Local food in the Cotswolds
Cider varies greatly from maker to maker and harvest to harvest, just as wine does. Although methods of production are, at heart, identical, variations in soils, micro-climate and fruit variety affect the flavour of the finished product. Scrumpy is the name applied to farmhouse ciders that have been produced by traditional methods. Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire ciders have Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.
Where to stay
The Cheltenham Festival (March 15-18) the glittering jewel in jump racing's crown-is just one reason to visit the Cotswolds in March
For Cheltenham Racecourse
Stay at Beaumont House (01242 223311; www.bhhotel.co.uk), within walking distance of the Regency spa town centre and a short drive from the hallowed racecourse itself
For natural splendour
Situated in Well Hill beside 600 acres of National Trust common land, luxurious Forwood Farm (01453 731620; www.forwoodfarm.com) is close to the Princess Royal's Gatcombe estate
For the sheepish
The Lamb Inn (01993 823155; www.cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk) in Burford, originally built in 1420 as weavers' cottages, offers sumptuous rooms and delicious food. It won the Condé Nast Johansens ‘Most Excellent Inn' award in 2009, and is an ideal place from which to explore the Cotswolds' abundant
antique and art shops
For collectors
In timeless Upper Slaughter, the stone-built former rectory Lords of the Manor (01451 820243; www.lordsofthemanor.com) is close to the antiques haven of Stow-on-the-Wold
For an architectural marvel
With its strapwork parapets and barley-sugar twist chimneys ,the Jacobean East Banqueting House (01628 825925; www.landmarktrust.org.uk) at Old Campden House, Chipping Campden, which sleeps six, has to be seen to be believed
Nature notes
There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the spring awakening of wildlife in the Cotswolds in March, not least female brown hares squaring up to each other in big fields. The five-mile Golden Valley walk between Stroud and Cirencester takes in four nature reserves bursting with bluebells and carpets of wild garlic, and there'll be lambing in the Cotswold Farm Park, which opens on March 19.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
