Fairytale England

Rolling hills, farmland, honey-colored houses: This is what makes the Cotswolds, in the eyes of many, the perfect English countryside escape.

The fairytale-like setting is located in the southwest of England, just a two-hour drive from London. It has been a popular spot for retirement homes and weekend retreats since the 19th century, primarily among wealthy businesspeople and nobility. Among today’s more famous residents is TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who runs a farm in the area. Other notable residents are David and Victoria Beckham. Members of the royal family are often seen there too, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who own Highgrove House.

The Cotswolds’ popularity, however, comes at a price. Popular spots are inundated with busloads of tourists. Today, Castle Combe’s street bridge and Bibury’s famous Arlington Row are no longer the peaceful places they were a generation ago. Traffic jams are commonplace, and parking spaces are often blocked by tourists.

In case you’re wondering about the name, it’s believed to originate from Old English, combining “cots” (sheep enclosures) and “wolds” (gently rolling hills), reflecting the area’s historical importance in the wool trade.