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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be having second thoughts about my planned trip to Bourton on the Water (Cotswolds..?)

32 replies

Esme69 · 02/05/2011 23:07

Have just read the Cotswolds thread! My friend has just pursuaded me to fly over to heathrow with my two dd's (9 and 10) from Northern Ireland for a few days with her and her kids in a house she is renting in Bourton on the Water. She has been there before and says it is gorgeous, and I have always heard the Cotswolds are divine. However, after reading the Cotswolds thread I am now having serious doubts, especially as someone particularly mentioned Bourton O. W. as being hellish.

I havent booked the flights yet... should i not bother?? Its going to cost us quite a bit to fly and if it is madly expensive when we get there i am not sure if it is going to be worth the money to go...

OP posts:

Birdsgottafly · 02/05/2011 23:11

I think the Cotwolds provides stunning scenery. I also love Wales, Yorkshire, Ireland and others. It depends on what you want to do on holiday.

Original poster

Esme69 · 02/05/2011 23:32

We want to just chill really, hang out, read, go out for a couple of nice meals, but dont want to pay extortionate amounts of money for that as I could just as easily do that at home in Ireland. Have always wanted to see the Cotswolds though. But one of the posters specifically mentioned Bourton on the Water which is where we are meant to be going, and said that it was dreadful...

OP posts:

TCOB · 02/05/2011 23:37

Loads of the Cotswolds is shit - namely Stow, the Slaughters and Bourton HOWEVER other bits are lovely - Northleach, Cleeve Hill, Cirencester, Oddington, Guiting Power. Anywhere but Bourton really. It's overpriced dog-do. And I speak as a local (yokel)

WhereYouLeftIt · 02/05/2011 23:37

Haven't been there for a couple of years now, vague memory of having liked it. Sorry I can't be more specific. Certainly couldn't have been dreadful - that I would have remembered.

Original poster

Esme69 · 02/05/2011 23:47

TCOB - As someone with local knowledge could you tell me what are the bad bits about it? We wont have to pay for our accomodation as we are staying in my friends holiday cottage, which must be quite large as it sleeps around 8. Are there no nice restaurants or pubs, or nice walks to do? Wont really be interested in shopping really. Is it really that bad?? Seriously thinking of cancelling but dont know what to say to my friend if I do, she will be very disappointed and wonder why I have changed my mind.

OP posts:

HalfPastWine · 02/05/2011 23:56

OP, don't be put off by comments made by the people who live there. When you're immersed in something/ a place it's easy for you to take it for granted and not appreciate what's there. I live in a large city and I wonder why on earth people visit it. Sometimes you have to look on things with fresh eyes like an outsider to really see what it's all about. My city does have a lot going for it, I've just stopped seeing it because of the day to day mundane things I have to do going about my business.

Ragwort · 02/05/2011 23:59

I am sure you will have a lovely time; I stayed near Bourton a couple of times (years ago) and loved it - we walked, ate out and had a very nice time. I live not that far away now and think its a really nice area. Especially if you are not paying for the accommodation and just going for a few days. There is lots of nice countryside around the area.

Its very true that if you live somewhere you don't always see how nice it is from other people's point of view. We used to live in a classic tourist area and I thought it was the pits !

Zorayda · 03/05/2011 00:00

We went there recently with the Ramblers - like any tourist hotspot there were a few super-pricey places charging a fortune for cream teas, but also some a little further back that were better value for money; and you can eat out for treats and in for mains if you have a rental cottage. It is breath-takingly stunning (we walked 10 miles to get there and were still impressed). Go for it!

Mumwithadragontattoo · 03/05/2011 00:23

I have been to the Cotswolds on holiday a few times and love it. Didn't stay in Bourton but visited it and thought it very picturesque. I would go and would ignore local people who don't see how lovely the place they live in is.

niccibabe · 03/05/2011 00:30

Can you use the accommodation as a base for exploring the Cotswolds? There are stately homes, ancient monuments, various visitor attractions, and it's within reach of Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, if you want to do some shopping, visit cathedrals etc.

The trip would let you spend time with your friend which is maybe more important than the destination being too touristy.

As a visitor to the Cotswolds some years ago, I did notice that the shops in BoW were particularly expensive and that there were quite a few tour buses stopping in for lunch/shopping. However, BoW has some Cotswolds charm too.

