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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:
Royalcucumberchopper · 02/05/2011 21:39

I've lived in cots near stroud, nailsworth side all my life except whilst travelling and a brief stint up norf. We love it here! The villages are pretty and friendly, our village is full of young families that love to meet up at the pub or each others houses to get sloshed while the kids run feral. we have crazy village fairs and fetes and even a daft panto!

The ladies are trying to start a modern WI for all the yummy mums here.....pimms ahoy.

My family have everything here, good parks, markets, pubs etc. I prefer tetbury and ciren and stroud on sat mornings to cheltenham. I never go to Gloucester, it really is dire!

Come to nailsworth you chelt lot, even Judy dench was at the market last week, and lily/Keith Allen like it here too!

oldraver · 02/05/2011 21:39

Pia same here. For some reason C-Town on Facebook is listed as Wiltshire so B/F always puts Burford.

Ivy my DS have friends who have seen him looking non too happy in The Burford Garden Company,

WhatsWrongWithYou · 02/05/2011 21:39

GatOwf, did you say you live near Cranham Woods? I thought you were in Gloucester. Was at CW today with my younger DCs. Managed to spin the trip out to about an hour including travel time! Smile
This is depressing me; I thought it was just me being awkward, not really getting on with people and feeling as if there's nowhere to go.

We spend so much time at home - not what I expected when we moved here (from London!)

But it seems we're just living in the wrong place after all. S'pose I can always look forward to retirement in the Smoke.

Oh, and you might have got a cream tea at Cotswold 88, so-called boutique hotel in Painswick, or maybe even one if the pubs. Presume you tried them?

Can't recommend anywhere as I've never had a decking cream tea here either.

LadySybilPussPolham · 02/05/2011 21:40

GatOwf I have this increasingly sneaky feeling that I know you! I grew up in the town despised by JK Rowling and moved around a bit before finally across the boundary. The Cotswold elite make me want to rip the redundant side steps off their Discoverys and shove them up their bolt-hole. Ahem.

ivykaty44 · 02/05/2011 21:40

well thats good he is visiting burford - even more reason never to go back Grin

ivykaty44 · 02/05/2011 21:43

ilfracombe - well theres a place of intrigue Grin and proper hills

Original poster
GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 21:43

Whatswrong live near Upton St Leonards, so go up the hill at Upton and through Cranham woods, is about 2 miles from my house. Actually love the commute t owork through the woods and lanes, well it is nice at the mo but will be less fun come the winter ice and snow.

What town is despised by JK Rowling Sybil?

OP posts:
Original poster
GatOwfMarLaaaandInnitBabe · 02/05/2011 21:45

Ilfracombe is mad. I should cast my mind back and take off the rose tinted specs - compared to Ilfracombe the Cotswolds are paradise.

OP posts:
tudorrose · 02/05/2011 21:45

GOMYIB you are spot on about Cheltenham. Have lived here always and its very dull. Mostly nice but soooooo dull. But its not as bad as Gloucester, god it's grim there! Grin

Oh, and if you drove past TGI earlier you were really close to my house. You should have knocked. We had scones today. And cream.

LadySybilPussPolham · 02/05/2011 21:47

Dursley!

tudorrose · 02/05/2011 21:48

GOMLIB Blush

footballsgalore · 02/05/2011 21:49

Surely you have all overlooked the ONLY reason to visit the Cotswolds!!!

It is the home of 'Brum'.
Kept my DS happy for 10 whole days.
He wants to go back this year!

cottonreels · 02/05/2011 21:52

Just marking my spot and putting Blockley on the map. We like it here, even if it is a bit of a retirement village, and it feels lovely and safe for bringing up a toddler.

zisforzebra · 02/05/2011 21:54

You should have tried the Rococco Gardens just outside Painswick for a cream tea or maybe Prinknash Abbey? Totally agree with you about Cheltenham though. Horrible, jumped up place that seems to think it's so much better than everywhere else.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 02/05/2011 21:54

Blockley - thought that was a garage! (Sorry)

Nancy66 · 02/05/2011 21:56

Always thought Cotswolds was overrated - roads are busier than parts of London, countryside not nearly as breath-taking as you find in, say, Sussex - and prices are ridiculous.

thebestisyettocome · 02/05/2011 21:58

I can't remember the name of the place where we were ordered off the playground. It was years ago but iirc it was quite near Chipping Norton.
I know the woman was talking shit when she said they weren't insured but I couldn't be bothered to argue.

ivykaty44 · 02/05/2011 21:58

No you don't have to drive at 4mph during the week in the Cotswolds as thats when all the Londoners go home Grin

mummy777 · 02/05/2011 22:04

thebestisyettocome, I think my friend had the same thing happen to her at a place called Cornwell. Woman ordered them off the playground!

nijinsky · 02/05/2011 22:05

I don't like Sussex as much as the Cotswolds though because its hillier and slightly wilder. But equally I've no idea why people rave about Scotland. OK the mountains are nice but not particularly accessible, but its either mountains or conurbation. One extreme or the other. Not nice, civilised lowland countryside with public rights of way running through it. And the bit I live in makes the Cotswolds look quite affordable! Houses with a bit of land, individually built and reasonably secluded are so rare here, you pay a vast premium for them that doesn't give any value for money.

Nancy66 · 02/05/2011 22:09

Flat countryside just isn't as jaw-dropping for me - that's why I always find Norfolk a bit 'meh' I need a hill or two....

Bumperlicioso · 02/05/2011 22:18

Yes, I find the Sussex/Essex border the same Nancy, got family in Frinton, jeez it's depressing driving there!

teenyweenytadpole · 02/05/2011 22:26

Well I live here and I love it. You lot who don't like it can feck off and leave us all alone and it will be nice and quiet without you.

skybluepearl · 02/05/2011 22:38

Nailsworth and the surrounding hills are fab. My good friend lives there and she is always doing fun community organised things. It's very alternative, creative, community minded, green and bumpy with a steiner college/schools. Not so chocolate box as other parts and so less touristy. It's very different to snooty soul less painswick. Attractions close by include the wonderful cotswold safari park, slim bridge wet lands, westonbirt arboretum, cheltenham, bristol and bath. we tend not to bother with the cities when we visit though.

Royalcucumberchopper · 02/05/2011 22:43

^^ should add thistledown in there too, fab for camping, the future wowo site I tell you, but much cheaper, get your bell tents there this summer campers!