From Savannah to the Cotswolds, Part 4: Stow-on-the-Wold

After a whirlwind first day exploring dreamy villages like Bibury and Castle Combe, we decided to take it a bit slower on our second full day in the Cotswolds. That meant staying close to home in the little town of Stow-on-the-Wold—our charming base for this incredible photography retreat.

Stow-on-the-Wold might be small, but it’s packed with charm. We spent the day checking out its delightful shops, strolling the quaint streets with our cameras, and indulging in some seriously good food.

We started the day with breakfast at Huffkins. Flaky pastries, hot coffee, and a cozy atmosphere—what more could you want? For lunch and tea, we visited Lucy’s Tea Room, where I may or may not have considered moving in permanently after trying their scones. And dinner? Well, we kept it simple and special by dining at the cottage we stayed in, Pike’s Cottage.

Pike’s Cottage was the perfect mix of rustic charm and Cotswold character. With its low entryways it was right in line with the countless “Mind Your Head” signs I saw that seemed to be a theme throughout the Cotswolds–a far cry from the homes back in the States. The fireplace became the heart of the cottage that day, crackling warmly as we gathered around. And yes, I confess—I took advantage of our staying in Stow by taking a nap that afternoon. The travel and excitement of the previous day finally caught up with me, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. (I regret nothing.)

One of my favorite moments of the day was exploring St. Edward’s Church. This medieval church is stunning, and, as I found out, is famous for its beautiful arched door framed by two trees, rumored to have inspired Tolkien’s Doors of Durin in The Lord of the Rings. Walking around and inside the church felt like stepping back in time. As a lover of fantasy and history, it was a surreal experience to photograph and take in such a magical spot.

After a day exploring Stow, we had snacks and dinner back at the cottage. I tried goat cheese with honey for the first time (spoiler: it was delicious), but the true highlight of the evening was the company. Sitting around the fire, sharing stories about photography, life, and everything in between with the other women attending the retreat—including our incredible host, Julie—was one of those rare, soul-filling moments.

There’s something so special about connecting with others who share your passion, and that night felt like the perfect blend of inspiration, laughter, and friendship.

As the evening wound down, we reflected on how lucky we were to be in such a stunning place with such wonderful people. With memories made and stories shared, we turned in for the night, ready to recharge for the adventures awaiting us in Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford the next day. Trust me, you won’t want to miss what’s coming next—stay tuned for all the details!

If you liked reading this blog, you may also enjoy:

• From Savannah to the Cotswolds, Part 1: Bibury
• From Savannah to the Cotswolds, Part 2: Castle Combe
• From Savannah to the Cotswolds, Part 3: Bath

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