Hidden Cotswold Tour 19th April 2024
The train from Paddington arrived at Kingham Station promptly at 10:10 am and I was there to meet Connie and Mark who were full of enthusiasm for the day ahead.
We discussed my proposed itinerary before moving off to our first stop.
Stow-on-the-Wold
As they had missed breakfast our first port of call in Stow-on-the-Wold was to be Davenford Artisan Cafe which was full and very buzzy. It was good to have a face to face chat over coffees, soup and a bun.
Moving on from the cafe we popped down to look at the Porch House, the oldest Inn in the Country. An inn has been on this site since 947AD
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.
The Slaughters
It had started to rain so we opted to get back in the car and drive down to Upper Slaughter. On the way, we had a little stop at one of my favourite views, looking across the valley to Icomb.
In Upper Slaughter I pointed out Lords of the Manor, where Connie had stayed in the past.
Then on to Lower Slaughter where the sun was shining. Here I let them out whilst parked at the other end of the village and wandered back to meet them.
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.
Painswick
One of the places that Connie had requested to visit was Painswick. Taking the picturesque small roads we drove through the Slad valley to Painswick. We walked through the Church yard, admiring the yew trees and then into the church.
Then wandering around the town we decided to push on to Tetbury for something to eat.
Painswick is quite often referred to as the Queen of the Cotswolds due to its fine buildings of pale grey limestone. These are a reflection of the town’s former prosperity during 300 years of activity in the cloth and wool industry.
Tetbury
The cafe I had been hoping to take them to was closed by the time we got there. We passed Lola & Co. Tapas restaurant and popped in there to share a few tapas. Thank you very much for treating me, It is always a pleasure to share a meal with my guests.
Unfortunately, the clock was ticking and we did not have time to let Connie loose on all the shops in the town. However, we did stop in The Highgrove Shop for a couple of small purchases.
The town of Tetbury is proud of its 1300 years of recorded history since 681 when Tetta’s Monastery was mentioned in a charter by King Ethelred of Mercia. Now famous for the annual Woolsack Race.
Bibury
On the journey back, my intention of driving through the centre of Cirencester was thwarted by a mass of traffic. So, it was staright on to Bibury.
Here, I let them out to have a wander up and down Arlington Row.
It was then on to Oxford and the Old Parsonage Hotel. The Sat Nav was telling me that we would get to the hotel at 17:30. Unfortunately, not giving us time to drop down into Burford.
The main attraction of Bibury is Arlington Row. A group of ancient cottages with steeply pitched roofs dating back to the 16th Century.
This image appears on UK Passports.
Route
It was a vey enjoyable day spent with the two of you, thank you. I’m sorry time got ahead of us at the end of the day. But, it was a pleasure to chat and to get to know you over the day.
Next time, I will prioritise more time for Connie to shop, unhindered, whilst Mark and I can find something else to see or do!
I hope you had a safe journey home and, Connie you enjoyed meeting your latest grandchild.
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
