Taking the Kids: Outside of London
We took a walk on the Cotswolds Way Walk National Trail, the famous 102-mile footpaths connects the picturesque villages through fields where you might pass grazing sheep. This region is famous for its wool, but there are plenty of farmer's markets, gardens, bike paths and options for horseback riding
Hikers can arrange to have their bags transferred from inn to inn, as they make their way along the Cotswolds Trail. And there are numerous B-and-B's and rental apartments.
You can live like royalty at Ellenborough Park that dates back to the 16th century, but offers all of the latest amenities, including an award-winning spa and outdoor heated pool -- along with a lot of tradition. Ready for Afternoon Tea in the Great Hall, complete with freshly made scones, clotted cream and jam? Yum!
The town of Winchcombe, where Sudeley Castle is located, means "valley with a bend" and the town has historic houses and buildings made from traditional Cotswolds stone sitting on curved streets. As far back as the 9th century, Winchcombe has been one of the most prosperous communities in Britain, owing in large part to Cotswolds sheep whose wool is exported throughout Europe.
Richard III set about transforming Sudeley into a home for a king, but he was killed two years later in the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was succeeded by Henry VII and then Henry VIII, who spent time at Sudeley with Anne Boleyn in 1535 -- a year before he had her beheaded. Katherine Parr, Henry's final wife, came to live at Sudeley after he died. She remarried six months later. Sadly, she died soon after giving birth to a daughter, who is thought to have died as a young child.
When Mark Dent-Brocklehurst inherited Sudeley and brought his young wife Elizabeth to the castle, it was on the verge of falling down. Like others in their shoes, the young couple decided the only way to preserve it was to renovate it (family treasures were sold to finance the renovation) and then open it up to the public.
After Dent-Brocklehurst's death in 1972, Elizabeth remained with her two young children and has devoted her life to restoring and preserving the great castle.
"Ever since I have lived at Sudeley and watched two generations of family growing up here, all children have loved hiding and playing games in the yew hedges," Lady Ashcombe said.
Some things never change.
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