Cotswolds by Design

July 8-14, 2027 — Now Booking

A thoughtfully curated week in the English countryside — moving through private gardens, artists' studios, historic homes, and the quiet creative world that runs beneath the Cotswolds' famous surface.

This is not a sightseeing tour.

It's an intimate, design-led experience conceived by Eva Jorgensen — MFA-trained creative director, author of Paris by Design, and founder of By Design Trips — and brought to life on the ground by B Brooks: a garden designer, owner of the English Gardening School, and a woman with decades of genuine relationships woven through the creative heart of the English countryside.

You don't need to be an artist or work in a creative field to belong here. The common thread isn't profession — it's curiosity, warmth, and a love of beautiful, meaningful experiences.

Come exactly as you are.

What Makes This Trip Different

• A deeply connected local host — B Brooks is a garden designer, owner of the English Gardening School, and someone who has spent time building real friendships with the artists, makers, and gardeners of the Cotswolds. She doesn't just show you this world. She brings you into it.

• An intentionally small group (10–11 people total + B) — small enough for private access, genuine connection, and the kind of ease that larger tours just can't offer.

• A full day at the home and studio of Matthew Rice — artist, illustrator, charming conversationalist, and former designer for Emma Bridgewater — including a botanical drawing workshop, a meal cooked by his family, a tour of his studio, and drinks in his extraordinary garden. This is the kind of day that doesn't scale. It exists because of relationship, not because it's on a tourist map.

• A visit to Kelmscott Manor, the beloved home of William Morris — the iconic artist, designer, and father of the Arts & Crafts movement. To stand in the rooms where he lived and worked, surrounded by the textiles, wallpapers, and objects he created, is to understand design history in the most intimate way possible.

• Gardens interpreted, not just visited — because your host is a garden designer, you don't simply admire what you're looking at. You understand it.

• A flower farm visit and arranging workshop with the owner herself — someone who built something quietly extraordinary in the English countryside.

• A seasonal British cooking class at a legendary organic farm, using produce grown steps away.

• Unhurried time in Cotswolds villages — independent shops, antique hunting, garden centers with genuine soul, and the kind of wandering that can't be scheduled.

• Beautiful, thoughtfully chosen meals throughout the week — country pubs, inn dinners recommended by local artist friends, lazy Sunday roasts.

• Private chauffeur-driven transport throughout, so nothing feels rushed or logistically fraught.

Think of this as a curated edit: built from B's lived connection to the Cotswolds, shaped by Eva's design-led curatorial eye, and refined over multiple trips with travelers who keep coming back.

Jump to:

What It Feels Like To Be On This Trip

A week where you can finally exhale — because the details are handled and the week has been thought through with genuine care.

Mornings that begin gently, with a full English breakfast waiting downstairs and nowhere to rush.

Days that move at a human pace — gardens, studios, workshops, beautiful meals — with breathing room built in between.

The particular pleasure of being somewhere deeply beautiful and actually having time to take it in. No ticking boxes. No rushing from one photogenic village to the next.

Being welcomed into private spaces — homes, gardens, studios — that most visitors never see, with time to ask questions, look closely, and let things sink in.

The unexpected delight of a week with B: someone who notices everything, knows everyone, and brings a dry wit and warmth that makes you feel completely at home in a place that isn't yours.

An easy, warm group dynamic — the kind that's hard to explain until you experience it. Intelligent, curious, funny. No performing required.

Inspired — but not overwhelmed. Hosted — but never herded. Connected — without pressure.

You'll go home with cheeks flushed from fresh air, sketchbooks and flower stems and antique finds tucked into your bag, and the feeling of having been somewhere that got under your skin in the best possible way.

Our Values

Travel is most meaningful when it's rooted in genuine connection — to the place, to the people who live and create there, and to one another.

We prioritize kindness, curiosity, and generosity of spirit. We celebrate independent artists, makers, designers, gardeners, and craftspeople — the people whose lived creativity gives a place its soul.

