1000 reasons to visit the Cotswolds #301 - The Towns and Villages

The Cotswolds is an AONB; an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the largest AONB in the UK and it's special designation as one helps to preserve the charm and appeal of the Cotswolds

A priceless golden toilet is stolen from Blenheim Palace; the ancestral home of Winston Churchill. An Italian prankster artist, an eccentric English Duke with a history of drug abuse and imprisonment and a comedy heist that sounds too ridiculous to be true. Only in the Cotswolds.

Autumn in the Cotswolds is the best time to visit. Less visitors at this time of year and the autumn colours are amazing. Leaves on trees are red, purple, golden and orange. Fields are still lush green. The temperature is still warm but the odd frosty and misty morning are welcome. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Log fires smell wonderful and there is more seasonal produce available throughout from the regions farms than at any other time of year.

The story so far In 2009 I returned from living in Brazil after three years and slipped back into everyday life in the UK. In 2010, feeling unfulfilled in my job, I wanted to change things and own my own business. In 2011 I noticed that many of the Cotswold tour companies were only offering fixed itineraries to the same places. I would offer something more; off the beaten track locations, previously inaccessible places and a different perspective based on my experiences of travel and view of the Cotswolds. Not exactly a groundbreaking innovation, but no one else was doing it then - so I did it. The Cotswolds is a place of contradictions and this seemed to be lost on many of the tour companies. Why weren't visitors meeting the people? Why weren't they following the footpath through Eastleach? Or eating at the Market Pantry? Did people understand the real beauty of the Cotswolds and why so many larger than life characters live here? Something had to be done. Why Kooky? The Oxford English Dictionary has this definition of the word Kooky; 'eccentric, strange in an interesting way'. This perfectly describes the Cotswolds. Once you poke beneath the surface beauty it is famous for, you find a series of strange contradictions that make it more enticing, inviting you to find out more. I am a traditionalist and an innovator, respecting and appreciating old fashioned values throughout the Cotswolds, but always finding new and inspiring ways to share them. I want to show you my part of the world, but I want you to keep what I show you a secret. I hope you'll find exploring with me a truly unique experience; during your tour you’ll be treated as a visiting friend and will be introduced to the real Cotswolds; a place of quirks and contradictions, populated with charming characters, fascinating history and contemporary lifestyles, all surrounded by incredible architecture and stunning scenery. We’ll discreetly discover secluded villages and hamlets, without disturbing the peace and quiet the inhabitants value so highly. I’ll show you my favourite places and introduce you to some of my friends; people whose families have lived in the Cotswolds for generations and understand the land like no one else. I'm confident you’ll come to appreciate the real beauty of the Cotswolds lies not in the crowded tourist sites and modern border towns, but in the farms and quiet villages, the marketplaces and pubs, deep in the Cotswold countryside, far from main roads and reached only by narrow back lanes and footpaths, which few have knowledge of. With an increasing number of visitors each year; larger crowds are spreading further into the Cotswolds so that even off the beaten track locations are becoming mainstream. I have always travelled further down the Cotswold rabbit hole than any other tour company and take my guests beyond the ordinary so will continue to find these off the beaten path locations and hidden gems to share with you. The locations we will visit remain untouched and unseen by the millions of visitors who come to the Cotswolds each year. I work very hard at keeping locations a secret and make as little impact as possible when visiting them. My respect and understanding for these places means we will be welcomed by the residents and encouraged by them to immerse ourselves in the experience. What you’ll find here is quirky and strange, but in an interesting way; Kooky. I’ll be happy to take you to the places you’ve heard of like Bibury, Stow on the Wold, Chipping Campden and The Slaughters, and I’ll make sure I include these in a day tour; but I’ll show you them at the best time to avoid the crowds and give you a keen insight into each location that most visitors never get the chance to appreciate. LM

What happens when a family of tourists, completely taken by the beauty of a Cotswold village, wander into a private home of one of the residents? A resident that happens to be semi naked and half asleep.