Our next stop was the Cotswolds, an area beloved by tourists but one that we had previously barely touched. A friend from Virginia who owns a cottage there gave us insider advice that proved consistently spot-on. Her suggestion that we stay at the Bay Tree Hotel in Burford is a case in point. We loved the small town and the charming hotel, where we had to duck under beams to get to our room or to claim one of several cozy common areas to curl up in front of a wood fire to read and plot our following day’s itinerary. There were several excellent restaurants within a few minutes’ walk.

One afternoon we took the hotel up on their offer of a cream tea, which is light meal rather than a simple hot drink. Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade jams are not that light but are delicious as well as filling. With tea (or coffee), it was not something we are used to having in the late afternoon. It was a relaxing way to end a busy day in the warmth of the blazing fire, and it definitely called for a light and late dinner.

Exploring the Cotswolds by car is easy and rewarding. The many charming towns and villages are spread across a compact region designated by the British as one their country’s AONBs or “Areas of Natural Beauty.” You could visit the entire area in single day, though that would completely miss the point. The Cotswolds invite a leisurely pace and frequent stops for admiration and contemplation. It is a place to park your car and walk, among the thatch-roofed houses, along the streams, through garden-like landscapes. Our favorite towns besides Burford were Broadway, Chipping Camden and Bourton-on-the-Water. All were more than Instagram-worthy, and the many others we visited or passed through also had charms of their own. Range Rovers and Barbour coats abound, as do tea shops and antique stores. If you do make it to the area, make a point to visit the Garden Shop in Burford. It’s just outside of town so you’ll need to drive. Don’t ask me to explain, just go and you’ll see.