting for me. Stunning decor and great friendly staff. The food was excellent and a lot of attention to detail in the presentation. Highly recommend for a short stay if travelling through the Cotswolds.
Leaving behind Chipping Campden the following morning I continued travelling south to find off the beaten track Cotswolds villages.
