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The North Cotswolds 

Oxford - your starter for 10

Attractions and interesting things to do near Sansome House Cottage

Golf courses within easy reach of Ilmington, Shipston on Stour and Chipping Campden

Rainy day outings in the North Cotswolds

North Cotswolds - sport and leisure activities

Winter in the Cotswolds

Day trips from Ilmington (North Cotswolds) by car

Insider tips for visitors to the North Cotswolds and Shakespeare Country

Eating out in the North Cotswolds (pub guide to follow soon)

Cotswolds cottage for 4 Ilmington 2 bed/2 bath

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Dublinletfor2 Your home in the City

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North Cotswolds – sports and leisure activitiesUpdated July 2021WalksGloucestershire has over 3300 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways

North Cotswolds – sports and leisure activitiesUpdated July 2021WalksGloucestershire has over 3300 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways over which you are free to walk, so there is something everyone can enjoy however ambitious you feel. Visit the Tourist Office in the High Street, Chipping Campden, which can provide information about routes. Walks directly from the door our cottage in Ilmington (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.houfy.com/1016">www.houfy.com/1016</a> -this is just over the border in Warwickshire) are many and various, some flat, some on track and road, some through fields, some involving hill climbs. Maps provided when you stay with us. We are about a mile from the highest point in Warwickshire. All afford you glorious views of the Cotswolds. Take your pick! CyclingYou have no shortage of choice of cycle routes in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire and we have 5 designated cycling routes just a few wheel turns away from our cottage in Ilmington. This is a good website to check and here is a link to the Ilmington-Stratford one <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/4386470/cycle-route/stratford-ilmington">www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/4386470/cycle-route/stratford-ilmington</a>. This is approximately 18 miles.Jack Thurston, cycling author (‘Lost Lanes’ cycling guidebooks, which can be found on Amazon) wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph detailing some of his favourite cycling routes in the UK. This suggested route comes from his “Lost Lanes. West” book. Pubs always feature on his routes and he aims to find quiet lanes and traffic free cycleways in beautiful countryside and places which could be described as ‘hidden’. You see so much more from a bike! One of the routes, similar to above, but a longer way round, which he calls the Shakespeare shuffle takes you through Ilmington and to our local pub, The Howard Arms, for a ‘pit stop’. It starts and ends at Stratford-upon-Avon taking you through Welford, Honeybourne, Ilmington and Long Marston, cycling through the part of Warwickshire which lies on the Cotswold Edge. It is 32 miles long and of course you can start and finish in Ilmington if you stay with us.As Jack points out, the English Midlands gave birth to the modern bicycle and in this part of South Warwickshire bordering on Gloucestershire, there is something for every cyclist as you can ride flat routes or go for rolling countryside and even some very steep hills if you want a challenge. This particular route ascends to 822 feet but is predominantly flat country lane cycling although you will have to share the road with cars in some places! The start, if you start in Stratford follows the Avon river, southwards. It can be found on the map <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thebikeshow.net/stratford">www.thebikeshow.net/stratford</a>. It takes in the edge of the Meon Hill, near Mickleton, which has long been associated with tales of ghosts, murder and witchcraft. The section from Stratford to Long Marston runs along the Stratford Greenway traffic free cycle path, a very pleasant ride beside the canal and the route of the former railway line.Our local pub, the Howard Arms is quintessentially Cotswold in character. Flagstone floors, beams and a roaring fire on cold days. On top of that, great food and drink! A Bronze winner in pub of the year 2020. Even better, you get a 10% discount on food there when you stay with us at Sansome House Cottage <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.houfy.com/1016">www.houfy.com/1016</a>Clay Pigeon ShootingCotswold Clayshooting <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldclayshooting.co.uk/">www.cotswoldclayshooting.co.uk/</a>Activity Days. Quad Bikes, Power Turn Buggies, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Paintballing etcRob Ireland Activity Days, Draycott, near Moreton-in-Marsh. Book in advance. