Luxury holidays in Gloucestershire

When to go

If you want guaranteed sunshine, you’re in the wrong country, even if it’s mid-July. The Cotswolds are always beautiful, though: just wrap up in the winter, avoid tourist traps in the summer, and always take an umbrella.

Getting there

• Planes

  Birmingham Airport is the nearest, but it’s still an hour’s drive from anywhere relaxing. Heathrow is probably a better bet: it’s only a couple of hours from most of Gloucestershire.

• Trains

  The Heathrow Express train runs every 20 minutes to Paddington Station, and from there you can pick up a connection to Gloucester, Moreton-in-Marsh or Cheltenham Spa. From London Gatwick Airport, it’s easiest to get a train to Reading and, from there, a connection to Moreton-in-Marsh, in the heart of the Cotswolds.

• Automobiles

  Gloucester itself is a couple of hours from London or Heathrow by car. Once you're in the shire, the country-lane driving can be magnificent.

• Taxis

  Some of the smaller towns have a very limited taxi service, so book well in advance; ask staff at your hotel to book for you – they’ll know the best local companies.