Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to the Cotswolds is your definitive handbook to one of the most beautiful and diverse holiday destinations in the UK. From stately homes and wildlife parks to modern art galleries, country walks and adventure sports, there is a section that introduces all of the regions' highlights. For every town and village, there are comprehensive and opinionated reviews of all the best places to eat, drink and stay to suit every budget. It brings the Cotswolds bang up-to-date; out go musty tearooms and chintzy B&Bs and in come the best of the area's new contemporary restaurants, boutique-styled hotels and top-rated country pubs. There's plenty of practical advice and a special focus on the region's gastronomy with features on specialist farmers' markets, local farm shops, gastro-pubs and country restaurants. The guide also comes complete with easy-to-use maps for every area making sure you don't miss the unmissable.