Get away from it all with a hike on the Cotswold Way or take a short stroll from your thatched cottage around the local village. Join an equestrian trail ride or take a flutter on the racing at the Cheltenham Festival. Go fishing, play golf or rent a cycle. Bring your pet - Asphodel is a dog friendly cottage - as is almost everywhere! Being active is whatever you want at your Cotswold holiday cottage and all are all available locally.

If getting out is more about exploring historic houses and gardens Rodmarton Manor just a mile away from the cottage whilst William Morris's Kelmscott Manor, Chavenage House, Lydiard Park and Buscot House are all major sights within 30 minutes. Batsford and Westonbirt Arboretums are both near and excellent.

Want an 'Event'? There are literally hundreds but best are the most traditional - why not enjoy cheese-rolling, river football or the pig face day? Locally visit the Tetbury Woolsack Races late May-ish www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk. For a list of the most unusal (and usual) visit: www.cotswolds.info/strange-things 

Below is a very small selection of the more conventional bigger events (full listing at www.cotswolds.info): 

• Cotswold Airshow. Kemble. Watch from the garden! www.cotswoldairshow.com

• Royal International Air Tattoo in July. The worlds largest at RAF Fairford. www.airtattoo.com

• Cotswold Show – Country Fair at Cirencester Park early July. www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

• Beaufort Polo – regular weekend fixtures www.beaufortpoloclub.co.uk

• Cheltenham Festivals – Jazz April, Music July and Literature October. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

• Westonbirt Arboretum - Live Music mid July, Treefest end August. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt