The beauty of life here at Cooks Green Cottage is that whatever the season and whatever the weather is doing, the warm welcome and cosy surroundings of our friendly holiday home is the perfect haven whatever the weather is doing. Cold snaps and dreary days are warmed by our wonderful open fire and modern heating system, while the balmy days of spring and summer can be enjoyed in our private garden where you can sit, barbeque, or soak up the sun.

The British climate is what is known as a maritime climate and there are four distinct seasons in the year. The Cheltenham weather is similar to the rest of the British Isles, but regional variations mean that the weather can be warmer, cooler, and wetter from place to place. Fortunately, paying a visit to Cheltenham in the summer you can expect the summer climate to be warm and inviting interspersed with the odd rainy spell that only lasts a few days. Cheltenham also experiences very pleasant weather in late spring with May being a particularly bright, fine month.

Spring

Spring occurs from March to May and is usually a calm, cool, but dry period with many sunny spells. As Spring progresses, the days grow longer and the sun grows higher in the sky, temperatures rise quite high in the days but cool again quickly at night. Very early spring may cause the Cheltenham weather to experience some snowfalls as winter ends and on the rare occasion; snow has fallen as late as May! The spring weather in Cheltenham is perfect for discovering the new growth after the winter, many gardens as well as the countryside will have a show of flowers, and trees will be blossom covered. Young animals will be playing in the fields and you will experience the renaissance of this wonderful part of England after the cold of winter.

Summer

Summer is the warmest season lasting from June to August. Long days with many hours of sunlight make holiday-making at our cottage heavenly. There may be the odd thunderstorm when temperatures soar and we often achieve high temperatures of 30 degrees from time to time although usually they are more modest in the low to mid twenties. Summer of course is time to lazily wander and explore the native countryside, enjoy festivals and attractions and sight-see until the late hours. What is more enjoyable than eating an al fresco meal after a day in the sun on holiday whether in our holiday cottage garden or one of the many wonderful eating places.

Autumn

Autumn begins in September and the air grows much chillier as the nights grow shorter. Days can be very warm still and as the season progresses through to November, nature goes to sleep once more, and the leaves drop from trees, the smell of wood smoke in the air and the Cheltenham weather becomes a little more unsettled with morning mists, fog appearing, and a lot of cloud, which often results in rain. There are wonderful crisp autumn days where a touch of ground frost leaves an azure sky and blazing sunshine. This type of Cheltenham weather is probably the most perfect for walking and outdoor pursuits. The later part of autumn in these parts can become stormy with sometimes extreme winds. If you are very lucky, you may experience an “Indian Summer” where temperatures are mild and balmy even at night giving a sense of nature becalmed until another Atlantic depression sweeps in.

Winter

The Cheltenham weather in the winter lasts from December to February. The season in general is cool, wet, and windy. This area of England does not have snow as a regular occurrence and in common with other parts of the UK, is often surprised when severe winter weather arrives. There have been one or two severe winter spells with severe snow and ice conditions but it is not the norm. Frost and fog are occurrences that are more common and even though grey days are usual, there are opportunities to experience glorious cold but sunny days

The post The Cheltenham Weather appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

Our dog friendly cottage is ideal with a beautiful large secure garden where you can enjoy your pet while you have barbeques or just laze in the summer sunshine. You will find everything you need to make your pet feel at home and with the surrounding countryside awash with interesting scents and long walkies, your four-legged friend will have just as good a time as you will.

The beauty of dog friendly cottages is they give peace of mind to pet owners and means they do not have to go to the trouble and expense of finding kennels, plus they can be sure of their pet’s welfare at all times. Most dogs we know enjoy a jaunt in the car so travelling is never a problem and if you do have a bad traveller, your vet will prescribe travel sickness tablets or mild sedative if you are travelling great distances. We will advise you of local vet details if you need them and can tell you of all of the wonderful places you can explore with your dog.

Here are some places we enjoy taking our dog to and hope you may enjoy them with your pooch as well.

Stanway House and Fountain, Cheltenham

This exquisite and romantic Jacobean Manor House was limestone built during the reign of Elizabeth I. The features of Stanway House bring to life those far off days and include a 14th century Tithe Barn, unusual furnishings, and a Jacobean Gatehouse. Surrounded by 20 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens and grounds there is also a water mill, 18th century Pyramid, brewery, icehouse, a dog cemetery, exotic trees, and quite stunning views. The astounding 300ft single jet gravity fountain is the tallest in Britain, and the tallest gravity fountain in the world. It really is a special spot to amble with your dog and family.

