Hidden Cotswold Tour 3rd June 2023
As the trains were not working – another strike! – I drove to Oxford to pick up Neville and Dipti.
I am always a little anxious before a tour. But, this was completely unnecessary as we were at ease from the first minute. I was introduced, with photos, to their brand-new (nearly) granddaughter via the magic that is an iphone!.
Chastleton House
We had to get from Oxford to where I first planned to stop. To get there, we drove through Woodstock, past several landed-gentry estates, past the queue to Didley Squat Farm Shop! and along many narrow lanes. We arrived at Chastleton on a beautiful sunny morning.
I had never been into the church before but it was open and preparing for a coffee morning. This was a treat for me too.
Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 as a statement of wealth and power by prosperous wool merchant, Walter Jones. Owned by the same increasingly impoverished family for nearly 400 years, Chastleton has remained a time capsule and hidden treasure-trove for generations.
Blockley
Blockley had been on my route , which turned out to be a good choice as they were both fans of Father Brown. We found a table at the cafe and enjoyed coffees, a doughnut and a scone with cream and jam. We had a very relaxed walk around the town before heading off towards Chipping Campden.
During the eighteenth century when the wool industry was in decline Blockley turned to silk production. By 1884 six silk mills powered by the fast-flowing Blockley brook provided work for about 600 people preparing silk for ribbon-making factories in Coventry.
Broadway Tower
Because of the Olympick Games, originating in the 1600’s, the high street was closed. As time was getting on, we, well I, decided on heading straight to Broadway Tower.
Despite the warm sun we were hit by the cold north-east wind blowing around the tower. However, we enjoyed the view of some of the 16 counties. Note to self: look up these counties!
Built in 1799, Broadway Towere is a perfect example of an eighteenth century Gothic folly from which it is possible to survey an area which includes as many as thirteen counties.
It was built for Lady Coventry to see if she could see it from her home some distance away. She could, but never visited it!
Snowshill
Our next stop was at Snowshill.
Apart from being one of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds, another claim to fame is that it was the location for a church scene in Bridget Jones’ Diary.
Time, again, was pushing me to move on as we had planned to have lunch at Daylesford.
Snowshill village sits on the top of the escarpment above the villages of Broadway, Buckland, and Laverton. It is a secluded village where ancient pretty cottages and a 19th century church cluster around a small green. As its name implies – if there is any snow about then you will find it here first.
Daylesford
Daylesford was buzzing and we had to queue to book a table. Luckily the wait was not long, giving Dipti and Neville just enough time to to find a few souvenirs from the amazing Daylesford shelves.
Lunch was delicious. Vegetarian for Dipti and Neville and some chicken for me.
It was also more time to chat and relax in a wonderful setting. Thank you very much for including me in lunch.
Daylesford farm shop is a truly special shopping experience, with an abundance of fresh organic produce to tempt you.
Your senses will drift from the cheeses to the fresh meat to the wines. Don’t be put off by some of the eye-watering prices as it’s the perfect stop for a relaxing cup in tea and to lap up the luxury of this place.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Most people know JRR Tolkein, so it is always a pleasure to take them to the church doors which, we are told, were an inspiration for the doors of Durin in the Hobbit.
Having parked outside Brewery Yard, Neville spotted Jenny’s name on the board so we had to pop in and have a look at her wonderful creations.
We also popped into Lambswold where Dipti spotted some gorgeous little socks for baby Rowan.
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.
Lower Slaughter
We drove slowly through Upper Slaughter, stopping briefly to watch, and take a quick photo of, the bride and groom outside the Lords of the Manor.
Then onto Lower Slaughter. As there was nowhere to park I let them wander along the river and up to the Mill before picking them up and heading off.
The name of the village of Lower Slaughter stems from the Old English name for a wet land ‘slough’ or ‘slothre’ (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies. This quaint village sits beside the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.
Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford
Time had got the better of us, so we drove slowly through Bourton-on-the-Water which was, as expected for a sunny Saturday, packed with holiday makers enjoying the sun and ice creams.
We did the same with Burford driving slowly up the high street and then on to the A40 heading back towards Oxford.
The name of the village of Lower Slaughter stems from the Old English name for a wet land ‘slough’ or ‘slothre’ (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies. This quaint village sits beside the little Eye stream and is known for its unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.
It was such a pleasure spending time with and getting to know you both. Thank you again for the delicious lunch.
I hope you have/had a safe journey back to Houston.
I know you will continue to enjoy seeing Rowan grow up. (I hope our time comes before too long!) I hope she likes all her European presents!
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
