The Cotswolds

I have been wanting to get to the Cotswolds for years. To see the English countryside seemed to be the call. We had a driver, which made the trip even easier. We stayed at Lakes By Yoo, which is probably better suited for a week out of the city where you fill the fridge, but the setting is lovely.

We had lunch at the Bell, which has been around since the 1600s. Lots of local ale was consumed on this journey.

We also stopped at the Cotswold Cheese Factory, strolling through the town of Burford.

The highlight of the day was a stop at Daylesworth Organic. In July 2008, we were in London and went to their outpost; I wrote about it here. I loved everything about that shop and wanted to open something similar in NYC. The timing was wrong for multiple reasons, so it never happened.

Carol Bamford, married to Lord Bamford, now 78, started this empire 40 years ago. She lives with her family on a 2500-acre farm and had a vision. She convinced the farm manager that they could not afford not to become organic. She then created one of the world’s largest organic farm and wellness businesses. We should have stayed there!

We had two dinners in the Cotswolds; the Double Red Duke was the best—an intimate pub-like setting with well-sourced produce.

The following day, we strolled through Blenheim Palace; the grounds are stunning.

They do not make ceilings like this anymore.

We made the walk on Arlington Row, a picturesque street. I can’t even imagine what it is like to have that many people continually walking on your street—also, a stop at Stow in the World for antiquing is not so great.

We had lunch at the Lygon Arms in Broadway.

Then, we stopped at the Gordon Russell Museum. Gordon Russell was a furniture design pioneer born in 1892. After WW1, he returned to Broadway with him and his brothers to create affordable furniture. He was self-taught but committed to the craftsman he hired to build the vision. Impressive individual. It is a small museum with many great pieces in any home today.

We wrapped up and flew to Cork the next day.