National Trust properties are some of the dog friendliest places and we particularly enjoy a visit with our dog:

Lodge Park and Sherborne Estate

This beautiful typically Cotswold country estate has a very rare 17th century grandstand surrounded by parkland and water meadows, rich in wildlife. There is so much to explore here including a deer park, which is set in acres of spectacular, rolling countryside, incredible walks with views of the River Windrush and a sculpture trail where you can enjoy some art in harmony with nature. This is an ideal venue for picnics and you can enjoy a guided tour or explore on your own.

Dog friendly cottages provide a home from home for you and your dog and in such a pet friendly county, you will always find a pet groomer, dog sitter should you need one, vets and retail outlets for all your dog’s needs. You will find your dog really enjoying the new environment and the new places and they will return from holiday as relaxed and refreshed as you are.

Consider a break away with your dog and enjoy exploring the Gloucestershire sights and countryside while having your every need catered for at our dog friendly cottage. Contact us today and find out about our pet facilities.

The post Dog Friendly Cottages in Gloucestershire appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

Following a successful refurbishment of the main pool and surrounds in 2006 to 2007, the Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham was restored to its full glory, taking its place in history alongside other lidos in the UK.

Sandford Parks Lido

Sandford Parks Lido was originally opened in 1935. The pool was unique in that it was heated – one of the few at that time. The heating was via a coal fire boiler that kept many a stoker in work. The advent of indoor swimming pools and leisure facilities saw many lidos fade away into ruin and disuse. With poor summers not encouraging visitors, 1982 saw the Lido at Sandford Parks struggling for survival. However, the Lido proved more popular with the locals than thought and a public petition ensured the pool was protected through the next years.

The next threat came when a council survey revealed the pools were set upon unstable ground and repairs undertaken had failed. A poor prognosis of ten years was given to this historic unique heated pool.

The formation of a charitable trust in 1996 Friends of the Lido took over operations and after a few setbacks, restored the pool to the former glory it deserved and it has been a swimming hot spot ever since with slightly more modern heating facilities.

Popularity of Lidos

The word lido in the UK and other countries means outdoor swimming pool and associated facilities, but is in fact an Italian word meaning beach. The term lido used first in London in 1935 is most likely named after Lido di Venezia a popular spot in Italy for sea bathing. The golden age of lidos was in the 1930’s when swimming in all its forms became popular. Lidos were always more than just swimming pools; they had their own culture and were often built on a theatrical scale. There are usually decks for sunbathing, and cafeterias to while away the day reading, sunning and swimming. The modern Art Deco style lent beauty to the epic constructions and many had fountains for bathers to cool off. Sandford Parks is blessed by a fountain that is a great attraction. More than 169 lidos were built across the UK by councils as leisure facilities during the hey day of the lido. They remained popular until indoor facilities came along. There are some famous saltwater lidos in coastal resorts namely Saltdean near Brighton and Penzance.

If you fancy a dip, then fear not because Cooks Green Cottage is tantalisingly close if you wish to cool off on a hot summer’s day. We would highly recommend a trip to this beautifully renovated lido in Cheltenham where you can soak up the sun as well as the history.

Events at Sandford Parks Lido

There are various sporting events open to all at the lido but for the less sporty, the lido is the perfect backdrop to outdoor theatre productions showing throughout the summer months. For 2013, be sure to see “Around the World in 80 Days” in July and Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors in August. This month also sees outdoor cinema with a showing of “The Kid with a Bike”.

The lido is one attraction we encourage all our summer visitors to see. It is so convenient to the holiday cottage and is ideal for a relaxing summer day. The Friends of the Lido have collated a fascinating history that may be seen including old photographs, documents and other memorabilia.

The post Sandford Parks Lido appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

History

The castle however, is not just a fairytale version and had a very important role in many wars. The only aggressor to damage it was Oliver Cromwell.

The castle is best known for the imprisonment and murder of Edward II. The monarch was deposed by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer her lover. They were hoping that a few days incarceration in the hideous dungeons with the rotting corpses of animals and humans would kill him through disease. It was a common way to dispose of nobles who displeased the Earls. Any person locked in this dreadful place breathing disease ridden air, did not survive for very long.

