Happy Monday, friends!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We celebrated Mades’ 9th birthday on Friday night, had sports and orchestra on Saturday, church and football watchin’ yesterday and now today, we’re back at school, work and I’m sharing PART 3 from our Fall Break Trip to London!
Now, just a reminder, over the last 10 days or so, I’ve shared all of these fun travel posts that you should probably check out:
WHAT’S IN MY KIDS’ CARRY ON BAGS
MY 13 KEYS TO MANAGING JET LAG
TUESEDAY TOURS: WHERE WE STORE OUR LUGGAGE
Get cozy, grab a coffee and settle in, today was my favorite day from our trip 🙂 .
On this Sunday morning, we got up, headed to our…
…giant rental van and…
…off we went to visit Oxford and the Cotswolds! Please see that cutie behind me 🙂 .
As we were planning this trip for our fall break, taking a mini road trip to the outskirts of London became a popular topic at my house. My big kids all wanted to see Oxford, and after reading both My Oxford Year (my VERY favorite book of 2018) and Becoming Mrs. Lewis (my 4th favorite book in 2022), I really wanted to see it too. Andrew and I also wanted to dip our toes in the Cotswolds as well, so we thought we could drive over and enjoy a little time in both Bourton on the Water and Lower Slaughter.
So, we loaded up and headed out…
…you guys, I can spot hot air balloons in England too 😉 .
Our drive to Oxford was about 90 minutes outside of London. We stopped on the way…
…and grabbed Starbucks for the road. I’ve blogged about this several times before, but yes, Andrew does feel comfortable driving in England (on the opposite side of vehicle and of the road). He’s had practice as he’s also driven this way in Bermuda, Ireland and South Africa (on multiple occasions), so even though I would rather walk than drive this way, he had no issues.
Our first stop was Oxford. We arrived around 10:00 and met our tour guide for the morning…
…you guys, Oxford was SO CHARMING!!!!!!! It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
Our tour guide showed us around the town, educated us on the history, the architecture, the people, the city…it was a great walking tour on the most gorgeous morning.
See? So charming, right?!
Love these people so much!
We really could not have asked for better weather or a more beautiful morning.
My girls were so excited to visit the real Alice (from Alice in Wonderland’s) parents’ shop. The character is based on a real girl from Oxford and all three of these girlies ate this up!
We have since laughed and laughed and laughed about this tower. Okay, so here we are walking in to go up to the top (please note the top). When we bought our tickets inside, the gentleman selling the tickets gave us the biggest, longest, most comprehensive lecture about making sure our kids did not fall off the top. Listen, I understand he needs to say those things, but you guys, it was comical how long and how detailed this lecture was on making sure our kids did not fall from this tour. Based on his lecture, Andrew and I were certain at least 12 or 14 kids a day fell off. We joke about it now because I feel certain this man was convinced I was going to walk up with four kids and back down with only three.
Speaking of the walk up…
…it required us taking the tiniest most narrow set of stairs you’ve ever seen in your life. Andrew had to make himself significantly shorter and smaller to get up there. What the man should have been telling us was to watch out for Andrew smacking his head on something and getting a concussion.
But then after a million tiny steps…
…we made it to the top and the views were beautiful!!!
Love this sweet girl!
After the tower, our tour continued…
…there were just too many places for us to stop and take a pic.
Our time that morning was just perfect. Because it was a Sunday morning, we didn’t have access to enter into some places, but that just gives us all the more reasons to go back. Next time though, we’re going to head this way and stay put for many days.
After we left Oxford, we hopped in the car and took the most beautiful and scenic drive about one hour to the uber charming Cotswolds town of Bourton on the Water.
The drive was just gorgeous!
If I ever have to enter the witness protection program, please don’t tell anyone, but I will be relocating here…
…this village was like something out of a book (or Nancy Meyers movie!).
The weather was spectacular, so the people were out and about on this beautiful Sunday…
We stopped right here and had the most DELICIOUS lunch! Our table was perfect and…
…our meal divine.
After we enjoyed our lunch, we strolled through town and tried to take it all in…
…all the happiness in Bourton on the Water.
Andrew and I hopped inside a bakery to grab a goodie, and when we can back out, I saw this. You guys! These are my people. These four humans right here sitting on the grass chatting are my whole reason for being. I love being their mama.
But back to that bakery…
…Andrew and I shared this apple pie thing, and it was made of pure magic.
How adorable is this town?!
We could have stayed all day. We could have made this one spot our vacation. We just had a tiny taste of the Cotswolds and are anxious to one day go back.
After we drove out of this village, we headed next door to check out…
…the village of Lower Slaughter in honor of our besties 🙂 .
This town was tiny but oh so adorable!
We had a wonderful (and full!) day exploring.
After we left Lower Slaughter, we drove (about 2 hours) back to London. We cleaned up a bit and then headed…
…to Harry’s for dinner!
This little part of London is just SO CUTE!!! When we went last fall with the Slaughters, we had brunch here, and we had been anxious to visit again for dinner.
The food was delicious, the atmosphere oh so charming…
…but when I think back to this dinner…
…what I think about first and foremost was how much we laughed.
It was just the best ending to such a wonderful day.
