Hidden Cotswold Tour 7th August 2023
The forecast today was one of optimism and so it was I set off to meet Richard and Julie at Kingham Station.
We had relatively little communication beforehand so I had planned a classic tour of the North Cotswolds.
Burford
We set off taking the narrow back lanes via Swinbrook to Burford.
I let them both out to wander up and down the high street on their own, whilst I went to find a parking space.
We met up at the bottom of the hill and I handed out 20p pieces so they could use the public lavatories.
We took a small walking detour to look at the river Windrush which was looking disappointingly murky.
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.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Back in the car we took the Taynton/Barrington road to Bourton on the Water.
Once in Bourton I dropped them off and agreed a meeting spot outside the motor museum.
Julie found a couple of things to buy and once we had re-grouped, we popped into the Cotswold Distillery shop as I had suggested Richard sample a nip of Cotswold Whisky.
I am glad to say he liked it and bought a small bottle. However, I don’t think he will stop drinking bourbon in favour of the whisky 😀
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
Lower and Upper Slaughter
It was now time to think about lunch. I was wondering if we could get to Chipping Campden before hunger took over.
But, Julie explained they had bought their own picnic lunch as it was all Kosher.
So, re-thinking we drove through Lower Slaughter and on to Upper Slaughter. I had thought the bench over looking the River Eye would be perfect spot, but sadly someone had got there before us. Not to be beaten we moved on to the bridge by the ford. Once a young group of Asian girls had finished photographing each other we found comfortable spots to sit and enjoy lunch.
I had bought an un-apertising “meal-deal” from the garage which I rejected in favour of their ‘parve’ bread rolls and smoked salmon. The sun obligingly stayed out. I did notice a few spots of rain on the windscreen as we drove on.
Upper and Lower Slaughter – the slightly macabre name comes from the Anglo/Saxon word for marsh. Lower Slaughter Mill is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Upper Slaughter is equally attractive – and one of only 14 Double-Thankful villages in England, villages that lost no men during either World War I or II. The villages are are linked by the gently flowing River Eye.
Chipping Campden
I took them on a loop of the village of Blockley, pointing out the church and where the silk mills had been.
We did not stop, but I wanted to show a town with a different feel from most of the other Cotswold villages.
It was then on to Chipping Campden where I dropped them off and arranged to meet up by the road to the church.
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.
Broadway Tower and Broadway
From Chipping Campden it was up the hill to Broadway Tower and a pit-stop to buy some sodas before driving back down to Broadway. We stopped briefly here to have a look from the car and drove on.
A quick trip up and down the main street of Stanton and then on to the gate house at Stanway. Here we all got out and popped into the church yard to look over the wall and into the house.
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!
Stow-on-the-Wold
Out of the valley and up the hill again and into Stow-on-the-Wold where we fortunately found a parking space.
We went around to the back of the church to see the church door. This was then ‘face-timed’ to their son who I think was driving at the time!
With some time to spare, and as it was on the way back, we stopped off at Daylesford to have a look and then onto the railway station.
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.
Route
It was a great day out and I really enjoyed meeting you both.
It was such a pleasure spending time and hearing a little about you both and all the things you do. I feel tired just thinking about it!
Enjoy the rest of your trip and Richard, Happy Birthday on the 26th September!
If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below. Thank you
