The Cotswolds, a range of low limestone hills forming the watershed between the Thames and Severn basins, lie between the M4 (London to Bristol) and A40 (Oxford to Gloucester), bounded on the west by the M 5. They extend from Chipping Campden in the north to Bath in the south, a distance of some 55mi/88km, and are 24mi/38.5km across from east to west, reaching a maximum height of 1,070ft/326m. Fully justifying their designation as "an area of outstanding natural beauty", they provide splendid walking country, where beech woods alternate with pasture land grazed by vast flocks of sheep renowned for the quality of their wool.
Sheep farming has a long tradition in the Cotswolds, having been introduced in the 12th century by the monastic houses. Wool brought prosperity to the region, a prosperity still reflected today in the splendid churches paid for by wealthy wool merchants, and the trim villages and little towns.
Nearly all are built of the local honey colored, weather resistant oolitic limestone, as are the low walls which divide the fields - though many of these have been removed with the expansion of wheat growing at the expense of sheep farming.
Beside Chippenham is Castle Combe (5mi/8km west), one of the prettiest Cotswold villages, with rows of picturesque medieval houses, a 13th-15th century parish church (St Andrew's; 14th century font), the elegant Manor House (14th-18th centuries; now a hotel) and, contrasting with it, Water Lane and the old weavers' houses.
From Cirencester the A 419 runs west through Oakley Woods, passes close to Sapperton, with Daneway House, a manor house of the 14th-17th centuries, and then enters the "Golden Valley" of the Stroudwater, with many cloth factories.
Some 3mi/5km outside Chipping Norton are the Rollright Stones, a famous Bronze Age stone circle, less impressive than the larger monuments at Avebury and Stonehenge but in a very beautiful setting. There are about 70 stones in the main circle, known as the King's Men, together with a burial chamber called the Whispering Knights and the isolated King Stone.
Bibury is the typical small English town and best noted for Arlington Row, a row of weavers cottages. This series of small joined houses is one of the most photographed features of the region. Many other quaint houses are found in the small streets in the neighborhood.
Six mi/9.6km beyond Painswick on the A 46 a short detour can be made to the town of Birdlip on the A 417. From here, on the crest of the Cotswolds' steep western escarpment, there is a beautiful view of the Severn valley.
The route to Cirencester from Stow-on-the-Wold (10mi/16km) is by way of Northleach and Chedworth, a small villaged noted for the Roman Villa (A.D. 180-350; 4.5 mi/7km south). One of the best preserved in the country, with mosaic floors, baths, hypocausts and a museum containing finds from the site.
Address: Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth GL54 3LJ, England
Hours:
March 1 to March 16: 11am-4pm; Closed: Mon
March 18 to November 2: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
November 4 to November 16: 10am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Mon, Mon
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August ), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Last admission 30mins before closing.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Sheldon Manor (2mi/3km west of Chippenham) is famous for its collection of Nailsea glass as well as for its roses.
Address: Sheldon Manor, Chippenham SN14 0RG, England
Hours:
March 21 to October 4: 2pm-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August ), Easter Monday - Christian, Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Chipping Norton (pop. 5,000) is a wool town in the Cotswolds.
The town serves as a gateway into the Costwolds and to a number of surrounding villages. Chipping Norton is also the site of Rollright Stones, a megalithic monument consisting of a stone circle and several standing stones.
Old building with spire in Chipping Norton.
An old church located in Chipping Norton.
Address: Chipping Norton Tourist Office, The Guildhall, Chipping Norton OX7 5NJ, England
The 100-mile / 161-kilometer trail follows the escarpment of the Cotswold hills from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire to the city of Bath. The route encompasses a variety of terrain, including valleys, woodlands, village roads and farmland. The path is also under consideration for National Trail status.
The black and white castle was the escape of fugitive Charles I. It is open to the public and is the site of maypole dancing and other events on Oak Apple Day (May 29). The castle also has an interesting church with the tomb of the first Earl of Coventry.
The Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon contains the world's biggest collection of British cars including: MG, Land Rover, Triumph, Rover, Austin, Morris, Riley and Wolseley. Archival library, cinema, historic displays.
Address: Heritage Motor Centre, Banbury Road, Gaydon CV35 0BJ, England
Hours:
10am-5pm
Always closed on: Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Family admission (2 adults, 3 children).