Edward II however, was made of hardier stuff and surprised everyone becoming ill and recovering throughout a period of five months. Queen Isabella then gave the order to Edward II’s jailers to dispose of him as they saw fit. His murder is too gruesome to report in this article but on the anniversary of his death, it is said his screams may be heard resounding around the castle halls.

The Castle

Berkeley Castle was originally built to keep out Welsh raiders and designed to make life difficult for the enemy. There are murder holes, arrow slits, steps especially designed to make the aggressors trip over, massive barred doors, a portcullis and worn stones where over the centuries, guards stood watch over the castle.

The softer side of Berkeley is its fairytale castle manifestation. Not surprisingly, it is a popular venue for weddings. Built of warm pink stone, it takes on different hues in the setting sun for added romance. The battlements themselves drop almost sixty feet to the Great Lawns below. The inner courtyard is designed for people with an extraordinary mix of small towers, windows, and doors of every shape and size. The surrounding lands of the castle would often be flooded as an extra defence against marauders.

The castle has survived any gentrification as was common during Georgian and Victorian periods and remains a Norman fortress, and perfect example of mediaeval domestic architecture. It still retains a curtain wall and over the centuries has been enlarged into the substantial castle it is today

The Gardens

The gardens complement the castle with terraces climbing up almost thirty feet to the gun terraces softening the façade of the castle with colourful flowers and plants.

Over a long time, the harsher aspects of the castle have been mellowed with flowers. The last major planting to occur was by Gertrude Jekyll at the beginning of the last century.

Berkeley roses are delightful and have a rare and heavy scent best experienced in June. There are many rare species of plants, shrubs, flowers, and trees for your enjoyment. The gardens specialise in scent and you will be overwhelmed by this olfactory treat.

There is evidence of earlier periods and the bowling green where Elizabeth I played can be clearly seen below the gatehouse. On your exploration of the gardens, you will find a venison larder and the place where beer was brewed for the household. During medieval times, beer was drunk at all times including breakfast.

A butterfly house is an attraction not to be missed. With over forty-two species from as far afield as Indonesia and Japan, this vibrant colourful oasis is a tranquil and beautiful spot to stay awhile.

It is worthwhile planning to spend a day at Berkeley Castle, as there is so much to see and do while feeling you are visiting a family home, such is the welcoming atmosphere. Every member of your travelling party will find something of interest, so add Berkeley to your priority list of things to do while staying at Cooks Green Cottage.

The post A Perfect Day Out for History and Garden Lovers at Berkeley Castle appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

Badminton House has many claims to fame including the wonderful formal gardens and it is reputed to be the birthplace of the game “Badminton” although some contest this game was brought back from British India. The story goes that in 1863, when the winter weather was too harsh to play outside, the eight Duke’s children were allowed to play in the Great Hall using a featherweight shuttlecock instead of a ball to avoid any damage to the many equestrian paintings hanging there.

Strongly linked to all things equestrian, the Beaufort Hounds are based at Badminton as well as the horse trials. Many other events take place at Badminton and the estate as well as being a private home offers corporate hospitality, weddings, and other occasions in a choice of distinctive room settings of different sizes. Here we look at some forthcoming events at the Badminton estate that you may enjoy in the coming months.

BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS – 2nd-6th MAY

The Badminton Horse Trials have just been on and they are the event that riders want to win. It has grown to be an event that attracts riders from all over the world and is the most important competition on the eventing circuit. Today’s Badminton horse trials are held in a 1500 acre area of Badminton Park, where there are shopping villages, trade stands, show jumping arena, dressage arena, and the terrifying cross-country course.

The cross-country day is most popular and attracts a crowd of up to 250,000 people making it the biggest paid-entry sport event in the UK. You will not feel crowded in the spacious park and there is something for all the family to enjoy as well as the magnificent horses.

BADMINTON PLANT FAIR – 18th MAY

The opening of the gardens at Badminton House is celebrated with a plant fair where plants and exotics from all over the world can be purchased. This is an ideal way to take a glimpse at the garden before the season gets started, as well as stocking up on garden accessories, plants, bushes, and shrubs for your own garden at home.

