COTSWOLD LUXURY TRAVEL, MAY AND JUNE

English summer vibes
Who wouldn’t want to come to England in the summer when the trees are in leaf, the days are longer, and the weather allows for numerous outdoor activities, from Trooping the Colour in London to castle hopping in Cornwall. Personally, we think the Cotswolds is the best place in England when summer gets underway, particularly the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border with its mix of glamorous shopping, upmarket spas, fabulous pubs and plethora of historical sites.

Where to stay in the Cotswolds
New for 2026, we are delighted to be able to offer exclusive hire of Cornwell Manor for minimum 3-night stays in May and June 2026, sleeping up to 24 guests in 12 bedrooms. In keeping with the mellow landscape, Cornwell Manor radiates peace and calm. Its elegantly decorated rooms are a masterclass in good taste, and its gardens overlook bucolic parkland studded with sheep. The house comes with a daily housekeeping service and a live-in chef.

When to visit

A perennially popular destination, the Cotswolds is particularly appealing in May and June thanks to the beauty of the countryside, the quaintness of the villages, and a calendar of quintessentially English events.

Events in May
• Chipping Camden Literature Festival (3-10 May)
• Broadway village fete (10 May)
• Highgrove [home to King Charles] Head Gardener Tour (14 May)
• Friday Night Swim (weekly dips in various Cotswold lakes)
• Badminton Horse Trials (7-11 May)
• Tudor Living History Tour (15 May)
• Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling (26 May)

Events in June
• Cheltenham Science Festival (3-8 June)
• Broadway Arts Festival (6-15 June)
• Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Real Ale Festival (13-15 June)
• BVCC Cricket Festival (23-27 June)
• Blenheim Palace Flower Show (27-29 June)
• Jane Austen Ball (28 June)
• Cotswold Show (28-29 June)

Getting to the Cotswolds from London
Although it may feel a million miles away, the Cotswolds is less than two hour’s drive from London and the rail service is equally quick: trains from London to Oxford Parkway take an hour, and trains to Kingham (the station closest to Cornwell Manor,) an hour and twenty minutes. This ease of access means you can easily shoot up to London for seasonal excitements – the Chelsea Flower Show is a big draw at this time of year. If you not lucky enough to bag a ticket, however, you can get your horticultural fix in any number of gorgeous Cotswolds gardens. Our favourites are: Hidcote, Bourton House Garden, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Upton House Garden, Batsford Arboretum and the 17^th century walled garden at Miserden.

Perennial Cotswold Attractions

Although the weather in May and June is appealing, the Cotswolds is a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year. Perennial attractions include:

• Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens: home to 260 different species of animals, from rhinos to ring-tailed lemurs.
• Sudeley Castle: a Tudor jewel with a 1,000-year-old history.
• Broadway Tower: stunning views and a Cold War nuclear bunker.
• Daylesford Organic: uber-glamorous farm shop that also sells homeware and fashion.
• The Bell in Charlbury: stylish gastro pub.
• Bourton-on-the-Water: known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, its 18th-century bridges link the two banks of the river Windrush.
• Gloucester Cathedral: one of the finest medieval buildings in the country;
• Blenheim Palace – splendid at any time of the year

Please contact charlotte@cornwellmanor.com for details on rates and availability.