Slightlyreluctantexpat · 03/05/2011 00:37

Bourton on the Water is very pretty and is often full of coach parties, but it is not hellish! Don't over-think it; you could put yourself off going anywhere.:)

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 03/05/2011 00:41

I've stayed in BoW a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. We walked in the countryside and the kids fed the ducks. Its also a good base for exploring. I'm not sure I would want to live there because of the visitor numbers but its good for a visit.

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/05/2011 00:58

ive been to BoW twice - loads to do there and very scenic. its lovely. stream runs through, water so clear you can see the (huge) fish, there is a bird garden and a mini village....i think its lovely. i would not let the cotswolds thread put you off tbh, some people have no idea how lucky they are to live where they do.

we always used to joke as i come from york - had badges saying im not a tourist, i live here...york can be hellish busy but i do miss it now.

id say go and enjoy. its lovely.

Morloth · 03/05/2011 05:05

I thought the Cotswolds were so pretty.

Last time we went we rented a cottage in Lower Slaughter for Christmas and it was wonderful, lots of early morning walks with the frost and fog, magical.

Don't listen to people who live there, I sometimes wonder why people come to Sydney for their holidays, but obviously lots of people find stuff to do/w
enjoy!

Bumperlicioso · 03/05/2011 06:26

Don't worry, lots of the Cotswolds is lovely. I live there and it is nice really but different living there than being a tourist.

I moved to Weymouth when I was 16 and loved it but all the local young people were desperate to get out!

Honestly, you'll have a lovely time.

mrsravelstein · 03/05/2011 06:34

we've been there twice in months, including bourton, with all 3dc, and had a brilliant time.

mrsravelstein · 03/05/2011 06:34

twice in 6 months, that should have said

Original poster

Esme69 · 03/05/2011 13:23

Thank you all so much for the positive comments. I am really looking forward to it now. And I live in a beauty spot too near a world heritage site (Giants Causeway) and I totally take all the amazing scenery for granted!

OP posts:

jobrien1980 · 03/05/2011 14:06

I live just up the road in Oxford and don't really get what all the fuss is about. Beware, if you're coming from any part of Ireland the "scenery" is going to be pretty anti-climatic. Its just fairly pleasant rolling hills and is actually quite densely populated. Nothing special to be honest. The towns are pretty in a very twee sort of way and there are some great (if pricey) gastropubs.

suzikettles · 03/05/2011 14:14

English country scenery is something different though if you're not from there. I'm always completely charmed by the lanes & hedges, little villages etc - totally different from Scottish countryside. I dare said I'd get jaded if I saw it every day.

I'm from Edinburgh and felt very so-bloody-what about it when I was there. Especially in the summer. Especially when I'd get nutted by some tourist's enormo-backpack every time I went on the bus. Especially when I missed my train at Waverley again because of all the gawpers on Princes St.

I love it now I don't live there..

cloudyskies · 03/05/2011 14:17

The only thing wrong with Bourton on the Water is how busy it can get. Otherwise, it is pretty with plenty of other places to visit nearby.

megapixels · 03/05/2011 14:35

I thought Bourton on the Water was very pretty. It was also very crowded but that was during the summer holidays. I wouldn't be put off going, especially since it's not just to sightsee but you have a friend you are meeting too.

Look, what's there not to like?

ShoutyHamster · 03/05/2011 14:59

Wasn't Bourton the location of the shop where the owners accused a MNer of stealing, and pushed around her, her mum and her daughter? - she took it to court IIRC

GetOrfJamesMiddltonCosHeIsMine · 03/05/2011 15:04

Oh sorry OP - I am the miserable bastard who started the I hate the Cotswolds thread

I am sure you will have a lovely time. I am just grouching about the place because (a) I want to move out and can't for a couple of years because of dd's school so feel trapped and (b) was bored witless yesterday and was in a complaining mood (no shit sherlock) plus wanted a cream tea and couldn't find one.

It is not the worst place in the world. I am sure you will have a lovely time. It's just not the most thrilling and beautiful place in the world. And if you hate the place you can get to London in about an hour and a half

I hope you have a lovely time.

Bue · 03/05/2011 15:08

I haven't seen the thread but I'm sorry to say that Bourton on the Water is the epitome of tourist hell. It's just awful - teeming with people, you can't move on the weekends! There is lots of lovely walking and pubs though.

I was in Chipping Campden on Saturday though, and it is SO much nicer. Way fewer people, almost no one about on a sunny day at the quieter end of town. And a lot of the other towns are similar - I love the Slaughters. BOTW is just particularly overrun by tourists, I think.

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