FAIRFORD: The Newcomer of the year award went to ‘The Deli’ which supplies food that is local, tasty and produced fairly. They stock a wide variety of breads as well as their new Award Winning Pâtés including Duck with Apricot, Port and Cornish Blue and for those who prefer to leave the meat out – Wild Mushroom, Lentil & Thyme.
CIRENCESTER: Best independent retailer award to ‘Cirencester Cupcakes’. I’m sure you won’t be able to walk past this window display without stopping. The cupcakes are made freshly baked daily using locally sourced ingredients and are delectable to say the least. They specialise in gorgeous handmade and decorated cakes for any occasion. They even have a daily menu with a variety of flavours.
BROADWAY: Best new chef of the year – ‘Damian Clisby at Russell’s’ A chef who has excelled at making the most of every dish, without over-complicating either in presentation of cooking making meals a delight both to receive and to eat.  An interesting menu and use of local produce.
TEWKESBURY: Local tea shop of the year – ‘Touching Souls’ Tea Rooms in Tewkesbury Abbey.  The Tea Room is run by volunteers from the parish and wider community as part of Benedictine Hospitality. Serving home-made cakes and scones, as well as delicious home-made soup and sandwiches.  A place to refresh the body after refreshing the soul!
CHELTENHAM: won Best Neighbourhood Pub – ‘The Jolly Brewmaster’ with its superb choice of ales is a busy pub which retains the feel of an old-fashioned local. It was built as a coaching inn in 1854 and has kept the distinctive etched windows and two original open fires, as well as Restaurant of the year – ‘Lumière’ A unique dining experience in the heart of the Cotswolds which offers the very best in British, seasonal food with distinctive and imaginative twists. Lumiere is ideal for lunch between designer shops, as well as an intimate restaurant for that special evening out.

So if you are planning a holiday in the Cotswolds why not leave some time and space to try some of these out!!

Click here to view all our Cotswolds Cottages

Not only is a there a bar menu, but also a newly refurbished and highly acclaimed A la Carte restaurant upstairs.  The produce, as far as possible is sourced from local suppliers, including 28 day matured Cotswold beef.

Known locally as “the village pub of Montpellier” The Beehive can be found at 1-3 Montpellier Villas, Cheltenham GLOS. GL50 2XE and reservations for the restaurant can be made for Weds – Sat evenings and Sunday lunchtimes on 01242-702270.

We have the following properties nearby:
Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (sleeps 10)
The Granary in Southam, near Cheltenham (sleeps 4)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

The event will launch in Lechlade on Sunday 2nd May.  Supported by Kate Moss the Lechlade event includes jugglers and other circus acts from the brilliant Giffords Circus, live music and a commemorative church service.

The Cotswold Chef, Rob Rees will be presenting a cookery demonstration at the Fairfod event on Sunday 6th June, using produce from the stall holders.

Take advantage of a host of promotions and events running at the numerous restaurants, pubs and cafes in both Fairford and Lechlade throughout the Festival, including the critically acclaimed ‘Allium’ in Fairford, led by former OXO tower and ‘Le Manoir’ chef James Graham and the CAMRA award-winning microbrewery at the Crown Inn in Lechlade.

The 8th May sees The Trout Inn in Lechlade hosting a Traditional Country Fayre.  Support local charities and enjoying the atmosphere on the banks of the river.

For more details of the promotions and events happening throughout the festival, visit the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club website.

We have the following properties available close by to the festival:

• Yew Tree Farmhouse, near Lechlade (Sleeps 14 (+3) and welcomes dogs)
• Lodge 4, Cotswold Water Park (Sleeps 8)
• Wishbone Cottage in Fairford (Sleeps 4 (+1))
• The High Room in Tetbury (Sleeps 2)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

The Good Food Guide 2010, published earlier this month, has positioned this wonderfully unpretentious restaurant sixth, just behind The Fat Duck in Berkshire and Le Manior aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire.

It is no surprise that Le Champignon Sauvage has been regarded so highly as it already has an impressive list of accolades to its name including 2 Michelin Stars,  2 stars from the Hardens Guide and 4 AA Rosettes to name just a few.

Run by David Everrit-Matthias and his wife Helen for more than 20 years they were awarded an impressive 8 out of 10 which according to the Which Guide, who publish the Good Food Guide, this ‘indicates a high level of individuality, with faultless technique and impressive artistry’.

The Good Food Guide review of Le Champignon Chauvage commented ‘After two decades David and Helen Everitt-Matthias know a thing or two about staying power: she heads a composed front-of-house team while his cooking continues to roam between familiar and new ground without ever getting lost’.

Lunch or dinner from the à la carte menu at Le Champignon Sauvage is £45 (2 courses), £55 (3 courses), or £64 (4 courses, to include cheese and desert).
There is also a set menu available for dinner between Tuesday and Saturday available for £25 (2 courses) or £30 (3 courses).

