I turned up at the beautiful setting of Dormy House to meet my guests, Mike and Michele, for the day.
Introductions made, and we set off towards Broadway looking forward to a day in the North Cotswolds.
The weather was perfect.
It was a brief visit to Broadway, driving slowly down the high street and admiring the beauty of the buildings gently glowing in the morning sunshine.
No time to stop as we had to be in Mickleton at 10am.
The Cotswolds village of Broadway is often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’ and the ‘Show Village of England’ because of it’s sheer beauty and magnificence. The ‘broad way’ leads from the foot of the western Cotswolds escarpment with a wide grass-fringed street lined with ancient honey coloured limestone buildings dating back to the 16th century and earlier.
We arrived precisely at 10am to meet John King for the sheepdog experience.
I was delighted to join in the experience and to watch Dot, Lynne, Jed and one other, whose name I have forgotten! work the sheep in their own, individual ways. We all agreed that John was an excelent sheepdog man and guide.
Longhills Farm in Mickleton with Farmer and Sheepdog trainer John King.
John mentioned that Chipping Campden was his favourite Cotswold town. This was fortunate as it was our next stop on today’s tour.
I left Mike and Michele to wander up the high street and to meet me at the other end. We then went to look at the church and the remains of Baptist Hicks’ mansion. I am very glad that they loved the history of this beautiful town. I think they and John have the same thoughts about Campden.
Chipping Campden is one of the loveliest small towns in the Cotswolds and a gilded masterpiece of limestone and craftsmanship. The main street curves in a shallow arc lined with a succession of ancient houses each grafted to the next but each with its own distinctive embellishments.
From Chipping Campden our next stop was to be Stow-on-the-Wold.
A photo opportunity at the church by “the Doors of Durin”, for one of their sons, a Tolkein enthusiast.
Next was lunch at the Kings Arms. A bit drafty where we were sitting but good paninis and chat. Thank you for lunch.
A little walk taking in the oldest inn in England and my wife, Jenny’s shop!
Stow-on the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns standing exposed on 800 feet high Stow Hill at a junction of seven major roads, including the Roman Fosse Way.
The vast Market Square testifies to the towns former importance. Around the square the visitor is faced with an elegant array of Cotswold town houses and shops.
Ancient stones were mentioned at the start of the tour. So, I was more than happy to add a trip to the Rollright Stones.
Apart from counting the 71 or was it 75 stones we all took in the amazing views looking into and across both valleys.
There are many prehistoric remains in the Cotswolds but the most impressive is probably the Rollright stones. Situated high on an exposed ridge, this is England’s third most important stone circle after Stonehenge and Avebury and is thought to be about 4000 years old.
Having chatted about Daylesford Farm Shop in the car on the way it was only right to drop in and have a look.
Mike and Michele were as impressed with the set up as I had hoped they would be.
A destination in its own right.
Organic vegetables cheese, food, wine, clothing and a wellness Spa.
All under one roof – Well almost!
Our next stop was to be Upper Slaughter and to get there I took the sceninc route. Keeping to the smaller roads and passing through the little villages on the way.
We got out of the car and did a little loop of Upper Slaughter stopping at the church and a little look in at the Lord’s of the Manor Hotel.
We drove slowly through Lower Slaughter.
The building that dominates Upper Slaughter is the beautiful gabled Manor House which is one of the finest buildings in the area. The Manor is now a hotel. Upper Slaughter is known as a ‘Double Thankful Village’ due to all their then members of the armed forces surviving both World War I and World War II.
Heading back to Dormy House, we drove through Stanway and the beautiful oak tree parkland with Limousin cattle.
The next desination was the village of Stanton on the way to Broadway and a drive down the high street from the other direction this time!
Stanton is probably one of the prettiest and idyllic villages in the whole of the Cotswolds. Little changed in 300 years it nestles beneath the slopes of Shenbarrow Hill. It has a very pleasing long main street with several delightful corners where the ancient house are built in typical Cotswolds style with steeply pitched gables, mullioned windows and glowing honey coloured limestone walls.
Knowing that Broadway Tower had closed for the day I perhaps, unwisely, took them for a littel look.
Not too sad I hope! But inspired to come back tomorrow and have a proper look.
Back to Dormy House and our farewells.
Thank you for being such enthusiastic and engaging guests, making what I do such a pleasure.
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
