Are you an Anglophile at heart?
Do your daydreams include rose-covered cottages…
winding country lanes…
and impossibly green fields dotted with sheep?
Do you love the thought of having afternoon tea and scones in a cozy tearoom that’s been serving customers for over a hundred years?
Can you picture yourself sitting on a hillside in rural England, sketchbook in hand, drawing medieval towers made of honey-colored Cotswold stone?
If you love sketching picture-postcard villages, timeless architecture, stunning scenery, and spectacular gardens, then the region of England known as the Cotswolds might be just the place for you!
The Cotswolds are filled with scenes guaranteed to make a sketcher’s heart beat faster, and I’m happy to announce that I am offering another small-group sketching tour there in 2025.
Sketching in the Cotswolds
September 8-16, 2025
This 8-night workshop is planned for early autumn when the summer crowds have disappeared and days are generally warm and sunny with cooler nights. Many Brits I’ve spoken with have told me that September is their favorite month of the year, and it’s the best time to visit because of the more relaxed pace and stunning weather.
I’ve chosen the village of Bourton-on-the-Water as our home base. Often named as the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water has it all: a great location, cute shops, adorable flower-covered cottages, scenic views, great restaurants, and easy access to the countryside . The River Windrush flows through the town and is criss-crossed by arched stone bridges, making it a dream location for artists.
We’ll be staying in a highly-rated B and B , and just across the street is a boutique property which we’ll use as our studio and gathering space. It will offer a place for morning classes while also giving us a spot to relax, have a glass of wine in the evening, and finish up sketches begun earlier in the day.
Each day, we’ll be picked up by our tour guide and driven to local points of interest, where we will have time to explore, sketch, meander, and enjoy soaking up our surroundings.
We’ll visit historic estates…
medieval villages…
and gorgeous gardens…
We’ll see panoramic views…
cozy thatched-roof cottages,
and iconic red telephone booths.
Every country lane holds surprises just waiting to be discovered.
There’s so much to see and do in the Cotswolds, and this workshop tour will offer the perfect combination of sightseeing and sketching/painting.
I want the trip to feel relaxed, with free time built in to allow participants to focus on what interests them most. The time we spend on location at historic sites and gardens will be flexible, so you can choose whether to spend more time sketching on your own, painting with me, going through a museum, or browsing for goodies in the gift shop. (There are some great finds in the National Trust gift shops!)
We’ll have class time each morning before we head out for the day, and I’ll offer page design and layout ideas to jumpstart the sketching process. There will also be short onsite demonstrations related to the subjects we’ll be painting.
When we’re out and about, I’ll be on hand to give plenty of individual assistance and help you through any challenges you may experience when sketching en plein air. If you prefer to work independently, you’ll have the freedom to do so, but if you feel more comfortable having additional support, I’ll be available, and we can draw and paint together.
When we’re on location, you’ll have time to delve into the history of a place with a guided tour, meander through a garden, go for a walk, or sip a cup of tea while painting your sketch. This relaxed approach to scheduling accommodates many different personalities, interests, and learning styles, and I’ve found it works well for my travel journaling workshops.
A sketching trip like this one offers a safe, convenient, and easy way to experience a new place, with a good balance of time spent painting, sightseeing, shopping, and relaxing. You’ll have a chance to do some sketching, make new friends, and learn a few things along the way. And best of all, you’ll see the prettiest part of England without ever having to drive on the left-hand side of the road! 🙂
If you are interested in this sketching workshop in the Cotswolds,
please email me first to confirm availability.
Group size is limited to 15 students.
Workshop dates:
September 8-16, 2025
Pricing
Pricing for the 8-night painting tour:
$4500.00 USD / single room with private bath
$3900 USD / shared room (twin beds) with bath
Included in the tour:
- Eight nights lodging in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England, single or double occupancy
- All breakfasts
- Three dinners (including drinks and wine)
- Excursions to regional points of interest for painting
- All group art instruction and individual assistance by Leslie
- Ground transportation, including London airport pickup and dropoff
- Entrance fees to included sites on the tour
- Use of classroom/studio
Not included:
- Your airfare
- Travel insurance for medical emergency, baggage and trip cancellation/interruption. This is required for participation in the tour.
- Lunches and some dinners. Lunches will generally be eaten in cafes at painting locations or in towns we’ll be visiting. Dinners will be in Bourton-on-the-Water, where there are numerous restaurants within walking distance from our lodging.
- Art supplies
- Any items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities to maids, waiters, etc.
For more information, please read over the registration form which covers topics such as the payment plan, cancellation policy, travel insurance requirements, etc.
I hope to see you in the Cotswolds!