Travelers of all backgrounds, identities, ages, and orientations are warmly welcome here. We ask the same openness and consideration from every member of the group — toward each other and toward the places and people we visit.

A portion of proceeds from each trip supports carefully selected nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work in the world.

We travel with flexibility and ease. Plans occasionally shift — often for the better. A spirit of openness makes the experience more beautiful for everyone.

Above all, we create a space where people feel genuinely at ease — free to appreciate beauty, ask questions, laugh, and be themselves.

A Note From Eva

B and I met years ago, on my Provence by Design trip — and on one our many drives through the French countryside, an idea was born. She came on my Paris trip too, and somewhere between those conversations, Cotswolds by Design started to take shape: my concept and community, her local knowledge and impossibly good garden eye, and the very strong sense that she'd be a fantastic host.

It took a couple of years of research and planning before we ran the first trip — and I made sure to be on it.

I still think about that week often — the gardens, the day at Matthew’s place, the kind of conversation that happens over a long English dinner with people you've just met.

I won't be there this time, but I'm thrilled for you to be in B's hands. You're going to have the best time.

x Eva

Our Home for the Week

We stay in a chic, design-led boutique hotel on the high street of one of the loveliest small towns in the Cotswolds — lively and historic, with plenty of little shops and places to eat. Original art fills the property throughout, and there's a quiet thrill in spotting a new piece each day.

Breakfast is served in a lovely little courtyard under a rambling rose — or, on cooler mornings, in a cozy dining room.

Thoughtfully decorated rooms and an easy, walkable location mean that after full days of gardens, studios, and good food, you'll come back to somewhere that feels comfortable, charming, and completely yours for the week.

The Itinerary

FLOW OF THE WEEK

Each day has its own rhythm. Some are fuller — with private garden visits, workshops, and long shared meals — and others open into bigger stretches of free time to wander a market town, browse antiques, or slow down with a cup of tea. Along the way, you'll have built-in space to explore at your own pace. The week is thoughtfully balanced — not rigid — so there's always time to take it all in.

DAY 1

Arrive in the Cotswolds and settle into our home for the week — a chic boutique hotel on the high street of a storybook village, full of original art and warmth.

We'll gather for a relaxed welcome before heading out for our first evening together: drinks, canapés, and a private garden visit in the soft evening light.

Back at the hotel, we'll share a cozy pizza supper — an easy first night after a day of travel.

DAY 2

We begin at Kelmscott Manor, the beloved home of William Morris — full of textiles, gardens, and the layered creative history that shaped the Arts & Crafts movement.

From there, a classic English afternoon tea at an elegant country house hotel: scones, sandwiches, and sweets in a beautifully restored setting.

In the afternoon, we'll go treasure hunting at one of the region's largest antiques centers — furniture, textiles, art, and the kind of finds that make for a good story later.

Dinner is at a cozy historic inn, just a few minutes' walk from the hotel.

DAY 3

This morning, a visit an Arts & Crafts-era manor that's been in the same family for five generations — one of the last houses built and furnished entirely in the old traditional way, with local stone, local timber, and local craftsmen. Every detail tells a story, and that's before we even get to the garden.

Lunch is at a design-forward country house hotel where playful contemporary style meets old English manor atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we'll visit a beautiful home cutting garden, where we'll wander among the flowers, enjoy tea and cake, and make casual countryside bouquets together.

The evening is free — a quiet supper, a wander through Burford, or simply time to rest.

DAY 4

Today is entirely given over to one extraordinary place: the home and studio of Matthew Rice — artist, illustrator, and former designer for Emma Bridgewater.

We'll begin with a guided walk through the nearby village many will recognize from Downton Abbey, then gather for lunch at Matthew's home (his son-in-law is the chef — quite a talented family).

In the afternoon, we'll step into his studio for a gentle, no-experience-needed watercolor lesson — washes, line drawings, and plenty of room to play.

There's time for tea, a browse through his books and original paintings, and a wander in the garden before drinks and dinner in this warm, art-filled world.

