Day 13: Cotswolds, Oxford, and Stratford-Upon-Avon

If you’re wondering why I went London first last night and THEN caught a bus tour back out to the Cotswolds, Oxford, and Stratford-Upon-Avon, it was because the only bus tour on the day I needed it to get to the Cotswolds was departing from London early this morning. Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace and burial site) wasn’t on the itinerary but we were so close, I concocted a plan to make it happen. Although a hasty, faulty plan ‘twas, at least I arrived. More on that later.

The Cotswolds were charming, lovely, and quaint as expected but we only had 2 stops (Bibury & Burford) and I wanted more, but it was the best I could arrange. I really wanted to go to Stow-on-the-Wold but I did hear a great story from the tour guide. Many celebrities have recently brought properties in Stow-on-the-Wold and George Clooney is one of them. He started renovating, even adding a pool, as soon as he bought it and apparently pissed off his neighbors because of the constant noise and commotion. When all was said and done, he invited them all over for a Champagne party and gave each neighbor a check for £25,000… as a “sorry about that” gesture. He can come be my neighbor any time he wants… for many reasons!!

Then onto Oxford… very historic (obviously) and interesting place. There is not just one University but many different Colleges that all comprise Oxford located scattered across the city. Our bus tour guide gave a walking tour and I learned a lot but I had Stratford-Upon-Avon upon my mind being so close… so about half way through the tour, I bounced. (I did let the guide know, so he wouldn’t worry that I hadn’t returned to the bus). Found the train station and got on the next one headed to Stratford-Upon-Avon. I booked a B&B close by and a train back to London the next morning at 9am. I checked times of the Shakespeare Birthplace Museum & Tour (closed at 5pm-that’s all it said). Train arrived at 4:15, it was a 15 minute walk (save money on the taxi) to the place, so I assumed I would have 30 minutes to tour. I was pretty proud of myself for making it happen. WRONG, again. I got there at literally 4:34, and the the last entry time was 4:30. Those arseholes would NOT let me in! I actually stood outside the door and begged. Nope. So, I took a picture of the outside of his house and drug my sorry little self to the gift shop. They didnt re-open til 10am the next morning and my train back to London was at 9am. I had stuff planned in London already. The church where he was buried also closed early and didn’t reopen til 11am, so I was screwed for both. Well, at least I got a picture, a nice dinner at the oldest tavern/pub in Stratford-Upon-Avon, and the B&B was one of the nicest and cheapest places I’ve stayed. Not all was lost, but I WAS triggered. I was asleep by 8pm. Bed was really comfy and breakfast was really good though. I’m currently on the train back to London where hopefully things fall into place. I might be taking this YOLO thing too far. 🤪