The sun was shining and we decided it was time for a mini road trip. And our favourite place to go road tripping has to be the Cotswolds . This idyllic place is visited by tourists from around the globe every day so we feel blessed that it is only 90 minutes down the M5 from Birmingham.
The golden Cotswold stone cottages gleam in the sunshine and you pass gorgeous little hamlets and forests on the way. We packed a picnic and headed to Bourton-on-the-Water, known as 'Venice of the Cotswolds'. It's very different to Brum's 'Venice waterways.
Read more: Things to do in Birmingham and the best days out this summer 2024 Competition: Win family tickets to London Zoo with free LNR train travel from Birmingham As the name suggests, this chocolate-box-pretty village is set on the banks of the gentle River Windrush. Five low bridges straddle the water, making it easy to weave between all the quirky, independent boutiques , cafes, pubs and tea parlours. The water was crystal clear and so shallow that children and dogs were playing in it whilst their parents dangled their feet.
It was so hot, we couldn't resist so we took off our shoes and socks and enjoyed the soothing, cold water on our toes. With the sun on our faces, we felt this was as good, if not better, than being on holiday. Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds - in pictures View gallery Continuing the holiday vibes, we wandered around the clothing, jewellery and gift shops, picked up bargains in a store that was having a half-.