BADMINTON GARDENS – JUNE 20th & 21st

Take this opportunity to see the marvellous gardens that merge formality, openness, and structure. There is a formal southern garden and a walled garden. The main gardens wend their way around Badminton House while the southern garden is geometric and includes 16 rose beds flanked by the shell garden, white bed, peony bed, pool bed, and large borders

There are also two superb conservatories on the eastern aspect of the house. An elegant Orangery overlooks a fountain. There is much to see and if you are a lover of gardens then Badminton should not be missed, as it is not often open to the public.

BADMINTON HOUSE

Badminton House is built in the Palladian style and the original house was the central block and wings at each side. Later additions were made in the 18th century. The house is not open to the public, but the beauty of the architecture is worthwhile seeing on a visit to the park and gardens

There is a church – St Michael and All Angels attached to the main house, which was built as a plain rectangle with a tower replacing the existing medieval church in 1785. Further additions, the apse, and chancel were added in 1875.

Cooks Green Cottage is ideal as your base if you wish to visit the horse trials or any of the forthcoming events, just make sure you book in time. Badminton House is unique in that it is the last ducal seat in Gloucestershire and the estate has so much of interest to see. If the horse trials are not for you then the house and gardens alone will take your breath away with beauty, elegance, and style.

The post Badminton House appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

A good jumping off point for day trips and excursions is Cheltenham. An easy drive form Cooks Green Cottage, day trips from Cheltenham are organised by reputable coach companies or if you want to go it alone, the railways will take you to all points of the compass.

From the blissful haven of your holiday cottage, you will be able to plan some lovely day trips from Cheltenham including visits to Wales, Weston-super-Mare a fabulous seas side resort, Oxford, Stratford–upon-Avon birthplace of William Shakespeare and Alton Towers, the UK’s premier theme park. For a really fun afternoon, you can book a mystery tour on a coach and see where you end up. Usually it will involve a stop for afternoon tea to round off a visit to the mystery destination.

Here we look at some of the day trips from Cheltenham that will appeal to everyone.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Famous as the home of William Shakespeare this beautiful well-preserved town is just shy of one hour from Cheltenham. The home place of Shakespeare can be seen along with the cottage of Anne Hathaway where he also lived. The Royal Shakespeare Company has its base in Stratford where plays are put on regularly at the Courtyard Theatre. If you wish to buy a ticket for a play, it is wise to book well in advance. The market town of Stratford-upon-Avon has more than 800 years of history with sights that would have been familiar to William Shakespeare too. The town is a treasure trove of little shops, museums with attractive riverside venues. A tourist office that also sells some exquisite souvenirs is a great place to find your bearings.

Weston-Super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare is a typical English seaside resort with many traditional attractions associated with the English seaside including a grand pier and donkey rides along the beach. Weston Bay is famous for its miles of sandy, clean beaches and a promenade where you can stroll for miles. There are some super views over the Bristol Channel with lovely countryside and coastal walks to be enjoyed. There are designated beach areas for all kinds of water sports and do not miss a boat ride around the bay.

There is a wonderful aquarium that children and adults alike will love, the world’s biggest museum devoted to helicopters, seasonal seaside variety shows and theatre plays and plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues.

Bodnant Gardens, Wales

If you fancy a day trip to another country within the United Kingdom, Wales is close enough for some super trips. Bodnant Gardens is a National Trust property. Bodnant Hall within the gardens is the home of Lord Aberconway. The house is not open to the public but may be seen. It was built in 1792. The magnificent gardens have fantastic views over the Snowdonia Mountains and comprise of woodlands, formal gardens, ponds, and streams. There is an amazing laburnum arch some 55metres long and flowers in May to early June if you want to see it at its best. Within the 80 acres, you will come across many lovely features and buildings such as the old family mausoleum, statues and everything you would expect of a stately English garden. National Trust gift shops are perfect for picking up English mementos and souvenirs or you may like a recipe book, English biscuits, jam, or marmalade.

Alton Towers

Children of all ages will enjoy Alton Towers, which, can be visited on day trips from Cheltenham. Alton Towers is a family favourite with great attractions such as white-knuckle ride roller coasters, special events and loads more. Alton Towers for which the theme park is named date back to the 8th century! The theme park and rides are just a bit more modern! A monorail train will take you around the park and you can see the famous water rides and roller coasters from a safe distance before you join in the fun.

