Vine Cottage, Cheltenham

The pretty village of Alderton lies on the border of the Cotswolds and the Vale of Evesham and was mentioned in the Doomsday book. It has a 16th century thatched village pub offering home cooked meals and real ales, and a village store and Post Office stocking locally sourced produce. Close by is the ancient Saxon town of Winchcombe with inns, restaurants, tea rooms and individual shops, many full of character. Once the home of Queen Katherine Parr, Sudeley Castle lies in the beautiful Cotswold Hills on the edge of Winchcombe and boasts award-winning gardens and medieval ruins, and it plays host to numerous events throughout the year. The quintessential English village of Broadway is just a short drive away and offers individual shops and boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and hotels, including the world-renowned Lygon Arms, popular for centuries and now offering spa facilities. Alderton is centrally situated for exploring tourist attractions such as the spa town of Cheltenham, famous for the Gold Cup horse racing and Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. Also within short drives are Warwick Castle and the Cotswold market towns of Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh and Bourton-on-the-Water. The surrounding area offers agricultural shows, arts festivals, village fetes as well as lovely walks, cycle trails and National Trust properties. A great base for a memorable holiday at any time of year.