REVIEW: BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER, ROBIN COTTAGE

AG
4 days ago
4 min read

A Bellisimo Weekend in the Venice of the Cotswolds

As much as the influencers artfully licking ice creams on its pretty bridges try, no reel can adequately capture the beauty of Bourton-on-the Water.

The picturesque village is known as the Venice of The Cotswolds, thanks to the River Windrush which trickles through it, flanked by honey-stone pubs, cafes, picnickers on the green and ice cream shops.

We arrive on the perfect Summer day, and our children lose hours, splashing in its Limestone filtered, crystal clear (and safely shallow) water - ducking beneath its five bridges and scattering feed to the friendly ducks.

A river they can safely play in is a deliciously wholesome novelty for our London kids, who would need a Tetanus jab just for glancing at The Thames.

Our dog also bounces in and out of the water, enjoying the equal ratio of canines to humans in this dreamy idyll.

What makes the trip even more perfect, is that we’re staying at Robin Cottage right in the heart of the action - we know this because influencers are shooting themselves in front of our flower-studded front door, and filming TikTok dance routines outside our window, which has staggering views of the glittering river, golden pubs and bakery.

Housed in a former water mill, the pretty cottage is perched on the waterfront on a cobbled square, which is also home to the Cotswold Motoring Museum, that is free to enter for all cottage guests.

Jolly staff from the Motoring Museum greet us and gift our dog with a bag of toys, treats and blankets, before showing us around.

It’s a pristine and cosy space, with a double bedroom downstairs, with original Cotswold Stone walls and beams, elegant blue, parrot-adorned cushions and furnishings, and a spacious ensuite.

There’s a mink and duck egg kitchen-diner downstairs, with a fireplace and a cosy, exposed brick lounge upstairs, with another fire and a comfy sofa bed, where our children sleep, and gawp out of the window (view below) at kids splashing in the water; couples sipping drinks at its bankside pubs and the occasional overexcited dog, being chased by owners through the river, on the hunt for ducks.

Everything is a short stroll from our cottage and we happily abandon our car for the next few days and alarm our children with how accommodating we are to requests: “You left your red felt tip/toy spider/pebble at the cottage? No problemo!”

First, we explore our neighbour, the Motoring Museum, which - like almost everywhere here - is super dog-friendly.

It’s a wonderfully curated, nostalgic journey through the history of 20th-century motoring, bulging with rare vehicles and classic memorabilia. The big highlight for us is Brum, the BBC’s iconic superhero car - the show was also filmed here.

A gentle stroll up the Windrush takes us to the only Grade II listed model village in the country.

The Model Village is a one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water - containing our very own cottage, flowing water, bridges, two singing churches and even the brilliantly meta model village within the model village.

A little further up is Birdland Park & Gardens, a fun exploration of birds and their Jurassic ancestors.

We meet England’s only breeding group of King Penguins, including the world’s oldest penguin Seth, who is also a Hollywood star, after his moment in Batman Returns, as part of Danny DeVito’s evil penguin army.

There are more than 500 birds, from flamingos, pelicans, parrots and cranes to life-sized dinosaurs in its Jurassic Journey trail.

A particular highlight for our children is the Magic & Mischief store, a wonderfully nostalgic toy shop perched on the water, and owned by former-CITV magician Tim Dixon, who thrills our children with some extraordinary close-up magic, before they relieve his shelves of spy glasses, jumping spiders and magical elixirs.

Obviously, food and drink form a big part of our trip. We enjoy elite wood-fired pizza from Oli Bonny, on the dreamy green - try their dreamy 'Magic Lushrooms' with Portobello and truffle oil... and save us a slice.

The Rose Tree restaurant is homed within a gorgeous, Grade II listed cottage, with a pretty riverside garden. It serves excellent, seasonal British goodies. And the Mousetrap Inn - a beautiful, 18th century boozer - is another top pick for inventive twists on pub classics.

Our breakfast highlight is Bakery on the Water - the current title-holder of Bakery of the Year. It’s a beautiful, nearly century-old, artisanal bakers with a secret garden, specialty coffee and the perfect bacon bap or almond croissants.

Another morning favourite is Box Bush (below), which served the kids’ favourite blueberry muffins, wonderfully fresh fruit, oat, and yoghurt breakfast bowls, and banging breakfast baps, which you can enjoy in their gated garden, overlooking the green and the water.

Brilliantly, the pubs outnumber even the ducks here, so we are spoilt by choice. Highlights include The Fox, The Willow and The Mousetrap.

Time slows right down in Bourton-on-the-Water, but not slowly enough - so sadly it is eventually time to hand back the keys to Robin Cottage and leave this pocket of honey-hued serenity.

But we make a note to become millionaires over the next few days, and move here immediately.

Robin Cottage, The Old Mill, Sherborne Street, Bourton-on-the-Water GL54 2BY

Boundless members save up to 20% on their stay, plus any current savings or offers