DAY 5

This morning we'll explore one of England's most iconic gardens — a series of garden rooms, secret pathways, and richly layered borders that unfold as you wander.

From there, free time in one of the Cotswolds' most charming market towns: shop, browse antiques, find lunch, or settle into a café.

On the way back, a stop at a beloved local garden and design shop — part garden center, part lifestyle emporium.

Dinner is a cozy countryside pub supper in a nearby village.

DAY 6

We'll spend the morning at Daylesford, a legendary Cotswolds organic farm and cookery school, cooking a seasonal lunch together with beautiful fresh ingredients — then sitting down to enjoy what we've made.

Afterward, time to browse the farm shop for provisions, cookbooks, and gifts to bring home.

The afternoon is free to wander our village one last time, revisit a favorite shop, or rest and pack.

For our final evening, a relaxed tapas supper just steps from the hotel.

DAY 7

A final morning in the Cotswolds at your own pace, with breakfast available before the group transfer back to Heathrow.

You'll leave the Cotswolds feeling refreshed, thoroughly spoiled, and part of a small circle of travelers who value beauty, gardens, and good company.

To ensure the best possible experience, Eva Jorgensen Travel may make small adjustments to the itinerary in response to local schedules, weather, or the opportunity to add something especially delightful.

If you have food allergies, please share them with us at the time of registration so we can accommodate you with care. For any other questions, you’re always welcome to reach out at hello@evajorgensen.com.

In Their Words

"Interiors, gardens, flowers, watercolor, antiques — all of my favorite things. Everything was so beautifully curated — the hotel, the itinerary, the food, all of it. I loved our guide and new friend B! She did a wonderful job. I can't say enough good things about the trip. I went home feeling so creatively inspired."
— Lexie S.

"I was blown away. I wasn't sure what to expect, but the level of planning and the quality of everything really impressed me. It's going to be hard to travel on my own now — it won't compare."
— Val D.

"I loved our group. The different ages, backgrounds, how we came from different parts of the US — there was such a nice camaraderie. These were people with a sense of humor and an appreciation for beauty in both big and little things."
— Jill G.

Still wondering if this trip is for you? Ask yourself…

Are you:

• Someone who finds gardens, homes, art, and design both replenishing and inspiring?

• Excited to connect with a small group of kind-hearted, adventurous travelers — during leisurely dinners, garden walks, and workshops together — while still having free time to recharge on your own?

• Looking forward to exclusive visits with local creatives and discovering the Cotswolds that B knows best?

• Prepared to be on your feet much of the day — often on uneven ground, narrow staircases, cobblestones, and the like?

• An Anglophile — or open to becoming one? 😉

• Flexible enough to go with the flow, knowing that travel often brings the unexpected?

• Someone who values traveling with a host who knows the way — the time it saves, the doors it opens, the local knowledge it brings?

• Comfortable exploring solo or with a buddy during free time (with plenty of orientation, tips, and recommendations along the way)?

• Kind, respectful, and conscientious toward others — even with differences in personality or background?

• Open-minded and curious about new people and places?

If you found yourself nodding along, this trip is probably for you. 🌻

Pricing & Inclusions

INVESTMENT

$8500 per person — private room occupancy (standard)
$8000 per person — shared room (when traveling together)

Deposit to reserve your place:
$2125 (25%) — private room
$2000 (25%) - shared room

Group size: a maximum of 11 guests

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

To make planning easier, the remaining balance is divided into three additional installments:

• 25% deposit — due upon registration

• 25% payment — due October 8, 2026

• 25% payment — due January 8, 2027

• Final 25% payment — due April 8, 2027

(You'll receive reminder emails ahead of each payment.)

