From indulgent eats to spontaneous pints and picturesque villages – here’s what we got up to on our Cotswolds escape.
As soon as we arrived in Chipping Norton, our priorities were clear: food first. Before even checking into the hotel, we made our way into town and ended up at Bitter & Twisted Bar & Kitchen – and honestly, what a way to kick things off.
We went for the classic sausage and mash, complete with a rich beef dripping-style gravy, and it did not disappoint. I hesitated over ordering the carbonara (knowing we had Italian booked later that evening), but I caved… and I’m so glad I did. Creamy, comforting, and packed with crispy smoked bacon – it was everything you want from a carbonara.
Naturally, we then wandered into The Cotswold Sweet Shoppe (because when in the Cotswolds…) and made a little stop at Nash’s Bakery – a traditional, welcoming bakery with the loveliest staff.
Next up: a little detour to Clarkson’s Farm. The queue for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop was massive so we gave that a miss, but couldn’t resist waiting in line for a cheeky pint at the Hawkstone Bar. Was it touristy? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.
We then checked into the Cotswold Hotel & Spa. A little bit of confusion finding our room, but all was well once we settled in – the room was just what we needed for a relaxing night.
Now for the showstopper: dinner at Alberto’s Pantry. What. A. Treat. From the moment we sat down (right by the chef, which was a bonus) we were wowed. We started with gooey smoked mozzarella, fresh warm bread with oil and balsamic, and a bowl of olives – the dream combo. But the star of the show? The lobster tortellini. Creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced. We couldn’t fault a thing. The service was just as lovely – friendly and attentive. It’s definitely earned its spot as one of our all-time favourite dinner dates.
To wrap up the evening, we had a couple of drinks by the fireplace at The Blue Boar, which gave the perfect cosy end to the day.
The next morning, we headed back into town for breakfast at The Old Mill Coffee House – a budget-friendly gem with top-tier food and lovely staff. I went full tourist again and couldn’t resist a visit to the famous MOR Bakery, where I had to try the custard tart. No regrets.
Before heading out, we dipped into a few charity shops and came across the biggest collection of Ladybird books I’ve ever seen!
Our last stop was Bourton-on-the-Water – stunning scenery and postcard-perfect views, but wow, was it packed! We didn’t stay long but it was still worth seeing.
Another weekend away, another set of memories made. Grateful for good food, good company, and the chance to explore more of our beautiful countryside.
Millie Jay Unfiltered 