I admit it.
I'm an anglophile and I'm not alone.
There seems to be a gigantic love affair with Britain and everything British. Between Kate and Will's royal marriage ; the PBS hit series Downton Abbey ; Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee ; London's Olympic games and the ongoing antics of Prince Harry - we just can't get enough. And although I enjoy all of that…it's the English countryside that I absolutely love.

For many of us, the Cotswolds defines what we imagine the English countryside to be. The endless sheep-clad rolling hills where ancient castles, abbeys, towers and historic manor houses dot the scenery. The villages. The sleepy , thatched roof, gently-curving, honey-colored stone villages that seem more fairy tale than real life. Busy market towns, centuries old pubs overflowing with laughter from the locals and picturesque tea rooms where tea and scones are not just a way of life, it is a highly respected daily ritual.

My husband, Stewart, and I just returned from a trip to the Cotswolds and I can't stop thinking about it. It was - as they say - brilliant!

We flew to London (Heathrow), quickly cleared customs and hopped onboard the super-efficient Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. Once there, we purchased tickets for the 90-minute train ride to Moreton-in-Marsh, a convenient Cotswold hub and well-known for antiquing and quality shoppes.

Our destination was Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, which has gained the enviable reputation as the "Cotswolds hidden gem".

My friend and colleague, Paull Tickner, recommended Chipping Campden (or "Campden" as the locals say) as an excellent home base for touring the Cotswolds. And since he is an award-winnning specialty UK tour operator plus a travel writer for "Niche Britain" ; "Britain Insider" and "Special Interest Britain" - and he also happens to live in Campden - who am I to argue? And of course, he was right.

We checked into Kiftsgate Cottage at the Cotswold House Hotel (www.cotswoldhouse.com), a beautiful Regency Grade II listed townhouse surrounded by a lovely English garden, in the heart of the village, across from the Market Hall - circa 1627.

We spent our first two days walking and exploring this ancient market town. (A typical English market town has a population of up to 5,000 and dates back to medieval times when the town was legally allowed to sell and/or barter produce and livestock - from neighboring hamlets and villages - inside their official market hall.)

There was so much to see and do in and around Campden, and lucky for us, we had Paull leading the way.

It honestly looks as though time has stood still, especially taking in the architecture of the buildings, as you walk along High Street.

Some of the highlights easily explored by foot include -

*Grevel House - the oldest house in Campden, built in 1367.

*St. James Church - a landmark for miles and considered one of the finest churches in the Cotswolds. Both Chipping Campden and the church were built by wool wealth and if you lift up the heavy wool carpeting by the alter you will see that the great wool merchants tombstones pave the floor.

*Old Silk Mill - filled with talented and creative artisans, jewelers and craftsmen who still follow the ideals of the famous 1902 "Arts and Crafts" movement to the Cotswolds.

*Eight Bells Pub - a 14th century inn serving good pub food and drink. Packed with friendly (and chatty) locals enjoying a pint - or two.

*The Almhouses - Built in 1612 to house 6 poor men and 6 poor women. To this day they are still used by 12 retirees from Campden.

Just a short drive from Campden will take you to -

*Kiftsgate Court Gardens - Since 1918, three generations of women gardeners have made Kiftsgate their family home and an award-winning garden estate. (www.kiftsgate.co.uk)

*Hidcote Manor Garden - If you like gardens, you'll love Hidcote. Considered one of England's best and a "Arts and Crafts" garden masterpiece operated by the National Trust. ( And to think, it all began in the early 1900's when an American mother, Gertrude Johnston and her son, Lawrence came to live in Britain and purchased the Hidcote Manor Estate.) (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote)

*The Pudding Club - popular "meetings" are held weekly when seven traditional puddings are eaten to find the "Pudding of the Night" at the Three Ways House hotel in Mickleton. (www.puddingclub.com)

*Sudeley Castle - A glorious castle filled with national and private treasures boasting a thousand years of English history. Once home to Queen Katherine Parr, the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII and since 1969, ancestral home to American born, Lady Ashcombe. (My greatest suprise was our unexpected, fascinating and exclusive "sit down and tea" with Lady Ashcombe in her private "apartment" within the massive castle.) (www.sudeleycastle.co.uk)

Since Paull is a British tourism expert, I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions -

Q - What do most visitors to the Cotswolds want to experience?

A - During their stay, visitors want to discover something that makes England tick. The spectacular scenery, the villages, the castles, the walking paths - and a "quieter" way of life. Going to a market town pub, meeting and talking with the locals over a pint. Stopping for tea and just taking it all in.

Q - Is there an "official" Cotswold beverage or food that a visitor must try?

A - You must sample Gloucester cheese, "Old Spot" pork , local trout and Donnington Ales. Local produce is always excellent and enhanced by a game of Skittles with the proceedings to begin with a pint of real ale that's been locally brewed.

Q - I know the Cotswolds offer many things to many people (gardens, history, scenic walks) - how does one find out about tours that may be of specific interest to them?

A - Cotswolds accommodations (such as your lovely Cotswold House Hotel) and food quality is high and the Cotswolds is a cast iron "world-standard" attraction/destination along with Tuscany, the Hamptons or the South of France. It rarely disappoints and holiday time is so precious. For a closer look, check out http://www.cotswolds.com