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
From Broadway the A 44 runs southeast, soon climbing in the direction of Stow-on-the-Wold. At nearby Guiting Power the Cotswold Farm Park has a collection of rare British breeds.
Two mi/3km northeast of Winchcombe is Hailes Abbey, once a great Cistercian house but now reduced to only a few scanty remains. Adjoining is a small archaeological museum.
Hailes Abbey is owned and maintained by the National Trust. Inside the abbey, remains of the dramatic cloister arches have been preserved.
Address: Hailes Abbey, Cheltenham GL54 5PB, England
Hours:
March 21 to June 30: 10am-5pm
July 1 to August 31: 10am-6pm
September 1 to September 30: 10am-5pm
October 1 to October 31: 10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Tips: Groups of 11 or more - 15% discount.
Taped tours included with admission.
The Old Mill Museum stands on the banks of the River Eye in Lower Slaughter. It is a 19th C flour mill containing many historical artifacts including one of only three remaining unused mill stones in Britain.
Street beside the water in Lower Slaughter.
View of the Lower Slaughter Village.
Address: The Old Mill Museum, Lower Slaughter GL54 2HX, England
Hours:
January 1 to February 28: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
March 1 to October 31: 10am-6pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
November 1 to December 31: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Rejoining the A 44, the route from Chipping Campden continues by way of Chastleton House, a large Jacobean mansion built by a wool merchant in about 1610, with beautiful old furniture and other items of interest, set in a magnificent garden.
Address: Chastleton House, Chastleton, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0SU, England
Hours:
March 19 to September 30: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue
October 1 to November 1: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Sun, Mon, Tue
Tips: Last admission 1 hour before closing.
Admission by pre-booked, timed ticket only.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: No facilities for persons with disabilities.
Nuneaton (pop. 71,500) is located 20mi/32km east of Birmingham and is an industrial center. The town has three main leisure centres including the Pingles with an indoor and outdoor swimming facilities and a nearby stadium.
Address: Nuneaton Tourist Office, Nuneaton Library Church Street, Nuneaton CV11 4DR, England
The Northleach House of Correction contains the Cotswolds Rural Life Museum. Displays are found in the preserved cells and a restored court room, including the Lloyd-Baker Collection of agricultural history.
Address: Rural Life Museum / Cotswold Countryside Collection, Fosseway, Cotswolds GL54 3JH, England
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 10am-5pm; Sun:2pm-5pm
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Sleaford (pop. 8,523) is an old market town located on the Slea River 32mi/51km east of Nottingham. Sleaford has become a popular tourist and craft destination.
Most of the parish church of St. Denys dates back to 1180, with one of the oldest stone broach spires in England.
Address: Sleaford Tourist Office, The Mill Money's Yard Carre Street, Sleaford NG34 7TW, England
This 213mi/ 343km stretch of path was made a National Trail in 1996. The trail begins at the river's source in Gloucestershire and winds along the river banks through Lechlade, Oxford, Abingdon, Henley-on-Thames, Windsor, London and finally Greenwich, where it ends at the Thames Barrier.
This is a Neolithic Long Barrow, measuring 120 by 22 feet. It has four chambers in which were discovered 38 skeletons. The burial mound dates from around 3000 BC.
Two mi/3km south of Stroud is Woodchester, with an old Dominican abbey and large Roman villa, the latter having been excavated to reveal well preserved mosaic floors.
Many of the buildings have been well-preserved and Woodchester Park features a wooded area with access to a chain of lakes.
Woodchester Park is a National Trust property near Stroud. The park has five lakes, a lost garden and waymarked trails. It was first opened to the public in 1996.
Address: Woodchester Park Warden's Office, Old Ebworth Centre Ebworth Estate, The Camp, Stroud GL6 7ES, England
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 9am-Sunset
October 1 to March 31: 9am-Sunset
Tips: Last admission to car park one hour before closing.
Dogs are welcome on leads.
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Broadway
Kenilworth - Kenilworth Castle
Cathedral, Worcester
Cathedral, Hereford
Goodrich Castle, Ross-on-Wye
Broadway Tower Country Park, Chipping Campden
Donington Castle, Leicester
