Apart from London, the Cotswolds was my other home in England. From aged one to ten, I spend weekends at my Granny Paterson’s house in Fiffield (with Irene and Bryan). I didn't remember much about the area, apart from my granny's house, so I was excited to explore it as an adult.
Charlie and I peeked in the back fields of the house Saraguay. My father's parents bought this house in the 1960's. It was pretty run down when they took ownership but my Granny saw to it that it be recovered in the manner it deserved. She collected items from their travels and re-built the house into the perfect property to entertain guests. I have countless memories of playing in the warren of themed rooms (yellow room, red room, dining room, study, kitchen etc), rose gardens, green house, pool and grounds with my cousins' Astrid and Tristan and brother James. The four of us moved around like a wild pack, dreaming up imaginative games and plotting fun schemes, while the grown ups relaxed or partied. When our family sold Saraguay in the 80's we all felt the loss. It was like a part of our family was no longer accessible.
I didn't have the nerve, or desire to go in this time. I wanted to leave the memories as they were.
During our visit to the Cotswolds we stayed at the Potting Shed at Daylesford Farm, otherwise known as the Harrod's of the Costwolds. This organic farm, shop and institution is owned by Lady Bamford, the wife of Sir Anthony Bamford, billionaire owner of JCB construction.
We were wowed by our 2 bedroom cottage on the Daylesford property. It was bright and beautiful at every turn with tons of nooks to sit, read and relax.
Big, sumptuous beds to snooze in all day. Not that we did. Wake ups are around 6:30am with our lot.
The children disappeared for hours in this fort-like kids room.
I spent most of my time next to the AGA (which is a fancy English stove that emanates heat)
Roasted Bream in the AGA. Divine.
Sophia's clams. We steamed them with Daylesford white wine, garlic, butter and parsley. She didn't save me one!
The instant heat from an AGA makes everything more delicious.
Sophia sets a mean table. IT has to be perfection. She doesn't get that from me...
Ingredients for our meals were only a few steps away.
The Daylesford Farm Shop had nearly everything one could need for a feast: wine, olive oil, prepared foods, vegetables, fish, meats, cheese. All top notch quality. All fiendishly expensive. When in Rome...
The Daylesford complex also housed a garden shop, clothing store, nursery and cafe.
The Cotswolds isn't a large area.
You can literally walk most of the Cotswolds towns in 10 minutes, which we did. The Tudor and storybook style houses in many of the towns look as if they haven't changed a bit in over a 100 years.
Stowe on the wold--a typical town in the Cotswolds.
There are still thatched roofs. I can't imagine the effort it takes to build a roof like this.
Cotswolds countryside view.
I'm keeping the kids entertained while Charlie dips into Antique shops.
Welly boots are essential. After the wetness got too much we headed to the big city 'Stratford Upon Avon' to buy Sophia and Alfie some wellies.
We took the kids to the Farm Park. It's a perfect destinations for the little ones. All types of animals, games and farm life education. Alfie's about to squeeze a baby chicken in his chubby hands.
The tractors were the biggest hit!
Feeding the lambs and goats...all by themselves.
Walking through a town.
Stopping for a squidge and pose.
Crikey! That's a tennis court.
The fields are filled with massive oak trees. Redwoods look out!
Trundling along on a walk. Daddy is leading the pack to a pub.