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldactivities.co.uk/">www.cotswoldactivities.co.uk/</a> Horse RidingWillersey Stables, Willersey Road Farm, near Badsey: Modern indoor school. Hacking over 100-acre farm, cross-country course. Five years to adult. Beginners to intermediate, qualified tuition.<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.riding-schools.com/c/worcestershire/evesham/willersey-stables">www.riding-schools.com/c/worcestershire/evesham/willersey-stables</a>At Stanton, Cotswold Riding (Between Broadway and Winchcombe): Off-road riding through beautiful Cotswold countryside. Tuition if required. All ages and standards. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk/horse-riding-and-tuition">www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk/horse-riding-and-tuition</a>At Chastleton near Moreton in Marsh. Durhams Farm Riding School. Tuition for all ages, all standards. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldriding.com/">www.cotswoldriding.com/</a>Golf in the North Cotswolds for visitors – see my separate guide for this! FishingBoth Coarse Fishing and Fly Fishing available:•	Lyneham Coarse Fishing Lake: Trout Fishing. looksfishy.co.uk/places-to-fish/south-east/oxfordshire/lyneham-lake/•	Salford Trout Lakes: <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.salfordtroutlakes.co.uk/">www.salfordtroutlakes.co.uk/</a>•	Cornbury Park Fishery, Charlbury: Both lake and river fishing available. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cornburypark.co.uk/fishing.html">www.cornburypark.co.uk/fishing.html</a>PoloCirencester Park Polo Club: <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk">www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk</a>Balloon Flights<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/location/stratford-upon-avon/">www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/location/stratford-upon-avon/</a><a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.wickersworld.co.uk/locations/warwickshire-gloucestershire/">www.wickersworld.co.uk/locations/warwickshire-gloucestershire/</a><a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/Stratford-upon-Avon-Heart-of-England-Balloons/details/?dms=3&amp;venue=2730101">www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/Stratford-upon-Avon-Heart-of-England-Balloons/details/?dms=3&amp;venue=2730101</a>Theatre •	Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Swan or The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon.<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.rsc.org.uk">www.rsc.org.uk</a> •	Stratford Artshouse and The Bear Pit•	Everyman Theatre, Stratford upon Avon•	The Attic Theatre•	Chipping Norton Theatre, Chipping Norton •	Apollo Theatre, Oxford •	Oxford Playhouse, Oxford •	Warwick Arts Centre •	Theatres in CheltenhamHorse RacingWe are surrounded by racecourses at Warwick (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.warwickracecourse.co.uk">www.warwickracecourse.co.uk</a>), Stratford-upon-Avon (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.stratfordracecourse.net">www.stratfordracecourse.net</a>) and of course Cheltenham (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk">www.thejockeyclub.co.uk</a>) where the National Hunt Festival is held in March. (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events/tickets/the-festival">www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events/tickets/the-festival</a>) Check websites for details of race days. Every Easter Bank holiday Monday, locally, we have the Point-to-Point at Paxford.National Trust Houses and GardensSee their website for the huge selection. (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk">www.nationaltrust.org.uk</a>) You can become an annual member and save after visiting just a few houses.Historic Houses Association - (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.historichouses.org">www.historichouses.org</a>)more houses and gardens. Includes Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey)Shows and FestivalsThere are many local festivals, not least literary and music festivals in both Chipping Campden and Stratford upon Avon. The open-air Longborough Opera Festival takes place in June and July (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.longboroughopera.com">www.longboroughopera.com</a>), During August at Warwick Castle there are jousting weekends throughout the summer (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk">www.warwick-castle.co.uk</a>), and at Stoneleigh the British Pig and Poultry Fair (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.rase.org.uk">www.rase.org.uk</a>). Moreton in Marsh Agricultural and Horse Show takes place on the first Saturday of September each year. And of course our own Ilmington Show at the end of August.For information about the world-famous Cheltenham Literary Festival, in October, go to <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk">www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk</a> There are also jazz festivals, country music festivals, science festivals – the list is endless!

