Friday 10th September

Everyone was really looking forward to their holiday to the Cotswolds today! We all met up and got to know each other, before relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep before our busy week!

Saturday 11th September

After a cooked breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast we made our way to Bourton-on-the-Water. We visited the motor museum to look around, seeing classic vintage cars, a Land Rover camper and a big tractor (which Jonathan loved!). We had our lunch in a nice cafe, eating various sandwiches like brie & mushroom and pepper paninis. Afterwards we went for a lovely walk along the river and had our photos taken by the bridge, before grabbing an ice cream. We had a great selection of rum & raisin, strawberry and cherry!

Sunday 12th September

Today we visited Berkeley Castle. We had our lunch in the grounds by a beautiful fountain. The castle had many paintings, along with a knight in shining armour which we all had our photo taken by! After we had walked around the castle, we stopped by the cafe to enjoy some tea and cakes, it was a lovely day.

Monday 13th September

After a European Danish breakfast, we went to Weston’s Cider factory in Ledbury for a guided tour. We learned all about the process for making cider and got to see their huge storage tanks where it is kept. At the end of the tour, we were even given a sample to taste, it was really cool! Just before our evening meal we went for a walk with Jez around the Cotswold lanes, it was a lovely evening to go for a stroll and we all enjoyed the fantastic weather.

Tuesday 14th September

Today we split into two groups. Debbie took one group to Sudeley Castle, whilst Jez went with everyone else to the Western Steam Museum in Swindon. There was a nice parking guard who let us out right by the museum’s entrance, so we went to the shops for a wander after a Subway sandwich and Costa coffee. We went to the museum after and saw some amazingly restored steam engines and an incredibly realistic railway station. Meanwhile at the castle although it was raining hard, we were having great fun! We saw the grand bedrooms, the luscious lavender gardens and its breath-taking arches. We then visited the most beautiful church with lovely stain glass windows.

Wednesday 15th September

After lunch at the Barn, we went to Bibury for cream teas and a walk around the beautiful Cotswold cottages of Arlington Row. Later on in the evening, we all went to Fairford’s farmers market and purchased some nice gifts. It was a lovely evening to go for a wander, so we walked around the church grounds. We finished off the night at the Bull Hotel and had a delicious evening meal that we all enjoyed.

Thursday 16th September

Today we had breakfast and went for another nice walk around the picturesque Cotswold lanes. In the evening we went to Swindon for a meal and then we all played Tenpin bowling. Everyone did really well and had a great, fun time on our last evening!

Friday 17th September

Today we travelled home after a really great trip to the Cotswolds. We all enjoyed our holiday to explore famous museums and cider around the Barn and can’t wait to show our family & friends our souvenirs!