What could be a nicer way to enjoy a leisurely English holiday than to hire a 17th Century cottage in a beautiful village in the Cotswolds? This amazing self catering option is available in the village of Bibury, which was once described by the English writer, William Morris, as “the most beautiful village in England”. Although steeped in history, the holiday cottages are all fully equipped to meet the needs of your family and, with cottage rentals of between £280 and £450, are reasonably priced for a week’s hire.

The Cotswolds are popular with people who want to get away from the hectic bustle of city life. The rolling green hills are perfect for walkers and cyclists and you can wile away many a pleasant hour following the lazy flow of rivers and exploring little country roads and woodland paths. The Cotswolds region is also perfect for horse riding, boasting many miles of bridleways and several riding centres which cater for both experienced and novice riders.

No-one does pubs quite like the English and there’s something very satisfying about sitting in a wood-beamed ancient pub, enjoying a refreshing drink, listening to convivial chatter, and being befriended by the resident pub dog! A pub lunch can be a perfect way to build your strength for the next stage of your planned walking or cycling excursion.

For a quirky pleasure, it’s worth visiting the Model Village at Bourton-on-the-Water. Here you will find a model, in 1/9th scale, of the actual village, which was built of Cotswold stone in 1937. Even the accompanying trees are miniatures and wandering amongst the stone buildings will make you and your kids feel as if you are Gulliver on his Travels!

Whilst holidaying in the Cotswolds make sure that you bring your golf clubs with you, as there are plenty of great courses that you can play. The Cotswold Hills Gold Course, in Cheltenham, and the Cotswold Edge Golf Course, in the delightfully-named Wotton Under Edge, are two prime examples. These picturesque tree-lined courses offer the prospect of a nice walk as well as a challenging day’s golf.

The Cotswolds are great for kids and adults and offer the opportunity to have a healthy fun-packed family holiday. Just remember to bring your walking shoes and bikes (or hire some) so that you can fully appreciate the gentle beauty of the region. Hiring a picturesque cottage is the perfect way to get the true Cotswolds experience and will also help you to save money and have full flexibility to timetable your excursions.