The Cotswolds

Idyllic is the only way to describe the picture-perfect Cotswolds region of England. The rolling hills, stone fences, undulated landscape and winding roads makes this area a photographer’s paradise; yet photos seldom do justice. Nonetheless I will share a few, to influence you (Hey! That rhymed).

Technically the Cotswolds spans across a few shires: Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset – sadly not a shire, and Wiltshire.  Before I go on, can we do pronunciations of these counties please? Gloss-ta-sha, War-rick-sha, Wuss-ta-sha you get the jist. The unofficial capital of the Cotswolds is Cirencester, ironically pronounced literally as it is spelled. English is one of the least phonetic languages I speak. How did this empire colonize half the world and get us to adopt their tongue?

We were in Cirencester for a very special occasion, one of Nuwan’s first cousins was getting married. The wedding was at a barn, in the middle of nowhere England, which is still fairly populous when compared to the United States. Since I’m a numbers gal, I looked it up. The population density of the UK is 727 people per square mile vs the US sitting at a spacious 94 per square mile. Let’s just say we know how to do remote this side of the pond.

My husband has 52 first cousin. 52. First. So, while we may not be able to attend all first cousins’ wedding, and logistically some first cousins’ children are now marriage age, I was very pleased with myself that we could make it to this special occasion. This family of three sisters is very dear to my husband. While Nuwan was doing his undergrad at the University of Surrey he spent many a weekends and special occasions with this uncle and aunt, and their three girls. The bond was organic and effortless. More importantly I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in the aunt’s culinary feats. Umm they would be my closest aunty and uncle as well.

The wedding was beautiful and intimate. Everything was tastefully done and well thought out. I am grateful it was in Cirencester as opposed to London where the bride is from, because it gave us a chance to show the kids English village life. We stayed in the area for 4 days to explore the place.

Cirencester, UK

Built in the 12th century the Church of St. John Baptist graces town center and is a magnificent structure. The kids had their first fish and chips at the Malt and Anchor. This chip-shop, as they call it, has been voted the best fish and chips in England. Now Cirencester is no metropolis, we stuck out a bit in the predominantly white population. But the odds of seeing Sri Lankan Fish Curry on the menu at Malt & Anchor, and then randomly running into another brown person who is Nuwan’s first cousin – because we are all related? – was stupefying.

An understated store front for a famous chip shop: Malt & Anchor

About a 15-minute drive from Cirencester is the village of Bibury, the most photographed village in England. Of course, I wanted to check it out, so we spent an afternoon in Bibury. The golden limestone walls of the houses, thatched roofs, cobbled stone streets, river through town, pedestrian bridges… should be the site of the next rom-com. Bibury was a dream.

After showing the kids Leamington Spa, a bustling town in the West Midlands and this taste of the quiet village life, the kids told me their biggest highlights. The gaggle of geese at the Jephson Gardens in Leamington and momma duck with her 12 ducklings in Bibury. Go figure! They did pick up some England English, like saying cheers when I gave them cookies, knowing cheers can be used as a thank you. But what had me in splits was when Vihaan said this in a delibrate English accent, “Amma, Can I have a bag of crisps please?” This trip across the Atlantic was made worthy right there.

Next stop, London baby! But only after tea and biscuits from this food truck.

Tea and Biscuits Anyone?