The Cotswolds

The Cotswold Way is a long distance walking Trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden in the north and the city of Bath in the south. The 102 mile trail passes through picturesque villages and close to a significant number of historic sites and beautiful churches and houses. Some choose a week or more to walk the whole route between Chipping Campden and Bath and others choose to spend just a day or two enjoying the Trail.

Cotswold towns: 
Bourton-on-the-Water is probably the most visited place in the Cotswolds and makes a great base for seeing the Cotswolds. The river Windrush flows through its centre and together with the attractive low bridges make an attractive scene.  An unusual tradition here is the annual Water football match held in the river!

Broadway’s wide main street is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels and plenty of gift shops. But it’s the narrow lanes off the main street with their stone cottages that have inspired artists, writers and composers over the years.

Chipping Campden dating back to the 12th century has always been at the heart of trading. The wonderful 17th century Market Hall with its elaborate timber roof and gables and St James Church are well worth a visit. 

Cirencester with its narrow and winding streets has a certain elegance to it, and dates back to Roman times, and indeed an albeit grassed over amphitheatre still exists. The Corinium Museum explains these origins.

Moreton-in-the-Marsh has some fine buildings, including a rare Curfew Tower with its original bell dating back to 1633. It also has the largest open air street market in the Cotswolds every Tuesday. The towns annual show  held in September celebrates farming life past and present.  

Stow-on-the-Wold has a large and impressive town square with buildings all in the traditional local stone. While the medieval cross is a reminder of the market’s heyday – placed to encourage traders to do business fairly under the sight of God, today the town is more renowned for its antiques trade.

Stroud has an award winning farmers market every Saturday.

Winchcombe is a great base for walkers with a number of trails, including the Cotswold Way passing through. Outside the stone church of St Peter are 40 gargoyles said to represent local town characters from the 1460’s.