These are just some of the wonderful day trips from Cheltenham you can avail of while staying at Cooks Green Cottage.

The post Day Trips from Cheltenham appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

First class live music is the aim of the festival and this year is no exception with a broad range of jazz on offer in many different guises. The festival programme features Cheltenham’s unique trademark of international jazz legends with a new wave of up and coming artists with performances from a selection of the UK’s greatest musicians. Special highlights of this year’s schedule include the headlining concerts from Van Morrison, Dionne Warwick, Madeleine Peyroux and a mix of the genre’s best new artists that includes Laura Mvula and Lianne La Havas. Newly crowned “king of jazz” Gregory Porter visits Cheltenham to be artist in residence and festival-goers will be in for a treat with an eagerly anticipated soul-session from popular duo The Noisettes.

Over the years, the festival which began in 1996 has presented iconic figures from the world of jazz including Herbie Hancock, Eartha Kitt, Dave Holland, Curtis Stigers, The Claudia Quintet, Ray Brown, Bennie Maupin, Dave Holland, Jamie Callum, Zoe Rahman, and Jools Holland to name just a few of an illustrious list of jazz performers.

The full line up for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2013 has been announced and it promises to be an unmissable, exciting event to kick off your summer season. The festival takes place in the heart of Cheltenham at over the bank holiday weekend, 1-6 May 2013. BBC Radio 2 programme “Friday Night is Music Night” will once again be broadcasting live from the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

For all festival visitors, there is much more on offer at the festival. The vast array of food and drink outlets include a unique pop up restaurant “The Jazz Kitchen” that will feature the very best of seasonal produce from the local region. This restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. This venue is beautifully designed and will have live music in the evenings with an atmosphere enhancing cocktail and champagne bar. We cannot wait to take a table and enjoy relaxing in this exciting new eatery. Plenty of food and drink stalls, lots of interesting talks, family activities and workshops exploring different aspects of the music industry are on offer.

The music stages feature a 1300 seater Big Top, the wonderful Parabola Arts centre (just minutes from Montpellier Gardens), and a 630 seat Jazz Arena.

There is nothing more enjoyable than a well organised music festival where you have the chance to see household names and innovative new artists alongside each other. A music lover’s delight, Cheltenham resounds to the sound of music drifting over this exceptional spa town welcoming in the summer season. The festival atmosphere is exciting, yet family friendly in a venue where wellington boots are not required!

You are quite likely to spot us in the crowd singing along to Van Morrison and taking in the soulful sounds of Dionne Warwick who as many people know was godmother to the tragic, late Whitney Houston.

Cooks Green cottage is located conveniently for Cheltenham and offers the homely atmosphere that gives total relaxation. What better base to have while you explore the different musical treats on offer at our famous Cheltenham Jazz festival. Accommodation is always scarce during the festival so it will be first come first served during this period and we will do our utmost to accommodate you and your guests.

Public booking opened on Monday 4th March. Tickets can be purchased by phone on 0844 880 8094 or by visiting www.cheltenhamfestivals.com.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The post Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2013 appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

Holiday Ideas

Often a group of families take one or two weeks of the block booking and enjoy weekend overlaps as they enjoy a few days with friends and then stay on for the rest of the time with family. During school holidays, some friends with children share our cottage for a week or two with husbands and others joining them for the weekends. Nothing gives you more flexibility than a home away from home where you can enjoy your privacy and be able to do the things you want to do at your leisure.

Moreover, renting a cottage for summer holidays is a very affordable way of having a summer break with family or friends but also is ideal as the perfect getaway for a romantic break as well. Holidaying with friends takes the pressure off if there are children as the kids will keep themselves amused (especially in our cottage garden), with many hands, barbeques, and full English breakfasts are easy to prepare, cook, and clear away. Girls can go off for a day at one of the fabulous spas around

Cheltenham and the boys can go off for a spot of fishing or golf giving everyone a chance for some down time. The kids will be spoilt for attractions and with the full family friendly welcome that Gloucestershire is famed for; every member of the family will have a ball.