CyclingYou have no shortage of choice of cycle routes in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire and we have 5 designated cycling routes just a few wheel turns away from our cottage in Ilmington. This is a good website to check and here is a link to the Ilmington-Stratford one <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/4386470/cycle-route/stratford-ilmington">www.routeyou.com/en-gb/route/view/4386470/cycle-route/stratford-ilmington</a>. This is approximately 18 miles.Jack Thurston, cycling author (‘Lost Lanes’ cycling guidebooks, which can be found on Amazon) wrote an article for the Daily Telegraph detailing some of his favourite cycling routes in the UK. This suggested route comes from his “Lost Lanes. West” book. Pubs always feature on his routes and he aims to find quiet lanes and traffic free cycleways in beautiful countryside and places which could be described as ‘hidden’. You see so much more from a bike! One of the routes, similar to above, but a longer way round, which he calls the Shakespeare shuffle takes you through Ilmington and to our local pub, The Howard Arms, for a ‘pit stop’. It starts and ends at Stratford-upon-Avon taking you through Welford, Honeybourne, Ilmington and Long Marston, cycling through the part of Warwickshire which lies on the Cotswold Edge. It is 32 miles long and of course you can start and finish in Ilmington if you stay with us.As Jack points out, the English Midlands gave birth to the modern bicycle and in this part of South Warwickshire bordering on Gloucestershire, there is something for every cyclist as you can ride flat routes or go for rolling countryside and even some very steep hills if you want a challenge. This particular route ascends to 822 feet but is predominantly flat country lane cycling although you will have to share the road with cars in some places! The start, if you start in Stratford follows the Avon river, southwards. It can be found on the map <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thebikeshow.net/stratford">www.thebikeshow.net/stratford</a>. It takes in the edge of the Meon Hill, near Mickleton, which has long been associated with tales of ghosts, murder and witchcraft. The section from Stratford to Long Marston runs along the Stratford Greenway traffic free cycle path, a very pleasant ride beside the canal and the route of the former railway line.Our local pub, the Howard Arms is quintessentially Cotswold in character. Flagstone floors, beams and a roaring fire on cold days. On top of that, great food and drink! A Bronze winner in pub of the year 2020. Even better, you get a 10% discount on food there when you stay with us at Sansome House Cottage <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.houfy.com/1016">www.houfy.com/1016</a>Clay Pigeon ShootingCotswold Clayshooting <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldclayshooting.co.uk/">www.cotswoldclayshooting.co.uk/</a>Activity Days. Quad Bikes, Power Turn Buggies, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Paintballing etcRob Ireland Activity Days, Draycott, near Moreton-in-Marsh. Book in advance. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldactivities.co.uk/">www.cotswoldactivities.co.uk/</a> Horse RidingWillersey Stables, Willersey Road Farm, near Badsey: Modern indoor school. Hacking over 100-acre farm, cross-country course. Five years to adult. Beginners to intermediate, qualified tuition.<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.riding-schools.com/c/worcestershire/evesham/willersey-stables">www.riding-schools.com/c/worcestershire/evesham/willersey-stables</a>At Stanton, Cotswold Riding (Between Broadway and Winchcombe): Off-road riding through beautiful Cotswold countryside. Tuition if required. All ages and standards. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk/horse-riding-and-tuition">www.cotswoldsriding.co.uk/horse-riding-and-tuition</a>At Chastleton near Moreton in Marsh. Durhams Farm Riding School. Tuition for all ages, all standards. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cotswoldriding.com/">www.cotswoldriding.com/</a>Golf in the North Cotswolds for visitors – see my separate guide for this! FishingBoth Coarse Fishing and Fly Fishing available:•	Lyneham Coarse Fishing Lake: Trout Fishing. looksfishy.co.uk/places-to-fish/south-east/oxfordshire/lyneham-lake/•	Salford Trout Lakes: <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.salfordtroutlakes.co.uk/">www.salfordtroutlakes.co.uk/</a>•	Cornbury Park Fishery, Charlbury: Both lake and river fishing available. <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cornburypark.co.uk/fishing.html">www.cornburypark.co.uk/fishing.html</a>PoloCirencester Park Polo Club: <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk">www.cirencesterpolo.co.uk</a>Balloon Flights<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/location/stratford-upon-avon/">www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/location/stratford-upon-avon/</a><a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.wickersworld.co.uk/locations/warwickshire-gloucestershire/">www.wickersworld.co.uk/locations/warwickshire-gloucestershire/</a><a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/Stratford-upon-Avon-Heart-of-England-Balloons/details/?dms=3&amp;venue=2730101">www.shakespeare-country.co.uk/Stratford-upon-Avon-Heart-of-England-Balloons/details/?dms=3&amp;venue=2730101</a>Theatre •	Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Swan or The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon.<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.rsc.org.uk">www.rsc.org.uk</a> •	Stratford Artshouse and The Bear Pit•	Everyman Theatre, Stratford upon Avon•	The Attic Theatre•	Chipping Norton Theatre, Chipping Norton •	Apollo Theatre, Oxford •	Oxford Playhouse, Oxford •	Warwick Arts Centre •	Theatres in CheltenhamHorse RacingWe are surrounded by racecourses at Warwick (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.warwickracecourse.co.uk">www.warwickracecourse.co.uk</a>), Stratford-upon-Avon (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.stratfordracecourse.net">www.stratfordracecourse.net</a>) and of course Cheltenham (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk">www.thejockeyclub.co.uk</a>) where the National Hunt Festival is held in March. (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events/tickets/the-festival">www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events/tickets/the-festival</a>) Check websites for details of race days. Every Easter Bank holiday Monday, locally, we have the Point-to-Point at Paxford.National Trust Houses and GardensSee their website for the huge selection. (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk">www.nationaltrust.org.uk</a>) You can become an annual member and save after visiting just a few houses.Historic Houses Association - (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.historichouses.org">www.historichouses.org</a>)more houses and gardens. Includes Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey)Shows and FestivalsThere are many local festivals, not least literary and music festivals in both Chipping Campden and Stratford upon Avon. The open-air Longborough Opera Festival takes place in June and July (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.longboroughopera.com">www.longboroughopera.com</a>), During August at Warwick Castle there are jousting weekends throughout the summer (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk">www.warwick-castle.co.uk</a>), and at Stoneleigh the British Pig and Poultry Fair (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.rase.org.uk">www.rase.org.uk</a>). Moreton in Marsh Agricultural and Horse Show takes place on the first Saturday of September each year. And of course our own Ilmington Show at the end of August.For information about the world-famous Cheltenham Literary Festival, in October, go to <a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk">www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk</a> There are also jazz festivals, country music festivals, science festivals – the list is endless!