And that, my friends, was PART 3 of our trip!
I hope you all have a great start to your week! I will see you back here tomorrow! xx
Beth Knecht says
That looks so cozy and quaint!
I want to go!!
Looking forward to one day taking a Mix and Match getaway to England!!
Elspeth says
Oxford looks so quaint and charming! The foods look delicious too!
Have a great week!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
Tabs assuming you didn’t share the statue of him in Lower Slaughter for security purposes? 😉 Seriously SO COOL you visited! When he did his ancestory years ago, this little spot is where it all began!
Mix and Match Mama says
I legit laughed out loud! The Tab Slaughter Museum was closed that day too which was unfortunate.
Sheaffer says
Love all the pics of your people and the gorgeous and charming scenery!
Heather says
Both of my daughters went for a few weeks to study at Oxford with this camp the summer between Sophmore and Junior year of high school but there are programs for between 13-18. They LOVED it and I highly recommend it if you think it is something your kids might be interested in. https://www.oxford-royale.com/oxford-summer-school/
Debbie Lang says
Thank you for sharing this!! I am looking into it for my son next summer. Wish I could have done this when I was his age. 🙂
Amy says
Since your kids are so well travelled, do you see one of them living abroad as an adult. If so, which kid?
Mix and Match Mama says
I do!! My first guess would totally be Kensington 🙂 .
Gail S. says
I was in The Cotswolds in May!! We stayed in Stow on the Wold and it was amazing! We walked to Upper Slaughter, Lower Slaughter and Burton on the Water. I’m like you, I would love to live there if I had to go in the eye witness program. Such a magical area.
christie rogers says
Love your trip. We biked for a week through the Cotswolds in August. It was an experience and beautiful. Many kind people and beautiful scenery.
Andrea says
We spent several days going through the Cotswolds with trips into Oxford and Bath. You definitely need to go back and spend more time there. Every town is so charming and worth visiting!
Laci L Murray says
Super charming town!
Betsy says
Hi! Would you mind sharing where you rented your van from? If you recommend them. Thanks so much!
Betsy
Mix and Match Mama says
A car rental place right by our hotel! We have had great luck renting vehicles in Europe. We always stick to the most well known car rental companies and have had tremendous luck.
Joanne says
Those town are all so lovely! What beautiful looking weather too.
Debbie says
Oh my goodness…..part 3 is was my favorite tour! It is so beautiful and peaceful looking! THANKS for sharing!
Caroline says
You should follow josie ldn on Instagram and YouTube. Josie and her husband Charlie irons have a beautiful house in the Cotswolds and you’d see lots of places to go to next time.
Lovely photos!
Heather says
You have to go to Shere next time, it is out of fairytale:)
Jessica Shobe says
This trip of yours (all 3 days) has looked amazing! If I ever get to travel to London, I’ll calling up your agency and asking for this exact trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
We would LOVE to help!!
Sharon says
Shay, I’m wondering if you and your friends still have your “scarf/fall” gift exchange? I love when you blog about it!
Mix and Match Mama says
We do! We had it this year at Erika’s house! I’m not sure what happened, but I didn’t take a single photo…I’m not sure Erika did either?! I brought a necklace this year to layer with other necklaces. I came home with The Body Shop lotion and shower gel in their pumpkin vanilla scent 🙂 .
Allison says
Oxford looks so charming. Please tell me you’ve read the book Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber. One of my all time favorite books – and now a faith-based movie!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not! Looking it up right now! Thank you, thank you for the rec!
Robin says
I swear every time I see a post where you have shared a picture of your son it looks like he has grown even taller! What is it about 13-14 year old boys that start to look like MEN overnight? I am sure he is eating you out of house and home, I know my nephews were bottomless pits at that age.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yesterday, Kensington was on the phone (and it was on speaker) and when she hung up, I asked her what she and Andrew were talking about and she said IT WAS SMITH! Agh! When did that happen? Yesterday. Apparently, it happened yesterday.
Stephanie Cannady says
I think I saw your lovely parents this weekend in MHK!?! Were they in town for the KSU v. TCU game? If not, it was definitely their doppelgangers! LOL!! It was midday on Saturday in the Ville. Love all of your trip recaps!
Mix and Match Mama says
They were there!!! You saw them!
Kacy M says
Sometimes the smaller little towns are so much better than the main big cities! So gorgoeus!
Kristy Moore says
Thank you for this post! I backpacked my way through England in the summer of 2017 and visited both Oxford and many spots in the Cotswolds. I agree with you that you’ll have to go back and definitely spend more time in the Cotswolds. Each little village/town has it’s own unique feel. Thanks for bringing back some fantastic memories!
Kerry says
All so charming! Can you share where your white-ish shirt/sweater is from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! It’s so soft and cozy inside too! https://shopstyle.it/l/b2UDE
Julie says
Hey Shay! Love your blog and your adorable family! We are traveling to London after Christmas and are planning on renting a big van (big enough for 11 people plus luggage), and I was curious who you rented your van from when you traveled to the Cotswolds. We are doing the same thing…London to Cotswolds. Thanks so much!
Mix and Match Mama says
Have so much fun! Enterprise 🙂