Renting a cottage for summer is also ideal for groups of friends or hobby enthusiasts who want to attend some of the many events that occur throughout the Gloucestershire summer. Groups who want to indulge in fishing, horse riding, walking and other outdoor pursuits will find Cooks Green Cottage the ideal location with comfortable bedrooms and an open fire for chilly evenings when the sun goes down. Concertgoers can take in some of the musical events such as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and there are all kinds of county agricultural shows and outdoor events. When conventions come to town or a couple of days at Cheltenham racecourse are wanted, our cottage is the perfect location for many of these events.

Pets

Do not forget that Cooks Green Cottage welcomes well-behaved pets so if the family four legged friends are also in need of a relaxing summer break then renting a holiday cottage for summer meets the needs of every member of the family and certainly saves on those kennel bills. If you have a hamster or other caged pet, they are welcome but do take good advice on travelling them as some small pets do not travel well.

With room to store your sporting equipment and every facility to relax and wind down after an active day out, we can guarantee you will be delighted with our accommodation.

Location

Our location is one of the most glorious places to visit in the UK with stone walls, lush greenery, honey-coloured houses built from the local sandstone, cottage gardens, and leafy lanes. Our local villages are quintessentially English with duck ponds, little parish churches and village greens where you can hear the “thwack” of leather on willow as cricket balls hit bats (our local ground is just a 5 minute walk away!). The natural beauty is astounding and the historical sites and monuments from one of the UK’s richest areas of history will keep visitors busy during their stay whatever their interests. We do have some absolutely beautiful weather throughout the Spring and Summer months (but we cannot guarantee it!!) and there is no more blissful place to spend time.

For anyone renting a cottage for summer in this part of the world, the food is a huge attraction. There are restaurants and pubs serving simple local produce to fine dining in Michelin starred restaurants. With local fruit and meat from heritage breeds of pigs, sheep and cattle, you will have as much fun shopping for locally produced produce as eating it.

Travelling to the Cotswolds is easy from any direction and is the ideal spot for a holiday to remember in a holiday cottage with a difference. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

The post Renting a Cottage for Summer? Spend Your Best Ever Summer at Our Holiday Cottage appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

Gloucestershire Weather History

Along with other counties in the south west of the United Kingdom, Gloucestershire receives its fair share of winter storms from the Atlantic coasts. A legendary tempest that occurred on November 26th 1703, wreaked havoc and caused extensive damage to Gloucester Cathedral. The lead church roof levitated into the air and there was mass destruction of mature old trees at Kingscote.

Knowledge of these climatic extremes across the British nation particularly temperature, depends mostly on the extensive Central England temperature records which began in 1659. Gloucestershire made daily contributions to the weather records thanks to the due diligence of a Stroud apothecary. Weather events were frequently reported in the press and in the 22nd June 1724 edition of the “Gloucester Journal”, readers were advised of the dangers bad weather could bring. They reported that in Stow-on-the-Wold two men and a dog were sitting under a bush when one man was killed by a flash of lightening and the other died later of his terrible wounds. Of the dog, there was no mention, so he could have had a lucky escape.

Other famous Gloucestershire weathermen include Dr Edward (Ted) Wilson who was from Cheltenham and principal scientist on Captain Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. IT was Ted’s job to record weather observations. John Canton FRS was the pioneer in thunderstorm and lightening electricity studies and was born in Gloucestershire.

However, Gloucestershire’s place in the meteorological history of the United Kingdom was confirmed during World War II when the Meteorological Office undertook a secret evacuation to Wycliffe College, Stonehouse. Here in Wycliffe’s great hall, activities vital to the war effort were performed. The Royal Navy’s mapping of sea currents and ice extents, calibration and supply of meteorological instruments and climatological record keeping took place in Wycliffe’s science laboratory and the hall from 1939 until the summer of 1945.

Memorable Weather Extremes

For lovers of hot summers you may be interested to know that Cheltenham recorded the hottest temperature in the UK with a staggering 37.1C in August 1990. This record was held up until 2003 when 38.5C was recorded near Faversham Kent.

There was a great deal of drama during the floods of July 2007, in particular around Tewkesbury, which experienced the worst summer floods since 1886.

December 1981 brought extremely heavy snowfall meaning a visitor to the county could not travel home. Instead, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was forced unexpectedly to stay in Chipping Sodbury at the Cross Hands Hotel.

