Hidden Cotswold Tour 17th May 2023

10 am and I was in Bath to pick up my guests. They were ready to go, but first we had to load their luggage into the car.  The large cases filled the boot and I am sorry that Rolinda and Daniel had to have their hand luggage at their feet. They had to do a few careful maneuvers getting in and out 😒

Lacock Village and Abbey

Luggage all sorted we set off to Lacock.  Rapha is a Harry Potter fan so I really recommended a visit to the Abbey and the cloisters at the back.  It was a beautiful day and not too many people.  Once out of the Abbey we went to look at the other Harry Potter locations before moving on.

Lacock Village

The village of Lacock dates from the 13th century and has many lime-washed half-timbered and stone houses. The Abbey was founded in 1232 and converted into a country house around 1540.  The fine medieval cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and monastic rooms of the Abbey have survived largely intact.

Castle Combe

Castle Combe was our next place to visit.  As usual parking proved a bit challenging, but I managed to find a space and went to join them.  We looked around the Church and then decided on having lunch at the White Hart.  It was lovely to sit and chat and they generously treated me.  Thank you very much.

Castle Combe

Castle Combe has been described as the prettiest village in the Cotswolds. This magical and ancient village, mentioned to the Domesday Book of 1086, was once a weaving town at the heart of the Cotswolds wool trade. Now a popular tourist destination with good reason.

Bibury

The tour had been very relaxed, so much so that we did not have time to stop in Malmesbury.  So we drove by and then through Cirencester and on to Bibury.  The sun was out and it was not too crowded so we managed to take some good photos.  I can never spot  a trout.  It was Dani (I hope I have spelt it correctly) who saw one.   

Arlington Row in Bibury

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.

Burford

Daniel was now thinking that it was time for a cup of tea or coffee.  I very much wanted to get them to see Burford.  I knew that time was running out so we sped off.  It was about 4.50 when we got there and all the cafes were either closed or cleaning up.  We did manage to grab teas and coffee to take away which we drank as we wandered back to the car.  By 5pm Burford was shut! 

Burford High Street

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.

We needed to get to their next accommodation in Oxford for about 6pm. We hit what I would normally describe as bad traffic.  But I was assured that it was nothing compared to that of Manilla!
We persevered and arrived at the apartment just after 6.

I really enjoyed my day out with this lovely family.  They made what I do, so rewarding, so thank you.

Cotswold Tour 17th May 2023
Map of our Cotswold Tour on the 17th May 2023

If you enjoyed my tour and would be happy to share any thoughts or photos please click on the TripAdvisor link below.  Thank you