BlooJoo

To stay in for a few weeks. Would like a cottage that's close to nature but close enough to walk to the village, and a village with a decent supply of decent restaurants, pubs, grocery, etc. It does not need to be a bustling metropolis. Was thinking the Cotswolds. I found this article, showing a list of top villages in the region:

https://www.character-cottages.co.uk...-have-to-visit

Does anyone have a specific village recommendation in that region or other? From there, I can AirBNB around that area. I realize this is quite the generic request, but any help wold be appreciated. Open to the entirety of the UK, not just England/Cotswolds.

Thanks!

Scots_Al

As you say - a very broad request. I suspect you’ll get more worthwhile suggestions if you’re able to say what you are looking for from the area - hillwalking, fishing, dramatic scenery, beaches, proximity to gateway airport, etc.

Only other thing to note is that villages don’t often have more than a shop and/or pub - so if you’re looking for something with choice within walking distance, you may be looking for a small town, rather than a village.

jerry a. laska

I agree with Scots_Al, the typical village may only have one or at best two pubs. See for example, Skatering's description of the village where s/he lives in this thread:
Short term Village rentals
In any event, that thread does have have some good information for locating a cottage once you decide on the area (whether it be the Cotswolds (Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, among others), the Lakes, or somewhere else).
There are also a number of guides/estate agents/booking tools online and books that attempt to identify some of these picturesque villages and which includes some sample lodgings and activities in the area.
https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/bl...esque-villages
https://www.visitengland.com/blog/we...rfect-villages

edited to add: In light of kettering’s suggestion below, see also:
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/

Kettering Northants QC

Thought of a lighthouse by the sea-side?
https://www.bookalighthouse.com/rentals/england

antichef

Just in case you are not aware, there are some strict rules for pubs and restaurants in the UK at the moment. It may not be possible to just wander in as you could do prior to March. Some places only allow you to enter if booked in advance, you cannot stand at the bar, you may have to order food as well as order a drink (depending on where in the UK you are).

When were you thinking of coming? You list your country of residence as US. Currently you would be required to self-isolate for your first two weeks after arrival so you might want to plan for somewhere that you can get deliveries as pubs and restaurants will be off-limits for you.

And masks are compulsory inside almost all buildings and on all public transport.

EuropeanPete

Outsiders are also rather unwelcome at the moment in many of the villages typically frequented by tourists and by those with second homes.

NWIFlyer

This. OP, your plan is really not going to work out well - you’ll just be stuck in the cottage for the first 14 days, unable to go out. The self-isolation rules essentially restrict you to the house and garden of your chosen accommodation. You won’t be able to go out and walk (exercise is not a permitted activity), let alone go inside a pub or restaurant. If you absolutely couldn’t get food or a takeaway delivered one of you would be allowed out to the shop to get it, but the expectation would be that you do that once to stock up for the self-isolation time - that’s it. In a small village you’ll be noticed - you should fully expect someone to report you if you’re obviously breaching the regulations.

There Is absolutely no chance of this changing in respect of arrivals from the US for many months yet.

If you are still determined to visit, I’d suggest renting something with a big outdoor amenity area and making the best of it, but you’d be much better off doing that in a town with reasonable amenities that can better cope with servicing you.

Swanhunter

Bourton on the Water ticks all the boxes for the OP (if you can cope with the day trippers) but as others have said there are a few practical and process changes involved!

London is both open and remarkably peaceful currently. Great chance to experience all it can offer with hordes of tourists and commuters. 😊

Gagravarr

In terms of what you want from pubs, restaurants, nice food shops etc, Moreton in Marsh is pretty good. There are some lovely cottages in the old bit of the town near the church, and you're out into countryside very quickly from there if you head in some directions. If you plan on getting a car, several lovely villages close to Moreton you can consider too, though Bourton-on-the-Hill is probably the only you can easily walk back to after a few drinks out. Moreton also has the advantage of the train for day-trips to Worecester, Hereford, Oxford etc.

Assuming you're going to have to do the 14 days self-isolation, plan on a cottage with a big garden!