Organising a trip with a group of friends is never easy. If they all live in another country with a…read moremulti-hour time difference between you and them it's even tougher.
But from my first phone call with Wendy at the Old School, I knew if anyone could make our dreams of a car-less, stress free, food forward holiday in the Cotswolds come true it would be her!
Wendy sorted out transportation from the Kingham station to the Old School and our people carrier was there waiting as soon as we stepped off the train. We stopped en route at Daylesford (highly recommended) and bought some fantastic food souvenirs.
When we arrived at the Old School Wendy warmly welcomed us, showed off each room and then let us have our pick. Not long after she met us in the sitting room with plenty of tea and two types of cake.
Prior to our arrival she'd booked us a table at the nearby Red Lion Inn for dinner. As we left to head there on our first night we told her about a walk we planned to do the next day. At breakfast the following morning, Wendy let us know she'd given it much thought and come up with an alternative walk that would require less time on the road, more time on footpaths and a stop at a country pub. We were sold and she gave us a map as well as verbal and written directions.
Hours later, after we'd finished lunch at the pub, we received word from our server that Wendy had phoned to make sure we'd gotten there and to have him remind us not too eat too much since she was preparing our Thanksgiving dinner.
I don't think there was a single thing we wanted for that Wendy did not provide:
- An extravagant four course Thanksgiving dinner at a very reasonable £30 per person
- Rubber boots, gloves, hats for those who forgot theirs to keep us warm on our walk
- Clotted cream (because I love the stuff!)
- Transportation to and from the station (hello hassle free!)
- Tea and homemade cake each afternoon
She even laundered my friends' jeans after they got muddy on our walk. Have you ever heard of such hospitality anywhere, ever?
The Old School is an absolute dream for folks wanting a food-centric holiday in the Cotswolds. The breakfasts, bundled into the nightly rate, are dreamy indulgences which include yogurt, numerous fruit compotes, cereals, smoked salmon, tea, coffee, toast with homemade jams, eggs any way you like, bacon, sausage and black pudding.
The B&B makes an excellent base if you want to go walking and take in the gorgeous countryside on foot. I feel as if I've stumbled upon a unique paradise in my discovery of the Old School and can't recommend the place highly enough.
My only disappointment? I didn't spot any stoats while at the Old School. Pretty sure that means I shall have to return soon to continue my search!