The Crown Hotel Blog

Your Perfect Base: The Crown Hotel, Blockley Staying at The Crown Hotel in Blockley, just minutes from Moreton-in-Marsh, places you at the heart of the Cotswolds. This relaxed three-day itinerary is ideal for guests who want to experience iconic villages, historic landmarks, breathtaking views, and peaceful gardens — all at an unhurried pace. Day 1…

Often described as “The Queen of the Cotswolds”, Painswick is a tranquil village known for its elegance, peaceful atmosphere, and outstanding scenery. At its heart lies the iconic St Mary’s Church, surrounded by 99 perfectly shaped yew trees — a sight unique in England. Just outside the village, the famous Painswick Rococo Garden offers a…

Perched high on a hill, Stow-on-the-Wold is one of the most characterful market towns in the Cotswolds. Once an important centre for medieval wool trading, today it is loved for its spacious market square, antique shops, cosy tearooms, and traditional inns. A must-see highlight is St Edward’s Church, whose ancient yew-framed doorway is said to…

Set against rolling countryside, Sudeley Castle is one of the most fascinating historic attractions in the Cotswolds. With over 1,000 years of history, the castle is famously known as the final resting place of Queen Katherine Parr, the last wife of King Henry VIII — the only English queen buried on private land. Guests can…

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum is one of the finest tree collections in the world and a spectacular place to visit in every season. With over 15,000 trees from across the globe, it is especially famous for its breathtaking autumn colours, when the arboretum transforms into a sea of reds, oranges, and golds. Well-maintained paths make…

Bibury is one of the most photographed villages in the country and was famously described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England.” Its star attraction, Arlington Row, is a line of perfectly preserved 17th-century weavers’ cottages that have become a symbol of the Cotswolds. The village also offers peaceful riverside walks along…

Often described as the most beautiful village in England, Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the Cotswolds’ must-see destinations. This idyllic village is famous for its low stone bridges, which cross the gently flowing River Windrush, and its honey-coloured limestone cottages. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks, explore charming independent shops, traditional tearooms, and…

Established in 1965, the garden surrounds a Cotswold watermill with stream and millpond. It is a garden of many rooms – a cricket lawn, innovative fruit garden, rose walk, and herb potager with the village church as a back drop. Alkaline/neutral clay and Cotswold brash soil – steeply sided valley running East-West, a frost pocket…

Bourton House Garden features luxuriant terraces and wide herbaceous borders with stunning plant, texture and colour combinations. Features include a topiary walk, a White Garden and several spring-fed water features including a raised basket pond from the Great Exhibition of 1851

Batsford Arboretum is home to a unique collection of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos spread across 56 acres.