Honey-coloured Cotswolds hotspot, Winchcombe is actually lacking in its most famous building. Grand Winchcombe Abbey was demolished in the early 16th-century and its a ruined nearby rival, Hailes Abbey, that draws the crowds today. But the old block-work of the great Benedictine building is still, in part, scattered around the pretty town. The lintel above the door to the old George Inn was once inside the church, while great stones in the Corner Cupboard pub have come from the abbey's limestone walls. They're each slabs from the Cotswold's extensive history. And almost every town and village around here, it seems, has some similarly ancient story to tell. It's a ready-made recipe for exploration.
Four miles from the town itself, though right alongside the renowned figure-of-eight footpath, the Winchcombe Way, Winchcombe Campsite is a well established spot that, over the years, has built itself not just a sturdy reputation but also a serious handful of camping facilities. Along with the regulars – hot showers, toilets, laundry rooms and the like – visitors will also find a reputable on-site shop, a large children's playground and parent and baby washrooms. The most recent addition to the site, meanwhile, also means campers can now leave their tent at home and turn up to a ready-pitched glamping set-up. You barely need to lift a finger.
In a private corner of the campsite, which centres around a large, tree-lined fishing lake surrounded by regular camping pitches, the two Ready Camp safari tents feature two bedrooms and an open living space. Inside, they're furnished with proper beds (each tent can sleep 4 adults or a family of 6), a sofa that look out to the wooden terrace with outdoor furniture, and a kitchenette fitted out with everything you need – hob, microwave, fridge, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery. In all, it's a well prepared setup that's worth of the 'Ready Camp' name.
From the campsite, the pretty village of Alderton is an easy walk away, with a rich heritage and a handful of amenities including a pub, a Post Office, a shop and a petrol station. Beyond, meanwhile, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury are just a short drive, while the approach to Winchcombe also sees you pass the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Arrive at the station a little early to enjoy a hot cuppa in the cute, 1950's style coffee shop on the platform and then hop on board the first steamer for a chug through the Cotswolds. If you don't have the legs for the 42-mile Winchcombe Way footpath, then it's certainly the next best way to get out and immerse yourself in the incredible scenery!