Hidden Cotswold Tour 29th July 2023
Day Three and I was looking forward to taking John and Kay on another day around the Cotswolds.
Their supper at the Old Stocks last night went a bit awry at the end when they were asked to sign a ‘waiver’ in order to have a ‘doggy bag’ to take home 
Cornwell and Didley Squat Farm Shop
I drove along another scenic route this time passing by Cornwell Manor in the valley and on past Didley Squat Farm Shop. The cars, people and queues never seem to diminish. We were all equally astonished by their determination to get into the shop and to buy a £15 potato and get a free T-shirt!
Established in 2020, Diddly Squat Farm Shop was the brainchild of Jeremy Clarkson after realising that potatoes did indeed grow well on his farm and he had accidentally produced 40 tonnes of them. From there, with his partner Lisa, he bought hives and began to produce and sell bee juice, along with apple juice and cow juice from a local dairy.
Blenheim Palace
Moving on to our first proper destination of the day, being Blenheim Palace at Woodstock.
John had pre-booked tickets and they went off to wander around the palace on their own. The sun was shining and I took the opportunity to walk up to the first Duke’s monument.
We met back at the car.
Blenheim Palace is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England’s largest houses, was built between 1705 and 1722, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987
Bladon
It was nearing lunchtime but I thought a trip to see Churchill’s grave would complete the Churchill Story. In the Palace they had seen the cupboard where he was born so it seemed only right to see the grave where he now rests.
It was then time to move on to lunch in the Pub, The Hand and Shears, in the village of Church Hanborough.
Most members of the Spencer-Churchill family are buried in St Martin’s parish churchyard at Bladon; only the Dukes and Duchesses are interred in the Blenheim Palace chapel. Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1940–45 and again 1951–55. Like his parents, he was buried in St. Martin’s parish churchyard after his death, in 1965; his wife Clementine was buried in the same grave after her death 12 years later.
Minster Lovell
Following a good lunch, we drove on to the ruins of Minster Lovell. As we were driving in, we noticed a game of cricket about to resume after tea.
I am always a little in awe of the ruins because of what they were once and the precarious state they are in now!
Driving back, we stopped to see what was happening at the cricket match. Play had resumed and I talked John through the basics of the game.
Minster Lovell Hall and Dovecote are extensive ruins of a 15th-century manor house, once belonging to William Lovel’s descendant, Lord Lovell. There is a medieval dovecote nearby. There is a legend that in 1708 the skeletal remains of Lord Lovell were discovered in a secret chamber in the manor house. Lord Lovell had fought in the Battle of Stoke in 1487, and had been seen escaping from the battle, but was never afterwards heard of. It is supposed that he had hidden himself there and died of starvation.
Burford
Kay has been very keen on a particular type of woven wood fence panel and wanted to buy some to ship home. So, a small diversion to Burford Garden Centre was called for. We found the panels, Willow Hurdles, and then found that Wayfair sell them back in the States so no need for any expensive shipping 😊
Burford, a beautiful old Cotswold town, its high street sloping from the high Wolds, where you have beautiful views over the open countryside, down to the willow fringed River Windrush in the pretty Windrush valley. A fine three arched medieval bridge crosses the river at the foot of the hill.
Shipton-under-Wychwood
I like to end the day with something peaceful, tranquil and relaxing. The Wild Garden in Shipton-under-Wychwood I thought would fit the bill. We have always referred to this as the ‘Secret Garden’
We had a gentle stroll through the gardens then past another Saturday afternoon village cricket match and up to the impressive view of the Jacobean manor of Shipton Court.
Wychwood Wild Garden covers 12.5 acres of avenues, woods and ponds,much of which was laid out in the 1860s, and provides a haven for wildlife including many breeds of ducks and birds. It is owned and managed by the local community and offered as a place of peace and tranquillity to local residents, guests and visitors to the area.
Church Westcott
There is always time for another view and so I took the Church Westcott road to Stow with gorgeous views across the valley.
Also taking this peaceful road was a lone cyclist, battling a strong headwind. (He now had his helmet on!)
It was impossible to overtake him due to the narrow lanes, but he was not going to let us past even when there was a passing place 
Panoramic views across the valley from the village of Church Westcott
Route
It was now time to get back to Stow with a quick stop at the Co-op for a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
It was another lovely day with the both of you. I have loved the stories you have told. You should be writing a book. Tomorrow, I am looking forward to the much anticipated “Elvis” story.
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
