Attractions and Interesting Things to do near to Sansome House Cottage www.sansomecottage.co.uk

COTSWOLD VILLAGES AND TOWNS

There are wonderful towns and villages to explore in the North Cotswolds. Chipping Campden, Broadway, Stow On The Wold, Bourton On The Water, Ebrington & Moreton In Marsh are all within 12 miles of our village of Ilmington. You may of course feel intrepid and venture further south and even as far as Salisbury and Stonehenge and Bath, all within range for a day out.

Stratford On Avon & Cheltenham good for shopping trips although there are many wonderful ‘niche’ shops, perfect for presents in places like Stow and Burford, not forgetting the Burford Garden Company which doesn’t just stick to garden paraphernalia.

GARDENS

3 Miles away are 2 of the finest gardens in the country. Hidcote Manor Gardens , and next to that Kiftsgate Court www.kiftsgate.co.uk which has been privately owned by 3 generations of women gardeners. Batsford arboretum and woodland garden near Moreton is truly spectacular in Autumn but worth a visit year round. www.batsarb.co.uk Also near Moreton is Seizencote garden . www.sezincote.co.uk Check out the website because it is not open every day but well worth seeing. All the National Trust houses in the area, of which there are many, have gardens attached.

PUBS, RESTAURANTS & FOOD

We have two pubs in Ilmington, within staggering distance, The Red Lion and The Howard Arms which has won awards for dining several times www.howardarms.com Over the hill in Ebrington, The Ebrington Arms is another prizewinner www.theebringtonarms.co.uk, Nearby, The Fuzzy Duck at Armscote, The Bell at Alderminster and The Chequers at Ettington have good restaurants also as does The George in Shipston and many more. There are number of farm shops with great fresh local produce from The Vale Of Evesham on the roads around Mickleton. Ilmington also has a village shop which sells fresh produce.

There are several good places to eat in Chipping Campden. Shipston on Stour (4 miles) and Stow on the Wold. For those who hanker after nursery puddings, you must visit the Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton, home to The Pudding Club www.puddingclub.com The Seagrave Arms at Weston Sub-edge is good for Sunday lunch (and on other days!).

If you want to have some really good food to cook in the cottage there are several places which sell delicious things and/or home cooked ready meals to take away – Taste of the Country in Shipston, The ‘Cook” range of freezer food from the Stratford Garden Centre, Clifford Chambers, Waitrose supermarket who do some excellent pre-prepared meals and Daylesford Organic, which also has a restaurant. Lots of links to food and drink sources in the area here: www.bigbarn.co.uk/places/Gloucestershire/Todenham/

CULTURE

Stratford On Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace is 7 miles away with its museums and theatres, including the theatre of the famous Royal Shakspeare Company www.rsc.org.uk

Cheltenham, about 20 miles away has with a wealth of great events all year round. Apart from the racecourse (which holds the world renowned Cheltenham Festival in March – racing over jumps) there are numerous other festivals throughout the year - Jazz, Music, literature, science. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

The art gallery of Compton Verney is in a spectacular setting and has a great outdoor space for children in the grounds www.comptonverney.org.uk

Stanway House www.stanwayfountain.co.uk has the largest gravity fed fountain in Europe.

Also , on the way to Cheltenham, at Winchcombe is Sudeley Castle www.sudeleycastle.co.uk You could spend a whole day here as there is so much to see in the house and garden.

Snowshill Manor and Charlecote Park are just two of the fabulous National Trust properties (well worth becoming a member as you will save tons on entrance fees!) within easy reach. Gloucester cathedral is also really worth visiting.

WALKING AND CYCLING

There are lovely walks all around Ilmington. The Cotswold Way www.cotswold-way.co.uk begins at Chipping Campden, approx 4 miles away. Here is a useful link if you want to walk the whole way to Bath (or the other way round). Don't forget to rest up for a week before or after at Sansome House Cottage! https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/cotswold-way/ 5 cycle routes either pass through Ilmington or are nearby. There is a great cycle ride along the former railway line to Stratford On Avon.

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES (I will be writing a guide specifically geared to the over fives soon)

Cotswold Farm Park (home to TV presenter Adam Henson) www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Warwick Castle www.warwick-castle.com

Toddington Steam railway www.gwsr.com

Birdland www.birdland.co.uk

Cotswold Falconry Centre www.cotswold-falconry.co.uk

Art workshops in holiday time at www.art-base.co.uk/ Note that they also run adult classes in term time, for any ability from complete beginners onward, on a turn up and paint basis that are fun to do and you might like to try one if you are staying in the area.

The Mad Museum (Mechanical Art and Design) Stratford upon Avon themadmuseum.co.uk/