CHRISTMAS IN THE COTSWOLD
Spending Christmas in the Cotswolds had been on my bucket list for years and, when Oliver and I finally made it happen, it was every bit as cosy, charming and storybook-perfect as I'd imagined.
We based ourselves in Kingham, one of my absolute favourite Cotswold villages. It may not be as famous as some of its neighbours, but its quiet, beautiful charm and slow, gentle pace make it feel as though it's been lifted straight out of an Enid Blyton novel.
And anyone who knows me knows I’m completely obsessed with those magical childhood stories. I’ve always had a soft spot for fairytale-like places, much to Oliver’s amusement — he often jokes that I’m living in my own little fairytale world… and, sometimes, I think he might actually be right (wink!).
Before settling in, we stopped at The Bull (one of the area's most beautiful festive country pubs, bathed in twinkling lights and roaring warmth) in Charlbury (ideally and idyllically located just one stop before Kingham!) and treated ourselves to a Christmas Eve meal.
The wonderful and superbly friendly team had reserved the most gorgeous little romantic table for us that felt like it belonged in a Christmas movie.
Christmas and winter, for me, literally translate to pie, mash and every accompanying winter warmer imaginable. The pies were absolutely to die for (we didn't expect anything less, of course!), while Oliver did what Oliver does best by insisting on cauliflower cheese as if it's a non-negotiable festive rule… because, obviously, Christmas calories simply don't exist?
Then... you'll never believe what happened next.
In a way, I half expected it. I probably manifested it...
As we were leaving, we walked straight past David Beckham, Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice forever!) and their children (minus Brooklyn and Nicola, of course 😉), casually chatting away, smiling and looking thoroughly relaxed and completely unbothered.
I, on the other hand, nearly stopped breathing.
I somehow managed to smile back like a functioning human being and hold it together until I got outside.
The second the door closed behind me, I was silently screaming with excitement. Yes, VERY dramatic... but that's me all over!
Poor Oliver. I think he was slightly embarrassed, although he also found the entire situation absolutely hilarious.
From there, it was on to Kingham itself — our little Christmas hideaway.
We stayed in the most beautiful cottage just across the fields, spending most of our days doing gloriously little, which was exactly what we needed.
As huge fans of Clarkson's Farm, we had every intention of making the pilgrimage to Diddly Squat. Did we actually make it? Nooooo. We were simply too comfortable, far too cosy, and, if I'm being completely honest, incredibly lazy and wrapped up in our own Christmas bubble to move anywhere fast.
Some trips just don't need a checklist.
Lunches turned into dinners at The Wild Rabbit and The Kingham Plough, Christmas treats appeared like little surprises, and we worked our way through delicately divine macarons from my all-time favourite Parisian pâtisserie, Ladurée (yet another thoughtful gift!), alongside delicious homemade German biscuits sent by friends in Germany — a festive tradition I look forward to every single year.
Needless to say, we felt completely and utterly spoilt rotten.
The days blurred into slow mornings, long countryside walks, ridiculously good food, cosy pubs, crackling fires, spectacular winter sunsets, and returning indoors to warm up with another cup of tea (tea on repeat, naturally!) and something sweet, with absolutely nowhere else to be and no pressure to do anything at all — which, if you know me, is quite unusual.
Christmas in Kingham was definitely a cotswold dream come true
Just us, a beautiful little Cotswold village, peace/quiet that feels increasingly rare these days, and the joy of spending Christmas together.
Without question, one of my favourite Christmases ever!!