The Good News

The good news is that whatever the weather, you are assured of a warm welcome at Cooks Green Cottage where our beautiful holiday cottage is prepared for every season offering a beautiful roaring fore for cold and rainy days and a tree lined garden to shelter under in the hot sunshine. Spring time from March through to May often offers some wonderful warm days when the spring flowers such as daffodils, crocus, hyacinth are blooming and blossom is appearing on the apple and cherry tress. The countryside is so pretty with the renewal of the season and you will find lots of baby animals on your country walks and explorations.

There is plenty of space in the cottage to kick off your wellies or sandals and hang your coats or sun hats when you come inside from the weather. Fully equipped with all conveniences you could desire to cope with the outside conditions, we pride ourselves on being a real home from home giving a taste of rural Gloucestershire life.

The post A History of Gloucestershire Weather appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.

It is always so interesting to find out global impact from long ago events or little snippets of information that add interest to the different places of interest that can be visited around the county.

Here we present six interesting facts and a round up of the “best of the rest” so you can bear them in mind while you are visiting us here at Cooks Green Cottage.

Six Interesting Facts about Gloucestershire

1. Gloucester’s Walls Ice Cream factory is the biggest in all of Europe. Built in 1959, there was a major expansion in 1981 when Unilever consolidated all ice cream production in Gloucester with the closing down of its factory in Acton, London. Walls was originally a meat producer and Walls sausages were one of its more famous brands. However, in 1922, sales were falling in the summer time and to avoid redundancies in their work force, they started to manufacture ice cream and the rest is history. Do not forget to try one of Wall’s lovely ices on your travels.
2. The US national anthem is set to a tune written by John Stafford-Smith. Known as the Anacreontic Song, it was written for a London based gentleman’s social club. The tune became popular in America and the lyrics from the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” written by Francis Scott Key was set to the music. Renamed the “Star Spangled Banner” the song soon became a patriotic anthem for the USA. The tune was also used as a national anthem by Luxembourg briefly before it was adopted by the USA as national anthem in 1931. What does this have to do with Gloucester you may ask? Well, John Stafford Smith is buried in Gloucester Cathedral.
3. In a local election, it is not possible to have a draw. One candidate must win outright. In the case of a tie, the matter must be resolved by a toss of the coin and this almost happened in Cirencester in 1892 when Conservative candidate Colonel Chester-Master had supposedly won by the small margin of three votes. His opposition challenged this and a recount showed the votes were equal. Neither candidate was brave enough to win by toss of the coin, so a re run of the election took place and the opposition candidate a liberal won! Perhaps the Colonel should have gambled his chances after all.
4. Cheltenham owes its status a spa town to a flock of pigeons. People kept noticing a large flock of pigeons pecking away in a field on the town’s edge. In 1715, on further exploration, it was discovered the pigeons were congregating at the site of a mineral spring, which is what was attracting them. In honour of the pigeons and to show the town’s gratitude to them, pigeons are featured on the town’s crest.
5. The Crecy Window inside Gloucester Cathedral is the largest window made of stained-glass window in the UK. It measures in at 12m x 24m and commemorates Gloucestershire knights who fought at the battle of Crecy on the winning side.
6. The very last battle of the English Civil War was campaigned at Stow-on-the-Wold. In March 1646, the Royalists knew the battle was a lost cause but 3000 men stood to fight to try and make their way to Oxford and Charles I to buy the monarch some time. Sir Jacob Astley and his troops were hopelessly outnumbered and the commander was forced into making a last stand in the market place, where he finally surrendered.

The Best of the Rest

1. Most of the prestigious buildings in the Gloucestershire area were built when there was great wealth from the main industry – wool from sheep.
2. Two well-known Gloucestershire castles Sudeley Castle at Winchcombe and Berkeley Castle have royal connections. Sudley is associated with King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I visited Berkeley Castle. Both places are great to visit.
3. A man from Stroud invented the very first lawnmower. The Museum in the Park has some of these early machines on display.
4. The Romans also loved visiting Gloucestershire, so much, so they stayed and left a heritage and many artefacts and buildings. The Corinium Museum in Cirencester documents Roman life.
5. Gloucester Cathedral was used in the “Harry Potter” films. The cloisters played the part of the Cloisters at Hogwarts School.

This is just a taste of the fascinating facts available about Gloucestershire and we hope you will enjoy discovering even more on your visit to our holiday cottage.

The post 6 Interesting Facts About Gloucestershire appeared first on Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England.