Hidden Cotswold Tours
13th July 2024
It was an earlier start today as I picked up Kun and Christine from The Old Stocks Hotel In Stow-on-the-Wold.
They had asked for a tour of the North Cotswolds and we set off on what turned out to be a lovely sunny day. Burford was to be our first stop but we passed through Swinbrook on the way.
Burford
Burford is a beautiful old Cotswold town. Its High Street slopes down from the high Wolds, providing 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.
Bourton-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water has been described as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region being serviced by the many shops, cafe’s, and attractions
After Bourton, we stopped at Jeremy Clarkson’s, Hawkstone Brewery. Kun, very kindly bought three glasses of different beers. I broke my self-imposed rule of not drinking and really enoyed my Premium Hawkstone Lager.
The Slaughters
The name of the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter stem from the Old English name for a wet land ‘slough’ or ‘slothre’ (Old English for muddy place) upon which it lies. These quaint villages sit beside the little Eye stream and are known for their unspoilt limestone cottages in the traditional Cotswold style.
Stanton
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.
We stopped for what turned out to be a better than expected lunch (well, for me and Kun!) at the Mount Inn with wonderful views across the Cotswolds. Thank you very much for treating me 😊
On the way out of the village, we stopped to watch a bit of village cricket. I tried to expain some of the laws of the game!
Broadway Tower
Built in 1799, Broadway Tower 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!
Cotswold Lavender
Lavender has been grown at Cotswold Lavender for the over 20 years as it loves the freedraining limestone soils giving the highest quality essential oils. There are over 35 different varieties of lavender covering more than 70 acres of the farm. Every year at the height of summer the lavender gives a stunning display of colour.
Chipping 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.
ROUTE
I had a great day out with both of you. It was such a pleasure to show you around the beautiful Cotswolds. I was especially happy that the New York “City Girl” loved it too!
Do come back – or send your friends and family😊
Peter
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
