We are delighted to be joined by Leonora Bamford, founder and editor of MyBaba, the influential go-to parenting guide. From revealing the best place to visit early in the morning and her foodie go-to with little ones, to the best night-time escape, Leonora shares her Insider’s Guide to the Cotswolds.
How long you have visited and or lived in the Cotswolds?
I’ve been coming to the Cotswolds since before I can remember. My mother grew up here, so we often spent time visiting family.
My favourite spot is…
There are so many wonderful places to visit depending on the time of year. When my children were little we spent most of our weekends between the Cotswold Farm Park, The Model Village, Birdland and the Cotswold Wildlife Park. As they’ve gotten older they love Far Peak for climbing, 417 Bike Park and The Lights in Banbury.
My favourite view of the Cotswolds is…
Whenever I get in the car and reach the peak of a hill, I am struck with the beauty of the Cotswolds. There is one point where you can actually stand and look at 3 different counties, but one of my absolute favourites is the view from Broadway Tower. It is a pretty perfect English skyline.
My favourite place to escape in nature (with children) is…
Minster Lovell. It’s the most beautiful 15th century English heritage site where you can spend the day exploring, cray fishing and swimming if you dare! I also love visiting Cotswolds Lavender in the Summer for the acres of purple stretching hills.
The best place to go early in the morning (with children) is…
Otis and Belle do an insane cruffin and a great hot chocolate!
Something only locals know is…
From April – June most of the woods in the Cotswolds are filled with a carpet of wild garlic.
My (little ones friendly) foodie go-to is…
You can’t beat the pizzas at Daylesford Farm!
My cultural fix (for the children) is…
The Cotswolds is dotted with the dreamiest villages, market towns, castles, gardens and arboretums, so much to choose from. Burford is sometimes referred to as the gateway to the Cotswolds. It’s most famous for its high street, with 3 medieval bridges and a beautiful church. Both sides of the high street are lined with beautiful old buildings and halfway down the hill there is a 16th century Tolsey building which was once the meeting place for medieval merchants. Another firm favourite is Bourton-on-the-Water which has the Fosse Way passing along the west side of the village. This was once a Roman road running from the West Country to Lincolnshire. Every year a unique football game takes place in the river Windrush with teams from local sides and has been played annually for over a century. We often sit on a bench and feed the ducks.
My nighttime escape is…
No one makes a better cocktail than Sam at The Fox at Lower Oddington.
A misconception about the Cotswolds would be…
It’s only for the weekend.
Three words to describe the Cotswolds…
Idyllic, charming, haven.
Imagery of Leonora and her baba’s kindly shared by Leonora, you can follow her on Instagram here.
