Cotsworlds

[Newyear2023]

Hi all
Looking to have a girly weekend in the Cotsworlds in a few weeks. Me and my friend are early 30s and single. Looking to have a mix of chilling, nice food and probably go out one night to a few bars and maybe a dance towards the end of the night. Any recommendations for what areas of Cotsworlds please? Thanks!!

I’d do Oxford then. Cotswolds are lovely but not what you’re looking for from what you’ve outlined in the op.

I mean unless you really want to then I suppose you could meander Bourton on the Water then hit up exotic old Banbury for Wetherspoon’s and a spot of dancing in Fever.

Are you mixing up Cheltenham with Gloucester 😂

I live in Cheltenham, Dh and I love a night out. Granted our nightclub days are over but we go out a lot, we have a few drinks and eat out and definitely use the local taxis! Oh and both of us have accents from elsewhere, mine Northern, his from the other side of the world.

I agree. Too small for what you want. Bristol? Just got back from my friends 50th, was lovely, but very low key, last orders at 10.20pm, and had to wait an hour for a £25 taxi to come from Cheltenham.

I have lived in between Cheltenham and Gloucester for a decade and no one has ever commented on my northern accent. Gloucester has it's rougher parts but is no way comparable to bigger cites like Birmingham, Hull or Nottingham where I have also lived.

I think cheltenham would be fine, and agree with other comments. It's far from dangerous, it's a small town so things are close together and very accessible. However it's not really cotswolds in terms of masses of country charm - so you'd either be better off going to a city, or if you do want to be in a Cotswold town somewhere like Broadway is a good option. But accepting there is less to do and it may be quieter.

Crikey, Cheltenham must have changed, haven't been there for a few years though. As a Londoner for most of my life, the only place I've ever felt unnerved after dark is Gloucester city centre. Horrible atmosphere, lairy people, couldn't get away from it fast enough.

Cotsworld. Inhabited by Jilly Coopers, Joanna Trollopes and occasional Parker Bowleses. Aga-owning, Grade 2 listed, lots of Le Creuset etc. Occasional star names drop in, Kate, Elizabeth, Victoria but tend not to hang about too long. Cotsworld. Excellent word OP.

I thought this was about some new theme park called "Cotsworld" like Seaworld or something

In Cheltenham? Which park? It sounds like you stayed in the middle of one of the old council estates rather than in Cheltenham itself.

That would make much more sense. I too have a Northern accent and have never had a problem in 'Nam. Even back in the 80s walking down the Lower High St at 2 am I always felt relatively safe.

Good job you flew in to get it all to make sense. 🙄

I do not recognise the Cheltenham described. I really like the place. Have never felt unsafe there.
I’ve spent lots of time there over the last few years, lots of work colleagues live there and love it.

I used to live in the Cotswolds - Chipping Camden. Gorgeous. And gorgeous villages and places all around. As well as Chipping Camden, there's Broadway, Bourton on the Water, Burford, Moreton... all lovely. There are nice old pubs, restaurants and hotels, but it is not party central. I'm not sure where there'd be dancing.

If you're going to head to a town instead Stratford-upon-Avon is another possibility.

Ignore the SPAG twats, OP.

I’m not massively keen on Stratford. I live not too far away but never feel the urge to go.
Nothing in particular just find it a bit meh. I imagine it has a nightlife though.

Cheltenham is good for a night out, lots of restaurants, a few lovely hotels. Other places are too small!

I feel that way about Stratford too. It's down the road from me, but not somewhere I'd choose to go. Some nice restaurants, but not much variety - all very Bistro-style and not much* in the way of global influence. I'm not sure any of the clubs are open any more - I think Leamington would be the nearest.

• before someone swoops in to list the few non-bistro places, I deliberately said not much rather than none.

DS had a very riotous night in Leamington Spa. Upon further questioning he’d gone to Bongo Bingo. 😂

@Mydogatemypurse I have literally never heard of anyone having an experience like yours in Cheltenham - it's a very quiet genteel place mostly! Yes there are a few "dodgy" areas like any other town but my mind boggles. Bars on the window are not that unusual in older period properties in towns especially basement flats - coukd that have been the case? But feeling unsafe? Having to hide your Northern accent?? Really???!

I imagine it has a nightlife though.

Not that you’d recognise as such, unless it’s changed drastically in the last 20 years.
There used to be a nightclub in Henley Street that was pretty wild in the 1990s, IIRC.

Oh no! Well I’m writing Stratford off. I vaguely remember a few nights in the Slug and Lettuce and some ‘drinking’ pubs but that was early 90s.

You are welcome

Omg was I in Gloucester?? I really laughed at first. But now I come to think of it... ex booked air bnb and drove, i had an 11 month old with me. It wouldn't be that impossible. He was a bloody idiot and I didn't involve myself with any of the planning/driving. I can't believe I wouldn't have noticed, though.

Just got there and really didn't like it.

The park was in the town centre and had a couple of cafes on the rd right outside. It was about a 20 min walk from air bnb.

Where we were staying, on edge of town centre. there weren't really any restaurants or anything, just one pub, and I didn't want to take the baby in. We walked for a bit looking for somewhere to eat and decided to go back and order takeaway.

Omg was I in Gloucester? This has got me laughing so hard. Poor Cheltenham if so.

Cheltenham is FULL of pubs and places to eat. 😂

You were in neither Chrltenham or Gloucester from your description! I have lived in both places, never felt remotely like hiding my northern accent!
Gloucester does have a dodgy city centre park, but there are no cafes surrounding it. Gloucester City centre itself is pretty menacing at night and not somewhere tourists would really want to go - but anyone with any sense would go to Gloucester docks instead which are lovely. Cheltenham Town centre is mostly fine at night except during race week.

I can't think of any park in either Cheltenham or Gloucester that fit that description! I wonder where you really were 🤣