Bray and the Cotswolds – Finest Itinerary for Berkshire & Cirencester

Immediately I need to share my itinerary for Bray and the Cotswolds with you. These components of the English countryside are rife with lovely streets and bucolic surroundings. From the well-known eating places in Bray to the traditional Roman highlights of Cirencester, there’s rather a lot to like about each locations. My itinerary will present you the right way to go to them on a 2-day journey. I’ve included a map, too.

Bray and the Cotswolds

I’m visiting Bray and the Cotswolds with a pal. We’re going to spend a part of our time in Bray and a part of our time in and round Cirencester. We need to see the very best of each locations.

Should you’re not acquainted with them, I’ll offer you slightly background. Bray is a picture-pretty village in Berkshire that’s well-known for having two 3-Michelin starred eating places and a Michelin-starred pub. Oh, and a great deal of fairly streets.

Cirencester is among the largest cities within the Cotswolds, to not point out probably the most lovely cities close to London. Based in historic Roman instances, it’s also known as the Capital of the Cotswolds. Cirencester’s wealthy historical past lends the place a novel allure.

Easy methods to Get to Bray and Cirencester

Given it’s simpler to get round Berkshire and Gloucestershire by driving than by public transport, we hop in my pal’s automobile and head west to Bray on the morning of our first day. We are able to’t wait to see what’s in retailer for us.

If you wish to go to Bray and the Cotswolds with out a automobile, you may take the practice from London to Maidenhead (it’s simple on the Elizabeth Line). From there it’s a brief bus or taxi experience to Bray.

Again on the practice, you may proceed west to Swindon or Kemble (you’ll want to vary trains a minimum of as soon as en route). From both one you may take a bus to Cirencester.

It’s an extended journey and also you’ll have to plan forward to get the timing proper, nevertheless it’s doable. Should you can go by automobile as a substitute, I like to recommend it.

Bray

After an hour’s drive, we arrive in Bray simply in time for lunch. It’s handy, as a Sixteenth-century pub known as The Crown at Bray has invited me for a complimentary meal for 2. We head inside, taking within the historic environment and heavy timber ceiling beams.

There’s a fireplace crackling within the fire, a convivial ambiance, and a menu filled with conventional English dishes. It appears like we’ve taken a scrumptious step again in time.

We order warming bowls of soup and plates of fish and chips, ending all of it off with a darkish chocolate parfait. It’s the right begin to our getaway.

After lunch we go exterior to discover. Bray is among the most lovely villages close to London, and it’s filled with historic homes, pubs, and a river (the Thames, the truth is). There’s a fairly church, too.

Bray can also be house to the aforementioned Michelin stars. From The Fats Duck to The Waterside Inn and The Hind’s Head, Bray packs a punch relating to culinary may.

We take a stroll, admiring the heritage buildings, churchyard, and culinary points of interest earlier than hopping within the automobile to proceed our journey.

Ampney Crucis

After an hour and quarter-hour, we arrive in Ampney Crucis and test into our resort, Wild Thyme & Honey. I’ve been supplied a complimentary keep and dinner, and my pal and I arrive desirous to see what awaits us.

Nestled simply exterior of Cirencester, Wild Thyme & Honey is a boutique bolthole housed in a reborn Sixteenth-century pub. The resort overlooks a trout-filled brook, and all of it feels idyllic.

Our room has each amenity we may ask for, and the decor options uncovered Cotswold stone, pure wood flooring, woolly textures, and a window with views of the English countryside. The employees is pleasant and welcoming, and there’s an excellent ambiance.

Stroll within the Cotswolds

We begin our stick with a stroll within the Cotswolds. The resort has put collectively routes company can comply with, and there are wellies by the entrance door we are able to borrow.

We do a giant loop round Ampney Crucis and the fields surrounding Wild Thyme & Honey. It’s an effective way to get acquainted with the world and stretch our legs after a day of driving and consuming.

We go over stiles and thru gates, respiratory the contemporary nation air and admiring the pastoral surroundings. We stroll till it will get darkish, then head again to the resort for pre-dinner drinks.

Drinks & Dinner

The foyer bar is buzzing after we arrive. We snag the final desk, cozy up by the fireside, and purchase drinks. It’s an effective way to kick off our night.

After we attain the underside of our glasses, we head into The Crown. It’s the restaurant that sits inside Wild Thyme & Honey. The place provides farm-to-table delicacies that showcases produce and components from throughout the British Isles.

We’re seated at a desk upstairs, and we love the comfortable ambiance, uncovered stone partitions, and heavy wood tables. Our server is pleasant, and the roasts and puddings go down a deal with.

Cirencester

The following morning we get up and luxuriate in a giant breakfast at Wild Thyme & Honey earlier than driving into Cirencester to discover the city.

Constitution Market

Our first cease is the Market Place, the place we cease to browse the wares on the Constitution Market. Happening two days every week, its distributors promote all the things from crops to furnishings, meals, wicker baskets, and family items.

The Constitution Market in Cirencester is among the oldest of its form within the UK. It was talked about as early as 1086 within the Domesday Ebook.

As we stroll by the rows of stalls, we soak up a variety of enjoyable finds. Finally my pal buys a hoop from one of many merchants and we transfer on.

Parish Church of St John Baptist

Looming over the Market Place is the Parish Church of St John Baptist. This well-known landmark is among the largest parish church buildings in England. Constructed of Cotswold stone, it’s been a spot of worship for over a thousand years.

We admire the facade, taking within the particulars and marveling on the historical past. Relationship again to the twelfth century, St John Baptist was constructed on the location of an earlier Saxon church and there are layers of heritage right here.

The church options all the things from a shocking porch to lovely fan vaults, retailers’ tombs, and a Fifteenth-century tower. My interior historical past lover is smitten.

Streets & Retailers

After visiting the church, we stroll across the city. Ever since my first go to, I’ve beloved Cirencester’s charming streets and historic homes.

We swoon over the colourful facades on Black Jack Road, to not point out the little alleys that radiate from it. There’s Cotswold stone in every single place, and the entire city feels prefer it’s straight out of a fairy story.

We additionally admire Cecily Hill, which ends up in the leafy expanse of Cirencester Park. This avenue is lined with picturesque properties and gardens.

Again by the Market Place, we wave good day to the Corn Corridor, the place there are common indoor markets. From crafts to antiques and classic treasures, they provide a variety of products on the market.

Bray and the Cotswolds

As we head again to the automobile, we lament not having time for different sightseeing highlights on the town. The Corinium Museum focuses on the traditional Roman historical past and archaeology of the town.

New Brewery Arts connects folks with all issues hand-made and celebrates the function of craft and creativity in life. And Cirencester Park is one in every of my favourite locations to stroll within the space.

We hop within the automobile for the drive again to London, promising one another we’ll return to see all the things we missed on a future journey. However regardless of our restricted time, we’ve had an excellent expertise visiting Bray and Cirencester.

Map of the Journey

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