This month, 47 CFWI members set off for a WI Holiday to the Cotswolds. It had been a long time since the last WI Holiday, so this was an eagerly anticipated event!
Friendly coach driver Mike made sure the group arrived safely at the Gloucester Robinswood Hotel after a long day of traveling.
Following a lovely meal and a good night’s rest, they were ready in the morning to set off for Tetbury. After a wander around and a coffee break, they then headed for Highgrove. Disappointingly, King Charles was not in residence – tours of the gardens only take place when he’s not there. The guided garden tour took the group through the arboretum, the stumpery, the thyme walk, the kitchen garden and the wildflower meadow – not displaying many wildflowers in October! The members were all impressed with the beautiful natural gardens, and also with the life-size elephant sculptures on display – their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla are the joint presidents of Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to preserving endangered Asian wildlife. The Queen’s late brother, Mark Shand, founded the charity in 2002.
After lunch or cream teas, the coach returned the party to the hotel.
Day two took the group to Bourton-on-the-Water. Some members shopped, others had lunch and some spent time at the model village. After that, it was off to beautiful Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe. The group explored the grounds and the lovely St Mary’s Church, which contains the marble tomb of Queen Katherine Parr. The sun shone and the rolling hills around the castle were filled with sheep. It was easy to imagine one was a young Elizabeth I, wandering the grounds. There was just time after touring Sudeley Castle for a quick shopping stop at Stow-on-the-Wold, where some members posed with a very dashing Rolls Royce.
The next day, Mike the driver set off with the group for Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property that was home to the eccentric collector, Charles Wade. Wade filled the house with his eclectic collections of Samurai armour, musical instruments, clocks, toys, bicycles and much more. After touring the house and beautiful cottage garden, the group then headed for stunning Broadway, where members had lunch and had some retail therapy in a wonderful assortment of independent shops. A last stop in Cheltenham gave opportunities for more shopping, sight-seeing and popping in to the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
The weary travellers enjoyed one last laughter-filled meal together at the hotel before heading back home the next morning. Before hitting the motorway for Cornwall, there was a stop in Gloucester. Some members did more shopping while others toured the historic docks and warehouses.
The Holiday was a brilliant chance for the women to make friends with members of other WIs, while exploring a truly beautiful part of the country. The weather was very kind to the group and the sun shone nearly all the time. Coach driver Mike did an excellent job of reversing into some very tricky spots, and Holiday Organiser Penny Picton was thanked by the entire group for her hard work in putting the trip together.
See more photos of our 2023 WI Holiday here.
Looks like an enjoyable time ,lovely photos and the weather was good too.