UK road trip — dreamerstravelclub.com

Road Trip Through the UK

Stonehenge, Cotswolds and more!

little villages of Cotswolds
see Stonehenge
visit Chatsworth House
Christmas markets in Liverpool and Oxford
have tea at the Four Seasons
shop at Daylesford Organic and relax at Bamford Wellness Spa
have a Sunday roast at a pub
make the most out of being on the road
visit Shakespeare's birthplace
stay at a dreamy hotel in Peak District

1. The Four Seasons Hampshire

Morning tea stop.

From London, we were heading in the direction of Stonehenge, and since we were leaving the house at 8, we need that coffee pit stop on the way. Except we are on a vacation, and want things to be nice, so that pit stop turned out to be at the Four Seasons. This place has been on my list for a staycation for ages, and, coming there even for a little while, I realised that for a good reason. Will definitely be coming back!!

Located in the heart of the Hampshire, surrounded by beautiful fields, it’s a truly British grand manor house with spa facilities, amazing restaurants and plenty of truly British things to entertain yourself with. We stopped for some coffee and pastries and had a walk around, and just like that, before we knew it, we were on the road again.

2. Stonehenge

Cultural and architectural icon of the World.

I am not a archeologist or a historian to be telling you the story of the place, for that you can find quite a few nice documentaries on the Discovery channel, but the gist is that although scientists have figured a potential way those enormous stones were transported from south-west Wales and some uses for it, no one really knows why.

There will be a museum, some huts of people of the time, a similar stone that you can try to lift and other touristy activities, then you’ll hop on a bus and in just 2 minutes you will be there - next to this marvel. And suddenly it gets all so quiet. There are no words to describe it. I guess you will just have to go there and see, I mean, feel for yourself.

3. Cotswolds

Charm of the British countryside.

Just a 40 minute drive from Stonehenge, and here you are - in the Cotswolds. It is a region in south-west England along a range of rolling hills. This region is so typically British - with its stone walls, hills and woodland. Though, the reason so many people keep visiting it year after year are the little towns and villages - the kinds right out of the fairytale.

The villages I would particularly highlight are Castle Combe, Stow-on-the-Wold, Snowshill, Stanton, Chipping Campden, Burford and Broadway. Explore the villages and pay a close attention to the life that is going on there - see the local shops, cafes, post office and fairs, visit a local pub or a hotel. And if you do look closely and breathe in what’s around, you will be able to feel as if you are either in a fairytale or a distant past.

4. Sunday roast

Proper British Sunday feast.

It was decided that in order to fully enjoy the English countryside, we must do the Sunday roast.
The choice between the The Ebrington Arms, The Angel at Burford, Sunday lunch at the Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa and the Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood, we chose the later, and did not regret even for a second.

5. Daylesford Organic

Shop and relax countryside style.

Daylesfrod Organic near Ascot is absolutely a must stop. There is a restaurant, a huge garden centre and a grocery store - so many lovely things for home.
Another wonderful place just next door to it is the Bamford Wellness Spa, which actually has also been on my list for ages and I am totally coming back there to try it out, which is what I’d recommend you do too!

6. Hotels in and around the Cotswolds

Stay for the night.

The main things we were looking for to match the mood of the trip were: truly British with a modern twist, cosy big beds, old English house, maybe a bath and an option for a nice English Breakfast in the morning!

The list of options I recommend:

- Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
- The Stump
- Soho Farmhouse
- Thyme
- The Double Red Duke
- The Lygon Arms
- The Kingham Plough
- Ellenborough Park
- Whatley Manor
- Buckland Manor
- Minster Mill Hotel & Spa
- The Bay Tree Hotel
- Cotswold House Hotel and Spa
- The Slaughters Country Inn
- The Stump

7. More Cotswolds Villages

Because we just cannot get enough.

Having had a nice big breakfast, we were on the road again. Stopping at more Cotswolds villages (the ones form the list I mentioned before).
Only this time we went for some less touristy ones. We wanted to see how do people really live there, and oh we did...and it was lovely!

8. Shakespeare's Birthplace

Shakespeare’s bookshop, Shakespeare’s childhood home, Shakespeare, Shakespeare, Shakespeare…

Heading North, from Cotswolds, you would typically choose one of the three roads, and I’d recommend going for the one that passes through the birthplace of the great William Shakespeare - little town by the name Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a beyond words touristy town, especially it’s central part. You will find there your usuals: opposite a big statue of Shakespeare, you will see a big plaque describing something he did there at some point, and just around the corner there will be a Shakespeare’s cafe and a gift shop, and, oh, the library that keeps a note of verification that he indeed was born and lived here and many many things like this.
But it is just so cute - the house looks lovely, and the gift shop sells some wonderful books, the library has a true small town feel, and although all the store sell the playwright’s portraits, the atmosphere on the streets and in those stores is extremely kind.
Stop to see the teddy bear store, and the Peter the Rabbit store, the huge immersive Christmas market, and the candy shop. This town feels like out of the movie or a novel, and is worth you quick stop!

9. Chatsworth House

One of the most beautiful Manor Houses in the UK.

The Chatsworth House - a home to sixteen generations of the Cavendish family for nearly five centuries.
- a place that presents one of Europe’s most significant private art collections (including collections of paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures and books)
- it has also been chosen several times as Britain's favourite country house
- 5 storey high and approximately 81K square foot large house with hardens and stables

Since our road trip was around the Christmas time, we managed to book their magical Christmas experience, in which they decorate the whole house, each room telling their own magical story and light up the garden, creating a whole show - with music and everything!

10. Wildhive Callow Hall

Peak District staycation of our dreams.

After such a full day of experiences we needed a nice meal in a well-designed restaurant with a truly good food. The choice fell on the Garden Room restaurant at Wildhive Callow Hall. They describe their style as a “relaxed seasonal dining”. The food is sourced from the local farms and is, of course, seasonal. They have breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and proper dinners. We also stayed the night at the Wildhive Callow Hall hotel.
Located in the Peak District they have amazing views around and very beautiful interiors - very cosy yet classy. You can either stay in the main house or the “wild” - it’s up to you! And I’d recommend coming there a few times and trying different rooms, different meals and having a nice long walk around.

11. Liverpool

One of the biggest UK towns with plenty to see.

Walk the Docks, the Georgian Quarter, visit the Titanic museum and the Tate, pass by the childhood homes of the members of Beatles and have a drink at the Radisson RED.
Best places to stay the night:
- Titanic Hotel Liverpool
- Radisson RED Liverpool
- The Resident Liverpool
- 62 Castle Street Hotel
- Innside by Melia Liverpool
- Pullman Liverpool
- The Baltic Hotel
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Liverpool

Drive

On the road again.

Driving from Liverpool to Oxford takes around 4 hours, so make the most out of it. I’ll write a few possible recommendations for stops in-between. But for a straight drive there are always views, great music, drive-thru and a nice conversation.
If you have more time, these are the stops you can make on the way:
- Trentham Estate
- Hanbury Hall
- Charlecote Park
- Bicester Village

12. Oxford

Amongst history and food.

Walk your main sights:
Keble College, Bridge of Sighs, The Sheldonian Theatre, Blackwell’s Bookshop, Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, University Church of St Mary the Virgin, The Covered Market, University of Oxford, Merton College Chapel, Magdalen College, Punting on the River Cherwell, University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Christ Church, Oxford Castle Unlocked.
If you are there around the Christmas season, go to see the Christmas Market.
If you plan to stay the night, stay at the The Randolph Hotel and have dinner at either The Alice, Gee’s, The White Rabbit or Brasserie Blanc.