The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley are landscapes of deep woods, hidden caves, and ancient ruins. History lingers in the stones, and folklore clings to every shadow. Among the Forest of Dean folklore and legends, the stories have been whispered for centuries. Ghostly guardians pace crumbling castles. Fairies rise from beneath the earth to […]
Category Archives: News
Eco-friendly holiday home tips for owners: how to make your letting more sustainable
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s becoming a deciding factor for guests choosing where to stay. At Bolthole Retreats, we’re seeing a growing number of travellers who want to enjoy the countryside without costing the earth. For owners, following these eco-friendly holiday home tips for owners not only helps protect the beautiful landscapes of the […]
Celebrate the Harvest: local food, seasonal produce & country charm
The approach of Autumn is undoubtedly a symbol of the passage of time and a reminder that nothing stays the same. But it is also a season of gentle wildness, where the soft coral pinks of the sunset, the fading mauve of the heather and the various shades of bracken make the countryside one of […]
The Cotswolds’ countryside beach you didn’t know about
When you think of the Cotswolds, it’s all honey-hued cottages, rolling green hills, and quaint village pubs. What you might not expect to find is a golden sandy secret beach complete with swimming lagoons, right in the heart of the countryside. Welcome to Cotswold Country Park & Beach—a family-friendly spot that feels like a seaside […]
Is the Cotswolds becoming the LA of the UK?
From sprawling country piles to five-star retreats, the Cotswolds has long been a rural escape for those in the know. Over the last year, it seems this sleepy pocket of England has taken on a new identity, celebrities. More than just a weekend bolthole, is it now Britain’s answer to Los Angeles? Only with more […]
The Cotswolds Designer Outlet Is Now Open
The long-awaited Cotswolds Designer Outlet has officially opened its doors just outside Tewkesbury, offering a refined new shopping and leisure destination for visitors to Gloucestershire and the surrounding region. Set within a beautifully crafted environment that blends traditional Cotswold architecture with modern design, the outlet provides more than 50 carefully curated stores alongside a selection […]
Fields, flames & feasting: a guide to the countryside’s best outdoor dining
Some meals are simply eaten, others become lore. We have scoured the countryside for the best alfresco dining spots this summer and trust us, even after you’ve moved on, they will stay with you. At each one, food and flavour comes together with a picturesque backdrop to form a kind of dreamscape that’s otherworldly and […]
Visit Charlbury: discover The Bull, voted best pub in the UK
EX There’s a moment – stepping off the train at Charlbury, maybe – when you pause. The air’s a touch cleaner. The trees feel somehow older, wiser. And somewhere, just out of view, someone is pouring a pint you really want to drink.
Why Tetbury should be your next Cotswolds escape
It goes without saying that the Cotswolds aren’t short on picturesque towns. On any given drive through, it’s all rolling meadows and low-slung dry stone walls. You’ll pass village after village that look like they’ve been conjured from a Richard Curtis daydream. But when it comes to a place that’s not only charming but genuinely […]