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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why the bloody hell people go on holiday to the Cotswolds?

162 replies

GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 19:26

Or dream of moving there from London.

There is nothing special about it.

I can think of loads of places of the top of my head which have far more stunning scenery - vast majority of nothern Devon, the Quantocks, Peak district, north wales, yorkshire dales, dorset coast.

What's so good about the Cotswolds? Yes the houses are a lovely golden stone colour, and look at the lovely walls Hmm, but the towns are nondescript and TWEE and it costs a fortune for not very much.

It's just really mediocre imo. And I live here. Was driving round the Cotswolds today feeling like Victor Meldrew in my muttering complaints.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 02/05/2011 19:29

Beats me. I think it's pretty shit and boring as far as holiday destinations go.

BecauseImWorthIt · 02/05/2011 19:30

DH and I went for a weekend, sans les enfants, years ago. It was foggy the whole time, so I have no idea if it was lovely or mediocre.

ninah · 02/05/2011 19:31

you really are feeling mellow this bank hol getorf!

Original poster
GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 19:34

Went to Painswick today for a cream tea (only 3 miles up the road).

Boring as hell and the only shop open was called something like Roger Turnbill's Wooden Crafts. It was somewhere where people go to kark it.

BEAUTIFUL architecture but jesus.

OP posts:
Original poster
GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 19:34

No cream tea shops open either.

That's probably why I am so pissed off. We went to TGI in Cheltenham for an ice cream sundae instead. Groovy.

OP posts:
griphook · 02/05/2011 19:35

Totally argee with you it is very overated. Tis very dull, boring and over priced.

roomonthebroom · 02/05/2011 19:36

I was in the Cotswolds recently for my cousin's wedding and thought it was beautiful. I live in one of the most stunning parts of Scotland with loads of gorgeous scenery and lots of historically interesting places to visit. I totally take it for granted though and sometimes wonder why the place is so full of tourists particularly when I need to go to the bank in mylunch hour and the place is overrun with the feckers--.

Bumperlicioso · 02/05/2011 19:38

Where there are shops they are expensive weekender type shops full of shabby shit chic stuff like V&A patterned garden tools or kitch bags that only 13 year olds should use

fishtankneedscleaning · 02/05/2011 19:38

I agree. Most boring place on earth. People are not very sociable either. We went there once and even DH (The most boring person on the planet) vowed never to go back. The kids wanted to go home as soon as we got there and whinged "I'm bored" all week. There was absolutely nothing there to change their minds. Never again......

Bumperlicioso · 02/05/2011 19:39

Tis great for property porn though Grin

fishtankneedscleaning · 02/05/2011 19:41

Aw Bumper. I missed that! Umm.... What exactly is property porn?

Lambskin · 02/05/2011 19:41

Dh and I went there for his birthday a couple of years ago and we loved it because it was the polar opposite of where we live. I couldn't live there mind. I'm from Cornwall originally so know all about boredom and tourists.

JamieAgain · 02/05/2011 19:41

Me and DH had a dirty weekend in Stow on the Wold

To be fair this was pre-DCs and anywhere would have fit the bill. But it was over the New Year, snowy and atmospheric. Had very nice meal at the Hotel (strange proprietor, hotel v much like the one in Hot Fuzz), and several v v nice beers at a tiny pub.

fivegomadindorset · 02/05/2011 19:43

Going up there next weekend for a wedding, I spent 6 years in Cirencester but much prefer Dorset although looking forward to going to Slimbridge again when we go up to stay with friends in June.

Serenitysutton · 02/05/2011 19:44

Pretty but close to London, do you can still work there. Not sure why people go on holiday there, but my ils live in Kent and go on holiday to other parts of Kent and I can't work that out.

CMOTdibbler · 02/05/2011 19:44

Painswick is naff though - though the hotel used to be nice.

Its the villages off the beaten track that are lovely in the Cotswolds imo - Bourton on the water is hell though.

Conflugenglugen · 02/05/2011 19:45

YABU, and are obviously completely off your trolley.

Feel like swapping homes? Grin

JarethTheGoblinKing · 02/05/2011 19:45

It's because you're at the wrong end of the Cotswolds GetOrf Wink

JamieAgain · 02/05/2011 19:47

I do know what you mean though. Good for a short break, but for holiday destination I'd go coast or more dramatic scenery.

Conflugenglugen · 02/05/2011 19:47

Wrong end? I rescind my offer with immediate effect.

LuckyWeKeptTheCot · 02/05/2011 19:49

IT's very pretty but stuffed full of celebs and models keeping rare breed pigs and eating organic micro salads. Very expensive as a result. That's all. Isn't it mostly Americans and Japanese tourists these days?

WhatsWrongWithYou · 02/05/2011 19:51

You're really itching to get gone, aren't you, GetAwf? Smile
We rented a house in Painswick for a couple of years; didn't know any more people there when we moved out than we had when we moved in.
Lots of retired colonels and some naughty kids whose mums wouldn't let them in the house all day, so they'd call on DS and steal his stuff.Sad

tyler80 · 02/05/2011 19:51

Danish MIL is all set on going to the Cotswolds so I sort of offered we would go with her later this year(FIL is not in great health so they're unlikely to have a holiday if we're not around to go with). It's never really been on my radar with regards to places to visit and now i'm wondering if that's for good reason.

Not quite sure why she's got Cotswolds in her mind, do you think I should try and persuade her to go elsewhere

WhatsWrongWithYou · 02/05/2011 19:51

Anyway, could be worse - you could be in Stroud!

Collegemum38 · 02/05/2011 19:52

Agree lived in 2 different Cotswold villages ina 41/2 year period. HATED IT is an under statement. Alot of places have no soul Mon to Fri until the Rich London escapees come home for the weekend.

Yes it looks pretty and some of the original locals are very nice but I have NEVER met so many people with their heads wedged so tightly up their own arses as I did living there.

DD went to a Cotswold prep school and out of all the schools my kids have attended (9 between them to date) I have never met such a bunch of weird (just plain odd) parents.

Towns boring, congested but pretty but also full of lost looking tourists probably wondering why the hell they botherd.

It was a relief to move.

Have lived in Cornwall for 18 months loved it but didnt like having to travel all the way to Plymouth for the shops Truro lacked.

Scotland 2 different places over 12 years - loved it and want to go back.

In South Wales atm - loving my life. Have to say I was quite unsure and unexcited about moving here (apart from the excitement to be escaping the boring bloody Cotswolds) but have been quite impressed with it. Infact my life here is fabulous and the welsh people have been nothing but so kind and friendly welcoming me and my family.

Looks like we may be off to North Yorks in 18months (things could change though) and cannot wait to see what life is like there.

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