North Cotswolds – sports and leisure activitiesUpdated July 2021WalksGloucestershire has over 3300 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways over which you are free to walk, so there is something everyone can enjoy however ambitious you feel. Visit the Tourist Office in the High Street, Chipping Campden, which can provide information about routes. Walks directly from the door our cottage in Ilmington (<a target="_blank" class="ahover slink" href="http://www.houfy.com/1016">www.houfy.com/1016</a> -this is just over the border in Warwickshire) are many and various, some flat, some on track and road, some through fields, some involving hill climbs. Maps provided when you stay with us. We are about a mile from the highest point in Warwickshire. All afford you glorious views of the Cotswolds. Take your pick!

A home from home experience in a beautiful North Cotswold village. Sleeps 4. No taxes or extra fees. 

Spacious &  light, homely, sleeps 2 apartment. Comfortable base 10 minutes bus ride from the centre. 

We aim to create a home from home experience in both our places and make you feel like we have got ready the place for a friend to come and stay (without the hosts hovering over you!).  In our Cotswold cottage we are nearby but leave you to enjoy your holiday on your own unless you need us.  Our Dublin apartment is our own holiday home so although all our personal stuff is shut away in a cupboard, it is very much a place for you to call home and to relax in after a long day's sightseeing.  In both places, you will find much more than in a standard vacation rental.  If we have forgotten something you expect to have, then just tell us and we will sort it!  We are always at the end of an email or phone call.

North Cotswolds - sport and leisure activities

Felicity

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Cotswolds cottage for 4 Ilmington 2 bed/2 bath

Dublinletfor2 Your home in the City

North Cotswolds - sport and leisure activities

Felicity

Posts (1)

Listings

Cotswolds cottage for 4 Ilmington 2 bed/2 bath

Dublinletfor2 Your home in the City

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