A long weekend at Cotswold Yurts
Do you ever think, “Stop the world, I want to jump off?” In this hi-tech and busy life which we fully embrace, even we think everybody needs to escape regularly to relax, re-charge batteries and enjoy the natural surroundings which incredibly as we found, can often be found right on our doorsteps.
We were recommended Cotswold Yurts by friends who had stayed there for a short break and loved it. The yurts are located just off of Cowcombe Hill (A419) which is close to Chalford at the top of the Golden Valley. There are 4 individual yurts to choose from which are each positioned in secluded locations right in the heart of ancient woodland.
We booked at the beginning of the year, because were told it was very popular. We chose to stay for a long weekend in June and what a fabulous time we had. We were blessed with glorious weather throughout our stay.
After a trip to the supermarket to purchase BBQ provisions and vino, we arrived on Friday afternoon parked the car and that was the last time we used it until our departure on Monday. To get to the yurt, which is a short trip across two fields, we had to load our belongings into a wheel barrow. It was great fun trudging across the meadows surrounded by sheep to find our new weekend home which was called Lillyhorn Yurt.
Graham & Blue are friendly hosts who live all year round in a yurt themselves, own and have built the properties. They have created the most amazing glamping experience and each yurt is very individual and decorated with style. We had the use of outside water from a tank to wash our cups and plates on the decking. They supplied ring burners to boil water, solar lights inside, a wood burning stove, outside camp fire, BBQ grill and to Graeme’s amazement a composting toilet! It didn’t bother me but he initially was very unsure but I think he got used to it after a few trips. There was a shower room in the nearby farmhouse back where we left the car and a fridge so our stay was not completely au-naturel!
On our first evening, we decided to explore and booked a nice evening meal at the Crown at near by Frampton Mansell about a mile away down the track. We have visited this pub a few times in the past whilst out walking but this was the first time we had eaten there and we were not disappointed. It’s a lovely traditional Cotswold pub with a lovely ambience. The selection of food, wine, cider and beer satisfies all tastes and the service is very friendly.
Waking up in bed listening to the sound of birdsong and squirrels bouncing from one tree to another is absolutely glorious. We slept like a log under the sheets and sheepskin rug. However, we would recommend you take a head torch which is essential if you need to get up to visit the toilet at night! Graeme had to escort me through the darkness of the wood. All part of the fun!
A tranquil breakfast in the sunshine on the decking was followed by a 15 mile walk around the surrounding countryside and on Saturday night we stoked up the fire, cooked our pasta and had a lovely feast before settling down for yet another lovely long relaxing sleep.
On Sunday, after breakfast we made our way to the Jolly Nice café for coffee and cake. This is a must to visit, they sell the most amazing cakes, ice creams, burgers and local produce. We had a picnic lunch and then stopped for a quick drink at the Daneway pub which is always so lovely in the summer.
After our final night relaxing and eating on the decking outside the yurt we were very sad to be leaving to go back to the rat race on Monday. A week’s stay would have been wonderful. We thoroughly recommend this escapism and even we did not miss technology and that’s saying something!