Plein Air in the Cotswolds

Come paint with Aimee in the Cotswolds! 

IN PERSON PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP IN ENGLAND. August 10-20, 2026. 

This area of England is classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty, and includes some villages recognized as being amongst the most beautiful in the world. Not to mention the history of the place! This is a 10 day tour, fully catered and fully escorted by Sterling Art Tours, with daily painting instruction and demos from your instructor. It is sure to be a wonderful time. 

Accommodations

We will stay at a lovely accommodation right in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Notgrove Holiday Estate. The village of Notgrove is set in the rolling English country side in all its charm. The cottages are well-appointed, with kitchens and private baths, suitable for single or double occupancy. You may choose a king sized bed or two twins. Each cottage has underfloor heating throughout the year. A separate games room with high ceilings and a sink is where we will meet when we need a group studio. There are patios and gardens with seating for you to enjoy; the manor house is also accessible to us.

Meals

We have an in-house catering team who provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day (except lunch for two outings), including a full picnic lunch on two of the excursion days, a packed lunch for Stonehenge, and one evening meal at a traditional English gastro pub. We will also enjoy an authentic Sunday roast and be served a traditional cream tea one afternoon.

Plein Air Painting

Outdoors with your paints, a morning or a week, spent in focused observation of the beauty around you, laying down some color and watching the light change: welcome to the world of plein air travel! Whether this is your first plein air excursion or you’re a seasoned painter, there is always something to learn and enjoy. As an instructor my goal is to meet you where you are, show you an approach that is challenging and doable, and to not tire anyone out before the end of the week. I will have an expanded materials list for those who want specific recommendations for gear; there are a lot of good options and you’ll want to be confident that you have what you need before setting out. After that we rely on resourcefulness! 

Non-painters are also welcome to join us, at a reduced cost. English majors welcome.

Travel Planning

Dates: August 10-20, 2026

August 10, 2 pm. Pick up at London Heathrow Airport. From there we travel the 1 hour 45 minutes to Notgrove, settle in to our accommodations, and that evening dinner will be served. 

August 11-19 Painting and excursions to surrounding villages and locales. The specifics of the itinerary are developing and will be announced well in advance. 

August 20, Transport back to London Heathrow Airport. We depart Notgrove early, around seven am. It is best to book flights that depart after twelve noon.

Our Hosts

Simon Goodenough and his wife Cathryn, who operate Sterling Art Tours, are natives of England and have been organizing and running tours in France and England for many years. I am very much looking forward to working with them as I have heard nothing but how fantastic they are, how generous with their knowledge of history, how caring and detailed they are in their planning. 

What's Included

This workshop is all inclusive. Once you arrive at London Heathrow at the appointed place and time, all the rest is handled for you. Our hosts Simon and Cathryn arrange everything, including: 

• Transportation to and from the airport
• Ten nights at Notgrove Estates (single or shared occupancy). You’ll have access to laundry facilities, kitchenettes for morning coffee, and many patios and private spaces, and all the beautiful views. 
• All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except as noted below
• Wine and soft drinks with lunches and dinners
• All excursions to villages and painting locations
• Entry fees to any tourist sites, such as Stonehenge and Sudeley Castle
• Painting instruction, including demonstrations for the group and individual coaching at your easel or sketchbook

What is not included

• Airfare. Guests book their own flights.
• Two lunches, on the outings to Oxford and Stratford, as well as your arrival day lunch as we don’t arrive in Notgrove until later in the day, tipping

Please note: Travel Insurance is required, and you must purchase your own. 

COST (all rates are in U.S. dollars)

Per person, shared occupancy: $4495.00 $4145 early bird rate

Per person, single occupancy: $4750.00 $4400 early bird rate

Non-painter: $3995.00 $3645 early bird rate

Early bird discount rate!

Save $350 by registering in 2025.

Deposit due to register $650.00 upon registration to secure your spot. 

We have a limited number of spots/rooms available, and expect the group size to be between 15 and 19 depending on rooms shared or not.

Full balance is due four months before the workshop on 10 April 2026.

Cancellations: All cancellations incur a 10% processing fee. Please give as much notice as possible. After June 1, 2026, no refunds; however, if your spot can be filled from the waiting list, we can organize a partial refund.