In Review: The Rough Guide to the Cotswolds

Sharing travel insider knowledge for over 38 years, Rough Guides are renowned for being a trusted source of expert, honest, up to date information. Often humorous, they delve behind the main places of interest to inspire with some hidden gems and lead you to their pick of restaurants, attractions, hotels and scenery.

From secret drives (Banbury to Chipping Campden, airy views, interesting villages and a lovely climb to Campden) or how to view Oxford colleges (with a map to pinpoint where they actually are) to finding the best fish and chip shop in Stratford or tracing the source of the Thames, the book is packed full of information. Even if you are a local, there will be listings to interest and inform you, and it's definitely a handy guide to have on hand for visitors to the area.

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation reduce the need to go online, but an added bonus of buying the book is the free e-guide, which enables you to access all of the information on the go from your phone or tablet.

It’s commonplace to take your own surroundings for granted but perhaps this guide can act as inspiration - did you know that Gustav Holst was an organist at Wyck Rissington church or that Chipping Sodbury’s high street is purportedly one of the widest in England? Lots of interesting little facts make this book fascinating and will hopefully have you reaching for the car keys on a mission to explore and discover your own new favourite spots.