Cotswolds & Wisteria Blossom Season Travel Guide
When mentioning the Cotswolds, the first towns that likely come to mind are Bourton-on-the-Water and then Bibury. Since many tours and some self-guided routes often connect Shakespeare’s hometown Stratford-upon-Avon with Oxford, visiting these two places is more convenient, especially as Bourton-on-the-Water is already well known. As for Broadway and Chipping Campden, located on the northwest and northern edges of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and without rail connections, they are naturally harder to reach. However, the “relatively off-the-beaten-path” nature of Broadway and Chipping Campden means we don’t have to struggle with crowds, and the rural towns offer a purer countryside charm.
1. Travel highlights
Chipping Campden has a market dating back to the early 17th century, built with the honey-colored stone typical of the Cotswolds. The roofs are supported by wooden herringbone beams rather than the arched wooden beams common in large-span European buildings.
The high street in Chipping Campden retains medieval-style architecture, reportedly little changed since the 14th century. However, the street itself is still paved with asphalt.
The town hall in Chipping Campden, located next to the market, is very small but charming. Opposite the town hall is a library, and nearby are free public restrooms, making it very visitor-friendly.
To visit the town’s church, you need to leave the high street and go along Church Street. The church, named St. James, also has a honey-colored exterior and a rather simple interior. It is well lit, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Nearby are a barn museum and a very “Cotswolds” thatched cottage.
Broadway’s main sights are still along the high street. Unlike some Cotswolds towns, Broadway’s high street is wider, lined on both sides with horse chestnut trees decorated with red flower towers, while the honey-colored buildings are partially hidden by the street trees.
If you visit in early May, you can experience the dreamy atmosphere created by wisteria in Broadway. The honey-colored cottages, draped with strong vines and hanging purple flower clusters like grapes, seem to lose their doors and windows, becoming fairy dwellings. Of course, Chipping Campden also has some wisteria.
Broadway Tower is located on the outskirts of town and requires a hike uphill or a drive along a fairly long mountain road. The walking route passes many pastures where you can warmly greet the sheep “sampling” or enjoying a feast.
2. Transportation
Driving may be the more suitable option, but taking the bus is also possible. From or to Stratford-upon-Avon, you can take Stagecoach buses running between Stratford-upon-Avon and Chipping Campden and Broadway. You can download the bus company’s app in advance and choose a “Day Rider” or similar one-day ticket. Although it is pricey, it allows unlimited rides. In theory, the day ticket is valid until 4 AM the next day, but in practice, once the last bus of the day has run, there is little chance to use the ticket further.
The Cotswolds span the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Oxfordshire, covering a large area that is difficult to explore all at once. Therefore, it’s important to choose Cotswolds towns that suit your interests and itinerary. Chipping Campden and Broadway are relatively close to Stratford-upon-Avon and can be visited together. Also, the swans in Stratford are quite interesting. When fed, they compete aggressively; if they see someone standing by the water, they swim over gracefully to beg; if no one feeds them, they leave sulkily. Of course, it is recommended not to feed wild animals while traveling abroad. In Stratford-upon-Avon, you can also look for the rare gold postbox and admire the great writer and the characters he created.