For more details visit Le Champignon Sauvage website

We have the following properties in Cheltenham or close by:

•    Montpellier Villa in Cheltenham (Sleeps 10)
•    Pinnock Lodge, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)
•    Elgin, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)

Click here for details of all our Cotswold Cottages

More About Le Champignon Sauvage

• The full list of 2010 Michelin star restaurants in the UK
• Dessert Recipes from Le Champignon Sauvage

The Cotswolds are a great place to explore at any time of year, bracing walks and beautiful countryside all have their particular attraction at each season.  But perhaps after enjoying some of the great outdoors a little indulgence wouldn’t go amiss.

So how about a trip to Snowshill Manor where the restaurant team will take you through how to make, serve and eat five of the best puddings they can find.

Price – Adults £20, Children £10

Timing 2 pm – 4 pm.

Snowshill Manor itself is a Cotswold manor set in hillside gardens housing Charles Wade’s collection of ‘colour, craftsmanship and design’

For further details call 01386-842814 – booking essential.

We have the following cottages close to Snowshill Manor:

• Hartfield in Chipping Campden (Sleeps 10-12 and welcomes dogs)
• Pinnock Lodge near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5 and welcomes dogs)
• Bryher Cottage in Longborough, near Stow on the Wold (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)
• Slatters Cottage in Bourton on the Hill (Sleeps 3 and welcomes one well behaved, small dog)
• The Gatehouse in Blockley (Sleeps 2)

Click here to view all of our Cotswold cottages

All guests staying at the stylish Meadow House or the more traditional Elgin before the end of 2009 (excludes Christmas and New Year) will receive this taste of luxury on arrival.

The hamper features a collection of seasonal treats including a bottle of wine, a selection of award winning cheeses, country style French pate, delicious preserves, Scottish shortbread biscuits, moist fruit cake and champagne truffles all presented in a wicker basket.

Guests enjoying an Autumn or Winter break at Elgin can enjoy this offer for a little while longer, as the offer has been extended until the end of January 2010!

To view details of these lovely Cotswold cottages with a complimentary hamper on arrival  click on the links below:

• Meadow House in Cerney Wick, near Cirencester (Sleeps 4)
• Elgin in Gretton Fields, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4 and welcomes dogs)

The event which runs over several days allows you to wander around the stalls and treat your pallet to a range of tastes from the local region. There will also be excellent local chefs and a number of top chefs from further afield creating a range of dishes using ingredients from the area.

For further details visit the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival website.

Click here for details of all our Cotswold Cottages.

Gaining the Award of Excellence in the Tea Guild’s Top Tea Place 2009 make Juri’s in Winchcombe, the Marshmallow Tea Rooms in Moreton-in-Marsh and Tisanes in Broadway rated among the top 40 tea rooms in Britain.

Last year Juri’s was even named the ‘UK’s Top Tea Place 2008’.  Recently, owner Iwao Miyawaki said ‘It’s not the Top Tea Place, but we’re still very proud to get the excellence award’.

All three awards have been given ‘in recognition of their consistently high standards of tea making, evident in the care and attention they prepare and serve afternoon tea’ comments Irene Gorman, Head of the Tea Guild.

British tea-time classics such as Bakewell Tart, Apple Pie and Scones with generous portions of clotted cream and jam are all served alongside the great British cup of tea at these traditional tea rooms.  What more could you want.

For more details of these Cotswold tea rooms:

• Juri’s, Winchcombe
• The Marshmallow Tea Rooms, Moreton-in-Marsh
• Tisanes, Broadway

We have two properties close by to Juri’s in Winchcombe:

•    Pinnock Lodge in Pinnock, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 5)
•    Elgin in Gretton Fields, near Winchcombe (Sleeps 4)

We have two properties close by to The Marshmallow Tea Rooms in Moreton-in-Marsh:

•    Slatters Cottage in Bourton-on-the-Hill (Sleeps 3)
•    The Gatehouse in Blockley (Sleeps 2)

We have one property close by to Tisanes in Broadway:

•    Orchard End in Darlingscott (Sleeps 3)

Click here for details of all our Cotswold Cottages

Trading under Elizabeth Hurley Farms, the star has taken a pitch at Cirencester Farmers Market to sell her Gloucester Old Spot sausages.  Market Manager Simon Smith commented to the Gloucestershire Echo ‘We’ve been looking for a supplier of Gloucester Old Spot pork for more than 12 months since Scrubditch Real Meats retired from the market.

Elizabeth Hurley’s farm manager Duncan Barber rang in early February to express an interest in taking a stall.  We were keen on having him anyway, so, to be fair, Ms Hurley’s product came first and her name came second’

To launch her stall Liz could be seen touting her wares before shopping in the market.  Liz Hurley farms around 100 acres at Ampney Knowle, near Cirencester, where she lives in a stone farmhouse with her husband and son Damian.

Liz Hurley’s sausages can also be bought from local butchers Jesse Smith on Blackjack Street in Cirencester and can often be found on the menu at the stylish Barnsley House.

The next farmer’s market is on Saturday 14th March in the Market Place.  Markets are held every second and forth Saturday in the month between 9am and 1pm.

Click here to find out more about the Cirencester Farmers Market.