PAYMENT METHODS

Payments are processed through a secure online invoice. We accept major credit cards and other convenient digital payment options, and we're always happy to help make the process easy.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Six nights at a chic, design-led boutique hotel on the high street of a charming village in the Cotswolds

• Daily English breakfast, plus most lunches and dinners throughout the week (with a few meals left open during designated free time)

• Wine and non-alcoholic beverages served with included group meals

• A full day at the home and studio of Matthew Rice, including a private watercolor lesson

• A flower-arranging workshop and a seasonal British cooking class

• All private visits, workshops, and entry fees included in the itinerary

• Private chauffeur-driven transport throughout the week, including transfers to and from Heathrow

• A thoughtfully hosted and fully curated week, led on the ground by B Brooks

• Seamless logistics from arrival to departure

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare to and from the UK

• Travel insurance (required)

• A small number of meals during designated free time

• Personal shopping and incidental expenses

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY

A non-refundable deposit secures your place on the trip. The remaining balance follows the installment schedule outlined above.

Because of the advance commitments required to secure accommodations, private visits, and creative hosts, payments are non-refundable.

If a traveler needs to cancel and we're able to fill the space from the waitlist, we'll make every reasonable effort to facilitate a transfer — though this cannot be guaranteed.

For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. If you're new to travel insurance, this overview from Rick Steves is a helpful place to start, and sites like Squaremouth allow you to compare quotes from multiple providers.

HOW TO APPLY

To begin, simply complete the short application below.

Cotswolds by Design is intentionally small and thoughtfully composed — I personally review every application and will be in touch with next steps.

Come With Us

If this feels like your kind of week — thoughtful, beautiful, and genuinely restorative — I'd love to have you join us.

Complete the short application below, and I'll personally review it and be in touch with next steps.

Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience small and personal.

If this feels aligned, I'd love to hear from you.

Cotswolds by Design is intentionally small — I personally review every application to help create a wonderful group.

FAQ

Is this trip only for artists or creatives?

Not at all. Many guests love gardens, art, design, and beautiful homes — but you don't need to be an artist or work in a creative field to belong here. Curiosity and appreciation are what matter. Even the watercolor day with Matthew Rice is designed for complete beginners — no experience needed.

I've never traveled in a group before. What is it like?

This is not a traditional tour. The group is small (11 guests max), the atmosphere is relaxed rather than performative, and there's plenty of room to wander during free time or take quiet moments when you need them.

One past traveler described it as "group travel for people who don't like group travel" — no buses, no guides with microphones, no canned tours. Just hidden gems, local connections, and the kind of intimacy that comes with a small group.

Before departure, we'll set up a group text thread (and a quick video call), so you'll already know a few friendly faces when you arrive.

I'm coming solo — will I feel comfortable?

Yes. Many guests join on their own. The small group size and shared meals create easy connection without pressure. There's always space to engage — and space to step away when you need it.

Will I have my own room?

Yes. The trip is priced based on private room occupancy. If you're traveling with a partner, friend, or family member and prefer to share, a limited number of shared rooms are available at a reduced rate. We don't pair guests who don't already know each other.

How physically demanding is the trip?

We explore primarily on foot — gardens, village streets, and country houses — with a good amount of walking throughout the day. Expect uneven ground, gravel paths, cobblestones, and the occasional staircase. We move at a thoughtful pace and build in plenty of pauses and rest.

How do I Arrive?

Group transfers to and from Heathrow are included as part of the trip. We'll provide full details on timing and the meeting point after you register.

What kind of traveler tends to enjoy this trip?

Someone who appreciates gardens, good food, meaningful conversation, and thoughtful design. Someone curious and unhurried — not interested in rushing from one sight to the next. Many guests tell me they leave feeling deeply restored, with new friends and a sketchbook full of half-finished drawings.

What happens if I need to cancel?

A non-refundable deposit secures your place. Because this trip requires advance commitments to accommodations, private hosts, and experiences, payments are non-refundable. If you need to cancel, we'll reach out to the waitlist and do everything we can to facilitate a transfer — though this can't be guaranteed. Travel insurance is required (see Pricing & Inclusions for more).

All photos on this page by Eva Jorgensen, other than [B's headshot / hotel photos — adjust as needed].