Hidden Cotswold Tour 6th June 2023

I love it when I meet a group and almost immediatley know that we were going to have great day.  This was true as soon as  I met Wilmer, Tanni and Ali.  A lovely family from WA Australia.
The day started at Oxford Parkway on a cold June morning.

Woodstock

Our first stop was Woodstock with some photo opportunities of the Palace from the town gate.  I think your photos will be much better than mine!
With an early start and a train journey form London, a cup of coffee and cake was called for and the Blenheim Buttery was the perfect place.
We enjoyed a leisurley time chatting away.

Blemheim Palace through Town Gate

Woodstock is a picturesque, historic market town with a difference, thanks to its immediate, on-foot access to Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site often referred to as Britain’s greatest palace, and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

Chastleton House

It was quite a long drive to our next stop, but it was a beautiful journey along all the narrow lanes with wonderful views over the Cotswold countryside.  We did, briefly, stop for a photo outside the Didley Squat Farm Shop! Do watch Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon. 
Our proper stop was Chastleton House. A wonderful Jacobeam Manor House.  

Image Chastleton House

Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 as a statement of wealth and power by prosperous wool merchant, Walter Jones. Owned by the same increasingly impoverished family for nearly 400 years, Chastleton has remained a time capsule and hidden treasure-trove for generations.

Blockley

Next we were on or way to Blockley, with its Norman Church that is used as the church in Father Brown.  We wandered around but the cold North-East wind wasn’t encouraging us to hang about.
From Blockley we passed through the tiny village of Broad Campden and an opportunity to photograph some of the beautiful thatched houses.

The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Blockley

During the eighteenth century when the wool industry was in decline Blockley turned to silk production. By 1884 six silk mills powered by the fast-flowing Blockley brook provided work for about 600 people preparing silk for ribbon-making factories in Coventry.

Chipping Campden

It was luch time in Chipping Campden and the request was for an English Pub.  So we went to the Red Lion which fitted the bill.  Not posh, but good for pub-grub.  It was another opporuinity to chat and enjoy their company.  Perhaps a bit too relaxed as when we came out I realised it was 2.30 and time to get on.  After some light shopping and more photos.

Chipping Campden 600 x 400

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.

Stow-on-the-Wold

Jumping back in the car we headed to Stow-on-the-Wold and parked.  There was time to wander around the church, stopping at the “Doors of Durin” and for a little more shopping and photos. 

This afternoon I had to go and take this picture of the more ‘wonky’ building in Stow.

Wonky House Stow-on-the-Wold

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.

Lower Slaughter

We drove slowly through Upper Slaughter, stopping briefly to look at the amazing Upper Slaughter Manor.  Driving down into Lower Slaughter I let them out to look at the miil and to wander along the river Eye.
Ali had wanted a picture of a mill-wheel reflected in the water.  I had thought that maybe this was it.  But she was not sure.  It would be nice to see the one you meant, just in case you come back!

Lower Slaughter Mill

The Old Mill is the most distinctive building in Lower Slaughter, with its red brick standing out from the Cotswold stone of the rest of the village and the water wheel reflected in the river below. Although the original mill was mentioned in the Domesday Book, the current mill was built in the 18th century – which makes it one of Lower Slaughter’s newest buildings.

Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford

It was now time to head back to the station.  But first I needed to take them via Bourton-on-the-Water, which was not quite as crowded as I had led them to believe.  But it was after 4pm on a Tuesday.
On the way to Burford, I decided that a dead badger on the side of the road was a photo-opportunity too far to go back for.
Sadly only time to drive slowly up the high street of Burford and then taking the main road back to Oxford parkway.

Bourton-on-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

It was lovely spending time with the three of you and getting to know you a little.
Since you had only flown in from Perth the day before I thought you all had remarkable stamina staying awake.
You were a joy to entertain, I loved your company and your enthusiasm and you make what I do such a pleasure, thank you. 
I hope you enjoy the Netherlands and your different journeys home.  Also that Jake loves the Colosseum.

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